NEWS BY THE MAIL.

Globe, Volume XX, Issue 1597, 2 April 1879, Page 3

NEWS BY THE MAIL.

[“ European Mail.”] LABOR BIOT3 IN LIVERPOOL. The strikes in Liverpool assumed a serious aspect on February 7th. Sailors struck and marched through the mercantile part of the town, cheering and shouting; the roughest element mixed with the seamen, the crowd became most threatening, and as the day wore on, broke out into actual violence. Some hundreds of men made their way to the Waterloo Dock, where non-strike hands were at work, and where also the quays were covered with goods, the arcumulati -n of a week, waiting shipment. The mob yelled and then sprang over the bales of goads and made tor the ship Eulomene, which was being got ready for sea. On board the vessel they brandished sticks, and threatened lo throw the laborers at work into the dock unless they ceased. Thus intimidated, the laborers retreated, and a scene of wild disorder followed. The crowd broke up the staging, and did other damage, the small force of police on the spot being powerless to oppose them. Then a rush was made for the steamer Victoria, loading in another part of the dock. The crowd committed damage to to the ship, and then returned to the Eulomene. The non-strike hands had not resumed work. After a brief interval, the mob rushed to the east side of the dock, but a force of police opposed them and drove them irresistibly into the roadway, and the dock gates were closed. The rioters intended to break into the gates, but came to the conclusion that efforts in this direction would be

futile, and after throwing stones at the gates and yelling at the police, they moved away. Immediately afterwards, another crowd made a threatening demonstration at the Prince’s Dock. They got on board the American schooner Cora, unloading a cargo of resin and turpentine. The crowd, which numbered between 2000 and 3000, cut the running and hoisting gear, and told a man on board that they would throw him down the hold if he did not desist from work. Here the men were receiving the full rate of pay. During the evening the police all along the line of docks were strengthened in view of further disturbances, and precautions taken at the Sailors’ Home to prevent rioting there. It is estimated that there are now from 50,000 to 60,000 men idle in consequence of the strikes, and this number is yet to be increased. In order to keep the peace the Mayor has called out the military, and arranged to have 250 marines and blue jackets handy from H.M.S. Resistance, the guardship on the Mersey. DEBTBUOTION OF GLASGOW THEATEE BY FIBE. At an early hour on February 2nd, the Theatre Royal, Glasgow, situated in the northern quarter of the city, was totally destroyed by fire. On the previous night the pantomime of "Puss in Boots " was performed for the last time, and was preceded by the melodrama entitled “The Poacher’s Fate." At s quarter past eleven, the performances being concluded, the whole of the audience were dismissed. An hour later flames were observed penetrating the roof immediately above the stage. An alarm was at once raised, and engines were soon on the spot and at work, but the fire proceeded, and at four o’clock had burned up everything, there remaining not the slightest vestige of the stage, stalls, boxes or gallery. The walls are standing, but will have to be taken down. The theatre was the largest in Scotland, and was constructed about twelve years ago. It is understood that the loss is covered by insurance, but the actors have lost their wardrobes and the orchestra their larger instruments. The building destroyed originally cost £30,000, and would seat 4000 persons. It had the largest stage in the kingdom, and was noted for scenic display, THE NEW GOTEKNOE OF NEW SOUTH WALKS The retirement of Lord Augustus Loftus from the British Embassy at St. Petersburg deprives English diplomacy of a tried and faithful servant, whose services, however, will not be lost to the Crown. Lord Augustus Loftus has done his duty at St. Petersburg in a manner worthy of high praise during a period of extraordinary difficulty and anxiety. Since the cloud of the Eastern Question began to grow and darken ominously, the British Ambassador at St. Petersburg can hardly have known a day’s freedom from care. His zeal and diligence during that trying time left nothing to be desired, and his despatches published in the Blue Books of the past three years show that when it was necessary to make clear the position of England he did not yield in dignified firmness either to the diplomatic authority of the patriarchalj’Chancellor or the Czar himself. In the direct and plain-spoken diplomacy of England we have no need to look for more than this. But Lord Augustus Loftus, after many years of service, crowned by his arduous labors at St. Petersburg, is fairly entitled to be removed to another and less exciting sphere of activity. It has been