REUTER'S TELEGRAMS.

Kumara Times, Issue 1369, 19 February 1881, Page 2

REUTER'S TELEGRAMS.

BRITISH AND FOREIGN. Capetown, February J 6. News comes to hand from Natal that the telegraph wires between Newcastle and Durban have been cut by the Boers in several places. No communication therefore, has lately been received from Sir G. Colley, at In«ogo. JNew York, February 17. A number of Dutch Americans residing here, and in other parts of the State, are agitating with the view to send assistance to the Boers in their efforts to obtain their independence in the Transvaal. London, February 15. The opening catalogue at (he wool sale to-day comprised 2,100 bales. There was a good attendance of Home and Foreign buyers and the demand was fair, but prices were as compared with the closing rates of last sales, fully one halfpenny lower for greasy, and one penny less for scoured wools. The total arrivals for auction amount

to 310,000 bales, and the probable j quantity to be offered to 300,'000. ! February 16. j StepfienS) the former Fenian head centre, is now at Paris. In the House of Commons last night, i the Home Secretary, Sir Wm. Vernon ! Harcouitj in reply to a question, made a statement in the course of which he virtually admitted that a letter, suspected to contain treasonable correspondence, had been opened in transit through the post. The statement gave rise to a lengthy discussion in the House, and the Press generally refer td the matter at length in their leading articles, various opinions being expressed as to the action of the Government. News has been received from. Seyrout, in Syria, that troubles have arisen between the Christians and the Turks, and several conflicts have taken place, resulting in loss of life on both sides. Mr Parnell has addressed a letter to the League in Dublin, in which he urges the members to maintain a passive attitude of resistance to the coercive measures proposed to be adopted by the Government in Ireland, and moreover to use every means to foster agrarian agitation of the masses, not only in Irelaud, but throughout Great Britain. The Daily News of to-day published a paragraph stating that the Government have received telegrams from Sir George Colley, containing proposals for peace by the Boers. The Daily News adds that the proposals are now being discussed in the Cabinet. The news that Mr Parnell has paid visits to Mi Rochfort and Victor Hugo created a feeling of disgust amongst the Irish Catholics. February 17. Thß belief which existed that Parnell had gorid to Paris is now confirmed. He has been in that city for the past week, and has visited Rochfort and Victor Hugo, and had a lengthy interview with them. Berlin, February 15. The German Parliament was opened to-day by the who in his speech on the occasion, strongly affirms the fact that a general agreement exists among the Great Powers to use every possible effort in the direction of the maintenance of European peace. * LATEST AUSTRALIAN NEWS. Sydney, February 17. A Commission has been appointed by Government to inquire into, aud report upon the military organisation of the Colony. Melbourne, February 18. Murray Smith has virtually assumed t'he leadership of the Opposition in the Legislative Assembly. The ship, Hereford, which was successfully floated yesterday at Cape Patton, has been safely towed to Queenscliffe.