LATE CABLES.

Gisborne Times, Volume VII, Issue 396, 22 April 1902, Page 2

LATE CABLES.

CHINESE BANDITS.

By telegraph—Press Association —Copyright London, April 21. The Russians had a sharp encounter with bandits on the outskirts of Niuchwang. COLONIAL TROOPS’ CLUB. Under the patronage of tho Colonial and War Offices, a Colonial Troops’ Club is being organised in London. STRATEGIC CABLE. The Times supports the Inter-Deparu-mental Committee’s cable recommendations in regard to tho minimum strategic requirements of the Empire—viz., a cablo from Rodriguez or Cocos to Ceylon, or Cocos to Singapore, a land line from the Straits Settlements to Burmah, and a cable from Jamaica to Saint Lucia. A SHIPPING CALAMITY. Advices received at Olmsted report that the Illinois packet, City of Pittsburgh, has been burnt and fifty passengers are missing. LIFE ASSURANCE. Sydney, April 21. At tho annual meeting of the Mutual Life Association of Australasia, a highly satisfactory report was presented. _ New premiums amount to J£42,270, the highest in the history of the institution, while the business for tho United Kingdom for 1902 oxceeds the corresponding period of last year by 66 per cent. The retiring directors were re-elected. HOLIDAY MAD. Melbourne, April 21. Mr Kingston gave orders under the Customs Act that no work on vessels be permitted, owing to Eight Hours Day. Tho captain of the P. and O. steamer Australia declined to obey, as he had to coal the vessel in order to sail to-morrow. A lighter went alongside and commenced to place coal aboard. A Customs officer asked the men to cease work. They declined. Then he sealed the ship’s bunkers, and stopped operations. The captain is liable to a penalty of £SO.