his desire for some time to be transferred to a colonial appointment, and, the Governorship of the colony of New South Wales being just now vacated, the Ministry have been enabled to nominate him to that high office. The change has, however, imposed upon the Foreign Office a task of no little difficulty and delicacy. Lord Dufferin has been appointed to the vacant post at St. Petersburg. At one time it was thought his lordship would go to New South Wales. THE BISHOP OF MELANESIA ON MISSION WORK. A large and influential gathering recently took place at St James's Hall, Lichfield, on the occasion of a lecture by the Bishop of Melanesia, the Right Rev. John Selwyn, his subject being “ His mission work.” It need hardly be said that a great interest was displayed by the audience in the various phases of the vigorous narrative of the young bishop. There were displayed in the hall a great variety of articles and curiosities illustrative of the manners and customs of the islanders of the South Pacific. On the lecturer taking his place on the stage he was greeted most enthusiastically. Ho was accompanied by the Bishop of Falkland Islands, the Dean of Lichfield, the Rev. Prebendary Scott, the Rev, J. J, Serjeantson, and others. The pro-

ceedings were opened by singing and prayer. The Dean briefly introduced the subject of the meeting, referring to the good and great Bishop Selwyn’s appointment as Bishop of New Zealand and the coincidence of the ultimate appointment of his son. Ho traced the 1 work of the first Bishop Selwyn, which resulted in the formation of six dioceses, independent of that of Melanesia, and which laid down the foundation of a system whereby there had resulted a spread of civilisation and also of religion. This work was continued by the martyred Bishop Patterson, and was now carried on by his friend the Bishop of Melanesia, Bishop Selwyn, on rising, was warmly greeted. After referring to the eve of the festival of St. Paul, as a time specially in keeping with the occasion of their meeting, ho passed on to state in what the keynote of the Melanesian Mission consists. He explained the absolute necessity for native help, directed by the missionaries sent from England. By the aid of a map, the Bishop showed the extent of the diocese, describing the natives, the multiI plicity of languages, the dreadful jealousies, the difficulties of communication, the indifference of the people, and other of the drawbacks which obstruct and hinder the work he is engaged in. The supernatural belief existing among the natives was a great hindrance to the spread of the Q-ospel. Their fighting, too, degenerates into treachery. This state of things begat fear and cannibalism, and in that condition the islands existed at the present day. Socially, the natives were friendly, pleasant, and honest, and the_ relation between the sexes was of the strictest nature. Native characteristics were humorously and graphically described* The Bishop afterwards passed on to notice at length the mode in which the missionary work is carried on, and concluded a most interesting lecture with an appeal for support of the Melanesian mission. A collection was made in aid of the mission at the close. THE fIAOUB. The outbreak of plague at Astrachiin appears seriously to have alarmed the Governments of Central Europe. They believe, it is stated, that it is not “plague," in the technical sense, but the horrible epidemic known in Asia as the “ black death," which slays almost as rapidly as cholera, is believed to be contagious, and kills 75 per cent, of all victims seized. The blood appears to be poisoned, red patches appear on the skin, which rapidly become darker, and the body in a few hours exhibits all the symptoms of putrefaction. The Russian Government, it is stated, have acknowledged that the disease which has desolated Astrachan and is moving westward is the “ black death,” and Germany and Austria are pressing an international commission of inquiry and prevention. So great is the alarm in Vienna that direct through trains fo' 1 Warsaw are to cease running, and Prince Auersperg has been appointed president of a committee of prevention. The worse feature about the outbreak is that it has occurred in the depth of winter. That suggests its diffusion through the air, and not through water—an immense addition to the difficulty of prevention. In order to prevent it spreading the Government has resolved to burn down the village of Wetlianka, where the disease has prevailed, and any other village or single buildings that it may be thought necessary to destroy. The inhabitants are to be removed to some other part of the quarantine district, and will receive compensation. Statements explaining the measures of precaution adopted have been forwarded to the European Governments, and the Cabinets of London, Vienna, and Berlin have been requested to send medical men to Russia to ascertain