ITEMS BY THE MAIL.

New Zealand Mail, Issue 47, 16 December 1871, Page 2

ITEMS BY THE MAIL.

A despatch from Maryhill, three miles from Glasgow, announces the wrecking of a passenger train. Two persons were instantly killed, and fifteen wounded. New York, October 19.—A London correspondent writes that an alliance has been effected with certain members of the Peerage and representatives of the working classes, the object of which is to overthrow the present Government. The Commune principle pervades the platform. The same writer hints that the con dition of the Queen is such that she may die at any moment. London, October 19. —The bullion in the Bank of England has increased 1,181,000 dols. Consols, 92£. Money, 93 account. London, October 20.-—Earl Granville, in a speech at Manchester, regretted the suffering in Chicago, and thanked the American Government for suppressing the Fenian raid. The " Times," this morning, believes jealousy of England is extinct in the United States. It is rumored that Prince Napoleon will go to Paris.

The details from the New York papers are published here, and the deepest sympathy is everywhere evinced. The " Times" and other leading papers urge the continuance of liberality, Charles Babbage, author of many mathematical works, is dead. London, October 21.—Napoleon has returned to Chiselhurst. He tells an interviewer that the present Government of Francois weak, and inadequate to the wants of the country. The National Choral Society, who number a thousand members, will perform the oratorio of the " Messiah," at Hyde Park, for the relief of the fund. The " Times" states that Napoleon declared that the reports of Bonapartist conspiracies and intended descent on the coast of France were groundless; that the Emperor, claiming to be the legitimate Sovereign, advocates no violent measures for his restoration, but believes his partisans should urge taking the will of the French people upon the settlement of the Government by a plebescite. London, October 15.—The " Morning Post" pronouue.es the rumor of the establishments a Eegency, in consequence of the Queen's prolonged illness, as groundless. London, October 26.—A frightful colliery explosion took place this afternoon in the Seahon mine, near Newcastle ; 33 men were in the pit, none of whom have been reached. There is scarcely a hope of saving a single life. The families of the victims, with a large number of people, gathered around the mouth of the pit. Thirty men in the mine at Leham, where the explosion occurred, are dead, The pit is on fire. Another explosion is feared. Matters have been arranged for a match between the English horse Sterling and American horse Harry Bassett, for £IO,OOO a side, £2OOO to be allowed the owner of Harry Bassett, to run the match in England. Distance, one mile and a half, the horses to carry even weights. London, October 28—It is estimated that nearly 12,000 persons were present at Greenwich to day, to hear the speech of Gladstone. When the speaker arrived, at noon, he was greeted with cheers, and said that he was prof >undly impressed with the grandeur of his welcome. He said the public duties prevented him oftener visiting his constituents, He then discussed subjects agitating the public. The chief complaint against the Government was, that it attempted too much ; but the necessity exists for stating views proceeding from many more measures than it was possible to carry into immediate effect. r lhe present administration had the longest life of any administration since 1832. There was reason to believe that its vitality was unimpared. Facts connected with the dismissals from the dockyards have been grossly exaggerated. The total number of men discharged was only 1463. The reduction was in accordance with the policy of his predecessors. The economies of the present Government through the abolition of official patronage were gratifying. There was reason for congratulation over the abolition of the purchase system in the army. The House of Lords might need reform, but nothing should be done precipitately. The Lords had not acted wisely in rejecting the ballot bill, which would again be introduced. New York, October 30. —Late mail advices from England show that there is great fear of a financial crisis. Bismarck is demanding gold for the English subscription of part of the French war loan. The bills on the Bank of England are being presented, and, says the London " Court Journal," the only safety for the moment is to decline to discount the bills of Bismarck in gold aud give him bank notes of England. We must stand as if behind a battery against the Prussian invader who undertakes our overthrow through the finances. There is no such amount of bullion as that which Prussia demands of France. All the deposits in gold and silver, public and private, in Europe and America, is less than two hundred millions sterling. That would not begin to pay half of the indemnity. It is believed that Bismarck intends to hoard the world's finances, and touch England's vitality through her gold. London, October 30.—The Mansion

House Relief Fund for the Chicago sufferers amounted on Saturday evening to £42,000. The Manchester subscriptions for the same purpose aggregate £16,500. The steamships City of Baltimore and Rhein have arrived.

London, October 31. —Five Cabinet councils were held during the past week, the foreign policy of the Government being the main subject of discussion. The reorganisation of the army is progressing actively, and regiments are being brought up to the war standard. There is an immense accumulation of war material.

