THE SAN FRANCISCO MAIL.

New Zealand Mail, Issue 232, 19 February 1876, Page 10

THE SAN FRANCISCO MAIL.

Auckland, Monday. The Hera has arrived. She brings the San Francisco mail for all ports of New Zealand, ex Grenada, leaving Sydney, via Kandavau, on sth February. TELEGRAPHIC SUMMARY OF ENGLISH NEWS. A plot to blow up the White Star steamer Mosel with nitroglycerine, for the insurance of fictitious goods, heavily insured, aboard, was discovered by the premature explosion of explosive material. Montenegro has repeatedly applied to Eussia for permission to attack Turkey, but Bussiahas urced the preservation of neutrality. The Admiralty amended slave circular affords protection aboard H.M. ships in foreign waters only when lives are endangered, but specifies that no demand for surrender shall be entertained. . President Grant's proposed mediation in Cuban affairs is to be given effect to. Cuba will probably assume the same relation to Spain as that subsistiag between Great Britain and Canada. .'•»•-« ™n Moulton has commenced an action for 50,000 dollars against Beecher. The Grand Vizier of Turkey has written to the Pope about Christians, in connection with affairs in the disturbed provinces. The Pope is prosecuting enquiries of priests. The Sultan is expending all the money he can get in strengthening the army and navy. GENERAL SUMMARY VIA SAN FRANCISCO. San Fbancisco, January 8. Commercial. —Flour weak at 5 dols. 75c. to 6 dols. 25c. for city brands of extra quality. Wheat shippers have reduced limits to 11 dols. 85c. ; barley feed 1 dol. 15c. to 1 dol. 17ic. ; brewing 120 to 132 per 1001 b. ; oats firm, at 1 dol 90c. to 2 dols. 25c, all kinds. Liverpool wheat market quotes 10s. 2d. to 10s. 6d. for average. The New York demand for wool is quiet,°holders not evincing any disposition to force sales. The Boston market is also quiet, with less firmness in prices, the price now being 7 to 8 cents lower for all kinds than it was a year a<*o. The only descriptions that sustain current prices are combing and delaine selections. Quicksilver, 75c. (gold) ; for sperm oil holders ask 1 dol. 65c. ; refined petroleum, in barrels, 13c. to 13ic. ; cases, quiet at 17c. to 19£c. ___ ENGLISH AND FOREIGN. London, January 8. A special from Vienna says the Secretary of State for the United States has transmitted to every European Government a circular asking their views regarding American intervention. All the Governments replied satisfactorily. England readily endorsed intervention. The Epoca, Madrid, says when the Carlist insnrrection is suppressed an efficient army will be maintained in Cuba, and guns placed on the coast. ... , The bombardment of Hermam is vigorously maintained, and it is thought the garrison will A Madrid special says Count Punonrostro is in Paris, officially arranging for the return of Isabella to Spain. King Alphonso opposed his Ministry in this matter, saying, Ministers may resign, but his mother must have an asylum in Spain. Valladolid will be chosen for her residence, not Madrid, as it is not considered safe- and it is said that the Spanish army would be divided at once if the ex-Queen were to take any part in the direction or council of State affairs. . - ~ Austria's project for the pacification of the Turkish provinces has not been sent to tne oxeat Powers, for reasons unknown. It is stated that the principal feature of the great Powers' proposition, relative to the reforms in Turkey, is that the Ambassadors of the central Powers at Constantinople shall exercise permanent control in the execution of reforms in the provinces. The London Times says: "We are prepared to urge that the clause of the treaty of Paris, forbidding foreign intervention between the Sultan and his subjects, be rescinded."

A Berlin despatch to The Times says the Prince of Montenego has concluded negotiations for a loan of a million dollars, which the Sclavonians agree is guaranteed by Russia. The Narisma Standard says news has been received there that a conspiracy has been discovered in Belgrade to make Karageongewich Prince of Servia. Several arrests have been made, and Prince Milan dare not leave the palace. . A Paris despatch to Tlie Times says :—lt is stated that the French Government has expressed its determination to act in accord with England's feeling on the subject of Count Andrassy's note proposing Turkish reform. The correspondent says :—" lam assured that the note is about to give rise to a prolonged exchange of communications between the Great Powers. All the Powers have been notified of the decision of France."

