NEWS BY THE MAIL.

Globe, Volume XXII, Issue 1912, 10 April 1880, Page 3

NEWS BY THE MAIL.

[By Telegraph.] AUCKLAND, April 9. Tl.e s.B. City of Sydney with the San Francisco mail arrived at 3.30 p.m. She was detained till March 6th, waiting for the overland mail, and was further delayed till March 20th by the fire which occurred in the fore hold on Saturday night, March 14th. The cargo was a good deal injured, but the damage to the vessel was small, and will be covered “by £SOO, Mr Henry Rettin, the famous pianist, was a passenger by the steamer. The following is a summary of news :

Mr Julius Beer, proprietor of the London “ Sunday Observer,” is dead. The Budget, introduced by Lord Northcote on March 11th, showed a revenue of £2,195,000 less than the estimates, leaving a deficiency of £3,386,000. It is said that the Duke of Connaught will succeed the Duke of Marlborough as Viceroy of Ireland.

Rosy Cross won the Lincolnshire Handicap on March 17th, withPlaeida second, Elfin King third. The American horse Parole did not put in an appearance, but will run in the Liverpool Cup on March 27th. Parole, Falsetto, and Mistake have entered for the Manchester Cup race on May 30th. The Colonial Defence Commission hold two sittings lately. A letter from General Roberts has been read in Parliament respecting tho allegations of cruelty and the executions by his orders at Cabul. Da Lessep’s engineers report, in giving the level of the Canal, that the work will cost 843,000,0001., and will occupy eight years in construction. I Fif. een thousand houses have been destroyed by floods in Tripoli. The General Post Office in Cape Town was robbed of all the diamonds awaiting shipment, valued at £75,000. Ice in the Vistula river has accumulated to such an extent that the Austrian-Ruasian frontier near Didostio was broken through at the dyke, and 300 villages flooded, some of which wore destroyed. Thousands of persons wero without shelter or food, and many cattle were lost. A British gun-boat left Constantinople on March 17th, to take tho brigand Raweon tho ransom money of Colonel Lynge and his wife. The King of Belgium has joined Mr Stanley, tho African explorer, in a trading scheme on the Congo River, and has sent forward six small steamers. In Portugal tho Ministerial “ Progress,” alluding to the purpose of the United States to found colonies on the West Coast of Africa, rejoices in the fact, as the rights of Portugal would be guarded against encroachments by the English. In the case of Hartmann, who was arrested in Paris for being implicated in the Moscow explosion, the French Cabinet were divided as to his surrender to Russia, which was finally refused, owing to insufficient evidence of his criminality. Prince Orlof was offended at the result, and has left for Rome on leave of absence. The Russian revolutionary committees formally thanked the French for releasing Hartmann.’ Mr James Keen shipped his racing stable to England from New York on March 6th. Mr Fordland has placed his horse Falsetto in his hand.

Mr Bennett, of the “ New York Herald,” will organise a racing stud in England. Hanlan, the rower, proclaims that he can beat any man in the world for 2Coodols., five seconds in five miles, on Tornado Bay, the race to take place in Juno or July. It is expected that Boyd, according to the .London “Sportsman,” if he feels himself in good condition, will also challenge the world to a three mile race on the Thames for £SOO aside, and will allow £25 expenses to competitors.

The Ottawa Government has subscribed 10,000 dols, to the Irish Fund. As a pendant to this it is stated that the unemployed in Ottawa are carrying about black flags, and demanding work or bread from the authorities. The “Globe” makes a statement to the effect that Ottawa has decided to open negotiations with England and the United States, to terminate the war between Ohili and Peru.

The British brig Camille sailed from New York on February 24th for Auckland and Wellington. The Danish brig Baydol is loading at New York for Dunedin and Wellington, and will clear about April Bth. Dr. O. O. Cox, the United States Commissioner to the Industrial Exhibition at Sydney, has returned invalided by the late steamer from that port. He says that the American display at the Exposition, although not largo, attracted a great deal of attention. The Exposition which is to take place in Melbourne in October next will, in his opinion, be more extensive, and American industries will be more largely shown. The doctor further thinks that trade between the Pacific Coast and Australia will be greatly increased by these exhibitions.

General Joseph Bartlet, sent as United States Consul to Samoa, but not confirmed, has comeback from the islands in disgust, and declines to return. According to his statement he will be able to overcome the influence which has been exerted for evil by the English, Gorman, and American Consuls during the past six months. The present United States Consul is denounced for not acting in the best interests of the Government he represents.

