TELEGRAPHIC NEWS.

Marlborough Daily Times, Volume II, Issue 98, 27 February 1880, Page 3

TELEGRAPHIC NEWS.

[special to post.] LONDON. February 21. A great debate took place in the House of Lords last evening upon tlie policy of tlie Government in regard to tlie war in Afghanistan. The Duke of Argyle in a vigorousspeech denouced that policy as being deceitful, weak and cowardly, and casting a stain on the honor of the British nation. Not only had it involved the country hi heavy expenditure, but, he contended, British influence had been weakened, instead of strengthened, and no practical advantage had been gained.

The Earl of Beaconsficld defended the Government in a magnificent speech, in which he urged that the war had been forced upon them by the necessity of counteracting Russian intrigue, and that in spite of some unfortunate disasters which could not be foreseen or prevented, the conduct of tlie war had been such as to reflect the highest credit on the British arms. J.ic expressed a firm belief that peace would be established ere very long on a basis that would secure great and lasting advantages to the British nation.

February 23. There is apparently a willingness on the part of a number of the Afghan chiefs to submit to the British and close the campaign, provided certain concessions are made to them in the terms of peace. Mahomed Jan’s following is believed to be breaking up, and a number of influential Khans have signified their desire to General Roberts to discuss conditions of peace. General Roberts has accordingly opened negotiations with them, which are still proceeding. The Petrotfski Academy, an important public building at Moscow, was set fire to by an incendiary on Saturday night. There is every reason to believe that the outrage was the work of Nihilist conspirators. The alarm in Russia at the spread of the movement is daily increasing. It lias been arranged that on and after the Ist March, the postal rates between Great Britain and Australia, via Brindisi, shall he as follows: Letters, Gd per ounce; newspapers, Id each ; books and parcels, id per ounce.

Mr Childers, the Acting AgentGeneral for Victoria, lias conf 1 with .Lord Deacons field and the P. iu e of Wales with reference to the appoin. .lent- of an ollie’t representative of Great Britian „fc the Melbo 'rue Ex Vid it is lad'eved that the G ioM will con ait to an age it b g linted. February 24.

News from St. Petersburg states that a proclamation lias been issued by the Nihilist Conn- 'ttee couched in the most defiant term , in which they announce their intention of proceeding to the last extremities in order to achieve their ends. They threaten that if a disposition to meet their demands is not n ado by the Czar by 3rd of March no;,t their agents will set fire to the city.

The greatest confusion and excitement are reported as existing in the Russian capital, which is virtually in a state of siege. The police are making domiciliary visits : the guards at the Imperial Palaces and the important public buildings have been strengthened, and numerous arrests continue to be made.

Owing to the determined tactics of the Opposition, both in the House of Lords and in the Commons, and to the obstruction of the Irish members in the latter, Lord Beaconsfield will probably apply at once for a dissolution, and go to the county on his foreign policy and the “ Anti-Ob-struction ” cry. Pen owed exertions are being made by both Liberals and Conservatives in view of the coming campaign, and an excited contest is anticipated.

[MELBOURNE A ROUS SPECIAL] LONDON. February 21. It is announced that Gen. Sir Charles Henry Ellice, K.CJ. 13., Adjut-ant-General to the Forces, Whitehall, will succeed Sir F. P. Haines, G.C.8., G.C.5.1., as Commander-in-Chief of

the Indian Army. General Sir Garnet Wolseley takes the post of Quartermaster-General to the Forces, Whitehall, vice General Sir 1). L. Lysons, K.C.8., promoted. February 22.

The Canadian Parliament has voted 100,000 dollarr (about £ 21,000) towards the Irish Relief Fund.

The Russians are sending torpedo boats and war material to Port Olga Bay, abandoning Vladivostock.

it. is rumored that the Russians arc arranging with Japan for a large ship yard at Cisagasaki. As the dispute between China and Japan is still unsettled, and as China talks of refusing to ratify the Kuldga treaty, Japan may accept the proposals of Russia. The Irish Works Bill debate in the House of Commons derived its chief importance through the Irish members prolonging discussion to shelve Mr Newdegate’s motion to prevent obstruction. The Government is thus induced to replace Mr Newdegate’s with a resolution of their own. It is believed that they are desirous of appealing to the country >n the “ antiobstruction ” cry

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LONDON, February 20. In tlie House of Lords an important discussion took place on the Afghan question. The Dakc of Argyle again attacked the policy adopted by the Government. The Premier replied, defending the course pursued, stating that Russia sought to embarrass England in Asia. The duty of the Government was therefore to secure the gates of India. Until such had been achieved, it was impossible to retire from Afghanistan, as anarchy still prevailed in the country.

BERLIN. February 21. The German Government are taking an active interest in the preparation of exhibits for the Melbourne Exhibition, and are adopting steps to be adequately represented. They have determined to grant a liberal subsidy.

