ARRIVAL OF THE SAN FRANCISCO MAIL AT AUCKLAND.

Kumara Times, Issue 696, 20 December 1878, Page 1 (Supplement)

ARRIVAL OF THE SAN FRANCISCO MAIL AT AUCKLAND.

(press agency.)

Auckland, Dec. 15. London, Nov. 5. The strike of the Clyde shipbuilders ended on the 22nd October. The Berlin National Zeitung says that Russia, being satisfied that the operations in Afghan must result in British victory, does not contemplate any intention of interference while hostilities last, but will claim a voice in the settlement of the terms of peace. It bases its claim upon the proposed rectification of the IndoAfgban frontier, and Russia will not consent to the annexation or destruction of Afghanistan, nor permit the acquisition by England of a position of commanding the pass or passes at Balk. England and Germany agree to that apparently. First telegrams between any places in two countries will cost thirty shillings, about seven cents a word, without restriction as to the minimum of words. The Dutch and Belgian States' line,

agree pro rata to this basis. Kent and Sussex laborers have united and accepted the offer of the Canadian Government to seli 5000 acres of land for locked out laborers who emigrate to Canada. Hawdon is matched to row against Hanlon, the Canadian, on the Tyne next May for L2OO aside. Amy Sheridan, actress, is dead. Doner Bros., East Indian merchants, have failed for LIOO.OOO. The cotton manufacturers of Glasgow

have reduced the working hours a third, ] ■which affects 8000 employees. The Shropshire Handicap was won by Orentes; Midshire, second; Soaker, third. The iron firms at Ashton, Hyde, Staiey-

bridge, Newton, aiid Guidebridge, have all reduced wages. Storms of exceptional severity prevailed in the north of England and throughout Scotland. Eight hundred Blackburn operatives, unemployed, held an indignation meeting on the paucity of parish relief. The Irish Home Rule Confederation has arranged for a series of demonstrations in the large towns of England, commencing at Birmingham and Wolverhampton. Barrett is leader and chief speaker. Tremendous snow falls occurred in Northern and Eastern Europe. Kelling, Meter, and Co., Fenchurch street, London, have failed for L 30,000. The ship Fifeshire, bound from Madras to Liverpool, was lost at sea, and 22 of the crew drowned. The Lancashire Handicap was won by James, Tower and Swordsman dead heat for second. Half the cotton mills in Ashton-under-Lyne have stopped work. Lance and Co., cotton merchants, Liverpool, have failed. The subscriptions to relieve the City of Glasgow Bank shareholders aggregate L 803,000, and the depositors will be asked to accept a compromise of 153 in the£. At the rowing match for L2OO a-side between Lumsden and Howden on the Tyne, the latter won easily. The short-time movement is extending in the mills at Burnley. The India mill, the latgest in Darwin, is stopping, and the railway companies in the cotton districts are discharging employees and reducing wages because of the stagnation in traffic. Haigh and Company, cotton-brokers in Liverpool have failed, and John Craig and Co., iron-founders, Scotland, have failed ; also, W. Wilson and Co., goods printers, Alexandra, Dumbartonshire. The liabilities of the latter firm art LBO,OOO. Samuel Phelps, the veteran actor, diec of congestion of the brain. England, Portugal, and France propos< to act in union- against the King o Dahomey. Robert Forster, colliery proprietor Glasgow has failed ; liabilities LBO,OOO. The Liverpool Autumn Cup race wai won by Belphegor, Touchet second, anc Master Kildare third. The released fenian Asher will be per mitted on account of feeble health, ti remain in Great Britain, and visit Ire land.

Knight and Sons, of London. Liverpool, and Newcastle have failed for LIOO,OOO.

Earl Beaconsfield's illness is gout, and not an apopletic fit as reported. The Pali Mall Gazetle says—" The treaty of Berlin is a failure, and it will be impossible by it to arrive at a pacific solution. The sooner this fact is recognised the better."

The North England Carriage Company has failed.

Fitzwilliam, moderate liberal, was elected to Parliament for Peterborough by a vote of 1660 against Conservative 671, and radicals 634.

The directors and other officials of the Glasgow City Bank have been committed for trial for fraud and theft. Several persons prominently connected wiih the Bank disappeared.

John Stewart failed for L 150,000. Cardinal Howard has declined the Archbishopric of Dublin. Great Britain will be consulted before filling up the vacancy, and the Pope will ask permission to send a nuncio to London without demanding a British representative at the Vatican.

