TELEGRAPHIC NEWS.

Globe, Volume VIII, Issue 830, 20 February 1877, Page 2

TELEGRAPHIC NEWS.

. —«. {Per Press Agency?) LATEST FROM EUROPE AND AUSTRALIA. [By Submaeinb Cable.] THE EASTERN QUESTION. London, February 17. England's reply tu the Russian circular depends upon the course of events, Before expressing its views tlio English Govern meat desires to know the views of the other powers. Mr Gathorne Hardy, replying to Mr Gladstone's question on Friday, said England was not freed from her obligations under the Treaties 1856 and 1871. It would be unjust if Turkey was left in the cold, but Turkey was saddled with obligations under the Treaties, and if she was bound, the Treaties imposed no duty in case of war for Turkey, but respect for her independence and in tegrity. He strongly protested against drawing the sword with a view of coercion. ; COMMERCIAL. The wheat marker, is depressed. One million seven hundred and fifty thousand are afloat for England. Four hundred bales of New Zealand hemp ■snvv fcMBtJ i old '.-'; £2£ lOn to £25 10a.

AUSTRALIA. Sydney, Februar/ 19. Arrived—Rotorua. [Per Easby, via Wellington.] Adelaide. The South Australia Insurance Company shows a net profit for the half-year of £7BOO. Afc a meeting of the Adelaide Steamship Company, the chairman stated their steamers were insured under the collision clause, which protected them to the extent of twothirds of their value. A heavy demand for wheat is springing up from Sydney, owing to the advice that the New Zealand crop is damaged by rain. Large sales have taken place at 6s 2d. Mr George Fife Angud offers to give another £IOOO to the Union College if the general public will subscribe a similar amount, Brisbane. The steamer Thales arrived at Cooktown, with 470 Chinese, making 1300 Chinese landed at that port within a fortnight. The Thales returns to Hong Kong. Her advices state that serious riots have occurred at Japan. Several thousand men are in arms against the Government. The imposition of a land tax is the cause of the disturbance. A serious fire has occurred at Shanghai ; six lives were lost, and property to the value of £40,000 destroyed. At a meeting of the National Agricultural Society, called to consider a proposition of the New South Wales Agricultural Association, to remove the prohibition on stock, a resolution was carried unanimously that, after the information received of the receut outbreak of disease in Europe, this society does not feel warranted in recommending the Government to remove the prohibition on the importation of stock." An amendment was moved for a nine months' quarantine and proper examination, but withdrawn after a long discussion. INTERPRO VINCI AL. Auckland, February 19. The test match on Saturday between white and black targets resulted in favor of the latter.

In chambers, in the Supreme Court, today, Sterndale, who had been arrested on the suit of Messrs Henderson and McFarlane, was released on the application of the Attorney-General. The Registrar (Mr Willcocks) held that section 15 of Abolition of Imprisonment for Debt Act must be taken to have abolished all arrests in mesne process ; that the present action does not fall within the language of section 15, and that according to au thorit ien one of the partners has no power to bring each action against a copartner, and there was no action shown within the meaning of thi section, and that plaintiff's affidavit was insufficient, inasmuch as it docs not allege that any balance has been struck or agreed upon between the partners. After argument by the Attorney-General, the Registrar said he ought not to have granted the order for defendant's arrest, and now rescinded the same with three guineas costs. Gapt Anderson, of the Thurland Castle, has been presented by the South British Insurance Company with £2O to purchase a testimonial, as a mark of their appreciation of the energy displayed in the detection of cargo broachiDg on the voyage. The railway commission met to-day. The Hon Mr Chamberlain gave evidence re the excessive rate paid. The road was used largely instead of the railway by the public. He considered if the rate were lowered the traffic would be largely increased. Napier, ITebruary 19.

A curious complication has arisen in the Waipawa County. Au extraordinary vacancy in Council having occurred, in consequence of the decision of the R.M. on the petition of the Hon H. R, Russell, there were two nominations, Mr Russell and Mr Sydney Johnson, but the returning officer declaredhimself unable to fix a time for the poll, because the election not being a first election, and therefore being on the rolls to be prepared by the County Council, and no such rolls having been prepared- he had no means of taking a poll, and adjourned sine die. There is besides a difference between two even sections of the Council. Three of them wanted the Council meetings continued at Waipawa, where the first was held, and three wanted them removed to Waipakurau. The latter succeeded because one of their number wa3 the chairman, and he gave his casting vote. At the meeting held on Saturday at Waipakurau accordingly, the Waipawa members, though in the township, would not attend, alleging that as they were now only six members, the acts of the Council would be invalid. The three Waipukurau members, however, proceeded with some business, reserving the question of validity in respect to a quorum for a legal opinion. The question that arises is this, aa they are now only a Council of six members, do threo constitute a quorum ; but against that it is urged that though only now six, beeause one seat is vacant, they really are a Council of seven.