CONSTANTINOPLE. February 21. Colonel Lynge, accompanied by his wife, who were relieving the refugees of Roumelia, have been captured InGreek brigands, and threatened with death, failing an adequate ransom. CALCUTTA. February 23. Advices have been received from Oabul stating that General Roberts has offered to hold a conference with Mahomed -Jan and insurgents for tlie purpose of discussing the position of affairs in Afghanistan, and the question of the future rulership of that country. ST. PETERSBURG, February 22. The Academy of Forest Culture at Moscow was totally destroyed by fire to-day. One of the students of the Academy is believed to be implicated, and lias been arrested on a charge of incendiarism. MELBOURNE. February 25. A mass meeting of Liberals will take place here to-night. It is expected that fully 20,000 will attend. In the trial of the Provincial and Suburban Bank Directors, the evidence for the prosecution has closed, and the Crown Prosecutor has com menced the delivery of his address. SYDNEY. February 24. In the case of MHvenzie v. the Union Insurance Company, for wrong fill dismissal, a verdict was given for plaintiff for £230. Fob uary 25. The members of the Ma uinotli Minstrels have been summoned at Newcastle for doseora lg the Sabbath, by giving a sacred cc -ert at the Theatre on Sunday last.

BRISBANE. February 25. It is announced that the Government of Queensland has declined to join with New Zealand in protesting against the introduction of expirees from New Caledonia. [united press association]. WELLINGTON. Thursday. Over 1 of) men have been taken on for employment in road making on the Waimate Plains. Tn the carbine match against the Dunedin Naval Brigade the Wellington Brigade made the total score of (JG9. It is believed this is the largest score ever made in the Colony. AUCKLAND. Thursday. Wallis Pellier, formerly a French refugee, was summoned to-day by Air Bishop, owner of the Graffin, which conveyed the Communists from Noumea, for assault. The evidence shows that the complainant went aboard to complain to the owner of the defendant delaying hi= countrymen’s luggage, when an altercation occurred, and Mr Bishop pushed him off the vessel. The Bench dismissed the case. February 24th, W. A. Baker, a respectably connected young man, was sentenced to two months’ imprisonmene with hard labor for obtaining goods on false pretences, by means of a cheque on the Colonial Bank of New Zealand. He fainted on being taken into the corridor of the Court. TV. H. Binden, bead master of Newtown East School, has been charged wit l ' assaulting Edward Golding, a pupil 10 years of age by flogging him for truancy, but the case was dismissed, each party to pay his own costs. The hoy had been flogged last quar-

ter for the same offence, having been absent (JS times out of a possible 10(1, and this time he had been absent 17 times out of a possible 30. Six of the French Communists have gone to Whangarei to seek work at the coal mines or gum Helds, and the local police have been instruct al not to interfere wi h them in any way that would prejudice their chance of employment.

NAPIER. February 24. At the conclusion of the parade of the Engineer Volunteers, this evening, Major Topia, chief of the Taliaraiti (Murimotu) natives, addressed the corps, saying that as they were aware, there had been a dispute at Murimotu, but it was purely an intertribal affair, and was notin any way aimed at the Government or the European settlers, whose rights would be respected. The affair might have been more serious had not the Government stepped in and undertaken to settle the dispute, and he (Topia) hoped that they would be successful, and he and his people would render every assistance possible. When Mr Harding’s fencers returned to work this morning, 100 natives were found drawn up along the line of fence to prevent its erection. He telegraphed to Major Scully for police assistance, but Scully refused to give assistance, pending Mr Hamlin's report to the Government, as he is making an inquiry into the dispute. Both sides then agreed to wait for the report. The police inquiry into the removal ol the sand bags from the Rifle ranges, proves they were taken by Maori children for the sake of the lead in them.

The Rev. Samuel Williams is trying to arrange the dispute between the natives and M’Master, of Taharaiti, but they refuse to listen to him. They do not impugn the lease, which has eleven years to run, but say they are determined to resume possession of tlie land, and will drb’e M’Master’s sheep on to the high road.

HAWERA. February 25. The Commission sat all day yesterday. The Ngatirualiine tribe, to which Titokowaru belongs, were the chief speakers in favor of their claims. 'This side of tlie V aingongoro they wanted to claim lands partly allotted them befor Titokowaru’s war, but which of course were all confiscated after they had rebelled. The discussion, after a time narrowed down to a question of two reserves of 700 acres at Stratford, taken forthejtown,and 700,adjoining, given instead. The land is equally good but as the Government made the township, and sold the sections at a good price] the Maoris think they should have some of the profit There is also a reserve of 10,000 acres given by Major Brown when lie settled the confiscation on. this side of the river, but they induced the surveyor to survey 10,000 acres. It is not likely the Commission will recommend giving this extra 0000, as the Maoris have 25,000 acres of reserve around Hawcra at present. The Commission will recomu end that the reserve decided upon on the Waimate Plains be cut out before any other survey on tlie Plains is commenced. The Maoris are again flocking into town to-day.