The revenue cutter Fanny was run into and sunk on Tuskar shoals by the steamer Helvetia, and thirteen of the crew were drowned.

Thomson and Nephew of Georgemouth, lumber merchants have failed for L 60,000. The liabilities of John Dickie and Co., Glasgow, are L 50.000. The strike of the Clyde iron workers commenced on the 28th, and the Engineers' Society will fall in with it. John Elder and Co., who employ 4000 men, will discharge 1200. The captain and engineers of the Bywell Castle have been acquitted, and the mate of the Princess Alice cen&ured.

The coroner's jury in the Pontyprid Railway accident censured the signalman. In Lancashire and Cheshire six per cent, of the looms have been stopped, or are working short time. Lord Dufferin, replying to the Mayor of Liverpool's address, says he left Canada asxontented and loyal as Great Britain could desire. The agricultural laborers in Kent and Sussex threaten to strike. One thousand are already out. The cause is reduction of wages, and they declare they will emigrate to Canada. The following is an account of the capture of Ali Musjid, dated Khyber Pass, Nov. 21st:—At daybreak in the morning General Brown stood on a little plain beyond Jumrood watching a march to the front. A picket of the enemy's cavalry was visible on the top of the Shagh ridge, beyond the range, and the advance guard marched briskly on, and presently crested the heights, when at 10 o'clock a skirmishing fire opened on the enemy's picket. The latter retired, and after a desultory reply our force, pressing on and occasionally firing, reached the Shagh ridge, where Ali Musjid was clearly visible. At noon Ali Musjid fired the first shell, which was well aimed. It flew over the flagstaff on the Shagh ridge, and fell beyond without bursting. A long halt was necessary to allow the battery to come up, and the interval was used by the Horse Artillery !_in placing a gun on the height to our right. The fort Ali Musjid firing became somewhat brisk, and the Afghans about the fort Ali Musjid held their ground. Although thus apparently threatened on their flank and front, the Afghans replied with spirit from the fort at first, but afterwards slackly. At 1 p.m our 40-pounders reached the scene; also, Manderson's 9-pounder horse guns; then moved off the ridge and gave place to the ninepounder battery, while the forty-pounders played against the right of the Afghan position. The Afghan guns slowly but

steadily replied, making good practice, especially from their aeven-pounders in the central bastion. About 2 o'clock two forty-pounders shells crashed into the central bastion and crumbled the greater portion of it, apparently dismounting the guns which had been stubborn. Soon after 2 o'clock the infantry advanced, and skirmishers pushed on steadily, firing briskly provoking a sharp reply from the enemy, who were standing on rocky stream slopes; meanwhile Manderson's battery moving on along the bed of the strewn had come into action. Four guns previously silenced came again into action and the enemy developed guns in new places. Operations were reluctantly suspended until to-morrow, precautions being taken to protect our position, and troops bivouacked where they stood. On our left the third brigade had gained a position very close to the right flank of Ali Musjid, and were almost within storming distance. An advanced detachment of the third brigade moved forward until they found themselves confronted by successive lines ol entrenchments. At dusk, when retiring in accordance with orders, were

severely handled, and Major Birch who commanded, and Lieutenant Fitzgerald were killed, and a lieutenant and over twenty sepoys and four artillery men were wounded."

London, Nov. 23,

A despatch dated Jumrood, Friday, says the garrison of Ali Musjid bolted precipitately, leaving arms, food, 21 cannons, and 40 or 50 wounded. A considerable number of prisoners were taken. It is reported that the Afghan commander is amongst them. The Advertiser says a private telegram received in London estimates the number of killed and wounded in operations in the Khyber Pass at 300. The address sent by General Kaufman with a sword to Shere Ali was as follows : —" My illustrious Sovereign, on whose Empire the sun never set 3 ; whose raised finger causes a million of soldiers to take up arms, sends this pledge of friendship and unchanged affection to his friend and ally the noble and chivalrous ruler of the Afghans and Beeloochees. History teaches that Russia ever espouses a ju3t cause, that she has always known how to protect her allies from attacks of any enemy, however powerful. Whoever sides with Russia need not fear that the hair of his head will be injured, and may God protect and preserve two powerful Sovereigns—the Czar and Ameer. May God promote the welfare of the two allied countries to benefit the Afghans, the Russians, and humanity at large. May the echo of these words be consolation and hope where oppressiou and tyranny are paramount." The blade of the sword has the following inscription in Persian—- " May God give thee victory over the infidels."

