NEWS BY THE MAIL.

Globe, Volume VIII, Issue 930, 18 June 1877, Page 3

NEWS BY THE MAIL.

Auckland, June 16.

The Zcalandia arrived this morning with the English and American mails. She left San Francisco on the 23rd, Californian time ; omitted Kandavau. Passengers for New Zealand—Messrs H. A. Duff, E, Graham, C. 11. Lenaner, O’Neill, Allen, Mrs Murdoch, and 9 in steerage. Mr Gladstone’s resolutions, which were rejected, were divided into five parts. The first resolution expresses regret that the Porte had not given proper attention to Lord Derby’s despatch of September 21st. The second declares that the Porte has forfeited all claims to the moral or material support of England. The third advocates something like autonomy in the disturbed European provinces. The fourth decides that the British Crown should join with the European powers in exacting from the Ottoman Porte, by their united authority, such changes in the Government of Turkey as they may deem necessary for the purposes of humanity and justice, for effectual defence against intrigue, and for the peace of the world. The fifth resolution is merely a proposal that an address embodying the substance of the other four shall be addressed to the Crown.

The May meetings have commenced, and have passed resolutions in favor of Mr Gladstone’s motion.

In the House of Lords, Lord Carnarvon introduced, on April 24th, a Bill providing a constitution for a South African Confederation, the union of the colonies being optional. The Prince of Wales, who has been abroad, chiefly in the South of France, for a fortnight, reached Paris on May 2nd, and is expected in London by the end of the week. The Princess of Wales, who has been to Athens, is returning with him. The Duchess of Edinburgh, who is now in London, attended service at the Russian Church on Sunday, April 29th, at which success was supplicated for he Russian army. Hobart Pasha’s daring defiance of the Russians on the Danube is a common subject of table talk. While his vessel was lying near Rustchuk, about 130 miles from the mouth of the river, lie was informed that the navigation was unsafe, that the Russians were laying torpedoes, and that it would be the safest plan for him to leave his ship, and go to Constantinople overland. This he declined to do, and at once made ready to “ run the gauntlet” of the Russian guns. It was already dark. Upon nearing Cralatz he found that heavily armed Russian batteries commanded the river. “ The batteries,” writes the correspondent of the Daily Telegraph, were soon feaqhed, and btiu Russian lanterns, heavy guns,.

and soldiers in great numbers, were clearly visible to those who manned the Rethymore. A rocket was sent up from the Roumanian shore to apprise the Muscovite Generals of Hobart Pasha coming. His boats went by at the rate of twenty knots per hour. Soon all danger was over. When satisfied that he had nothing to fear from the enemy, Hobart ordered the Rethymore, which carries a 40pounder Armstrong gun, to throw one shell into the centre of the Russian camp —an order which was quickly obeyed, the shell bursting in the midst of the Muscovite tents.”

A terrible accident took place in a mine in South Wales. There was a sudden eruption of water from a neighbouring disused mine and nine men were imprisoned between a huge wall of coal 30ft. thick. At fii’st it was thought that they were killed. Their knockings were heard, and an attempt was at once commenced to release them. Night and day, for days, did the relief party work, and at last succeeded in reaching them. Four had died. The others had supported themselves on tallow candles and water. They were terribly exhausted, but have since recovered. Mr Gathorne Hardy, at a public dinner, alluded in handsome terms to the pluck displayed by the miners who had finally succeeded in restoring their entombed mates to life and light. The Albert medal, hitherto confined to acts of bravery at sea, has been conferred on the men who took part in the rescue, and in future will be used as a reward to civilians for acts of heroism in the same way as the Victoria Cross is conferred for military deeds. Odessa was almost destitute of inhabitants in consequence of a belief that Hobart Pasha intended to bombard it. The harbor was altogether bare of shipping. The Feather River Company, for the purpose of supplying San Francisco with water, proposes to construct a tunnel under the Golden Gate at a cost of a million and a half dollars. The total cost of the scheme is sixteen millions of dollars. The Roumanian and Russian authorities have issued a decree prohibiting all traffic on the Danube. This has completed the paralysis of the larger portion of the Hungarian trade. An Erzcroum special, describing the first attack on Ardahan, says that the efforts of Russia commenced with a heavy artillery fire, which was shortly returned. This was followed by impetuous infantry attacks, which were repulsed every time with great slaughter. Under orders apparently to obtain success somewhere or other at any cost, the troops wore led back to the assault after each failure until night stopped the carnage. A limes Berlin despatch says in consequence, it is supposed, of the appointment of a semi-Ultramontane Cabinet in France, the oft-mooted reinforcement of AP-acc and Lorraine garrisons is likely to bo carried into effect. The increase will probably amount to 1000 or 1200 in Alsace and Lorraine, and 6000 in [the country between Reistadt, Mayennc, and Coblentz. This makes the forces in Western Germany equal to those in Northeastern France.

