YESTERDAY'S TELEGRAMS

Globe, Volume IX, Issue 1203, 11 January 1878, Page 2

YESTERDAY'S TELEGRAMS

[BY SUBMARINE CABLE.] [SPECIAL TO TnE WELLINGTON "POST."] England and the Peace Negotiations. London, January 8. Lord Derby has informed Russia that England must participate in any peace negotiations entered into between Russia and Turkey. [reuter'B special telegrams to press AGENCY.]

The Armistice Negotiations. London, January 9. The despatches published yesterday from special correspondents, stating that the Turks had abandoned Shipka Pass, and that Radctzky had occupied Kesanlik, are declared unfounded. Preliminary negotiations for an armistice are reported to have been opened, but their success is considered improbable.

AUSTRALIAN.

Alarming Excitement in Melbourne. Melbourne, January 10. Affairs here are becoming alarming. Yesterday a number of unclassified officers of long standing were dismissed without notice or claim for compensation. Further dismissals are contemplated in various public departments, including that of the Chief Commissioner of Police. Public works are stopped, and a large number of workmen are thrown out of employment. Compensation allowance for classified officers is enormous. The police magistrates have received £40,000. Mr Berry addressed the people at Geelong ; then a mass meeting in Melbourne. Next the supporters of the Government addressed their respective constituents on the cause of the present crisis. The wildest excitement prevails. Sydnev, January 10. Arrived —Her Majesty's ship Sappho.

[SPECIAL TO WELLINGTON "POST."] Sydney, January 0. The excitement in Victoria is tremendous, and revolutionary movements have already begun. 400 of the principal civil servants and judges have been discharged, and the public business is entirely arrested.

[special to the "dunedin stae."j Expedition to New Guinea. London, January 7. A large vessel will sail from London in February on an expedition to the New Guinea goldfields. Sydney, January 7. The New G-uinea gold specimens are of excellent quality. Fiji news reports that a schooner, supposed to be the May Q.ueen, is floating off. Two natives have been diving to obtain her treasure.

INTERPROVINCIAL.

[PEE PBESB AGENCY.] Important Sale of SteamersSeizure of an Illicit Still. Auckland, January 10. The Auckland Steam Tucket Company eold their plant to-day at the following prices : Southern Cross, £7OOO ; Co-Ahead, £2500 ; Pretty Jane, £2350; hulk Cantero £3OO, coals on board £B4; total, £12,234. The vessels were purchased by a newly-formed Auckland company. A new steamer for the North Shore was launched to-day—length, 115 ft.; width, 15ft. The New Zealand Loan and Agency Company propose to increase their capital by the issue of shares, amounting to a million, making the capital two millions. Mr C. Bright's lecture last night was well attended. Dr. Somerville held his first Evangelistic prayer-meeting to-day. There was a good attendance. He holds a public revivalism at the theatre to-night. The district meeting of the Primitive Methodists commenced to-day. Thirty-three members attended; The Eev. Messrs Westbrooke, president; G-oldie, vice-president; Tinsley,' secretary ; Clover and Potter, assistant secretaries ; Dean and Ward, readers ; J. Dean, letter writer. The consideration of Btation reports is proceeding. Stephen Massett appeared again last night to a crowded house. J. H. Evans, convicted of rape at Coromandel, was sentenced to seven years' penal servitude and two whippings. William King, a Fijian, charged with burglariously entering a house with intent to rape, was acquitted. Wellington, January 10.

In the Supreme Court, Barnsley, late operator' in ' the Telegraph Department, accused of forging a telegraph money order, was found guilty. Sentence was deferred, pending the decision of the Supremo Court, in May on a technical point. Heavy bail "was required. Hokitika, January 10.

The police have brought to town a very large copper still found in the bush at the Be.&ley sorge, & considerable distance from the road', ft is the moot valuable and largest still seen on ,the ,Coapt.' The ssrgeant of police and the Beajey constable were : ' in search for this sfciljl abojit a month ago. I,t came from the Oamaru district, and additional information reached, the inspector here, who went in search and made the discovery.

It is reported here that two miners have sold seven pounds weight of gold obtained in three months from a claim near Kumara. The Customs returns at this port show a large increase of trade for 1877 over 1876. The geld exported has increased to the value of over £70,600. The imports, exports, and Customs' -''duties have alt increased several thousand pounds. ' WAHffANUT, January 10.

The Harbor Board have decided upon com. mencixig harbor improvemeate forthwith, the

first portion of the work to cost £27,900, consisting of deepening the channel across what is known as the flats, the protection of the Spit and Castle Cliff, and the reclamation of the foreshore above the bridge. It is intended to obtain an overdraft on the bank on the security of land endowment. The pilot reports 10 feet of water on the bar at high springs.

[from'the correspondents of the press.]

Mr Reynolds's Retirement. Dunedin, January 10. The "Times" says it is very well understood that Mr Reynolds's elevation to the Legislative Council will follow on his retirement, and that it will not require his solicitation to obtain an honor so well won. He retires in the fullness of his popularity, biit will still be found a very active participator in public proceedings in as far as activity is compatible with the philosophical composure of that august chamber. The "Star" says his explanation of his support of the Ministry is very lame, and urges him not to delay sending in his resignation, since he lias decided on taking that step. The Synod intend to wait on Ministers to inquire into the truth of the allegation regarding the Government requiring Sunday work from railway employees. Ministers are being waited upon by deputations on all sides. The "Star" suggests that the Premier should recall them to Wellington to avoid complications. Mr Macassey will probably contest the seat for Port Chalmers. Mr Murray charged Mr Maeandrew with treachery in the land fund question. The feeling of his meeting in wishing him to give Sir George Grey unqualified support was unmistakeably shown.