TELEGRAPHIC.

Globe, Volume VIII, Issue 1076, 8 December 1877, Page 2

TELEGRAPHIC.

CABLENEWS [rbutbb’s special telegrams to the PRESS AGENCY.] T H E”WA R. England and the Blockade of the Euxine. Russians to Winter in Armenia. Servian Independence to be Declared. London, November 26. It is rumored in Paris that England has sent an ultimatum to Russia, and England has intimated to Turkey that she refuses to recognise the blockade of the Euxine unless enforced upon her, the Porte having granted exceptional permits to Greek vessels. November 29. Mukhtar Pasha telegraphs that the Russians are preparing winter quarters in Armenia. Serious dissensions have arisen in the Turkish Ministry. Mahomed is expected to return. Vienna papers declare that Servia will take part in the war about the middle of December. Prince Milan proceeds to head-quarters on 7th December.

The independence of Servia is expected to be proclaimed on the 12th. The Shah of Persia has despatched a secret envoy on a secret mission to St. Petersburg. The French Senate has appointed a committee of inquiry into the causes of the bad state of trade. A deputation from the Syndicates has presented a memorial to President MacMahon, showing that the commercial condition of the country is in a critical state. INTERPRO YIN CIAL [JPBR PRESS AGENCY,] Wellington, December 8. Great speculation in Crown lauds has been going on during the last few days amongst purchasers anxious to obtain land before the new Land Bill comes into operation. Upwards of thirty thousand acres are disposed of. In some districts very little Crown lands now remain. The Presbyterian General Assembly has decided that the month of March shall be the time for the meeting of the Assembly. The greater part of the sederunt was taken up in discussing the report on temperance and urging the adoption of measures to discourage intemperance. The committee was re-appointed to watch over the matter, and take any step they might think advisable in support of any good piece of legislation which might be introduced in Parliament towards the repression of the drinking customs of the people, and the attention of the people is to be drawn to the evil of the use of wine at baptisms and funerals. Dunedin, December 8. There are now 254 patients in the Lunatic Asylum. Seven thousand pound scash were yesterday refused for a quarter-acre section in George street. There are 200 members of the Otago Railway Employes Benefit Society, and the balance to their credit is £565. Lawrence, December 8. The flood in the Molyneux river yesterday was the heaviest that has been for years, owing to the hot winds bringing down snow from the mountains. Rain fell after the wind and the river rose as fast as in what is known as “ the old man flood” when so many lives were lost. No special damage is yet ascertained. PARLIAMENTARY. Last Night’s Proceedings. Wellington, Decembers. On a division of 23 to 16 the House, after a free conference, agreed to accept the Legislative Council’s amendments in the Land Sales Bill, striking out the clause extending the homestead system to the whole colony. In Committee of Supply considerable discussion took place on the vote of £IO,OOO for the Mountain road, Taranaki. Mr Sheehan, Sir G. Grey, and Major Atkinson all supported it, and Mr Stout and Mr Rolleston opposed it. It was explained that the sum of £IO,OOO was part of the sum set apart for the purchase of Native land in New Plymouth. The vote was carried on the voice of the Speaker. Several other items passed. After some discussion the proposed vote of £50,000 for works for opening up land for settlement, was struck out on the voices. The only remaining items were £40,000 for distribution amongst the Auckland counties to restore that part of the colony to some equality with those parts which had large provincial liabilities, and £260,000 for general provincial liabilities approved by the Governor in Council. The total vote of £300,000 for these purposes was, after some discussion, carried by 33 to 9, the members of the late Government voting with the present Government in the majority. The Appropriation Bill and Public Works and Immigration Appropriation Bill were then introduced and passed the second readings. On Mr Joyce’s motion the Government were instructed to enquire into the reasons for letting the extension of the Winton and Kingston railway by private contract. (Sir G. Grey announced the prorogation would be by commission on Monday. The House rose at 11.20 till to-day.