the character and extent of the disease. The Italian Government has summoned a sanitary council in order to take fresh precautionary measures, THE STATE OF TBADE. To those countries whose commercial success depends upon the prices ruling for raw material the state of trade must at all times bo a matter of considerable interest. The trade of 1878 was commonly supposed to have been very unprofitable, but though in a few articles of commerce prices were very much depreciated, yet with regard to others—and perhaps wool amongst the number—there is cause for congratulation that the depreciation which occurred was not greater than it was, for at a time -when everything was out of joint, and men’s judgments were warped by apprehensions of all kinds of evils, it is matter for very little surprise that the course of trade should have been checked and impeded. Still a glance at the import and export returns will show that, though there was a great depreciation in values upon the abnormal rates 1872, there was nothing lost in quantities, and indeed that these had increased in a normal ratio. The trade between the United States and this country was commonly supposed to have declined almost past recovery, yet the returns referred to show that the trade of Birmingham alone with the people of America was 7 per cent, better in 1878 than in 1877, and other instances could be pointed out in which a corresponding increase had occurred with other countries. All things considered, then, it is clear that the trade of 1878 might have been worse than it was. It is true that there were many failures, both commercial and financial, but the collapse of these rotten institutions has left the commercial atmosphere stronger and more bracing, and there are already signs that the year 1879 will bo an improvement upon its predecessor. THE AFGHAN WAB. On January 28th news reached the camp at Khost that many thousands of Mongols had assembled near the fort, and that they were threatening an attack upon it and the Shazada who stood in the position of our representative. Half the force were at once ordered under arms, and before daybreak had marched back to Machoond. They found the hills swarming with Afghans, with banners and drums, yelling defiance at our force as it appeared upon the scene. General Roberts rescued the Shazada, emptied the fort of its treasures, burnt the store of grain and everything he was unable to carry away, and then marched back to the camp at Subbery. The retirement of the infantry was covered by the cavalry, who several times dismmnted and fired when pressed by the enemy, killing a chief and several of the Mongols. General Roberts.has abandoned the Khost country for the present, convinced that similar disturbances will be incessant. The Punjab native contingent is ordered to march to the Khurum Valley to reinforce our division. Thus ends the compaign in the Khost. We have suffered a loss of prestige in the eyes of the hill tribes, inasmuch as we are unable to hold what we have conquered, aud we shall have to recommence the conquest of the Khost, under circumstances of greater difficulty than those which first met us. It is most satisfactory to learn that at last the Indian Government perceives the necessity of largely reinforcing General Roberts, and that the Punjab native contingent, which is 4000 strong, 3000 infantry and 1000 cavalry, is ordered up to the Khurum Valley. These men, the picked troops of the forces of the Princes of the Punjab, can be relied upon to fight well, and the force under General Roberts will be more than doubled. This will enable him in the spring to move forward through the Shaturgardan Pass, and to participate in the general advance upon Oabul. Yakoob Khan has at last dispatched an answer to the letter addressed to him by the political officer with Sir Samuel Browne’s force. In it he distinctly declines to accede to our demands, and evinces his determination of holding Cabul in compliance with orders received from his father. Thus are set at rest all those rumors which, for the past six weeks, have filled the air. We know now that the reports circulated as to Yakoob Khan’s intended submission are baseless, and must prepare ourselves for crushing anv attempted reorganisation of the demoralised army of Cabul. The defiant attitude assumed by Yakoob fully accounts for the halt at Jellalabad, and points to the necessity of completing in all haste commissariat and transport arrangement for the reserve divisions. Jellalabad is being rapidly put in a state of defence, and a bridge capable of bearing field artillery has been thrown over the Cabul river in the vicinity of the town It is satisfactory to note that supplies are o uning in freely, for in the advance on Cabul Jellalabad of a necessity must play a most important part, forming, us it will, a grand depot for provisions, and temporary base for the more extended operations.

