TELEGRAPHIC.

Globe, Volume XX, Issue 1485, 19 November 1878, Page 3

TELEGRAPHIC.

CABLE_NEWS.

[REUTER’S SPECIAL TO THE PEEB3 AGENCY.] Rome, November 17. The King of Italy has been stabbed by an assassin and slightly wounded at Naples. The President of the Council accompanying the King, while seizing the assassin, was mortally wounded. The assassin has been arrested. The cause of the crime is supposed to be not political. AUSTRALIA. [Per Eingarooma, at the Bluff.] Melbourne, November IT The proposed mission to England has been the principal topic of the past week. It has long been talked about, but last week the Chief Secretary brought down a vote for <£SUUO on the supplementary estimates for the expense of the Commissioners. The names of the throe gentlemen are not yet officially mentioned, hut they are supposed to be Messrs Berry, Pearson, and Duffy (Speaker). But in the Assembly Dully contradicted this statement, saying ho would not accept any office so long as ho was Speaker. A great deal of interest is taken in the question throughout the country. Many members addressing their constituents took the ground that no embassey should proceed to 1 ngland until an appeal had been made to the people. Iho reform league, however, declared in favor of the mission, one of their arguments being that while squatting _ and monetary interests are represented in London the liberal party of the colony was not. Ministers continue to push on the vote, and so far have_ expressed their determination to go to Downing street, notwithstanding the Reform Bill which passed the Assembly by a large majority. They mean to ask the Secretary of State to step in and grant such aid as will prevent dead-locks and secure finality in legislation. A letter from Sir Chas. McM-hon, read in the House, showed he was offered the Ageut-Generalship by Francis, then premier, but he declared he could not accept the position with honor while acting as speaker, and he declined to make the chair a stepping-stone to office. At the Mayor’s inaugural dinner on Saturday night, the Governor made a farewell speech, saying he would not leave an enemy behind him. The Government want to bring the session to a close in the course of a few days. Probably prorogation will take place next week. The Mansfield bushrangers are still at large, and although numerous police parties have been ■out not a trace of the gang has been seen. Some ludicrous incidents occurred in connection with this affair. Police parties, all dressed as bushmen, fired into each other, and wherever seen have been reported as Kellys’ gang. The men were all disguised as much as possible, all armed with rifles and mounted. The race meeting, just closed, has been the most successful ever held in Melbourne as regards attendance and financial results. Close upon 43,000 people were conveyed by rail to the course on the Cup day. The settling has been against bookmakers, as Calamia was largely backed when the weights were first issued, and eo many favorites won. During the meeting the doubles Lord Harry and Lone Hand came off, and was very disastrous. It is said not less than £IOJ,OOO will change hands over the meeting. NEW ZEALAND TELEGRAMS. [bee press agency.J Blenheim, November 18. The nominations for Mayor to-day were— Fell (the present Mayor) and Samuel Johnson (proprietor of the “ Express” newspaper. The election takes place on the 27th instant. [PBOM OUB OWN CORRESPONDENT.] Auckland, November 18. On Saturday afternoon an eccentric looking individual, apparently about twenty-five years of age, came to the “Star” office, and in an abrupt manner requested the insertion of the following singular advertisement, _ which was copied by a clerk after his dictation : —“ The mysterious personage who has been spoken of through the paper* recently will address the • Auckland public to-morrow afternoon at two •o’clock, at the foot of Grey street, near the firebell. Be in time, or stay away.” With a feeling of doubt as to the sanity of the advertiser, tfcho c erk took the advertisement which was paid (for in the ordinary way. Shortly before the itime specified in this announcem-nt the same individual, carrying a Bible and prayer-book and an accordion, mounted the fire-bell tower, and having taken his position, waited for his audience. As a preliminary, he first divested Mm self of his hat, and after playing some tunes jbe stripped off his coat, his waistcoat, and boots, followed by a musical accompaniment. In a short time several boys collected round the spot, and the “ mysterious personage’’ then read a portion of Scripture. This was followed by one of Moody and Sankey’s hymn solo with accordion accompaniment, then a short address on the temptations, follies, and sinsmthis life’s programme was rehearsed several times, to the delight of his juvenile audience. The preacher said he hud considered the best means of bringing careless sinners to hear the tidings which he was desirous of imparting to them for their own good. Without more ado he seized the ropes attached to the tire-bill and rang out a furious alarm, which was not allayed when the alarm •was taken up by the other fire-bells. Constable Alexander, on duty at the time, immediately ran to the spot and inquired why the bell had been rung. The preacher replied in a sati-fiod tone of voice that God had instructed him to do so. He was instantly ordered to come down by the constable; but in reply he warned the constable not to touch him. as if ho did he would instantly be struck dead. The constable, however, was not dismayed by the threat, and proceeded to compel the lunatic to descend, which he did- Whea the constable was about to embrace him, however, be astonished him by mysteriously warning him to keep off, at the same time saying not to touch him as he was the Saviour. This was_ “ too thin” for the constable, and the next instant the man, who was apparently quite insane, was marched off to the loffi-up. It was then ascertained that he was a shoemaker named Jas. Houghan, who arrived in this city from Wellington about six months ago. He was sent to the lunatic asylum to-day on the testimony of Dr. Haines and Goldsbro. Last week a sandy complexioned young man giving his name as John Thomas White called at the same office and desired to have a paragraph inserted stating that ho had been left a legacy of JUOOO by his father’s ntating moreover that his brother and sister had each likewise received similar amounts. Later in the day Jno Thomas again ran into the office this time in great glee saying, “ Good news I have just received a letter from Sydney stating that my sister is dead, and any brother and me will have her share of the •money between us. John Thomas is now in the bands of the police on the charge of obtaining money (£l9) and goods nndor false pretences from Clarke, a watchmaker. John Thomas is nlso accused by the police of bearing the name of “ Dyson ” under which name and by similar pretences he is alleged to have obtained possession of a farm and other property about eighteen months ago. John Thomas has largo aspirations and on the present occasion has ordered two young bulls and indulged in horseflesh, saddlery, laud, and house property. Detectives J effreys and Grace ran their man to earth at How Hi. John Thomas will however have an opportunity of entering into a full explanation of the c little episodes before Mr Barstow on Monday next,