Baron da Losseps had a quiet reception on his arrival in New York. It is said in Washington that he will offer the presidency or vice-presidency of the Isthmus Canal Company to General Grant, and that, he expects by that offer to secure the placing in the States of one-half of his proposed capital stock. In his interview with President Hayes the groat engineer was given plainly to understand that the States must have a preponderating influence in any Isthmus Canal Company. De Lessops was disappointed in this interview, and merely said that the canal was a business and not a political proposition. Alluding to the preponderating influence, the London “Standard” remarks that this is a thing about which England will have a word to say. Neither at Panama nor Suez must any power interfere with commerce. De Lessepn arrived at San Erancisoo on March Gtb, and was courteously received by the French colony and tho commercial public generally. He loaves for Europe on April Ist.

A special contribution, named the Bush Fund, has been made in San Francisco for the purpose of employing needy ones on public works at one dollar a day. St. Patrick’s Day was not generally observed in the United States. The money heretofore devoted to parades, &e., was sent to the Irish relief fund.

Mr Parnell will return after the parliamentary elections to America. Ho has raised 200.000 dols. for Ireland, and has remitted 20,000.

Dean Stanley has delivered a speech in which he refused to reconsider his decision to allow a monument to Napoleon to be erected in Westminster Abbey. The speech has provoked condemnation.

Mr Plimsoll apologised to Mr Russell and Mr Onslow before the House of Commons for the severe reflections made by him in a pamphlet in consequence of their opposing his Bill for regulating the loading of ships with grain. The Hull District Bank has suspended. It will have no commercial effect, as it was a local Bank, with a nominal capital of £83,000, of which £23,000 were paid up. The woollen warehouse of Messrs Mills and Company, Manchester, was burned on Feb. 2nd. The loss was £SOOO. The Common Council of London refused, on a vote of 72 to 45, a motion for an address of congratulation to the Czar on his escape from assassination. Bitter epithets were applied to him during the debate. “ Blower ” Brown has beaten all previous records in a late pedestrian match in London, making 553 miles in six days. Sir James Fergusson, formerly Governor of New Zealand, has been appointed Governor of Bombay. At the investigation of the Tay bridge disaster, evidence was submitted that one of the supporting columns of the higher girder was cracked from top to bottom and held together by four hoop bands ; that there were many rivets without heads, empty bolt holes, loose

bars, and nuts unscrewed. Some moulders testified that defects in the iron were filled with putty and painted over. Elliott, the oarsmnn, will start for the United States in April to participate in several boating contests. In a boat race on the Tyne Hawden defeated Kempster by several lengths. The London “ Standard ” understands that the Royal Commission on agricultural depression unanimously approved of the principle of the scheme for the purchase by the Government out of the Irish Church surplus fund of Irish waste lands, which are to be allotted among local farmers on certain conditions of tenure and improvement. Princess Louise is slowly recovering from the accident by which she was injured. A portion of the Metropolitan Eire Brigade, in consequence of a representation made by the Russian Embassy, was completely equipped and held ready during March 6th to proceed to St. Petersburgh. The transport was arranged for the engines, horses, &c. Mr Gressol, who was charged with a breach of privilege by saying that a Parliamentary Committee was open to bribery and corruption, and once arraigned and discharged, has been re arreetod and brought before the House for treason, and after reading a most humble apology, was thsn committed to Newgate. The British Arctic expedition sails in May next.

An explosion has taken place at Dixon Colliery, Glasgow. One life was lost and 100 men thrown out of employment. Sixteen persons are reported to be killed by a boiler explosion in Glasgow on March 6th, and thirty severely injured. On the 7th another explosion killed twenty-throe. At Ashton-under-Lyne the weavers, to the number of 100, struck for an advance of 5 per cent, on their wages. The London “Times” thinks that the Hartmann affair will lead to a rupture between France and Russia. Hartmann acknowledges that he was chosen by the Nihilists’ committee to assassinate the Czar, also that he was connected with tho attempt at Moscow. He leaves for America in a few days. Persia is preparing to occupy Herat. The relations between Austria and Italy ore distrustful. Tho sheep disease continues to spread rapidly. At Salisbury several farmers lost their flocks. Italy upholds tho Berlin treaty. Mr Fawcett’s motion in the House of Commons that England should contribute towards the expenses of tho Afghan war was negatived on the voices. All tho leading Liberals oppose Home Rule in their addresses, though favoring redress of legitimate grievances in Irish affairs. In his Marylebone speech, on February 28th, Mr Gladstone, alluding to Irish affairs, said that he had no friendship for Homo Rulers, and did not understand entirely what it was. The unity of the Empire and the authority of Parliament, he said, must be maintained independently of every other consideration, which would be to the advantage and satisfaction, not only of Ireland but of the whole kingdom. He would never forget, in considering tho Irioh Question, the unjustifiable conduct of this country to Ireland for many generations. He considered no higher object could be presented to liberal politicians than that they should endeavor to combine England, Scotland and Ireland like the three strands of a great rope, which never would be broken even if it were tested by the united strength of the world. Major Greig, of Dublin, contests that seat for Parliament. The Irish National Land League, in conjunction with the Dublin Trade Society, had a great meeting in Dublin on March 4th. Mr Sullivan, the Home Rule M.P., and Messrs Daly, Brennan and Kelly were present. Tho American flag was freely displayed. Mr James Rodpath, the special correspondent of the “ New York Tribune” in Ireland, writes that the famine is well in hand, and that all danger of starvation seems past. The Duchess of Marlborough, in writing to the Lord Mayor of London, says that the distress continues general, and in some parts is increasing. The Royal assent has been given to read the Potutoe Bill on March Ist.

