YESTERDAY'S TELEGRAMS.

Globe, Volume VIII, Issue 990, 28 August 1877, Page 2

YESTERDAY'S TELEGRAMS.

[by submarine cable, bbutkh’s special TEDEGKAMS TO THE I’BESS AGENCY.] Colonel Baker distinguishing himself Turkish Force in Bobrudscha. Critical Position of Russian Forces. Russian Repulse Confirmed,

Sydney, August 27. The “ Herald’s ” special despatch from London, dated the 25th, says — Colonel Baker, commanding the Turkish cavalry, distinguished himself at Eski Djumaia. The Turks are attempting to cross the Danube at Widdin.

A Turkish force is now operating in Dobrudscha.

The English Press considers the Russian position in Bulgaria critical. In Asia Minor since the repulse of the Russians under Melikoff, both armies in Armenia remain inactive.

Bombay, Augnst 26, 7 p.m. The Russians admit their repulse at Eski Djumaia. They have fallen back to Sulkamoskbi.

The vanguard of Sulieman’s right wing has crossed the Balkans at Hamboghaz and is advancing on Gobrova.

AUSTRALIAN NEWS

The Victorian Budget. [Per Ringarooma, via Bluff.] Melbourne, August 22. The Treasury budget shows an estimated revenue for the current year of £1,476,880, but, allowing for remissions of Customs of expenditure £4,860,000, showing a deficiency of £383,000, which is made up by the audit balance from last year of £205,671, land tax £200,000, live stock tax £SOOO, leaving a balance carried forward of £46,066. New duties are imposed to the extent of £15,000, and increased duties £IB,OOO, but on the other hand the remissions are £86,000, Breadstuff's are untouched) but dried fruits and stores arc

freed. Bags and woolpacks are now faxed, and an increase on children’s boots, earthenware, doors, matches, &c. The principal objection to the scheme is in the land tax, which is the same as that put before the country, and to the live stock tax on horses, cattle, sheep, and pigs, whether by land or sea. The defence requirements are to be paid out of ordinary expenditure, which contains several heavy items. No fresh cases of small-pox have occurred, and all arc progressing well. Drought still continues. It is heavily felt in many parts of the colony and New South Wales/ The steamer Chimborazo left London for the colonies on 13th instant, with 360 passengers. John O’Neil, charged with matricide at Footscray, has been acquitted on the ground of insanity.

The East Australian telegraph line is now opened within 160 miles, and a horse express is being run. The political dead-lock continues''in Adelaide.

A new Ministry has been formed in Tasmania, with Fysh as Premier.

Large ironworks, for working up Tasmanian iron into pipes, are about to be constructed in Melbourne. ■ i

INTERPROVINCIAL.

The “Waka Maori” Libel Case. The Mails. Fire at Blenheim. Gtbahamstown, August 27. The Alburnian Company are crushing general stuff and specimens, which yielded 21260z5. lOdwts. of retorted gold.

A rifle match was fired on Saturday between twenty-five of the Thames Scottish arid twenty-five of the Hauraki Rifles, five shots each at 200, 400, and 500 yards. The match resulted in a tie, the aggregate scofek being 1108 points each. Major Cooper, who acted as umpire, gave the match in favor of the Scottish, who made the biggest scores at the long range. There was great excitement oyer the match, and the result is regarded as almost unprecedented in volunteering. Alexandra, August 27.