The Hellenic Cabinet is about to send a note to the Porte, demanding the amelioration of the condition of the Greek provinces of Turkey.

A dispatch from Athens says the new Greek Ministry is disposed to adopt a warlike policy. The people, it is believed, will support the Ministry. The Grand Duke Michael telegraphs from Tiflis on May 20th that along the entire coast from Cape Adler Turkish men-of-war are bombarding and burning undefended peaceful settlements. The Russians have captured at Ardahan a Turkish Pasha and eighty-two cannon, including one eight-inch and a number of small Krupps. A despatch from Constantinople states that English officers now in that city are actively surveying the defences of the city and harbor. The Russians are committing frightful massacres in the Caucasus.

News has been received that a Russian corps, with cavalry and artillery, crossed the Danube near Dolbacke, and entered the Dobrudscha.

An engagement is in progress. The Eussians have a number of ironclads, the boats drawing only a few feet of water, at the mouth of the Dneister, near Ackerman, which they hope to safely convey to Kolia, at the mouth of the Danube, and oyer the bar to the town of Kolia. The Turkish commander has resolved to make a first stand in defence of Dobrudscha on the line of Kustendj to Tctherhoroda, and his next defence is within the precincts of the quadrangle formed by the fortresses of Eustchuk, Yarna, Schumla, and Silistria,

Sixteen thousand Turks have been patched from Widdin with all haste to Dobrudscha.

The Eussian heavy batteries at Ibraila throw shells into the Turkish defences at Matoliin,

Eight Turkish soldiers captured near Ibraila were armed with American rifles, firing thirtysix cartridges without reloading. The report is confirmed that the Eussians have sunk a large Turkish monitor in the Danube. A shell penetrated the boiler of the monitor, resulting in an explosion which fired the magazine of the Monitor, which sunk, and the entire crew of 200 soldiers perished. The World’s Gingevo despatch says that a great battle is impending, and already heavy cannonading is in progress. The Eussian army is in fine condition and good spirits. The Turks are in strong force. Severe musketry firing is heard on the other side of the Danube. The outposts are exchanging leaden compliments, and the rattle is heard at a fearful distance. The cannonade pours heavier, and at this rate it will not take long to destroy Eustchuk. The sky is reddened by the flames of burning Tuturkai. This town has been fired by the Eussian guns in Oltenitza. Matchi-Ber has been set on fire by the Eussian Artillery. The Eussian infantry corps, numbering 501,000, is marching in the direction of Silistria. Great preparations are being made by the Eussians for an attempt to cross the river between Ostroveni and Nicopoli. They have brought down by rail to the river bank pontoon bridges and small steamers, and are erecting large fortifications at Islacz and Turna and Mogura. The continual concentration of troops in the direction of Silistria is observable. Eoumanian shells only reached Turkish vessels off Widdin. The barracks and Custom house at Kalafat were destroyed and a church injured, Widdin was set on fire.

An Englishman reports that the Turkish troops in Widdin and vicinity number about 50,000; they expect an increase of 25,000 from Sophia.

A Roumanian vessel, full of Russian soldiers, has been sunk by the Turks.

A Turkish gunboat, which passed Kalafat, under cover of Turkish fire, from Widdin, was captured by the Roumanian battery lower down the river.

