TELEGRAMS.

Temuka Leader, Issue 1565, 15 March 1887, Page 1

TELEGRAMS.

ENGLISH AND FOREIGN. London, March 10. The navy estimates show a decrease of £75,000 as compared with the previous year. The reduction has been rendered possible by the economical reforms which have been introduced by the Admiralty Department. The navy is, however, now stronger than formerly, there having been an increase of eleven hundred officers and men. Naval construction is now extremely active. The American Minister has taken occasion to deny that naval designs have been bought for his Government from an official in the British service. The Australian and New Zealand mails, which left Auckland on January 31st, were delivered to-day, via Sen Francisco. The Bank of Australasia has declared { a dividend at the rate of per cent, per annum, and carries forward and places to the reserve £23,000. A statement has been made, but it is now denied, to the effect that the building for the Imperial Institute will be subject to a mortgage of £200,000 on the Kensington estate. It is reported that the Indian and Colonial Exhibition surplus of £20,000 will be given to the Imperial Institute.

The Australian United Steam Navigation Company has been registered, with a capital of £600,000. Messrs Anthony Morris, Charles Lees, and Alexander Menteath have been elected Directors of the Australian Steam Navigation Company. Mr Dawes will shortly proceed to Australia on the Company's business.

Sir Redvers Bailer has declared that coercion in Ireland is virtually impossible. The health of the Duke of Devonshire is critical.

The date for the opening of the Imperial Conference has been definitely fixed for April 4th. On April 2nd a grand banquet will be held in honor of the conference, and this will take place under the auspices of the Federation League. Members of the conference will be invited to be present, and Lord Rosebery will preside. It is announced that the attendance will comprise most of the leading politicians and men of note. The Duke of Cambridge has promised to attend, March 11. In the House of Commons last night, during the discussion of the Estimates, the Radical party opposed the proposed grant to Captain Brennan for his torpedo patent. The vote ultimately passed. In the House of Commons to-day, Mr Smith announced that the Government would during the present session introduce a Bill dealing with the Irish land question.

Abdel Kedar Pasha, Egyptian Minister of the Interior, bas been suspected of intrigue, and has resigned his office. Mustapha Felimi Pasha, Minister of Finance, replaces him.

Captain Brennan’s services are to be retained by the War Office, Mr Smith, Secretary for War, has stated that Captain Brennan’s torpedo is a perfect defence in places where otherwise it would be difficult to provide protection. Great excitement prevails at Toughal, County Cork, owing to a fatal collision between the police and a body of rioters, Sir Henry Holland stated in the House of Commons yesterday that be expected 25 delegates representing selfgoverning colonies would be present at the Imperial Conference, He would preside himself.

Id the House of Commons last night, Mr Hennicker-Heaton asked a question in reference to the statement published a short time ago to the effect that Russia was massing troops near the frontier of Afghanistan. Sir James Ferguson, Under-Secretary for Foreign Affairs, said that according to the latest official information the operations in question bad ceased, and the troops were being distributed over Russian territory, It is now stated the chief draughtsman at the Chatham Dockyard was bribed by Russia, and that the naval authorities of that country, through him, have obtained a number of very valuable designs.

March 12, Sir W. Armstrong has applied for permission to send the 80-pounder gun made for the Victorian Government at Elswick to the Newcastle Exhibition. A Private Committee of the House of Commons has been appointed to frame a State-aided colonising scheme. The New Zealand Shipping Company's s.e. Aorangi left Plymouth this afternoon for Wellington. March 13. In addressing a meeting at Birmingham last night, Mr Chamberlain declared that the points of discord between the Unionist Liberals and the followers of Mr Gladstone were so few, and of such secondary importance, that he was not aware of any reason why an agreement between the two parties bad not been effected. Everything rested with Mr Gladstone, and longer delay in , bringing about a settlement would cause a wider separation. Mr Chamberlain expressed a hope that Government would introduce a Bill for the final settlement of the IrNh land question «t the same time that the Irish Crimes Bill is brought forward. Paris, March 10, A serious explosion took place to-day at Belfort during a series of experiments with the new explosive molimite. Six soldiers engaged making experiments were killed and eleven injured. Nick, March 11. A sharp earthquake shock was feit here this afternoon. No damage was caused, but a temporary panic arose among the inhabitants. Calcutta, March 11. It is announced that the recentlyacquired territory in Burmah is lo be formed into a province of British India, and placed under the control of a Lieutenant-Governor and Council. ■ —* AUSTRALIAN CABLE. Melbourne, March 11. The business of James McEwan and Co,, ironmongers, of Melbourne, is being floated as a limited liability company on the London market, March 12, Daily competitive trials have been taking place at Goldsborough’s with Wolsey’s sheep-shearing machinery. The work has been done satisfactorily. The experts will give their decision on Monday. Sydney, March 11. The Tekapo sailed to-day from Newcastle for Lyttelton. March 12. The debate on the Address-in-Reply was farther adjourned till Monday next. By a fire which occurred at Amid ale yesterday three children were burned to death. March 13. Since the Ist January over 800 cases of typhoid fever have been reported, 160 of which proved fatal. Hobart, March 11. The Shaw Savill steamship Doric arrived this morning from Plymouth.