TELEGRAPHIC NEWS.

Marlborough Daily Times, Volume II, Issue 97, 24 February 1880, Page 3

TELEGRAPHIC NEWS.

[SPECIAL TO POST.] LONDON. February 18. The Czar and the Imperial Family are reported its being overwlielmeti at the narrowness of their escape from the attempt made to assassinate them on .Monday evening. .It was only by the merest accident that they were not all destroyed. The plans of the conspirators were most carefully arranged, ami it is believed that they acted with the knowledge and assistance of persons in the Royal household. The would-be assassins evidently possessed a careful knowledge of the promises and a intimate acquaintance with the habits of the imperial Family. The mine consisted of a heavy charge of lilhofraclcv.r, placed exactly under that part of the dining-hall where the Czar and family usually sat, and the explosive was connected with an electric battery, supposed to have been concealed among the wood in a cellar, where the fuel was kept the charge was fired at the hour when the Czar usually sat down to dinner, but most providentially on this occasion His .Majesty ami the family were detained in another part of the palace, and did not arrive at the usual hour. The total number of soldiers involved in the explosion is now stated to be 47, of whom 7 are dead and the remaining 40 are more or less seriously injured. The members of the lioyal Household are being subjected to rigid examination, with the view of ascertaining whether they are implicated in the plot, which, it is believed, could not have been carried out without their connivance. February 19.

The invasion of Badakshan by Abdul Rahman, and his advance on Balkli, on the Afghan frontier, have not only caused great excitement at Cabul, but have roused strong apprehensions on the part of the anti-Russ-ian Turcomans, Abdul Rahman being in the pay of the Russian Government, and attached to General Ivan 11 man’s still!. The Turcoman chiefs fear that the object of the expedition is not only to open a route for the Russian forces into Afghanistan, but also to enable them to operate against the Turcomans with a view to seizing the northern roads to Herat, and annexing the Turcoman country. They have therefore ordered a levy of 60,000 non from tl r tribes ' epel the in -aders, and *e apj ' to the Indian and .Persian Go' lent for assistance —espec ally ~n the shape of artillery, in which they are de ieiont.

It is stated that Colonel Sir G. P. Colley, K.C.5.1., C. 8., C.M.G., military secretary to the Viceroy of I ndia, succeeds Sir Garnet \Y olscley, as Governor and High Commissioner in Natal and the Transvaal, and commanding the forces in South Africa. A Glasgow chemist, named, Hannay, has succeeded m manutiictuiing artificial diamonds said to be equal in all respects to tlie real gems.

j M KI.I’.OUIIN K Aim US SI’HCIAI.] LONDON. February 20. r J’he Canadian Board of Trade has suggested l hat the English associated Chambers of Commerce should convene a conference to arrange for a sounder basis of the British and colonial Zol verein. The Chambers are arranging for a preliminary conference of colonists resident in Britain in decide whether a meeting of colonial and Home delegates shall be held next year. Borne exalated personages are implicated in the outrage at the Winter Palace. The settlement of the new Brindisi postal rates is delayed, owing to protest received from Sydney and Wellington colonists. [KKUTKK’s TK! i KORA MS.] LONDON, .February 18. The homeward mails via San Francisco were delivered in London on the 18th inst.

At the wool auctions during the past week 9054 bales have been catalogued. The steamship Tan j ore sailed today. Three per cent, consols remain unchanged at 98. The 5 per cent. New Zealand 10-40 loan lias advanced 1 per cent., and is to-day quoted at 1044. Adelaide wheat (per 49C>]hs ex warehouse) lias further advanced Is, to-days quotation being 595. Adelaide flour is unchanged. The market for Australian tallow 'is unchanged at last quotations, viz, best hoof,, 365; best mutton, 38s Gd per cwt. February 19. At the wool sale to-day 10,300 bales were offered. There was a linn and active del and. The total reserve in notes and bullion in the Bank of England is T 16,625,, 000. ST. PETERSBURG, February 18. On. an examination being made at tin '.Vinter Palace it was discovered that a mine, consisting of dynamite and gun cotton, had been laid. Hie train was traced from the inner court to the fuel cellar. The escape of those in the Palace was most providential.