The Montenegrins hold the Duga Pass, and are blockading Goramsko and Nicsic. Sulieman Pasha, with 20,000 men, is advancing to relieve Goramsko.

According to news from Constantinople, sixteen Bulgarian villages have been pillaged and burnt by the Turks. In the Turkish village of Tuturkai there is quite a Christian element, though subordinate in number to the Turks. On the night of the 16th inst. the latter made a general attack upon Christian males, who were put to the sword. Many elderly women shared the same fate, and younger women were cruelly outraged. Cries of victory were distinctly heard by the outposts of the Roumanian army, and the account is further corroborated by reports of two Bulgarians who escaped the slaughter. Dispatches from Constantinople authorise the Turkish Legation to declare that the news of the persecution of Christians in villages on the right bank of the Danube is without foundation. A force [resembling the German landwehr will shortly be called out for the defence of the shores of the Baltic and Black Sea.

It is intended to organise ride companies in every Russian town along the entire coast, from Cape Adlar to Ptchentichyn. Turkish men-of-war are bombarding and burning settlements. A panic reigns not only at Odessa but all along the Black Sea. The Sultan proclaimed a holy war, and signed a decree deposing the Prince of the Roumanians.

Serious differendes occurred between the Turkish Chamber and the Government. The latter proposed to declare Constantinople in a state of siege, but found it could close Parliament without doing so. The Chamber desired to impeach No wry Pasha, the Sultan’s brother-in-law, for embezzlement. There was great excitement in Jiddah on May 16th, owing to a rumor that the Russian fleet was expected in the Red Sea on May 12th.

The Persian envoy has arrived at St. Petersburg to conclude a negotiation, enabling Russia to march her troops through Persian territory. The first collision between Greek insurgents and Turkish troops occurred near Armyros, in Thessally. The Press of Athens unanimously demand war. The Greeks have driven the Turks from Orschi, after a sanguinary fight, wherein an entire Turkish battalion was destroved.

Advices from Scutari announce that the Greeks were defeated in the neighbourhood of Fusings; two chiefs were taken prisoners.

Admiral Kassa bombarded the fortification of Sukhum Kaleh on May 15th, and landed troops. A fight ensued, and the Russians were driven out. The town was in flames. The inhabitants joined the Turks, who drove out the Muscovite garrison, and road guards were all over the district chasing them to Gagry, which was also destroyed. Hasham Pasha landed a supply of rifies and cartridges to equip the Circassians, and a formidable local force was organised to march from the railway line to Titlis, aiming at the destruction of Kutaio, Another large band was despatched to raise the country in rear of the Russian column which is attacking Batoum. On May 20th it was officially reported that the Turkish forces operating near Sukhum Kaleh were attacked by 5700 Russians. The Turks completely annihilated a company of Cossacks. They took five prisoners, besides some arms and provisions. The Turks shelled Buckell, and the Bashibazouks plundered the neighbouring villages. They also bombarded Fort St. Nicholas.

On April 29th the centre of the Russian army, 40,000 strong, under Melik off, attacked Muktar Pasha, live miles from Kars. The Russians were supported by powerful artillery, and dislodged the Turks. Mutkar called out his reserves, and on the 30th, with 60,000 men, attempted to recover the lost ground, but was defeated back under the guns of Kars. Roth sides lost heavily. The object of the Russian attack appeared to be to intercept Turkish communication with Erzeroum.

On May Ist the Turks ocupied the village of Ichcka'te, west of Kars. A few days later the Russians attempted to carry Kars by a coup de main. They attacked the outer line with a fm’ious but ill directed cannonade from siege artillery. Powerful Turkish batteries replied with better effect, and the duel M'as kept up until the Russians brought up their infantry as close as they dare. As they intended to, take the fortification by storm the Turkish commander drew together large bodies of troops behind the ramparts, and made a tremendous sortie upon the Russian Ifank and rear, under the shock of which the Russians were obliged to retreat into a disadvantageous position. A bloody engagement then followed, and the Russians retired leaving 300 dead and many wounded on the field. The Russians then commenced to bombard Kars, and invested the city with 50,000 men. On May 9th the Russians attempted to surround Seaghul, and concentrated to attack the Turkish position at Karbidz, and Zenkikavi. The Russian force at Bayazad advanced in the direction of Samouni and Antob, leaving Karakiliva and Allaskert on their right. A detachment of Cossacks, which advanced to Baskdag, were driven back to Kakassman. The Russians tried to stop the telegraph wires, but were discovered.