An address to Napoleon is circulating for signature among the officers and soldiers who serve under the Empire. When it has a sufficient number of signatures it will he forwarded to Chiselhurst. Its contents have not been made public. New Yokk, October 31.—English papers just received discuss the new social movement in that country, growing out of the alleged alliance between the working men and certain of the Peers and members of Parliament. The " Times" is disposed to believe that Lord Derby and Disraeli have pledged themselves to the programme of the working men, as heretofore indicated. The " Daily News" looks upon the movement as incredible. Sir Stafford Northcote, one of the alleged signers of the so-called treaty between the Peers and working men, publishes a letter denying that any of the gentlemen whose names have been brought under public notice signed, or in any way intimated their agreement with the resolutions. All that he thinks was done, was the expression of willingness on the part of some Peers and members of Parliament to consider the wellbeing of the working classes. New York, November I.—The English papers received to-night contain additional denials from the Conservative lords and statesmen of any knowledge of the new alliance between the peers and the people concerning the new social movement. It is stated in a letter to the London " Telegraph" that the signatures of the lords are in the possession of a Mr Pvussell.

• The mail by the Russia brings a full report of Earl Granville's speech at Manchester. He said : " I will venture to allude to the Treaty of Washington, of which Mr Ashton has already spoken so well. I believe it is a great accomplishment. I believe it is one which has results of the best possible character. I was accused in the House of Lords of having too much complimented all those who are connected with that treaty. I cannot regret one word which I have said (Cheers ) I think we see the results of it every day. It is an immense thing, that two such proud and sensitive countries as Great Britain and the United States should have consented to settle by amicable means a quantity of complicated questions, and to establish the good feeling which ought to exist at all times. (Cheers.) There is hardly a day passes on which we have not some proof of the extent of this good feeling. What has been the feeling in England? I don't believe that if one of our large manufacturing towns had been- burnt down, more sympathy could have been shown with the suffering and calamity which we regret so much that the inhabitants of Chicago have suffered. (Cheers.) On the other hand, what do we see ? I heard a rumor of an intended Fenian invasion. I telegraphed at once to communicate with Mr Fish. That wonderful instrument of communication of thought informed me the very next day that the Government had already sent instructions, and given orders of the most stringent character. (Cheers.) And we have heard, although only fiom very meagre telegrams, that it appears that the American Government's instructions have been obeyed, and this most ridiculous and wanton raid has been put down, not by us, but by the Americans themselves. (Cheers.) And if I may be allowed to add one single instance, it is on the effect which I think our example must have with regard to the settlement of international affairs. ,,

St Petersburg-, October 2G —A general order of the War Office directs the entire organisation of the Imperial army, and the calling to arms of the whole adult male population of the coun-

try. The order places the numerical strength of the field and landwehr forces of the Empire at a. total of 1,600,000 men, when required for war purposes. Sixty-six regiments of Cossacks are not included. The order creates also a further military force of reserves, to be employed in the event of invasion. The order is equivalent to a nobilization of the population of the entire nation, and makes every man in the country capable of bearing arms a soldier on a peace footing. Reinforcements ordered to the artillery will add a strength of 1000 guns to the batteries already in service. New York, October 30.—A private letter from Buenos Ayres says that there is a frightful prevalence in that country of smallpox. During the past summer 26,100 deaths from yellow fever have occurred in Buenos Ayres, and 30,000 deaths in the province of Corrientes.

The "Rappel" is again published, and advocates the claims of Victor Hugo for the Presidency. It is again rumored that Prince Bismarck offers Metz dismantled for Pondicherry or Cochin China. London, November 2.—A compromise has been arrived at between the French

and English Governments in regard to the commercial treaty. The notice of abrogation given by France has been withdrawn. The treaty is to be continued in force, but with material modifications, the details of which have already been agreed upon. Paris, November 4.—The trial of those members of the Commune who have been held under a charge of being directly concerned in the murder of the Versaillist Generals, Lecompte and Thomas, during the first days of the insuirection in Paris, which was begun yesterday, excites much interest and attracts large numbers to the court room.

Paris, October 15.—Traffic by the Mont Cenis tunnel begins to-morrow, lines of railway connecting with the tunnel having been completed. Paris, October 18.—The final ratification by France of the treaty with Germany has been despatched to Berlin. By the terms of the treaty, the six departments to be evacuated by the Germans are declared neutral territory, in a military point of view, until the stipulated payments of the indemnity are completed. During that time these departments must not be occupied by French troops, and should France not fulfil her financial obligations, they will be re-occupied by the Germans. London, October 19.—Later advices from Teheran show that Persia is still suffering from famine and pestilence. Formidable insurrections have broken out in various quarters.