Eour bailiffs, assisted by police, while pressing for the rent of a farm occupied by a widow near Waterford, were overpowered by the mob.

Mr James Keeve, a Now York broker of Irish descent, has sent 10,000 dollars direct to the Duchess or Marlborough fund. immigration to America is increasing rapidly. Large remittances have been received from friends in the United States. Hasten week will see a rush there. The Council of the Irish Home Eulers League has issued another manifesto to the electors of Ireland, mainly attacking Lord Beaoonsfield.

By a lire at the weaving works at Moscow twenty-four persons were burnt to death, and twenty-nine injured. The authorities are taking precautions for the safety of the State Banks. A Prussian officer has been arrested while sketching buildings near Paris on March 3rd. The French Jesuits intimate to the Primate of Spain that, having (been evicted from Prance, they will seek refuge on Spanish soil. All Jesuits not French are already leaving the country. The Supplementary Esl imates would further increase the deficit to £5,000,000 were it not that savings in other branches would make the deficit only £3 330,000. The cost of the Zulu war was £5,138,000, and was nearly all defrayed by England. The estimates for next year are £81,485,000 and the revenue £81,570,000. The Lord Chancellor explained a scheme for economising and for raising the requisite money for founding annuities. Business is depressed in San Francisco, and owing to the labor agitation, capital is showing signs of withdrawing eastward. Under the new Constitution Chinese are not allowed to be employed in factories, mills, &c., and to enforce this processions of white laborers have been visiting different establishments and holding interviews, marked by rude language and throats, with the proprietors. The representatives of the working men’s party in the Legislature are mostly making themselves conspicuous by resisting the Speaker and their obstruction of the Legislature. For a few days past, however, Mayor Killoch, Kearney, Steenmans, and the other local agitators have not been as active in stirring up strife as before, and this quietude is said to bo caused by a warning from the leaders of the Vigilance Committee of 1856, that property values had suffered quite enough by this senseless turmoil. United States troops from various parts of the coast have been ordered to concentrate in San Francisco, and the local militia has been held in readiness for a rising. Kearney was arrested on March 20th, and fined 100 dols. with six months’ imprisonment. Fifteen mining prospectors in Colorado were killed by Indians. A journalist and clergyman of Eichmond, named Luther E. Dickenson, who was in groat repute, has decamped after committing forgeries to a large amount. Tilden’s influence has been lost in Pennsylvania by degrees, and he is generally losing ground in the race as a Presidential candidate for the Democratic party. The Lancashire Witch, a steam yacht, owned by Sir Thomas Esketh, arrived at San Francisoo on March Bth, from Yokohama, Japan. The owner was on hoard, together with Miss W. S Saddler, W. French, and F. Fransick (the latter correspondent of the “ Times ”), three friends who accompany him in his voyage round the world. The yacht left Cowes on January 4th, 1879, and Sir Thomas does not expect to reach England till some time in 1881.

Emily Melville, a prima donna well-known in Australia, lost 5000 dole, worth of personal property by the burning of tho Grand Central Hotel at Oakland on March Bth.

Tho barque Ebina, from New South Wales, for St. John’s, New Brunswick, was wrecked on March Bth at Nigger Head, 5 miles from her destination. Captain Barry and seven men were drowned.

