FOREIGN INTELLIGENCE.

Waikato Times, Volume XXX, Issue 2454, 3 April 1888, Page 2

FOREIGN INTELLIGENCE.

(By Elkcthic Tklkohai-h.—Corvnir.iiT.) Bkrun-, March 30. lTi3 reported that the Emperor Frederick and the Empress Victoria will be crowned at Konigsberg, the capital of Eist Prussia, in June next. The Emperor Frederick to-day drove through the streets of Berlin, and was received with enthusiasm by the populace. London', March 31. The Economist, referring to the mining excitement in Australia, co isiders that the silver boom is certain to end in disaster. The bank of Australasia have declared a dividend of 12 per cent., and carry forward to the reserve fund £12,800 March 30. At a meeting of the Liberals, the County Government Bill was freely discussed, and it is understood that the. main principles were generally approved. The Temperance Society and the local optiouist3 are organising a strong opposition to the licensing proposals set forth in the County Government Bill. The Duke of .Sutherland has offered the crofters holdings on 20 miles of deer forests. The death of the Sultan of Zanzibrr is announced. The ironclad Nile has been launched at Pembroke. The assent of Her Majesty the Q-ieen to the conversion scheme of the Chancellor of the Exchequer has been given. Her Majesty the (juccn is making purchases of Australian wines. The private deposit* in the banks amount to nearly £20,000,000. Mr Goschou announced that it was intended to impose surrenders to assist' local taxation, and that a portion of the licensed fees and half the probate duty would be applied to the same purpose. The necessary funds for naval defence would be raised by a loan payable as annuities in ten years. Ireland is to be exempt from the vehicle tax, which imposes 2s (id on wheel traffic, £1 on pleasure liors?s, and £5 on racehorses. Sir Graham Berry has applied to Lord Knntsford, Secretary of State for the Colonies, for advice on the question of excluding foreign cruisers from colonial harbours. Lord Knut<ford has replied that the Imperial Government would consider the matter. The New Zealand Loan and Mercantile Asrency propose to increase their capital to the extent of £1,000,000, and one-half of this amount will b<; issued at ouce.