CABLE BRIEFS.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XXX, Issue 371, 11 April 1908, Page 3

CABLE BRIEFS.

London. Aptil 8

Lawlessness is increasing in Ireland. The majority of the farmers in the Comity of Leitrim are patrolling nightly in order to protect their stock. The remains of Emanuel Swedenborg, the founder of the Swedenborgians, have been removed from Stepney, and placed aboard a Swedish frigate for conveyance to KarlrkronaThe Chinese Government is making an energetic attempt to reduce the consumption of opium. It has issued a rigorous prohibition against the use of the drug in colleges, schools, and the army. Prince Kung and four high officials are inquiring as to extra smoking among officials and people. The edict orders the establishment of refuges where victims will be treated. Melbourne, April 9. Manning was to death for the murder of his wife at Bendigo on Februaiy y. Hong Kong, April S. As a consequence of the action of Japan with regard to the seizure of the steamer Tatsu Marti, the Chinese Merchants’ Guild at Hong Kong has telegraphed to agents at Nagasaki, Kobe, and Yokohama, directing them not to place orders for Japanese goods. .St. Petersburg, April 8. The Finnish Diet was dissolved, as it had got beyond Government control. Fresh elections will .be held in July. Sydney, April 9. The members of the New Zealand football team arrived in good health, and were welcomed by the New South Wales League. The players are not inclined to talk of the financial aspects and of certain incidents which happened during the tour. They had a fine trip, and were most hospitably entertained, and, generally, things went well in England. Johnston (Dunedin) thought he never saw or played football till he played the Northern Union game. It was largely built upon giving spectacular displays at all times. The game was necessarily so open and fast that it was attractive at all stages. The greatest difficulty the New Zealanders experienced was not to learn the new rules, but to forget the old ones. It was hard at the outset to grasp the opposing team’s tactics. The games were all exceedingly fast, and the back divisions at Home occasionally gave glimpses of phenomenal form. Some of the most .important games were played on sloppy and dirty grounds. On the whole, the playing areas were rather rough.

Johnston understands that the idea of the New South Wales League is to play ten matches against the New Zealanders —three in Sydney, three in Newcastle, and three in Brisbane, The members of the team maintained exercise on the voyage out, and are now in their best form, and able to do themselves justice.