General Stewart, it is said, has been ir.« struct od to return to Candahar, as soon as his arrangements can be completed, without either leaving a garrison or destroying the fort of Khclat Ghizai. General Biddulph will also retire from the Herat These instructions are interpreted to indicate the prospect of a speedy peace. Mirza Mahomed Hassan haa arrived at Cabul from Tashkent!. He states that the report of the death of Shere Ali is untrue, and that it originated through the announcement of the death of the Ameer of Bokhara. Mirza Mahomed Hassan also says that the Russian authorities have declined to interfere in Afghan affairs, and Shere Ali will endeavor to reach Herat. Yakoob Khan has sent a cavalry regiment toKohistan to quell the disturbances that have broken out among the tribes there. Both factions, however, suspended hostilities, and attacked and routed the cavalry regiment sent against them. All excitement is now subsiding in the vicinity of the Mohmund Hills. The British troops in the Peiwar Kotal Pass are well housed, and in good health. The snow is only a few incties deep there,but lies thicker in the Shutar Gardan Pass. [“ Pall Mall Budget.”] THE MIDDLE ISLAND BAILWAT. The opening of the trunk railway in the Southern Island of New Zealand from Christchurch to Invercargill carries a step further the public works and immigration policy begun eight years ago. That period has been for New Zealand one of unexampled prosperity j the population has been vastly increas. d, the value of the public lands haa risen, and there can be little doubt that if the same system could bo continued indefinitely New Zealand Would soon rival in prosperity the niost prosperous of the Australian colonies. Hitherto borrowing, immigration and railroad building have kept pace with one another, and there has been a general feeling of buoyancy which has tended to maintain values notwithstanding the grave depression in other parts of the world. Even the political struggle which has been going on of late has not, as in Victoria, produced any effect upon fcradO. The growth of the agricultural wealth of the colony has been surprising; and this, of course, forms a far sounder basis for future improvement than any mining; however remarkable may be the production for the time. In spite, however, of these favourable symptoms, there are many both at home and in the colony who would be glad to see the New Zealand Government take breath a little. After such years of inflation as those which have lately passed, a chock can scarcely fail to come; and this will probably occur when the main scheme of public works is carried out, and borrowing is at an end. The debt at present is enormous for the population, and hitherto the proceeds of the sale of the Government lands have been reckoned as a portion of the current revenue. Moderation and caution now would in all probability secure for the colony the full benefits of the hold policy commenced by the present AgentGeneral; but if the idea gains ground that the necessity for careful management is re moved by the success which has attended that policy hitherto, then New Zealand, like California and other new countries, wfll be in danger of experiencing the grave effect which even a partial shock to credit may have upon the value of land. THE MUEDKBKB PEACE. Charles Peace, the notorious convict, was tried at the Leeds assizes before Mr Ju -tice Lopes, on February 4fch, for the murder of Arthur Dyson on the 29th of November, 1876. The chief witness was Mrs Dyson, the widow of the murdered man. Prom the evidence it appeared that the Dysons and Peace were for a time neighbors at Darnall, near Sheffield. Mr Dyson was annoyed at Peace’s attentions to his wife, and forbade him to come to his house. This led to a quarrel, and Peace assaulted Mr Dyson and threatened to shoot him. The Dysons then left, and went to live at Banner Cross. Mrs Dyson stated that while living here she met Peace one night in the back garden, and he threatened to shoot her. She shrieked out, and on her husband coming to her assistance Peace fired at him twice, and shot him in the head. Other witnesses stated that they saw Peace in the neighborhood on the night of the murder, and heard him threaten the Dysons. The defence substantially was that the death of Mr Dyson was caused by the accidental discharge of the pistol during a struggle. The jury, after an absence of less than a quarter of an hour, found the prisoner guilty, and he was sentenced to death. Mrs Thompson, with whom Peace lived for some time at Peckham, has claimed the Government reward of £IOO offered for his capture. The Treasury, in acknowledging the claim, express a doubt whether the Police-officer Robinson, who arrested Peace at Blackhoath in October last, is not entitled to some portion of the money. The “ Morning Post ” says that among the papers seized at Peace’s house when he was arrested was a plan of Camden Place, Chiselhurst, the residence of the Empress Eugenie and Prince Louis Napoleon. In order to obtain the plan Peace wrote to the owner of the house during the absence of the Empress and the Prince to ask permission to inspect it “with his architect,” as he wished to build himself a large villa in the same stylo. The permission was accorded, and Peace and “ his architect ” drove to Chiselhurst and were shown over the house. AN OPINION ON THE KELLY GANG, It certainly seems a discredit to the colony that four such daring scoundrels should remain at large when the whole country is interested in taking them. Clearly, they must get food and supplies somewhere; indeed, it is known that a Chinaman was for some time forced to find them in provisions. We can only wish Victoria well rid of the whole gang; for, apart from the danger of having such murderous ruffians at largo, there is nothing more certain than that bushranging is a most infectious disorder, and if the Kellys remain much longer at large others will spring up to emulate their notoriety, which has a strange sort of attraction for some of those loose spirits who always hang upon the skirts of an English colony. The rising young horse-stealer develops into a full-blown bushranger with very little encouragement. THE PEEVALENT DISTRESS, Distress still prevails very widely throughout the country. In most of the manufacturing centres the number of persons receiving relief shows no sign of decreasing, and the relief committees are actively engaged. A meeting called by the Charity Organization Society was held on February 3rd, for the special consideration of the distress in the metropolis. A report was presented, giving replies received to questions which had been extensively circulated. These had induced the committee of the society to come to the conclusion that any distress existing has been the result chiefly of the severe weather, following upon a long period of trade depression, and that such distress is local and confined mainly to certain trades. A resolution was passed expressing an opinion in accordance with the conclusions arrived at by the committee.