Colonel Stanley, Secretary of State for the Colonies, replying to a question asked by Lord Lymington in the Bouse of Commons, stated that the matter of arranging a proportion to be contributed by each of the Australian colonies towards the cost of maintaining the British protec torate over New Guinea, wa3 still unsettled.
Mrs; Butler (Miss Elizabeth Thompson) has repudiated any connection with the picture which was purchased for the Sydney National Art Gallery, and which was presented to be a replica of her painting of the " Koll Call.'

August 6. — In consequence of the critical state of affairs it is proposed to garrison Suakin with Turkish troops. The French Government is about to com mence the deportation of the Recidivistes under authority conferred by an Act recently passsd by the Chambers, The first batch of deportees will be sent to French Guiana, Cayenne, South America.
August 7. — Russia has become very belli cose towards .England. Extensive naval preparations are being made ia Russian ports. Large supplies of munitions are being forwarded to the fleet station at Vladivos tock, a port on the Murifu promontory. August 9.— lt is rumored that the Czar is adopting a more openly belligerent tone in his attitude with regard to the Afghan frontier question. It ia further reported that M. De (iiers is about to resign his position. The Russian fleet in the Baltic has been ordered to winter at Helaingfors, in the Gulf in Fin land, and remain in readiness for active service.
PROROGATION OF THE ENGLISH PARLIAMENT.
