GENERAL SUMMARY.

Westport Times, Volume V, Issue 882, 2 November 1871, Page 2

GENERAL SUMMARY.

The Queen is at Balmoral, and her health is improving. Agitation is arising for a reform in the House of Lords.

The troops are to be withdrawn from Canada at the end of October. There are rumours of Hall's and Webb's Hues of steamships being amalgamated ; and if not, both are to be sold to an English company. Lord Bury will probably be the next Governor of New Zealand.

Wool is a penny to three half-pence higher than iast closing rates.

The fourth annual series of wool sales opens on the 14th. The total arrivals are 131,131 bales, including 36,415 bales from New Zealand. A further advance of one penny to twopence per lb is expected, as the consumption continues on an augmented scale. The demand from abroad is small, bat the home requirements are large. High prices are likely to rule through, out <the sale. At auction 1242 bales of New Zealand flax were offered, and 950 bales sold at higher rates, realising £2l to £39 for superior well-dressed samples.

Australian hides are worth 6fd for light, and Gfd for first heavy. Tallow to the extent of upwards of 2000 casks of mutton, realised 43s 9d to 44s 3d ; beef, 42s to 42s 3d. The New Zealand Loan agency shares are at -fths to J-ths premium j Trust and Loan, 1J to If- premium ; Otago and Southland Investment, i-th premium. Consols for money are 93 g to 93£ } for account 931 to 93£. Australian securities are in active demand. Foreign stocks and railway shares are buoyant. The August trade returns show an increase ; money is dear. New Zealand Consolidated Fives are 101|; Sixes, 113.

Arrivals of foreign wheat and oats have been large; prices of foreign wheat are Is to 2s higher. The exports to New Zealand show an -increase of £65,500.

Shipping.—Arrived from New Zealand : Otago, Alberta, Caduceus, Charles Gladstone, Celeno, Harvest Home, Malay, Agneß Macer. Sailed for New Zealand-—Chile, Bouverie, Glen Huntley, May Queen, Robert Henderson. The Zelandia is loading for New Zealand.

Freights from Glasgow to Otago at 35s to 40s for bale and box goods ; from Liverpool, 30s to 40s for general cargo.

The question of wool brokerage, and also the policy of the London Colonial Bauks acting as agents for consignments has drawn forth a long

and bitter correspondence on both sides. The Eclipse Committee has despatched a complete set of instruments for the expedition to North Australia. Montgomery shot himself with a pistol, his newly married wife being in the next room at the time. At the inquest a verdict was found of suicide under temporary insanity. There was great rejoicing at Inverary welcoming the Marquis of Lome and the Princess Louise. The Prince and Princess of Wales are on the Continent. Gladstone in a speech at Whitby vindicated his administration and justified his financial policy. Richard Wallace has been created a baronet for his services during the siege of Paris. The Times and Daily News warn the Government that though the rejection of the Ballot Bill by the Lords produced little excitement an agitation is progressing for the reform of the House of Lords. Regarding the Australian mail service, Mr Monsell thinks that steamers fitted to carry a large number of passengers through the tropics, will not be fast enough for mail steamers. He is in favor of a Californian route, alternating with Suez. The head of a New Zealand chief is advertised for sale in London. E. H. Troupe returns to New Zea land by the next Californiau mail steamer. Dr. Featherstone has taken offices in Westminster Chambers ; he intends proceeding to Germany during the month to arrange about emigration, but so far little has been done in Britain towards furthering the immigration policy of the Colonial Government. Walter Buller has been appointed secretary to Dr Featherstone. It is understood that Brogden obtained the contract subject to the acceptance by the New Zealand Assembly of that firm's contract for the construction of the Nelson and Cobden Railway.

Sir Charles Clifford had returned from New Zealand, and is looking better for his trip. LATE TELEGRAMS. ' The whole of the Paris forts were officially surrendered on the 20th by the Germans. The evacuation of four departments adjaceut to Paris terminates on the 25th.

In consequence of certain modifications m;tde in the Commercial Treaty b\ r the French Parliament, the German plenipotentiaries declined to ratify it.

It is stated that an understanding exists between Thiers and Count Arnim upon all essential points of the treaty.

It is reported that serious difficulties had arisen in consequence of modifications, but the latest advices say that the matter may soon be settled.

The National Garde of Lyons was ordered to surrender its arms by Ettienne. Tranquilty prevails.

Eochfort has been sentenced to imprisonment in a fort, and llossel to death with military degradation.

It is intended to make Versailles the headquarters of the government. The Kingof Spain was enthusiastically received on his tour. The cholera has reached Constantinople. A Russian squadron arrived at Falmouth, en route for America. The autumn campaign in Berkshire lasted from the 4th to the 20th September. The troops behaved admirably. Some splendid manoeuvring was effected in front of London. The Newcastle coal masters have imported three thousand foreign workmen.

Chief Justice Norman has been assassinated by a Mohammedan native of Cabul while entering the High Court at Calcutta. It has caused a profound sensation throughout India. The motive for the crime is only surmised. The assassin has been sentenced to death.

The demand for money is large. Bank of England rate of discount has been increased to four per cent. There is nothing later about wool. "Wheat is a shilling to two shillings per quarter dearer.

The Mont Cenis tunnel opening was celebrated by international festivities at Turin.

The sham campaign concluded with a review at Aldershott, Several battles were fought and victories won in defending the approaches to London against two invading forces, under Generals Staveley and Carey. Many deficiencies were exposed, but the manoeuvres were considered satisfactory.

The Underley, a ship bound for Melbourne, has been totally wrecked off the Isle of Wight. The steward was drowned, but all others were saved.

The strike at Newcastle continues. Three thousand foroigu workmen have arrived.

Further explosions at Wigan necessitated flooding the mines. The " Times" has published the details of a proposal to make a railway from London to Kurrachee. It is estimated to cost forty millions,making a pleasant journey extending over five days. The promoters undertake to complete the line on the joint guarantee of the countries traversed.

G-eueral George Farquaharson is dead.

The " Times" says that the murder of Chief Justice Norman is a terrible blow at the sanctity of the law. The " Daily News,' supposes that the murderer was instigated by Wahabees. The English wheat harvest is 15 per cent, below the average. Advices from Washington state that the September corn crops are favourable.

The Bishop of Calcutta has applied for three additional Bishops iu his Diocese, entailing no expense upon the Imperial Government. The American cotton crops are estimated at 3,000,000 to 3.333,000 bales.