Another despatch says that General Homakom's Russian expedition is marching from the Caspian Sea in the direction of Merve, Tarkestan, and by constant fighting had reached the Upper Attock Valley.

A Russian corps, 80,000 strong, also stands on the road to the Bokan.

The Russian press prior to the commencement of the war, adopted the most bellicose tone towards England, but according to late telegrams had received official intimation from the Government that a more moderate tone would be advisable.

Rothschild's, London, have offered L 8,500,000 five per cent Egyptian bonds, guaranteed at from 70 to 75. Maymooth College, Ireland, has been damaged by fire to the extent of L 19,000. The students lost all their personal property.

The Municipal elections throughout England and Wales were in favor of the Liberals.

The International Walking Match commenced at the Agricultural Hall, London, on the 28th at 11.5 p.m., and terminated on the 2nd at 10.30 p.m.. The competitors numbered 23, and included Weston, of New York. The stakes were LSOO, with the Astley Belt, Ll5O. Vaughan and Weston were the favorites. At the start the betting was 5 to 1 against Oorkey, and the conclusion the stores stood:—Oorkey, 521. miles; Brown, 505 ; Rowell, 460 ; Hebbert, 440; Ennia, of Chicago, 410 ; Courtney, 404 ; "Bay, 400 ; Richardson, 380. There were 16,000 persons present at the close, Weßton retiring early in the contost with a sprained ankle.

The Oldham cotton operatives are on strike ; 20,000 hands and 8,000,000 spindles affected were asked to submit to a reduction of 10 per cent wages.

AMERICAN.

San Francisco, Nov. 25,

A negro and his wife were lynched recently in Mississippi for murdering a white child. It appears subsequently that the mother of the child induced the negroes to do it, aa by its death she would become direct heiress to considerable property.

Rear-Admiral Ammon, U.S.N., has recommended the Nicaragua route for a ship canal. He thinks it can be built for fifty million dollars, and that three million tons British and American shipping would pass through yearly. Dr Giboly, Bishop, of Eleghin, has been appointed by the Pope apostolic delegate to the United States and Canada. Prices are now below specie level; wheat not in 27 years has been so low, nor cotten so low in 23 years ; nor corn since 1845, except June, 1861. Mormons are arriving in large numbers at New York from Europe. Harvad has accepted the Yates' challenge to row a four-mile race. The Pacific mail ateamer Georgia was

lost at Puntan Renis, while the captain was intoxicated in the cabin.

A convention embracing the leading clergymen of the Episcopalian Church has been in session in New York considering the millemal coming of Christ.

Mormon elders are on trial at Utah for polygamous practices. Yellow fever is rapidly disappearing in the Southern States.

The coal miners of Ohio and the power loom weavers of Philadelphia have struck against a reduction of wages. Body snatching has become common in Ohio. The bodies of four prominent citizens of Zambavale, a short time deceased, were lately taken from a wagon, the driver of which escaped pursuit. The steamer Quebec has been lost on Lake Huron.

Two freight trains collided in Montreal, injuring engineers and breakmen. Loss, LIOO.OOO. Two tramps at Port Jervis, New York, entered the village school after the children's dismissal, seized the teacher (Alice Bennett), and grossly assaulted her, and, to prevent her telling the story, cut out her congue. The young woman managed to reach the black board, wrote down the circumstances of the affair, and a description of the scoundrels, and then died.

The results of the States elections for November are the defeat of General Butler for the governorship of Massachussetts, and the Tammany ring, NewYork.

The widow of Alexander Stewart, the New York millionaire, offers 25,000 dols. for the return of the remains stolen from the vault. The New York and Boston Bank have taken action which practically taboos silver as currency. The Mormon women of Salt Lake, Utah, recently held a mass meeting in the City Theatre, and passed a series of resolutions endorsing polygamy as a Godgiven institution. A proposition impends among certain Congress men to reduce gold dollars to an equality with silver coin of the same denomination.

For fear of a theft of the body, the grave of the late Commodore Vanderbilt has been walled up with masonry, and is closely watched. The Honest Money League has issued an address asking the co-operation and assistance of friends of fair dealing all over the United States against fiat money and greenbacks. Odam Haber, a German, formerly of Oshbo'k, Wisconsin, has been sentenced to five years' imprisonment in Germany for reviling the Emperor. Haber was on a visit to his old home, and as he is a naturalised American, the United States Government is asked to interfere.