ENGLISH AND FOREIGN NEWS

Kumara Times, Issue 1169, 28 June 1880, Page 3

ENGLISH AND FOREIGN NEWS

+ (The following cablegrams appeared in late Australian papers, per Rotomahana, via the Bluff: London, June 8. tn the House of Commons Mr Fawfcett, the Postmaster-General, said that he would gladly see the post card system established between England and Australia. He hoped that Australia would join the Postal Union, when the post card system would result, June 9. ■ The subscriptions received for the Orient Steam Navigation Company’s new capital are sufficient to warrant tho company applying to the Stock Exchange for a quotation for their shares. Allotments are being made for a portion of the shares applied for, and the balance will be offered in the colonies. The distressed people in the County Mayo, Ireland, demand immediate relief for themselves and families, and threaten that, if not provided for, they will pillage the country, and take by violence all they can lay their hands on. i. June 11. A Select Committee has been appointed by the French Chamber of Deputies to inquire into the alleged torturing of political prisoners at New Caledonia. The wine duties reduced stand at 6d per gallon' up to 20deg. proof of spirits; from 22deg. up to 35deg. proof of spirits Id extra for each degree of strength; and over 35deg. 2£d for each degree. Bottled wines are charged 2s per gallon uniform; June 12. The reduction in the wine duties, and the abolition of ■ the malt duty meet with general approval. The Times • strongly advocates a further reduction on bottled wines. The debate on the budget has been adjourned. Allotment letters have been issued ‘ to the ! subscribers for shares in the South Australian Land Mortgage Company, which ia to be formed with a capital of £1,000,000. The Spanish man-of-war despatched by the authorities at Madrid to quell the revolutionary insurrection at Cuba has arrived. The man-of-war found an American schooner there under circumstances that led to the suspicion that those in charge were in communication with the rebels. The man-of-war took -possession of the schooner and burnt her. June 13. A disastrous fire broke out in Pensylvania. One of the largest petroleum houses in the State caught fire, and a fierce and disastrous conflagration was soon raging. It is estimated that no ' less than 1,000,000 of barrels of oil : were destroyed, the value of which was nearly a million dollars. All efforts to check the progress of the fire failed. The catastrophe created great consternation among the inhabitants. A late despatch says that it is roughly estimated that two million dollar’s worth of property have been destroyed. June 14. There was an exciting scene in the House of Commons, lasting six hours, unexampled for, many. a year. Mr O’Donnel made an outrageous attack on the newly-appointed French ambas.aador in London, Mr Gladstone interrupted Mr O’Donnell’s speed) and amid great excitement and disorder, and moved that he be not heard until he had withdrawn the offensive reraaiks and apologised to the House. Mr .O’Donnell refused, and an angry, disorderly scene ensued. The Speaker was powerless to restrain the the turbulent Home Rulers, who accused Mr . Gladstone of endeavoring to gag the members of the House. Mr Foster delivered a trenchant reply on the conduct of the Irish members, accusing

Mr O’Donnell ot outraging the deceit dies of society and imperilling the national amity. Order being restored, Mr Gladstone effected a compromise by withdrawing his motion. Intelligence has been received respecting the negotiations opened with Abdul Rahman, with a view of ascertaining whether satisfactory arrangements could be made for the settlement of Afghatiistail, which tfeitd to throw doubt upon his good faith. He has been making strenuous efforts to strengthen his position in Turkestan, and has evinced a disinclination to give the guarantees whitih the English Government require. He is believed to be acting under Russian influence, and desirous of establishing himself as Ameer independently of the British; The silence of Abdul Rahirlart, and his hesitation about accepting the offer of the Ameership of Cabul, has given rise to suspicions that he is afraid of the hostility of Yakoob Khan’s adherents, and that the followers of Yakoob are intriguing with Abdul Rahman for the restoration of the late Ameer to the throne. A fearful boiler explosion took place on hoard'tlie Spanish man-of-war Santiago De Cuba, causing great damage to the ship and fearful injuries to scores of people, and the loss of several Uvea. The number of deaths has not been ascertained, but it Was known that the killed and injured amount to 140. < June 15. In view of the renewal of the scene which occurred in the House last night, Mr O’Donnell has amended his question in reference to M. Leon Say as French -Ambassador. Intense anxiety exists as to how the Government will act. Mr O’Donnell is a Catholic, and he alleges that M. Leon Say plundered a convent and ordered a massacre by the troops at Lyons during the Commune. All parties censure Mr O’Donnell’s policy, and the press condemn Mr Gladstone’s haste in attempting to prevent Mr O’Donnell’s motion by an adjournment, and by threatening the rights of private members, but it takes it as a sign that the Premier is determined to suppress obstruction. The Times shows that Mr Gladstone at the last moment was compelled to revise the wine tariff in order to secure a French treaty. June 16. In the French Senate M. Tifard, Minister of Commerce and Agriculture, denied that France had engaged with England in a fresh treaty, and referred to the proposal made by Mr Gladstone as being contrary to French interests. It is stated that the whole staff of the French Embassy have resigned in consequence of the appointment of M. Leon Say, as French ambassador at London. In the House to-night, Mr Baxter referred to the superior speed of the Orient Company’s steamers over the steamers of the Peninsular and Oriental Company. Mr Fawcett said that the Government were not responsible for the existing contract. June 17. There is growing discontent at the proposed new wine tariff. It is considered so highly advantageous to France that Mr Gladstone is credited with having certain prospects in view as to Spain and Portugal offering to reduce their general tariff. Sir Francis Leighton, President of the Royal Academy, and Messrs Paisley and Thompson, are actively engaged procuring works of art for the Melbourne Exhibition. The Doke of Manchester will proceed to the Melbourne Exhibition as Honorary Commissioner, accompanied by his daughter, and Mr Herbert Stafford will proceed to Melbourne as Executive Commissioner, instead of Sir Cunliffe Owen. Berlin, June 15. The representatives of the Great Powers appointed by the Conference have held several meetings of a preliminary character. It is understood that a complete understanding will be come to at an early date as to the steps to be taken for the settlement of the various questions submitted, and as to insisting on an early compliance by Turkey with the demands of the Powers.