REUTER’S TELEGRAMS.

Kumara Times, Issue 1366, 16 February 1881, Page 2

REUTER’S TELEGRAMS.

BRITISH AND FOREIGN. London, February 14. The sculling race between Edward Hanlan and Elias Laycock for £SOO aside, the Championship of England, and the Sportsmans Challenge Cup, took place to-day, over the usual course on the Thames between Putney and Alortlake. The weather was fine, and water smooth, and the banks of the river were lined with spectators throughout the course. The betUing was four to one on Hanlan. A good start was effected. Hanlan commenced with 35, and Laycock with 38 strokes a minute. Hanlan at once took the lead and was a length or more ahead at Simmon’s yard, and two lengths ahead at the mile post. At this point Laycock put on a splendid spurt, and Hanlau’s lead was for a time materially decreased, but the latter again rapidly drew ahead, and was four lengths in advance of Laycoek

at Barnes Bridge. Hecontinued to increasethe lead, and reached the Winning post several lengths ahead, having led from start to finish, and completing the distance in 25 mins. 41 secs. The House of Commons decided in Committee that the Irish Coercion Bill shall he retrospective in operation, and shall give the Viceroy of Ireland power : to make arrests for offences committed prior to October 1 st, last year. Parnell has been absent from the House of'Comtnous for a week, and it is believed he is visiting Paris. The Ladies League in Ireland is daily extending its operations, and increasing the agitation in'regard to the land question In hecdrdance with the announcement made On Saturday by the Secretary of State for War in the House of Commons, twO regiments of cavalry and one thousand infantry have been ordered to proceed to Natal 'tb further reinforce Sir G. Colley in Transvaal. A meeting took place in. Hyde Park to-day in opposition to the measures proposed by the Government for the settlement of agitation in Ireland. A considerable number *of people Were present. Several violent speeches Wei'e made, and copies of the Irish Coercion Bill were burned on the platform. The Ladies League which has recently been formed in Dublin has for its object the furtherance of the agitation for settlement of the ownership of land in Ireland. Capetown, February 13. Negotiations for a cessation of hostilities between the Cape forces, and the Basutos have recently been proceeding, and a week’s armistice has been proclaimed throughout Basutoland and Transvaal. Constantinople, February 13. News to hand from the Island of Crete, reports that the inhabitants are at present much disturbed over the possibility of the island being ceded to : Greece in partial settlement of the Turco-Greek difficulty. ** latest Australian news. Melbourne, February 15. The Government has decided to make a call of the House for the Ist of March, when a division on the second reading of Reform Bill will be taken. Messis Goldsborough and CoV review of the past wool season shows that 165,000 bales have been and 122,000 bales sold in Victoria ‘during the season. The total shipments amounted to 285,000 bales being an increase of 25,000 on last year.