TELEGRAPHIC ITEMS.

Mount Ida Chronicle, Volume V, Issue 267, 18 April 1874, Page 3

TELEGRAPHIC ITEMS.

Grahamstown, April 11

A petition to the Governor is being numerously signed praying For the release of the Thames manager convicted of a breach of the Quartz-crushing Regulations through the machinations of the police. ....... -. Nelson, April 12. News of the West Coast floods was brought by the Kennedy. At Reefton, the Buller liiver rose 30ft. in 12 hours, but no damage of importance was done. . Greymouth, April 11. There was a fearful flood here on Sunday night and Monday last. It rained incessantly . for 40 hours. The whole town was inundated. The stone protection work stood severe tests, and saved the town from utter destruction. . It was the highest flood yet known in Grey mouth. The residents in the lower town were_ removed to places of safetyv Several cottages were swept to sea.' There were no. other losses in the town, except '. gardenfences, &c. Several land-slips took place in the Grey Valley Road. Severe damage was done to the road and railway works. Disastrous news is anticipated from the Grey Valley. The flood has subsided. West-port, April 11. ' Heavy floods occurred yesterday and to-day. The Cobden-street Wharf wq,s carried away, and two ferry punts were carried oyer the bar. Four or five acres of the Coal Quay Reserve was washed away. Several small houses were pulled down and removed. The flood is now .subsiding. The pile bridge near Charleston was destroyed on Sunday. • ARRIVAL OF TUE ENGLISH MAIL. ! London, March 30. \ A baronetcy has been conferred on General Wolseley, with the additional distinctions ot K.C.B. and G:C.M.G. A pension has also been granted Him, and to-night he received the thanks of both Houses for his services. ; April 1. ' The revenue for the year is seventy six and a-half millions, exceeding the esti-mate-by two millions and three quarters. ; "Disraeli has promised to consider the suggestion of the burial of the remains of Livingstone in Westminster Abbey, at the public expense. , April 4. 1 There is a great look-out For agricultural laborers in the Eastern Madrid, March 30. .Marshall Serrano carried, and still retains, the first Carlist line. The attack on the second line was unsuccessful. i V' # Berlin, March 30. W Bismarck threatens to resign unless the Reichstag vote the army standard as 401,000 men.

April 1. The Archbishop of Cologne has been arrested. '■'- - AUSTRALIAN TELEGRAMS.

Melbourne, April 7.' ; The barque Ecliptic, coal-laden, from Newcastle to Melbourne, was totally wrecked on the Gipps Land Coast. Captain Eldridge and nine lives were lost, (yrily one lad was 5 : saved, after four hours i|v the-water. Only two bodies have been recovered. - There is none of the wreck to Ije seeij. .-..:,'-:.-;-« : ; - : '-.-- .^^.-i.,.;, ■I. Matie? hafi^een/ r arrested arid' remanded ona charge 'of-perjury, in connection with the Buckley will case.. ... : ' Mr. S6uth'am,'6f',Grreymouth a passenger per the died on the vessel reaching the port, before landing. ,

... 'Sydney, April *.;.'. The Randvvick Autumn Meeting came off yesterday. The Leger was a splendid race ; Mr. Tait's Sylvia colt and Rose d'Amour first and second; Fitz Yattendon third, ahead behind.

The Governor's colt Kingsborough won the Champagne Stakes, and Myrtle the Doncaster Handicap. Adelaide, April 7. Boothby's wheat statistics show a yield of 7 bushels 521b. to the acre; probable export, 25.000 tons. The revenue for the quarter is £266,000. Colonel Warburton has arrived ~ from his Western Australian exploration ingood health. The Moonta miners struck owing to a reduction in wages. THE ESCAPED COMMUNISTS.

The escape of Rochefort and others caused great sensation in France, and a commotion in New Caledonia. It appears some of the party were kept at Duer's Peninsula, and others at Noumea. Rochefoit and others were allowed to go on a fishing excursion, and went on board the barque P.C.E , and remained stowed in the lazarette, until clear of the. land; then

discovered themselves,;;, There is: no doubt the whole affair was well planned, though the captain of the barque denies all knowledge of the escape. The Communists intend to proceed to England immediately.. A correspondence has been carried on between JRochefort; Grousset, and theiFrench.Consul at Sydney. The latter views .them as escaped convicts.' -Grousset challenges him to demand their extradition.