NEWS BY THE SUEZ MAIL.

Globe, Volume XXII, Issue 1899, 25 March 1880, Page 3

NEWS BY THE SUEZ MAIL.

[By Telegraph.] [Per s.s. Rotorua, via Bluff.] The Chimborazo encountered a fearful hurricane on February 9th, to the south-west of Uehant. She had left Plymouth with 362 passengers and a valuable cargo, and the largest mail ever carried by the Orient Company. The wind was blowing hard, and shortly before nine o’clock in the morning a giganticwavewas noticed coming in the direction of the ship. Onward it came towering high above the vessel, and threatening to engulph everything. With a terrible crash it came on the starboard side from the funnel abaft the bridge, pouring over the ship with resistless power. The spar deck was completely swept and the wave carried overboard every obstacle. The steam launch was torn from its berth, and five other boats from their davits. The galley, skylights, smoking room, sheep pens, saloon companion, ventilators, and the whole of the general fittings on the centre deck were carried away. The shock was fearful. There was terrible consternation for a moment, and it was feared that all standing on that part of the vessel watching the wave had been carried away, but it was soon ascertained that whilst nearly all there were more or less injured, only four had bean swept overboard, viz , a cabin passenger named Mr J. Bozer, 0.E., and three seamen. Mr J. E. Groves, a secondclass passenger, had his skull fractured, and died almost immediately. Sixteen of the other passengers were injured. The purser had seen that the wave must sweep over the vessel, so just before she was struck he shouted to all to lay hold of anything, otherwise all there must have been swept overboard. Fortunately the sea did not put the fires out. The only resource was to put the ship’s head about for Plymouth as soon as that could possibly be done with safety. The saloon was much damaged, but the hull and engines were uninjured. A few minutes before the wave broke on board, the captain requested the passengers to leave the smoking room, as he desired to put sheep there, several having been already washed overboard. The passengers left accordingly, and a few minutes later the smoking room was carried away with the deck houses. The Chimborazo returned to Plymouth without assistance, and landed her passengers, who wore all cared for. Several of the daily papers had leaders commenting on the accident, and all concurred in awarding great praise to the captain, officers, and crew. The “ Standard” says “ The wave was so huge as to suggest the idea that it was due to some volcanic or subterranean disturbance other than the ordinary forces of the tempest.” None of the Australian passengers returning by the Chimborazo were injured in any way. The steamer Hankow, bound from Melbourne to London, was nearly wrecked off Plymouth breakwater on the night of Bth February. She lost her propeller off Oporto, and reached the Lizard under canvas. Tugs towed her almost to Plymouth, but left her owing to a heavy gale. She anchored outside the breakwater, and was in immediate danger of being driven on the breakwater. After many unsuccessful attempts the Government tug boats towed her inside. The question of the German action with regard to Samoa and Polynesia generally, has entered upon a new phase. In the Chancellor’s memorandum to President Schoolz, of the Imperial Board of Finance, recommending the new company, and promising an annual subvention for twenty years, stress is laid on the fact that Goddefroy’s failure would deprive the Empire of the greater part of the commerce and trade with the South Sea Islands, unless their estates were secured from falling into foreign hands. The Emperor is not much impressed with the scheme, but the Crown Prince warmly supported it. It is now stated that the real reason why Prince Bismarck has gone into this matter is that there is the ulterior object in view of founding a German convict settlement in the South Seas-

Sir Henry Bulwer, Governor of Natal, has been mentioned in connection with Tasmania, and it is suggested that Sir Harry Ord may bo sent to Jamaica.

Mr Pope Hennessy’s term as governor of Hong Kong is nearly completed. It is believed that he succeeds Sir Arthur Kennedy, the Governor of Queensland. Orders have been received at Oronstadt to prepare shortly for the dispatch to the Pacific of the ironclad frigate General Admiral, the Atlantic cruiser Zubiacia, and the clipper Plustoon. On the arrival of theso vessels at Yladivostock they will find the ironclad frigate Menim, the Atlantic cruiser Asia, and four new clippers, besides other vessels belonging to the Pacific fleet. The effect of these reinforcements will be to give Russia a naval influence in the Pacific superior to any ever enjoyed by her in that quarter. The Indian budget presented on February 24th is considered highly satisfactory. The estimates show an anticipated surplus of £417,000 after paying the charges of the Afghan war, the famine, and the administration and construction of the frontier railway. The first Russian consulate in India has been established in Bombay. The Strathlevon arrived in on London Feb. Ist. The charterers boarded her and found

tho meat excellent. During the next f**w days the meat was inspected by hundreds, and all were surprised and gratified at the condition of the meat after such a long voyage. On February 6th 150 colonists and others lunched on board, after first inspecting the refrigerating chamber and apparatus. Mutton, lamb, and beef were served cooked in various forms and warmly approved. Tho speakers congratulated Australians on this new and important trade, which was likely to be productive of immense results to the colonies and England. The press subsequently, with scarcely an exception, warmly commended the meat. It is generally regarded as superior to the American, especially the mutton. The meat was sold at Smithfield, and although the market was the lowest for some time, the prices were good in comparison with other meat, and bettor than American. The principal complaint is that the meat is uncovered, but tho quality and flavour are everything to be desired. Hopes are expressed by salesmen and the public that this successful experiment will be the beginning of a large trade, and that other perishable articles will be imported by the same process. There was great demand from all parte of the country for joints of the meat, and some difficulty was met with in supplying all that was required, but the meat was despatched in every direction in England, Scotland, and Ireland, where it met with universal approval. A lamb was sent to the Queen and a sheep to the Prince of Wales. The West-End butchers particularly approved of the meat, which commands ready sale. It is hoped that it will be unnecessary in future to freeeze to the same extent, as there is a difficulty in cutting, owing to the meat thawing slowly on account of the cold weather. The mutton is not open to the same objection as the beef in this respect. Butchers desire that mutton should be dressed as plainly as possible, and beef is preferred in quarters. During the voyage the temperature in the chamber exceeded 26Jdog., but ruled generally about 14 - 20 deg. below freezing point. During a large portion of the voyage the engines worked eight hours daily, and in the Mediterranean five hours. Much disappointment is felt that the promoters are unable to charter the Strathleven to return immediately to Australia for a largo cargo. The beef was sold in carcase at Smithfield at from 4id to s£d, and in retail [at the same place, for joints, at 7d and 8d per lb ; mutton, wholsesale, brought 5Jd to 6d, and was retailed at Smithfield at 7d to 9d. The West-end and other butchers who bought the meat retailed prime joints of beef at 10id ; mutton, 9d to lOd. The butter was favorably spoken of, and large dealers will willingly purchase at the same prices as given for home produce of similar quality.