Wang an in, February 20. A party started with Mr Booth, 8.. M., yesterday, for the Taupo country, taking with them a staff of surveyors. A final effort will he made to settle the Murimotu difficulty. .Or Buller will represent the native tribes, and Mr Moorhouse the interests of Studhome and Co. It is understood that each solicitor receives a fee of £2OO for the trip from their respective clients. A general meeting of the tribes takes place on the 24th inst. Foxton, February 20. Beathy's store was burnt down last night. Very little of the stock whs saved. It is insured in the National for «82(i00, and in other offices for £SOO. Wellington, February 13.

Arrived-—Ensby, from Kyriney. Having come from an infected port Captain Kennedy anchored in the stream and signalled ior the health offlctr. There whr no sickness on board, however, and he was authorised to come alongside Passengers for Lyttelton— Mr and Mrs Groves and three children, Messrs Donnelly and Clerk, She sails tomorrow evening.

Nelson, February 19. The Rev John Selwyn was consecrated Bishop of Melanesia yesterday morning in the presence of a large number of clergy and a crowded congregation. The sermon was preached by the Rev Mr Dudley of Auckland.

Sailed, 10 30 am—Wellington, for Wei lington and South. Passengers from Nelson —Mrs Franzen, Mesdames Frauzen, Small, Newman, Misses Elson, Holloway, Warner ,nd Bishops of Wellington, Ohristchurch and DucediP, Revs B. A. Lingard, Dudley

Ronaldson, Masons, Shepherd, Pearce, Jacksoc, Neal, M'Connell, Pooley, Holloway, Washboume and Monro.

Nelson, February 20. Pitiable tales having been received of the distress occasioned by the floods at Motueka, where many of the settlers have lost their all—homes, stock, crops, and in some cases the land itself— a public meeting was called by the Mayor last night, which was well attended, the Bishops of Nelson and Melanesia, and Messrs Curtis auil Sharp, M.H.R., taking part in the proceedings. A resolution of sympathy was passed, and a committee appointed to collect subscriptions. £9O was paid in the room.

Hokitika, February 19.

Arrived—Albion, from Sydney. Passengers for Lyttelton—Messrs Nfl*on, Gedge. She sailed at 1 p.m. for Wellington. Dunedin, February 19. A preliminary meeting of the friends and supporters of Mr Macandrew was held today, for the purpose of taking steps to present him with a testimonial, A public meeting will be held shortly to forward the object, in view,

Mr George McLean, Commissioner of Customs, arrived in Dunedin thiß morning. Ho intends to apportion the departments in the Provincial Government Buildings during his stay. Some will be used for the Court-hLiise purposes, and others will be assigned to the Waste Department. Port Chalmers, February 20. Sailed —Barque Marie, for Wellington.

{From a correspondent of the Press.) Dcnedjn, February 19.

Tho railway earnings for January were £15,127, of which the Clutha lines earn £4425. Another cake of 100 ouncea has been sent down from the Homeward Bound Reef at Macebown.

Judge Harvey has decided the case of Superintendent v Paterson, which involved the legality of the renewal of Wakatip run, in plaintiff's favor, but admits it as doubtful whether it can stand, as the Provincial Government exceeded their powers. The Waipori sludge channel, which cost £12,000, is practically useless through floods. It will take £2OOO to repair it, meanwhile eighty miners are thrown out of work. Messrs Bruntou and Higginson, C.E.'s, have been appointed to value the Otago railways in order to the adjustment of the account between the Colonial Government and the Provincial Government.

Mr Steele is engaged to aupporfc Mrs Siddons at Christchurch.

The Wellington leaves here Saturday.

A detective who came over to Melbourne in the Wolverine states there is not a word of truth in the report re Madame Cora. Tim arc,

At the inquest at Pleasant Point this afternoon on the body of Edward Percy Jones, a verdict of accidentally drowned was returned.