Tho new route by .Acheson to Peka and Santa, of the railroad between the Atlantic and Pacific States dovolopes other purposes than were at first supposed. It is intended to make a terminus at Griagrauee, and the directors have succeeded in obtaining from tho Mexican Government such rich franchises as will practically give them a monopoly of the Australian and Now Zealand and the South and Central American business. Those interested claim that this route will be 300 miles shorter than the present route between Now Zealand and San Francisco, and that it will bring Australia and New Zealand 100 miles nearer New York than than they now ore. The Chinese Government propose to re taliato and make its foreign policy conform to th ancient usages of the Empire. A delegation of Chinese has been sent to Washington

from San Francisco to find out whether the Government intend to urotect their countrymen in the peaceful pursuit of industry in the United States. An explicit answer is required. The Panama Railway Company feel apprehensions of the proposed road across the Isthmus of Tehuantepec. The route is 1250 miles nearer San Francisco on one side, and 700 nearer Now Orleans cn the other.

The leading New York citizens, in a strong appeal, ask for help to bo given to starving Americans at home as well as to the distressed Irish.

Kelly, the Australian pedestrian, has been beaten in a race by Davie, of San Francisco. Herbert, who left Boston on July 9th for Melbourne in a small deck boat, proceeded no further on his voyage than a fishing village twenty miles off Brazil, when he was compelled to land in distress, and returned to New York on the s.s. City of Para. There is a war between the “New York Herald ” and Mr Parnell. Mr Bennett, after subscribing 100,000 dollars to the Irish fund, assumes the right to dictate how the fund should bo applied. Mr Parnell refused to bo a subordinate in the matter, and in a leader the “Herald,” said that Kearney is superior to Parnell. The “ Herald ” Irish Relief Fund has reached SOO.OOOdoIo. The United States ship Constellation has been despatched with supplies to Ireland. Flags, the booming of cannon, and general rejoicing marked her departure from New York.

There is a large influx of Chinese into Chicago and New York from San Francisco, whore the new constitution permits their employment. The corporation of Now York already thinks them a nuisance. J. O. Flood, the Bonanza King, having sold out all his real and personal property to his partner, will go to New York to reside. He cannot stand the constant attacks on him in the San Francisco papers.

The “ Star’s ” Loudon correspondent writing on February 26th, says : The question has been raised whether the Chimborazo accident was unavoidable. The “ Pall Mall Gazette ” plainly hints that the cause was overloading, and suggests an inspection of outgoing steamers.

“Vanity Fair ” mentions a curious little difference about precedence arising out of the marriage of a colonial girl by the youngest eon of an earl while on the staff in the colonies. This lady, taking precedence of others who had been accustomed to go in before her, has, says “ Vanity Fair,” caused such offence that her husband resolved to resign his appointment on the staff.

Captain Ashby writes : —Our information for March is scanty. Shipping in all its branches is exceedingly dull. What little there is appears to be more with Auckland than with any other port. Messrs Money Wig'am and Co. contemplate dispatching their fine now steamer Norfolk for New Zealand direct early in April. She returns straight to London from Lyttelton, via * Cape Horn, and should the experiment prove a success, it is thought probable that the firm will abandon the Australian trade entirely, in consequence of the competition with the Orient and P. and O. Companies, which carry the bulk of the trade, Messrs Wigram’s steamers being only auxiliary screws.

The Strathnaven, bound for Australia, was run down twenty-seven miles west of Ushant by the steamer Edith. The crew of the Strathnaven, numbering eighteen, were lost. Fortunately she had no passengers. She was a wooden vessel of 690 tons.

Mr Parnell, the Irish agitator, contemplates visiting Australia and New Zealand. Some of the finest vessels of the Pacific Steam Navigation Company have been added to the Orient line, and will run to Australia during the next six months. The bqst known are Cotopaxi, Potoei, and Ligura* When floated six years ago, the Ligura was considered to be the most superbly-fitted merchant steamship afloat. The weather at sea, both North and South of the Line, was reported to be very severe, consequently, when the mail loft some uneasiness was experienced for the safe arrival of the ship Mataura, which loft Otago on the 19th December with £19,700 worth of gold on board. The vessel, however, was not due at the time when the mail closed.

One of the first questions to be discussed after the Parliamentary recess will, it is said, be the allowance to the Prince of Wales for his Australian trip. His Royal Highness sails in November next in a troop-ship, probably the Seraphis, which will be specially fitted and goes via Suez. The following places will bo visited: Adelaide, Melbourne, Ballarat, Sydney, Brisbane, Auckland, Hot Lakes of New Zealand, Wellington, Christchurch, and Dunedin.

