LONDON.

Daily Telegraph (Napier), Issue 3031, 14 March 1881, Page 3

LONDON.

February 28. A grand demonstration was given in Parie in the celebration of the eightieth anniversary of the birthday of Victor Hugo. His popularity among the Parisians is immense, and it is estimated that over 300,000 people took part in the rejoicings on the occasion. Throughout the United States and Canada the weather has been unusually severe, and owing to the fierceness of the storms and floods there has been an enormous destruction of property. Over 5000,000 cattle have now perished.

The Orient Company expressed their sense of the unfairness with which they are treated by the postal authorities. It is stated that; the directors of the Orient Company intend to despatch the Orient steamer on the came date as the outgoing P. and O. -Steamer, in order to avoid carrying the mails for whica they receive an inadequate subsidy. I March 2. j In anticipation of the Irish Coercion Bill immediately becoming law, Mr Forster and his officials in Dublin are engaged taking preliminary steps for the enforcement of the provisions of the measures. Lists have been obtained of the most prominent promoters of agitation and outrages. It is stated that the authorities have selected those who are to be arrested as soon as the Queen's assent has been given to the bill. Much discontent is expressed at the delay of the Government in bringing forward their measure for the reform of the Irish land system. It is now asserted that the Land Bill will not be submitted to Parliament for another month. The dilatory policy of the Government i 3 severely criticised by the Radical press, but it is generally believed that the delay was due to a diversity of opinion in the Cabinet upon the leading principles included in the measure.

In the United States and on the Continent a strong feeling of sympathy is expressed with the Beers. The Continental press condemntbe annexation of the Transvaal as arbitrary and uncalled for, and describe the Boers as a brave people fighting for their liberty. Intelligence from Bagdad states that a plague has broken out in the district of Mesopotamia, which is proving most fatal amongst the populace, who are dying by the hundred. Great alarm is felt that the disease may spread to other countries, and assistance is urgently asked for. Intelligence has been received via San Francisco that small pox has broken out in the Sandwich Islands, and is committing great ravages. Among the natives of Honolulu especially is the mortality excessive.

A smart shock of earthquake haa been experienced in Berue, Switzerland, causing much consternation among the inhabitants, March 5. General Roberts bas sailed for the Cape to assume the command of the British operations in the Transvaal. Captain Spencer Childers, a son of the Minister of War, haa been appointed Aide-de-camp to General Roberts. Walsb, one of the members of the Land League, who wa<3 amongst those recently persecuted for sedition, hag left Ireland for New Zealand. It is assumed that the object of his visit is to make arrangements in the Australian Colonies for the collection of subscriptions on behalf of the Land League. The authorities in Ireland are completing their preparations to bring into effective operation the provisions of the Irish Coercion Act.

The constitutional struggles in Germany between the Chancellor, Prince Bismarck, and the Reichstag, are exciting much interest. There has been several animated debates in the Chamber, in which the policy pursued by Bismarck has been severely bandied by many of the deputies. A proposal haa been mooted for the Alpine Club to visit New Zealand for the purpose of thoroughly exploring the fine mountainous scenery of the colony. The idea has been favorably received among the members, and it is anticipated that a considerable number will visit New Zealand shortly.

The severe weather in the United States and Canada still holds. The snowstorms have been so heavy and continuous that, on the Union and Pacific and other lines in the north-west, communication has been interrupted for more than a week. There has been an absolute block of traffic, and gangs of men have been employed to clear the lines of snowdrift?.

The Kiag of Hawaii, David Kalakau, is now on a visit to England. He ia fifty years of age, and was chosen King about seven years ago. March 6. The officials and members of the Irish Land League continue to prosecute an active agitation for an amendment of the land laws. To-day (Sunday) a monster meeting of the League and itb adherents wa3 held, which passed off without any disturbance of the peace. President Garfield has appointed James Gillespie Blame, Senator for the State of Maine, Secretary of State in the new Government.

(Ribcter'3 SruciAii to Telegraph. J