Februaay 19. It lias been ascertained that the mine under the "Winter Palace was fired hy a battery, at the time the family, attended by servants, were actual! ly entering le saloon. A number of lie sei a rs were seriously injured. The a4air has caused a great sensation, and a large number of arrests have taken place in consequence.

SYDNEY. February 20. Brandy, ITciinessyh case, 3;>s to 37s ; quarters, llsGd to 12s. Kero sene, diamond. Is 2d: Devon’s, Is Id to Is 9.1 d. Rice, Patna, £2O to £2l. New Zealand wheat, 4s ; Now Zealand oafs, 2s Gd ; New- South Wales maize, 2s 3d to 2s Gd ; tobacco, Haven’s twist, 1 s 5.1 ; Sugar Company's No. 1 pieces, £4O ; candles, D. R.-I.’s, 7d to 8 jd.

February 21. Mr W. i IczlcU lias been elected member for Paddington in the .Legislative Assembly in the place of Mr Sutherland, resigned. Mr Hczlett favors the Government Education scheme. The International Exhibition will be closed on the 20th April next.

ADELAIDE. February 20. Wheat is firm at 4s 8d per bushel flour. LlO 1 5s to Ll 1.

BRISBANE. February 21. A man, bathing in the Kautree 'River Yesterday, was attacked by an alligator, which seized him in the thigh, and crushed and clawed him severely. The alligator finally slipped his hold and escaped. The Steamer Menmuir, from Singapore, reports that the comet was seen in the Torres Straits. The nucleus was very red and quite visible.

[united it,ess association]. WELLINGTON. Monday. The Alayor calls a meeting to-night to consider the best means of raising subscriptions to relieve the Irish Distress. Over 200 applications for work were reecieved to-day by the relieving oilicer. About fiO married men were taken on, and it is believed several more will bo engaged shortly. A deputation waited on Government this morning urging the necessity of pushing on the Wellington-Foxton railway from this end. The Premier replied that Government were doing all in their power to push o t works authorised by Parliament, but could not give a definite answer until the Mil sterfor Public Works arrived in Welliag.o :.

DUNEDIN. Monday. Lanond’s claim at \ inegar Hill, Cambrain, washed up GOO ounces for three months’ wo L, dividing £SOO per man after paying expenses. In "the seven miles walking match between Clayton and O'Connor, the former won in sGinin. 32 sees. The Standard Insurance Company’s annual report states that owing to the depressed state of business, and|frequcntand heavy losses, the Company lias been gradually diminishing its risks. N ’.ividend is recommended. Tl e net p l ms received during the half-year anion wed to £32,452; interest on investments £3,487, fire and marine losses £2,949.

CHRISTCHURCH. February, 21. In consequence of Thursday’s telegram from Invercargill, the Review Committee met last night and drew up a circular to the visiting corps to the following effect: —The committee have secured ample accommodation for 1700 men. The Immigration Barracks consist mostly of rooms to sleep four up to fourteen men each, the whole to accommodate 1500 men if required, and comfortable quarters for officers on duty. The place is scrupulously clean, and the building will he furnished by an upholsterer, Meals will he provided by an experienced hotelkeeper, and a canteen will he held in the barracks. The remaining billets will he amongst the hotels in the town. If you prefer to camp under canvas at your own expense, bringing your own camp equipage, there being none available here, please telegraph or write by return of post, and fill up form forwarded.

GRAJfAMSTOWN. February 21. A lad namxd Janies had a narrow escape from drowning in Kaueranga yesterday. He was pluekily rescued by a little boy named Pearce. There is small yreliability of Rowe floating the Caledonian Company, Auckland capitalists having combined against him.

The Government is urged. to procure some alteration in the conditions under which me goldfields are leased from the natives who levy black-; mail on everyone movinu the .surface of the soil.