NEWS BY THE SAN FRANCISCO MAIL.

Kumara Times, Issue 770, 19 March 1879, Page 2

NEWS BY THE SAN FRANCISCO MAIL.

The San Francisco mail was delivered here yesterday. The following items of intelligence were transmitted by telegraph:— London, February 11. Summonses were issued this morning for a Cabinet meeting, to be held at two this afternoon, to deliberate on the reverse of the British troops in Zululand. The official telegrams announcing the defeat were received at the Colonial Office at 12.30 this morning. They substantially confirmed the details already given. The news of the defeat caused a sensation throughout London. The demand for the newspapers at all the suburban stations were greater than since the outbreak of the Franco-Ger-man war.

The reinforcement- for the Cape Colony number about 7000. The Government are actively enquiring concerning private steamers, and assistance. The only troop ship in the harbor is being rapidly prepared for service at Portsmouth. The first Lord of the Admiralty stated that troops sufficient to nndo the trouble with the Zulus would be on the way to the Cape within a week. He declared he had every confidence in Lord Chelmsford. A statement is published that Government has telegraphed to the Viceroy of India to immediately send reinforcements to Natal. Artillery for the Cape is ready at Woolwich and will start to-morrow.

February 12. The Admiralty announces that it has chartered 15 steamers to carry troops and supplies to the Cape. February 15. The strike of engineers is extending to Leeds, Plymouth, Dover, and other points.

A despatch from Rome says that cordial letters have been exchanged between the Pope and German Emperor. Concessions have been made on both sides.

Victoria, 8.C., February 17. The Americans and Russians at Sitka, in being threatened by Indians, sent an appeal to a British man-of-war for assistance and protection.

London, February 17. Her Majesty's ship Osprey has taken in stores, and will sail to-night for the scene of trouble. The Osprey is an exceptionally fast composite sloop of war, and should be at Stika on Friday. In the House ot Lords, Lord Beaconsfield said of the Afghan troubles, " The object of Government's interference had been completely accomplished. We now hold the three great highways connecting Afghanistan and India, and I hope we shall always retain them. We have obtained a frontier which we hope and helieve will render India invulnerable in a way which will trench as little as possible on the independence of Afghanistan." Lord Carnarvon declared that he, when in office, was aware of the insolence and aggressiveness of the chief Cetewayo, and suggested that the Government should now send troops from India to the Cape. Edward Oakley, a Fenian prisoner, has been released from Spike Island on condition of quitting the country. Seven thousand miners are idle in Durham County. Applications for relief for the week ending Feb. 1 were 300 less than for any preceding week. Regular recipitents surrendered their relief tickets, intimating they had found employment. About 300 persons are still supported by charity. Steele and Craig, grain merchants of Glasgow, have failed. Their liabilities are estimated at £7OOO.

Drury Lane Theatre, London, has' been closed, the performers refusing to submit to a reduction of wages.

[NEW ZEALAND PRESS ASSOCIATION.]

London, February 10. The black plague is raging in Russia, and the Cordous Sanitaire are informed against that country by all neighbouring nations. The London College of Physicians is discussing precautionary measures. Lord Beaconstield is confined to his residence through illness. Dr Newman has declined a cardinalate

The Liverpool strike, involving 90,000 sailors, firemen, and laborers, has collapsed. The shipping trade of the port was at one time paralysed. Parliament reassembled on the 13th. Northcote spoke on the state of affairs in South Africa.

Layard has returned from Constantinople in ill health.

Chatterton, manager of Drury lane Theatre, has failed.

Stanley goes to Africa again,

The Mount Zion Convent Waterford, was burned by an incendiary. The destitution in Glasgow is decreasing.

Rev, Hugh M'Neill, Bishop of Ripon, is dead.

London newspapers congratulate France on the change of the administration. The Theatreßoyal, London, has been burnt down.