The Australian cricketers coming to England this summer are likely to meet with an unpleasantly warm reception. Tne English press is up in arms against them, and has said some bitter things. A recent issue of the “ Sporting Life ” has a scathing article headed “Commercial Cricketers,” in which the public is warned against the ill-bred curs who led to Lord Han is being mobbed, and is urged to look on the eleven merely as money-grubbing strollers.” “Figaro” has published many paragraphs of much the same character. The Auckland “ Star’s ” correspondent had an interview with the Eight Mon. W. Gladstone, and held a long conversation with him on New Zealand. Mr Gladstone asked a great many questions about the Colony, and prophesied a great future for it. “ The only fear is,” he said, “ that the country will overload itself with debt.” The “Star” correspondent replied that ho believed the pledges given at the inauguration of the last new loanjwould be kept, and that there wonld be no more borrowing for some years. A long conversation took place on newspapers, the correspondent remarking that in England large towns like Cheltenham were without a daily paper, while in New Zealand every little borough had at least two. Moreover, the tone of the colonial Press appeared to bo sounder than that of England. Mr Gladstone replied that might easily bo the ease, as most journals in England appeared to him to bo more or less servile.

A letter in the “ Times” of February 25th, speaks in high terms of the telegraphic money order system in New Zealand. For the greater part of February, London was enveloped in one of the thickest fogs ever known. Locomotion was almost impossible. Prince Teck was benighted in the neighbourhood of St. James’s square, and spent the night in a four-wheel cab. At the opening of parliament, the reception given to the Queen was in marked contrast to that given to the Prince and Princess of Wales. While the latter were lustily cheered the Queen was hissed. The event of the day was the cut direct, given publicly by the Queen to the heir apparent, and his wife. On all previous occasions it has been the custom for the Queen to address a few congratulatory words to the Prince of Wales and his Princess. This time the stiffest possible of bows were alone exchanged. The reason has not transpired, but it is said to be a question of etiquette which is at the bottom of it. As the Queen grows older she becomes more strict about such matters.

It is stated that after the last attempt on the life of the Czar his terror became quite childish, and he went out of his mind for some hours, no one but the Duchess of Edinburgh having any control over him. Thefrequent attempts on his life, which baffle all vigilance, have driven the unhappy monarch to drink. •‘Vanity Fair” says (hat the Duchess of Edinburgh was sitting within thirty feet of the flooring blown up at the time of the explosion. She displayed astonishing presence of mind, in fact but for her a perfect stampede from the palace would have occurred. The New Zealand Doan and Mercantile Agency circular of February 26th says : “ Home trades continue to show activity, and prices on the whole steadily advance. Some wide fluctuations have taken place in pig iron, upon the report that for many purposes our p g iron can bo manufactured cheaper on the Continent, and reimported at a cheaper figure than it can be produced at home. The feature of the month has been the advance in the price of cotton. Two or three cargoes of New Zealand wheat liave been placed at about 4Ss for a direct port and 50s for orders. The March shipment of this description from its comparatively low value, is just now attracting the attention of speculators, and further orders are understood to have been sent lately at about these figures. The improvement established at the wool sales was computed on average at 12 to 15 per cent, on the rates current at the close of November and December. At this dale (26th February) the advance of the several descriptions of Australian and New Zealand wool may be quoted as follows :— Combing merino fleece and grease, l|d to 2d ; clothing do, Id tol-sd; scoured do 2d to 3d ; crossbreds, washed and scoured, 2d to 3jd ; ditto greasy, l»d to 2Jd ;

crossbred secured the largest share of improvement. Tallowhas been in ratherstoadierdemand and the average business values have favored buyers. At present fine mutton is Is per cwt. lower than when the last ban Francisco mail left. The leather market shows a decided weakness. Values have declined from id to Id per lb. Salted hides are only in moderate demand ; heavier qualities are at about the same rates, but cowhides are id per lb. lower. Preserved meats are in good demand. Bank of Now Zealand shares are quoted at £22 to £23; National, half per cent, discount; .City of Christchurch Debentures, 106 to 108 ; City of Dunedin, 107 to 10!); ditto Five per Cents, 07 to 98; City of Wellington Consolidated, 10(5 to 108 ; ditto Waterworks, 105 to 107; National Mortgage and Agency Co., J premium; Now Zealand Loan and Mercantile Agency Co., 2:1 prem. ; Trust and Loan Co., 5J prem.; Otago and Southland Investment, prem. The Now Zealand Shipping Company’s ship Geraldine Paget., sailed for Wellington and Canterbury with 205 passengers, on February 14th. The following vessels are on the berth ;—Van Dioman, for Otago, to sail on March 3rd ; Paroora, for Wellington, on March 9th ; Elholrod, for Canterbury.