On May 17th, the Russians advanced to Karakalissa, and a battle was expected at Toprak Kale on the 18t.li. There was a fight between the Russians and Turkish cavalry outside Kars. The Turks lost 61 killed ; the Russians 2 killed and 51 wounded.

The Globe publishes the following, dated Pera :—“ The Russians gained an important victory between Kars and Erzeroum. The Turks retreated upon Erzeroum. There are rumours that 14,000 Turks were captured.” This news is confirmed.

The Temps, which has occasional communications from Russian agency, says : —“ Our private information confirms the fact that a note has been communicated to the St.Petcrsburgh Cabinet by the English Embassy on questions connected with Constantinople and the Suez Canal now and hereafter. This document is couched in conciliatory terms. We are assured that an understanding lias already been arrived at between Russia and England, both in substance and form, as regards thaCjnez Canal, and in substance as "Constantinople.” ' The Etesian attacking force which captured Ardaharf numbered 8000, besides several thousands in front of the town. During the Turkish flight the Russian cavalry inflicted a logs of 700 on tho enemy’s force of 15,000. The Bashi-Bazouks and Kurds ’ have moved northwards from Lake Van to join tho Turkish forces at Korukaiisa. The Russian advance ih Asia has been dc-

layed by the difficulty of procuring provisions in Armenia.

In the attack on Batoum, where the Turks defeated the Russians with a loss of 4000 men, the Turks were entrenched on the heights defending the town, with tire fleet outside. As the Russians advanced to the attack, the Turks mowed them down by hundred by a well directed fire of cannon and musketry. In a sortie, the Turks, under cover of a thick forest, outflanked the Russians, and inflicted a serious defeat. The courage of the BasinBazonks is highly extolled. The Russians did not withdraw till midnight. They lost several cannon. A Russian war steamer, which had run the gauntlet from Sebastopol, endeavoured to place a torpedo under a Turkish frigate off Batoum. The torpedo failed to explode, and the vessel was driven off. Admiral Hassen Pasha, with ironclads, bombarded Sukhum Kaleh. The Turks have massed a large body of cavalry opposite Galatz. General Hokeloff’s Circassian Cossacks, intended to head the advance of the invading army on the Danube, passed through Bucharest. The Porte has notified to the European Powers that it has blockaded all the ports of the Black Sea. The Servians are making offensive preparations. It is said that the Servian Government have received proof that a convention exists between Russia and Austria. Kossuth has written, urging an alliance between Hungary and Turkey, to protect them from the common enemy, Russia. Large troopships are ready in Portsmouth, and a thousand barrels ®f powder have been sent to Malta. It is rumoured that Turkey will cede the sovereignty of Egypt to England for the payment of a capitalized amount of tribute. La llussc reports that an English steamer endeavoring to enter Kertch without the necessary precautions was totally destroyed by a torpedo. Bulgarian refugees in Roumania are being armed. On bombardment by Turkish monitors, the inhabitants of Reni, Ibraila and Oltnitza fled. Lieutenant-General Sir John Simmons will be commander-in-chief of the English army if sent to the seat of war. The Turkish forces sent to Sukhum Kaleh to aid the Circassians numbered 10,000. The Russian forces in Roumania are estimated at 240,000, and the Turkish force north of the Balkan at 250,000. The Northumberland colliers are on strike. Great forest fires have occurred in Wisconsin, New Hampshire, Vermont, Maine, and Newfoundland. Several frontier towns have been destroyed, and many lives were lost. Franco has informed the Porto that she will not send an ambassador to Constantinople. The shipbuilders’ lock-out in Glasgow affects 25,000 men. There have been 50,000 deaths by cholera in India. FRANCE. The circulation of foreign newspapers in France is only permitted after censorship, Gambetta visits Lyons, Marseilles, and other large towns to organise a Republican resistance. A fire at Metz on May the 7th destroyed the roof of the Cathedral. Jules Simon resigned on May 16th in consequence of differences with MacMahon. On the 17th the whole Cabinet resigned except the Minister of War. Gambetta, on the same day, in the Chamber of Deputies, said the President had demanded the resignation of the Premier, and that the President’s enemies were leading him to ruin. If a dissolution happened, the country might see in it a prelude to war. The Right passed a resolution declaring MacMahon’s action constitutional. The French fleet has been ordered to proceed to Hayti to enforce the payment of the debt repudiated by the Haytians. On May 18th a new French Cabinet was constituted as follows : —Due de Broglie, President of the Council and Minister of Justice; De Fourten, Minister of the Interior; Eugene Caillaur, Finance; Count de Paris, Public Works; Viscount de Meaux, Agriculture; Brunnet, Public Instruction. MacMahon has declared his firm determination to maintain peace and repress Ultramontane demonstrations. The London Times declares MacMahon’s j course legal. | Twenty-one Prefects have been removed to : other places. j The French Ambassadors have proceeded to ' Berlin to reassure Germany. The whole of the Italian papers are hostile to England, on account of the presence of the | English fleet at Crete. An Italian war steamer took soundings off Durczzo. A Turkish war ship remonstrated. Both ships loaded guns. The Turkish authorities avoided a collision. SPAIN. The Basque provinces have been ordered to provide 20,000 conscripts. Ex-Queen Isabella lias urged the Pope to dissuade King Alfonso from marrying a Princess not of the Catholic faith. The levy of conscripts in the Basque is regarded as dangerous. | GERMANY. _ I Bismarck’s arrival at Berlin was not the result of a sudden call. The North German Gazette, Ministeria\ organ, reprints from Bismarck’s despatch*-;* to show that the appointment of a clerical and monarchical Cabinet in Franco might prejudice German interests and Imperial maintenance of peace. Von Moltko’s speech was intended to acquaint France that Germany watched her military preparations. The Minister of War visited Alsace and Lorraine to take measures for military movements corresponding to those adopted by France. \

