Loxdox, February 4:. The failure of the South Australian loan is attributed to the high premium at which the loan was placed, when the adviseis suggested that the mini mum should be 97. Another cause assigned is that only 2 per cent dis count was offered on immediate and final payments. There were about 100 tenderers, the highest individual amount subscribed being L 30,000 at is premium. Opinions are generally expressed in the city that it is mad ness for the other colonies to think of borrowing at present unless they are prepared to place their loans at a lower minimum than 98. In the House of Commons to-day Mr Gladstone's Heligious Disabilities Renewal Bill was rejected on a divi sion by 256 to 228. In mo /ing the measure Mr Gladstone contended that the present disabilities under which O.itholics suffered were unfair, since their loyalty had been proved to be untainted. Mr Smith, speaking on behalf of the Government, who op posed the Bill, said there was no necessity for the Bill, and the present inopportune, as the mass of subjects regarded the proposed change with alarm. At a meeting of shareholders in the Bank of New Zealand to-day, the al terations in the deed of settlement were confirmed. The wool market is buoyant, and is generally five per cent above Decem ber closing ttxtes. Good lambs' wool is firm ; faulty sorts, £d lower. Fo reigners are making large purchases. It is reported that the bulk of the gold received from tiie Bank of France during the recent financial crisis will be returned to-morrow. The American visible wheat supply is 44,200,000 bushels.
