LONDON.

Daily Telegraph (Napier), Issue 3264, 17 December 1881, Page 3

LONDON.

December 6

In connection with the inquiry now being prosecuted by the Royal Commission on the defence of the British possessions and commerce abroad, the War Office has decided to despatch Lieut.Colonel Orossman, of the Royal Marines, to report upon the best means of provid ing for the defence of colonial harbors of importance. Sydney as a port of defence is especially recognised for Colonel Grossman's investigations. The rumor which has been extensively circulated that Italy and Russia were likely shortly to commence hostilities against Austria is now found to be purely factitious. Major-General Woods, who since the death of General Colley has acted as Governor of Natal, has been offered the prominent position with increased salary in place of Mr Sendall, who has been recalled in deference to the wishes of the Natal colonists. The Boers are endeavouring to ruin the English traders who remain in that country by subjecting them to a species of Boycotting similar to that practised in Ireland. Two servants employed at Barukahiln, Lord Hill Trevor's country residence at Chirk, Ddubeighshire, have been arrested on suspicion of having committed the great jewel robbery. The family jewels which have been atistracted, arc estimated to be worth £40,000. In consequence of the recent outrages, the steamer Philomel has been ordered to blockade tbe island of Zanzibar. The Dutch Government announces that it has received an assurance from Great Britain that she does not comtemplate assuming the sovereignity of Borneo. The authorities have discovered that the Irish National Land League are endeavouring to perfect their military organisation. Numbers of their adherents are secretly drilled at mignight in various parts of the country by recognised military chiefs. An attempt has been made to destroy the Court House at Montreal, one of the principal buildings in the city, by an explosive machine charged with dynamite. Tbe outrage is attributed to the Fenians. The convention of Irish Americans now sitting in Chicago has organised a rebellion fund amounting to 250,000 dollars, which will he expended in assisting the Irish to obtain their national independence. When the result of the election for Londonderry became known, tbe defeated party created a serious disturbance, and pelted the Solicitor-General with stones. Sir Samuel Wilson was loudly cheered, and was carried to his hotel on the shoulders of several of bis enthusiastic supporters. In connection with the proposed visit of an Australian eleven to [.ngUnd next season, matches have been arranged with seventeen county teams, the gentlemen of EogUnd, the Universities, the players of Englund, and the' All England eleven. It is proposed that the Australian eleven should receive half the gate money, and tbe promoters in England are awaiting the acceptance of the terms offered. An anomyous le'fer ha* been received from the accomplices in the outrages committed at the mon«oleum attached to Dttnsobt Mouse, Aberdeen, in which the writer confessed that he was hired by two men who were strangers to him to steal the body of Waterlow of Crow ford from tf.se family vault, to enable them to learn the art of emb timing. Rear-Admiral Sullivan has been appointed to succeed Earl Clanwilliam in the command ot the detached squadron. The trial of the man Fobin, who was arrested at Middlesborough on the 14th ultimo, on suspicion of being connected with the Fenian Lodge at Bradford, Yorkshire, is now proceeding. The cvi-

dence shows that he styled Bradford the " centre " quarters of 250 Fenians. It is understood that it ia the wish of the Zulu people that Cetewayo should return to hia native country, and the British Government will direct his release from Oude Molen farm, where he is at present confined. Another unsuccessful attempt has been made to blow up the Court House at Montreal by means of an infernal machine.

There is a great increase of outrages in Ireland, and the Government are raising a temporary force of 1000 men who have belonged to the army reserves, or have been constabulary, with which it is proposed to employ the men in patrolling tbe most disaffected districts at night, with a view of affording protection to property. The Council of Administration of Russia have expressed themselves satisfied that the Turkish Government can offer them a sufficient prospect of ultimately liquidating the warindemmity payable under the treaty of San Stephono to justify the abandonment of the scheme of obtaining equivalent territory in Armenia.

Mr Bourke, the representative of the Turkish bondholders, has induced the commissioners for the liquidation of the Ottoman debt to secure to the bondholders £1500, which is equivalent to about 1£ per cent, of tbe interest on the nominal amount of the public debt. A number of officials connected with tbe Imperial Court have been placed on their trial for having neglected to take proper precautions for the safety of the late Emperor Alexander 11., who was assassinated at St. Petersburg!! on March 13.

Wigram and Sons, ship owners,Leadenhall street, have entered into contracts for the construction of three powerful steamers of 4000 tons each to be employed in the London and Australian trade.

A great fire has occurred at Minnesoto, one of the chief wheat producing States of the American Union. Four flour mills and one cotton mill have been completely destroyed, and four men perished in the flames. The loss occasioned by tha fire is estimated at £8000.

Six men have been rescued from the ruins of Calfe Rock lighthouse, Bantry Bay, which was destroyed during tbe gales which prevailed on the Irish coast on November 27 and 28.