CABLEGRAMS.

Wairarapa Daily Times, Volume VII, Issue 2174, 18 December 1885, Page 2

CABLEGRAMS.

(BY ELEOTBW TKLEQRAPH--00PY8IOHT) Hedtee's Telegrams, London, Deoember 10, , A conference took place to-day between Colonel Stanley, Secretary of State for the Colonies, and the various 'AgentsGeneral, its object to decide upon a successor to the late General Scratchley as High Commissioner of New Guinea, and to fix the proportion whioh shbuld be paid by each Australasian colony towards the expenses connected with the establishment of the New Guinea Protectorate,. The Conference designated Mr John. Douglas, or Mr J. B, Thurston as General Soratohity's successor, but the final selection has yet to b« made. ''' Cairo, December 16th. The rebols oontinuo their firing in the vicinity of Knoshay, and two of General Cameron's officers have been wounded. Melbourne, December 17. ■ In the Legislative Assembly last night, the Electoral Bill, the effect of whioh was to increase the number of members in the Assembly, was rejected. The New Zealand Loan and Mercantile Agency Company, Limited, held the usual weekly sale this afternoon, when an important catalogue comprising some 5200 bales was submitted to the public. Bidding was of an , animated character, and prices were firmly maintained, good woola in particular eliciting spirited competition, the tone of the market being generally brisk, with* an upward tendency. Greasy merinos sold vp to lid, while scoured wools were in better demand than at last week's Bales, and fetched as much as 18£ d for some lots, The highest price l obtained for washed wool was a shilling. ■

Adelaide, 17, A most destructive fire broke out in Grenfell-street last night, resulting, before the flames could be checked, in the total destruction of. Messrs Ooombes' timber yard, Burford & Company's soap factory, and a number of private cottages. The efforts of tha firemen were neutralised by the high wind which prevailed, and the damage is estimated at fully £20,000, the bulk of which will fall upon the South Australian Insurance Company, One, of the buildings contained 1600 barrels of resin, which melted and flowed along the street, a stream of liquid fire,

. Sydney, December 17. "The Alameda arrived from Auckland tonight! ' . " " Sir John! Robertson has been sent for by the Governor to undertake the formation of a Ministry,' and the Assembly has consequently .been adjourned until Tuesday next, the 22nd inst, ■ ■' London, December 17, '•The Standard in an article on., the, political outlook to-day,'affirms that Mr Gladstone iB prepared; to" restore- the Irish ' Parliament, at the wme time preMrvinfr the union with Grwfc Britain.