Two thousand colliers struck in Dqrtpiond district, Austria. Austro-Hungary made representation to St. Petersburg and Constantinople against the navigation of Ihp, Austrian Danube. Ambassadors to Constantinople remonstrate againat’forming a Polish legion which woidd include Austrian subjects. Insurgents at Grab burned the barracks and two blockhouses, and sacked the magazines and Customs House at Tynbry, The Porte has received assurances from Belgrade that. Sprqia will not interfere in the war.

Tho ' restrictions in tho Danube paralyse Hungarian trade. The Hungarian journals are hostile to Turkey. At Vicuna, on May 21st, it was rumored that negotiations were on foot for an alliance

between Germany, Austria, and England. Some of the journals demand that the approach of the Russians to the Austrian frontier shall be regarded as a casvs belli. London, May 22.

During Whit Monday amusements a balloon about to ascend was blown against a gas jet and exploded. Eighty-six spectators were injured, six seriously. Mr Carlyle writes to the Times that Disraeli evidently intends to involve England in war against Russia. Sir Stafford Northcote says the Turks have 400,000 well armed and disciplined troops in Europe. Six gunboats, and ten boats for landing troops, have been ordered.

During the debate in the House of Commons on the Eastern Question Prince Napoleon was in the gallery. The Times says the war party is all in a minority. The army clothing factories have been worked without intermission. Arrangements have been made for the embarkation of 25,000 men in six days if necessary, and 25,000 more in a fortnight after. English statesmen think that Russia will not venture on the occupation of Constantinople, fearing the consequences of a general European war. The Government stopped an armament for Turkey leaving the Victoria dock. AMERICA. The Winnehago Court House fell in while being built, killing twelve men and injuring nearly twenty. A carriage containing five persons was ran into by the train at Compton ; three were killed and two were fatally’injured. A Fenian movement is recorded from Ohio. A call has been made for gaining possession of Ireland in the event of England being drawn into war. The steamship Sidonian from Glasgow to New York blew up, killing the captain and six engineers. The steamer was spoken going under sail. At Chicago, after a strike amongst coal miners, the old hands after being taken back poisoned the food of the new hands, and several died. The authors were not discovered. An extensive fire at Stopens, New Brunswick, destroyed ninety-five buildings and eighty families were rendered houseless. Property worth half a million dollars was destroyed. A devastating forest fire has been reported along the Hudson at Otawa, North Conway, Upper Bartlett, New Hampshire. Clinton Mills, lately a thriving township, was totally destroyed, not a house was left standing ; three-quarters of a million dollars’ worth of property was destroyed. There was one continuous blaze of 120 miles. The whole side of the White Mountains was on fire at one time. Harrowing accounts have been received of families burnt at St. Clair, Pennsylvania. An explosion in Maine killed nine men, and maimed five others. The Secretary of War at Washington has issued orders to discharge 1500 men, thus reducing the army to 25,000 men. A body of 1100 cavalry has left Fort Lincoln in