The Government troops have been driven from Shieras, the capital town, which is now held by the rebels.. The Gazette of this evening contains the following diplomatic appointments ; Sir A. Buchannan, Minister to Vienna i Lord Loftus, Minister to St Petersburg ; Odo Russell, Minister to Berlin. The working men of Lincoln created a riotous disturbance this morning, Berlin, October 19. —The Emperor to-day approved the treaty with France, and the ratifications will be formally exchanged on Saturday. Gotha, October SO.—Full reports of the last German expedition to the North Pole have been published. It is claimed that the expedition was successful. A polar sea was discovered, free from ice, and swarming with whales.. Berlin, October SO—A distinguished prelate, an emissary of the Pcpe, obtained an audience with the Emperor to-day to ascertain if it would be allowable for the approaching conclave to sit outside of Rome, for instance in some French city. The emissary was referred to Bismarck, who evaded a reply. The Emperor sent an autographic letter of sympathy to the Pope ' Paris, October 21—A despatch from Metz reports that serious troubles have arisen between the North and South German soldiery in the garrison there, and that several encounters have occurred between members of the Bavarian and Prussian regiments. Paris, October 25—the " Courier Diplomatique" publishes what it says is a semi-official communication, in which it is stated that in 1864 Earl Russell, then British Minister of Foreign Affuirs, made overtures through Lord

Cowley, British Ambassador at Paris, to Rouher, proposing an alliance with that country both offensive and defensive, and to help Denmark. In case Prussia and Austria were to declare war against her, England was to cooperate, with France, and was willing to promise France return assistance in the rectification of her frontier on the Rhine, in annexing a portion of the Rhenish provinces. Rouher asked time to consider ; but three days from that time they were presented., and Napoleon accepted. Lord Cowley immediately communicated the Emperor's acceptance to his Government, whereupon Earl Russell replied that it was too late, as her Majesty's Government had decided not to interfere in the case of Denmark. No attempt was made to re-open the subject.

Chicago, October 20.—The "Tribune" this morning publishes an exact statement of the number of buildings destroyed by the great fire, with a careful estimate of the number of people rendered homeless, and an estimate of

what is left. The total area of the city is stated to be over 23,000 acres, including the annexed territory west of Western Avenue, and the total number of buildings before the fire was about 00,000. The total number of buildings destroyed was 10,000, including over 000 stores and 100 manufacturing establishments. About 70,000 persons were deprived of homes, and are sojourning on the west side, or have left the city. Out of a population of 77,000, only about 7,000 have houses which they can claim as their own, and there are not over 000 houses left standing, for the district burned over embraced most of the settled area of the North Division, while the amount of ground burned over in the West Division was not great, hardly exceeding 150 acres; and while much of that was occupied by lumber yards, &c, the people who did live there were very closely packed together, and between 1000 and 2000 people must have dwelt there. The value of the houses destroyed was comparatively light, they being nearly all frame buildings. It appears, then, that out of the 00,000 buildings in Chicago, only about 13,500 have been destroyed ; and that while 92,000 persons have been driven from their homes, over 145,000 have not been afflicted in that way. Chicago, October 23.—The " Times" of this morning publishes a highly sensational account of the origin of the great fire, in what purports to be the confession of a member of the Society of the Internationals, who alleges that it was their work ; that he set the first five on Dekoven street, and about a dozen confederates assisted him in spreading it. He discloses that this was the third attempt to burn the city ; the first being the 30th of September, when the Burlington warehouse was burned. The second was the Saturday night preceding the great fire on Sunday, an account of which he gives in detail. The writer further says that George Train is a member of the Society, and that in a lecture in Farewell Hall the very night of the disaster, came near betraying them, using the following language: —'' This is the last public address that will be delivered within these walls. A terrible calamity is impending over the city of Chicago ; more I cannot say; more I dare not utter." The " Times " says, " That Train made use of these words can be abundantly attested, bub we decline to offer any opinion as to the authenticity of the rest of the story. That it will not be believed, unless by the most credulous persons, is certain to all who saw the fire and the perfect hurricane of wind which accompanied it, and which was quite sufficient to account for its terribly rapid spread."

Mails.-—The usual monthly mail, via Brindisi, was delivered with accustomed punctuality pn 4th September, dates being—from Melbourne 16th July, Sydney 13th July, Adelaide 17th July, Brisbane 10th July, Tasmania 14th July, and Swan River 18th July. The New Zealand mail, via San Francisco, was delivered ex steamer Allemania at New York, on the same day, 4th September, with dates from Auckland 13th July, and Otago 7th July. The Sydney mail, via San Francisco, was delivered ex City of Melbourne at Sydney, on 27th September, with dates from New South Wales 2nd August, but brought few letters. The Sydney folks seem, very wisely, to distrust this route for communication with England.