SPECIAL CABLEGRAMS TO MELBOURNE PAPERS.

Kumara Times, Issue 1391, 17 March 1881, Page 2

SPECIAL CABLEGRAMS TO MELBOURNE PAPERS.

London, February 2S. In the engagement at Spitzkopf Gem eral Colley was killed before the retreat of the British took place. His body has since been recovered. It has been decided that reinforcements should be despatched to Natal forthwith from Bombay, Bermuda and Colombo. Further reinforcements will be sent from the garrisons at Gib* raltar and Malta.

March 1. The Government have -announced its intention to proceed with the Arms Sill in connection with measures relate ing to Ireland. An enormous robbery of jewels has taken place from the premises of Mr Bryce M‘Murdo Wright, mineralogist} in Great Russel street} London> The sailing ship Zealandia, from New Zealand, went aground in the Thames, and has been docked in order to ascertain if she has sustained any damage. M. Drouyn de LhdyS, Diplomatist and Minister for Foreigh Affairs under the Empire, is dead.

March 2,

Sir H. Robinson, Governor of the Cape Colony, has protested against the criticisms which have been made in England on the policy of the Cape Government in regard to the Basuto wan

The Arms Bill, introduced by Government in tbe House of Commons, empowers the Lord Lieutenant of Ire* land to arrest suspected persons and search for arms until June, 1866.

March 4.

Childers has introduced in the House of Commons an Army Reform Bill, and explained that when brought in operation £250,000 a year would be saved in army expenditure. Corporal punishment is to be abolished. The changes proposed will, it is stated, benefit the officers of the service.

President Hayes has vetoed the Funding Bill, which has been passed by Congress, and was intended to re-* fund a portion of the National Debt at a reduced rate of interest. Margin 5/^

In General Garfield’s inaugural ad-> dress he reviewed the history of the country during the last century, and referred to the prosperity of the country. On the question of refunding a portion of the National Debt at lower rate of interest, he stated that Govern-* ment would retain the supervision of. the Panama Canal. Polygamy amongst* the Mormons at Utah territory would be suppressed, and reform of the Civil Service would be proposed. The Darlington Iron Company, in the County of Durham, has failed. Hanlan has arrived at Toronto, where he was received with great eclat.' In

Ibis public speech he praised Trickefct iand Laycock very highly. Banian intends to J&tire from rowing. It is tnrrjred that Sir Garnet Wolesiey is to Raised to the peerage for bis distinguished military services. It is reported that it has been resolved to arest Dillon, who a few days ■ago made a violent speech in the House t)f Commons, in which he justified the of landlords by their tenants. The Metropolitan Boards Works of 2,500,000 in consolidated stock at 3 per tent, has been taken up at 90. March 7. A terrible destructive earthquake bas occurred at Ischia, in the Gulf of Naples, containing a population of 24,000. The shock was felt chiefly in the capital of the island. A hundred bouses were totally ruined, and many more were greatly damaged. The total faumber killed as far as has yet been ascertained exceeds 100, and a great many have been seriously injured. The Scenes witnessed are described as awful, the inhabitants being paralysed with agony and terror. March 8, The authorities have determined to Stringently enforce thfe provisions of the Irish Coercion A ct. Forty arrests bave already been made, and it has been decided to apply the provisions of the Act first to the Counties of GalWay, Mayo, and Kerry. A second earthquake has occurred at the island of Ischia, and is reported to be more violent and destructive than the first. There has been further appalling destruction of life and property, ahd a number of shipping disasters. It is estimated that at least one hundred persons have been killed by the second bhock. The inhabitants of the island are in a condition of frenizied terror.