AMERICAN NEWS.

Globe, Volume I, Issue 24, 27 June 1874, Page 2

AMERICAN NEWS.

FRIGHTFUL INUNDATIONS IN MASSACHUSETTS. GREAT DISTRESS IN NEW ORLEANS. GREAT FIRES IN TORONTO AND OHIO. r AWFUL ICE ACCIDENTS IN QUEBEC. San Francisco, May 27. The details of the partial destruction of three villages in Massachusetts by the bursting of reservoirs, are of an appalling character. The reservoirs were in the mountains, and used for mill purposes in villages below. They broke away the dams, and the torrent rushed down on the villages, sweepiugeverythiug in its course. Onehundredand eighty persons were drowned. The damage to property is one million dollars. Four hundred families are homeless. Adding to confusion and distress, as soon as the catastrophe was known, robbers and roughs from the neighbouring towns poured in eager for plunder. The women’s crusade against the liquor traffic is being suppressed by the authorities. Forty women were arrested at Pittsburg for obstructing the road. They still express a determination to continue their work. The steamer Sivatora, carrying scientists • for observation of the transit of Venus is ready to leave New York, She will land parties at Crossot’s Island, and Desolation Islands. She has elaborate instruments and eighteen months’ provisions on board. The Mayor of New Orleans telegraph ° further aid towards thesuffere.ro ' Louisiana inundatiov fys In,ooo rations are —‘•eil daily, and contributions million dollars will be required to prevent the horrors of famine and great loss of life. A fall of buildings at Buffalo killed eight persons. Fire at Toronto, 200,000 dollars worth of property destroyed. Four ruffians fought their way out of Indiana State Prison, with revolvers and bovvie knives, killing a turnkey. The American steamer Manchu was wrecked in a gale in the Japan seas. Forty [ seven persons were drowned, chiefly Chinamen. A man and wife, and an old woman and son were burned in Mexico for sorcery b;y Honor Gastello, Alcade of Jacomimo. Thej were tested by compelling them to swallow holy water. A strike of the stage drivers in New York, caused the disappearance of vehicles from the streets. Over forty leading business premises in Ohio were burned. The loss is 500,000 dollars. A great ice gorge occurred in Quebec, which damaged and wrecked a large number of steamers and other vessels. The damage was 1,500,000 dollars. The New York police are making raids on gamblers. Seventy have been arrested. The police of San Juan, Porto Rico, are arresting freemasons on the ground that they favor separation of the colonies from Spain. Intelligence from Japan states that the chief of the rebels and ten leaders were caught and executed. More brutal murders have taken place in San Francisco. One hundred Catholic pilgrims left New York for Rome. Havanua intelligence states that a court martial was held, condemning a large number of people to death and imprisonment on the charge of treason. A Bill has been introduced into the Congress, empowering the purchase of 10,000 acres in Pango Pango, Samoa is appointed a naval station for the United States, without assuming political control of lauds which continue under native sovereignty, subject to certain conditions. 'The necessary authority to secure the right of the United. States Bill was referred ■o a committee on foreign affairs, which is row considering it. Colonel Steiubergher’s report favors annexation of Samoa. It is understood that

the annexation committee opposes the course, and favors the purchase of any lands required. Thousands of Mormons are joining Brigham Young’s new order of Enoch, which requires every member to give all his property to the church. Auckland, June 27. Provision and grain market firm. Oats, 5s (id ; barley, 6s ; wheat, 6s 4d to 6s 6d ; flour, £l4 to £l4 10s ; bran, £10; pollard, £lO ; peas and beans, 5s 6d ; cheese, 8d ; butter, Is 3d ; ham and bacon, lOd to lid ; market stock in first hands, very low. The Chamber of Commerce passed a memorial to the General Government, protesting against a pamphlet issued by Dr Fcatherston, in which Auckland is compared unfavorably with other provinces.