SAN FRANCISCO MAIL NEWS.

Kumara Times, Issue 2108, 1 June 1883, Page 2

SAN FRANCISCO MAIL NEWS.

[special to press association.] London, May 6. A native of Auckland, named Win. Fergusson, aged forty-five attempted to commit suicide on Sunday evening, the Bth inst., near the Ludgate Hill Station, London, in a fit of despondency, resulting from destitution. The unfortunate man ascended a ladder, which he happened to pass, fastened the rope, and threw himself off. He was observed and rescued by a policeman; but was quite insensible. He explained to the Lord Mayor he had served both in the Army and Navy, and on being discharged had tried to support himself as a laborer. The Lord Mayor promised to try and assist him in getting a ship, upon which he might work his passage back to Australia, where he said all his friends were, and in the meantime the prisoner was ordered to find one surety in £5 for his good behaviour. A naval pension of £SO has just fallen vacant by the death in his eightieth year of Captain D. Craigie, C. 8., B.N. The deceased veteran had seen much active service, having been engaged in the operations in New Zealand in 1845, and in the Crimean War. The Commons passed at a single sitting Sir Vernon Harcourt's Explosives Bill, the Conservative leaders heartily supporting the Government, but the Irish party took no part in the debate. The Bill provides that the authors of explosions which are maliciously caused shall be punishable by penal servitude for life. Any attempts to cause explosions are punishable by twenty years' penal servitude. The penalty for the unlawful manufacture or possession of explosives is fourteen years. Any person in any way aiding or abetting will be deemed guilty of felony. In a circular issued to local authorities, Sir Vernon Harcourt urges vigilance in the discovery of explosives, and offers a reward of £IOO for every such discovery. The remarkable occurrence of a female lawyer abasing a Judge in open Court was witnessed at Milwaukee, Wisconsin. On the 20 th April, Kate Kane, the practitioner took offence because the Judge had appointed a male attorney instead of herself to defend a burglar. She threw a glass of water squarely in his face, saying at the same time, " Take that, you dirty dog ; you have insulted me." The Judge fined her fifty dollars and costs for contempt, and directed the sheriff to " take the creature out of this Court." She refused to pay the fine, preferring to " rot in gaol first." The French Government propose a credit of 5,000,000 francs for the operations in fonquin. Two gun boats, with a thousand marines, have been ordered to reinforce the French force at that region. The China squadron has been ordered to cruise to the Red River. The French representative at that Court has been recalled, and another one sent out from Paris with instructions to demand the immediate execution of the treaty of 1874, and a serious conflict between France and the Annamese is believed to be inevitable. The French have already commenced operations on the river leading to Hanoi. Complications also are expected between France and China, the latter country being greatly irritated at the French encroachment in Annam. The Times declares that England could not view with equanimity a French annexation of Tonquin or advance on the Cambodia Valley. The disclosures of a triple alliance between Germany, Austria and Italy caused great irritation to France, and the French papers are publishing articles attackiug Italy for her action in the matter. The late Nihilist trials at Odessa have revealed the existence of a central Nihilist organisation directing the proceedings of the Local Societies, and having ramifications all over Europe. The head of the organisation is a mysterious person, like " Number One " in the lirish conspiracy. A despatch from Dublin on May 4th says:—Kingston, Healey, and Gibney, charged with conspiracy to murder Poole, were arraigned on May 4th for examination. An informer named Lavine gave evidence confirming the existence of a violence and murder circle, to which the murdurera belonged. The prisoners were remanded for a week. The Portuguese Government have received a despatch from the Governor of Angola, dated the 25th March, stating that the French occupied Pontanegra, Loanga, in spite of the natives. The Governor expects a conflict between the

French and Stanley, and requests that ships and troops be sent. Pontanegra lies north of the Portuguese possessions. Three Portuguese gunboats left Loanga in consequence. The French troops mentioned in the despatch are supposed to be the advanced guard of De Brazza's force under De Laßtours, which reached Gaboon at the end of Jauuary. The natives are well armed, and are determined to resist the French. The Portuguese will remain neutral unless attacked. During the visit of the Marquis of Lome to Boston a bomb exploded in the street near him, but no harm was done. The safe at the Academy of Music, New York, where Mr Mapleson is giving a series of operatic performances, has been robbed of a sura exceeding £4OOO. A riotous meeting of the Salvation Army has taken place at Vallence, in France. The Hall in which the Salvationists were assembled was attacked by a crowd of men and women, who forced their way into the meeting and dispersed it. At the Land Convention, Philadelphia, it was resolved that the organisation be called the Irish National League of America; Alex. Sullivan, of Maine, to be President. It has transpired that on the enthronement of the Archbishop of Canterbury the police of that town closely watched the movements of certain Irish Americans who were acting in a suspicious manner, and who became alarmed and quitted the town. It is believed one of these men was Wilson, who had a hearing subsequently before the Bow-street Police Court. The steamer Grappler was burnt off "Vancouver's Island, near Eschimalt, British Columbia, on the 20th April. Sixty passengers, principally Chinamen, perished. The programme for rifle-shooting at the annual meeting of the National Rifle Association at Wimbledon includes two commpetitions which have been instituted as a compliment to the American National Guard. They are for military rifles-, at 500 and 200 yards respectively. Thirty-two prizes will be offered in each competition, ranging from £lO to £l. THE PHILADELPHIA CONVENTION. The Irish Land League Convention met on the 20th April. There were present clergymen, lawyers, physicians, journalists, and mechanics from all parts of America, and the assemblage was considered the most representative of the kind ever seen. There were thirty-one clergymen present, and thirteen delegates from the women's branches of the League. On the second day 1155 delegates were present, forty of whom were women. Mrs Parnell was loudly cheered on entering. A letter was read from Charles Parnell councelling the adoption of a platform which would enable the agitators in Ireland to accept American help, and at the same time avoid giving a pi'etext to the British Government for the entire suppression of the national movement in Ireland. It was the duty of the Irish race throughout the world to sustain the Irish people in the movement for a national self-Government. A resolution of confidence and cheers was ordered to be cabled to Mr Parnell. A vote of confidence in Patrick Egan was passed for the careful custody and management of the Land League funds. Mrs Parnell was asked to place a wreath on the bust of Geo. Washington when she made a speech.