Natives are passing in large numbers on their return from the Native meeting. They report the Xingites determined to remain more isolated than ever. No pakehas will be allowed to travel in their district for the future. Wellington, August 27. A meeting of licensed victuallers and others interested in the liquor traffic was held this afternoon. About thirty persons were present. Several speakers, in commenting upon the Local Option Bill, considered its provisions most unfair to merchants and licensed victuallers. It was remarked that although many merchants were largely interested in the Bill, yet very few were present. It wafe resolved that the members for the city and outlying districts of Wellington provincial district receive on Wednesday next a deputation from that meeting, so as to learn their views on the Local Option Bill. It was suggested (and though not formally put and carried will be acted upon) that the Wellington members should be induced to get the committal of the Bill postponed for another week, so as to enable the delegates of licensed victuallers from various parts of the colony to arrive here. 8 p.m. The “ Waka Maori” libel case occupied the Court all day. Mr Macassey, in his opening address, spoke for nearly two hours. Only three witnesses were examined. The principal points elicited in the evidence were these : Clarke, Under Secretary of the Native Department, stated that he recommended that one of the letters should not be published, as it contained statements regarding a gentleman in another part of the colony, which he considered improper to insert, and he declined to translate the letter. About a month subsequently, on account of Natives complaining of their letters not being inserted, he received a telegram from the Native Minister, giving instructions for the ] letter to be published in the “ Waka Maori. ” I The counsel for the plaintiff called two I Natives to prove that they gave no authority j for attaching their names to the letter. The case is expected to occupy from eight to ten / days. Two jurymen, who absented themselves, were fined £lO each. The Court was crowded , all day. j The s.s. City of New York, with the London mails of July 26th, left San Francisco on the 15th instant for Auckland via Honolulu. The Zealandia, with fhe New Zealand July mails, arrived at San FyanciscoJ,' on the 22nd instant. She left Auckland on the Ist instant, making an excellent run of twenty-one days. Calling at Honolulu lias been resumed, and the contractors have notified that they will continue to do so. Blenheim, August 27.

At 7.30 on Sunday evening an empty house, lately in the occupation of Mr Kitchen, saddler, now of Wanganui, was burned down. Its value was about £7OO. •It was insured in tho South British for £SOO. The supposed cause is the caretaker leaving a fire in the colonial oven whilst at church. Dunedin, August 27.

The Dunedin Jockey Club has issued the programme of the November and March races. The principal events for the latter are the Dunedin Cup, 500 sovs ; Jockey Club, 300 sovs ; Forbury Handicap, 200 sovs ; and the Derby, 150 sovs. An information has been laid against Weir and Sampson, charging them with arson in consequence of the verdict returned by the coroner’s jury. The case will be investigated on Saturday. Alexander Wylie was to day adjudged guilty of having in his possession an illicit still. Sentence was deferred.

Up to the present time the petition in favor of keeping the Museum open has been signed by 3000 people. ‘Mr W, D. Meares, who loaves to-morrow for Christchurch, as manager of the Union Insurance Company, was this evening presoul cd with a silver service by the Dunedin Cricket Club.

(FROM THE CORRESPONDENT Ol? THE PRESS.) Dunedin, August 27. Our footballers are to be entertained at dinner on Saturday. Mr Meares was entertained at dinner at the Club on Saturday, and this afternoon was presented with testimonials.

MrW. C. Kirkcaldy, formerly in the National Insurance Company, has been appointed Dunedin agent of the Union Company. The “Guardian” severely condemns the new Land Act. It says—“ Few were prepared for so marked a contrast as that presented in the treatment of Canterbury and of all the

rest of the colony. If this .measure reaches the Statute book, verily the representatives of Canterbury have their reward. We do not hesitate to say that if there has been one measure or Act of the Ministry, not even excepting the Native Land Bill, which more than another should be properly met by a motion of want of confidence; it is a measure which proposes to put the sacred seal of legislation to as infamous a bargain as ever disgraced the relations of Ministers and the representatives of the people.” Robert W. Grierson, arrested on Friday at Invercargill on a charge of embezzling moneys belonging to Marshall and Copeland, of this city, was brought before the local Bench, and, in the absence of any information, was discharged. On leaving the Court he was immediately re-arrested, and on the application of the police, was remanded, bail being allowed in £6OO. It is stated that the firm by which he was employed discovered defalcations amounting to about £250. Mr Reynolds telegraphs endorsing the action of the minority of the Harbor Board in instructing the Secretary to remain in Dunedin and attend his duties. The majority feel inclined to insist upon Mr Gillies proceeding to Wellington.