NEWS BY CABLE. ENGLISH.

Wairarapa Daily Times, Volume XI, Issue 3741, 20 February 1891, Page 2

NEWS BY CABLE.

ENGLISH.

London, February 18. The admiralty have ordered the sale of a quantity of surplus and obsolete gunpowder which is stored in Sydney harbour. The conversion of the remaining New Zealand stocks is expected to be a success. The Oceana has arrived at Brindisi 36 hours late. The yessel encoun~ tered terrific weather which caused the delay. The report that Admiral Scott will be succeeded by Admiral Stephenson is denied. It is. now stated that it was shortly after Doncastrr races had taken place that Colonel Sir William Cumming was accused of cheating the Prince ot Wales ac cards, and that the latter then induced Sir William to sign a a paper agreeing never to play cards again. The incident was kept a secret until January, when it oozed out. Sir William Cumming alleges that he signed the paper under compulsion. Only small stakas were being played for, and although the matter is only trivial the Radical members daily ask questions in Parliament respecting the suspected gentleman resigning his position in the army. Opinion is divided as to whether the Prince of Wales should have exposed Sir William Cumming or concealed his offence. February 18. Sir W. Cumming denied the charge of cheating, but the Prince of Wales replied that theie was ample evidence against him. ' Mr Parnell presides at a banquet of Irishmen in London on St Patrick's Day.

Replying to Mr Howard Vincent's motion in the House of Commons with riferecce to a Colonial Conference, Mr Goschen said that Great Brithn might pay something to continue the union of the British Empire, but not to increase the cost of food. There could be no objection to the principle of a Customs Union, though there was this difficulty, that the country wouM not tolerate differential duties. It would be essential, however, that the colonies should put 5 per cent, extra on foreigners, and pass a tariff likely to protect Great Britain from loss. The amounts contributed by colonies towards the naval defences were extremely insignificant, and he would be glad to see the cost of Imperial defence spread over a wider area. At the close of the debate the previous question was adopted.