search of Sitting Bull, who is supposed to be encamped on the Yellowstone with 500 warriors. Forty-seven Indian lodges have surrendered to General Mills on the Yellowstone. The Mormons throughout the territory are secretly arming and equipping, and drilling, with a view to resist the arrest of Brigham Young should the present jury, which is composed of Gentiles, find an indictment against him. The Mormon co-operative store, winch concern is controlled by Brigham himself, is receiving and shipping to various settlements in the territory large quantities of ammunition and breech-loading rifles. Reports confirming these facts are coming in from all quarters, and a feeling of uneasiness among the Gentiles is manifesting itself. The war in Columbia is virtually ended. The Conservatives have been twice defeated at Mangalth and Rio Hatcha, and General Zezella is now the popular candidate for the next Presidency of Columbia. The Archbishop of Quito was poisoned on Good Friday while saying mass, by strychnine introduced into the eucharist. Great excitement prevails. The perpetrators have not been discovered. A terrible storm visited Maroona, Indiana, on May 12th. One church was unroofed and one blown down. A terrible scene followed. Several were killed and nearly all injured. Somerville, a New York solicitor, has been tried for complicity in a ease of burglary. He has supplied details implicating several others. The New York Herald, says the reported invasion of Menco is to take the shape of a formidable immigration movement. Ex-President Grant has gone to visit London. Steamships leaving New York for Europe on May 11th and 12th took a hundred thousand bushels of grain and nearly a million pounds of fresh meat. A syndicate of American bankers has agreed to buy, and Secretary Shearman has agreed to sell, two million dollars worth of 51 per cent, bonds each month; and gold will not be sold, or if it is sold for legal tender notes. The latter will be held to redeem such fractional notes as are outstanding. An earthquake at Iquique has been destructive, principally in the harbor. Seventeen vessels were destroyed. The loss of life was not great. Its influence was felt as far as Bolivia. SHIPPING. Arrived —From Canterbury at Gravesend, April 24th, Langstonc ; April 29th, Waimea. Departure—For Canterbury, April 28th, Waikato. COMMERCIAL. San Francisco, May 22. The Chronicle reports wheat quiet and steady. The chartering of several vessels to load Iqi' Europe indicates active movement as soon as new crop begins to come in, but they have been taken with long lay days, and more in anticipation than to meet immediate requirements. It is generally expected, as soon as new wheat makes its appearance, that prices will decline, but markets justify shippers in paying 2dols. 50c, per cental,, and £2 freight, and fair shipnjng wheat cannot now be quoted at over 3d01.00c. The movement in barley is limited. Notwithstanding the presence of t famine in some portions of India it is estii mated that the export of wheat from Calcutta ; alone to England will this, season amount to ! 125,000 or 150,000 tons. The increase in this source of supply is marked. New York, May 23. Hides active at 21 to 22 cents. Latest iquotations—Kerosene: Devoc’s Brilliant, in 100 case lots, 55 cents, for screw top, and 35 for Foucot cans j Oleophine, 35 cents, j PhOtoliti, 33 cents. ; Downer’s, 50 cents.