A Vienna despatch says that Montenegro expects to receive Turkey's ultimatum about the middle of the month. The Bagslladt reports that the Porte has ordered all ironclads to be hi readiness to start for the Black Sea and Albanian ports. Advices from Herzegovina report a severe engagement between the Turks and insurgents at Mostar, in which the latter were defeated, with great loss. Five Turkish steamers lately arrived at Kleck, and landed five battalions of troops, with ample ammunition and provisions. Before the Turks revictualled Nicisie and Duga, the insurgents sustained a heavy defeat, in which 600 were killed and many wounded. The insurgent commander fled to Cettinge. A Vienna correspondent of the London Standard reports that all the men who are liable to serve in case of war have been ordered to hold themselves in readiness to join their corps at forty-eight hours' notice. In the French Assembly the consideration in detail of the Press Bill has been resumed. All the clauses relating directly to the Press were adopted without modification. A great debate took place as to raising the state of siege. The' proposal was rejected by 377 to 329. The Press Bill finally passed nearly unanimously. At Berlin, a meeting called by the citizens of the United States to give expression to their abhorence of the Bremenhaven crime, and to protest against the unjust comments of the German Press, has been held, and was attended by 200 Americans. A resolution was adopted declaring the act of Thomas, or Thomassen, is in no respect the fruit of American civilisation—it affected the honor of the human race, not of a particular nationality—and protesting against the unjust aspersions on the American character which have appeared in some German newspaper in connection with the crime. A despatch from Berlin says the German Government reported in favor of the propositions contained in the American circular relating to Cuba. -•3i German commerce is seriously injured by the Cuban disorders. It is stated' that the Constitutional party in Spain expect to get from 115 to 120 seats in the new Cortes. The Spanish Cabinet having learned the contents of the Circular note from the United States to the European Governments, instructed her representatives to explain to the various Governments that the Cuban question was not only one of American but of European interest, and that complications between the United States and Spain might have incalculable consequences for Europe, as they would encourage the CarKsts to make a prolonged resistance, and revive the hopes of federalism. The Austrian Government received these declarations in a friendly manner. , Gambetta has announced his intention of coming forward as" a candidate for the Chamber of Deputies for Paris, Lyons, Marseilles, Lisle, and Bordeaux. His' purpose is to ascertain the judgment of the large cities upon the policy of compromise which he espoused during the last part of the session. The Tmes'-Paris correspondent says negotiations are going on to get Victor Hugo, Freigcienet, and Floquet to stand as candidates for the Senate from Paris. Their success is considered almost certain. The Minister Buffet has sent a circular to the Prefects of Departments, reminding them that they may revoke licenses to° newspaper dealers, unless the . legal regulations are observed. The Journal des Bebats treats the Circular as an affair of great gravity, and says it shows that Government is interpreting the Press law in the most restrictive manner possible. A special telegram from Rome to the Daily Neios says that well-informed authorities assert that Bishop Dupanloup arrived in Rome on account of the expected meeting of the CEcumenical Council. Thomassen, who caused the disaster on board the Mosel of Bremenhaven, purchased the nitro-glycerine which he used in America. He attributes the premature explosion to cold dynamite being inflammable when frozen ; and the chest containing it was roughly handled by the carrier, who threw it from a waggon, causing the crystals to explode. Henry Wainwright, convicted of the murcer of Harriet Lane, was hanged at Newcastle on the 21st December. Just before he was pinioned, he handed a written statement to the governor of the prison, which he desired should be made public. In this he acknowledges the justice of the sentence, and then explicitly admits that he murdered the woman. The directors of the city and country banks (one of them an M.P.), who have been examined at the Mansion House, for issuing false prospectuses, reports, and balance sheets, have, after several remands, been committed for trial. ■ The Grand Vizier recently requested the Pope to use his good offices with the Catholic insurgents in Herzegovina, with a view to peace. The Pope has accordingly instructed Cardinal Franchi to inquire into the condition Of affairs there. . . The Times Vienna correspondent writes that the Greek Metropolitan of Mostar is following

the example of his Catholic colleague, and has issued a pastoral letter, in which he upbraids the clergy for fomenting the insurrection, and requiring them to leave their evil ways and return to their duties on pain of severe punishment, according to his apostolical power. The Sultan is spending all his available money in hostility, arming his forces on sea and land. Ships and cannon have been ordered. The Right Hon. Sother Bucknall Estecourt, who was Secretary of State for the Home department in 1860, is dead. A disastrous fire occurred in the bookbinding establishment of T. H. Egerton. Three hundred workmen are thrown out of employment.

Bulletins respecting the health of ex-Queen Isabella are issued daily. The latest is less favorable.

A conspiracy against the Christians in Turkey has been discovered, and thhty-six Turks implicated have been arrested. A despatch from Bordeaux of December 21, says the steamship Louisiana, from the West Indies, has been sunk in the Gironde river. After the collision, sixteen persons were drowned, including Captain Naples. Mount Vesuvius shows a gradual increase of fire and smoke. Professor Galmieri predicts a long period of eruption. The total number of the killed by the explosion at Bremenhaven is 128, and of the wounded, 56. The Bremen aid committee report that 20 of the injured are hopelessly maimed, and that there are 56 widows and 135 orphans, victims of the disaster, for the benefit of whom it proposes to raise a subscription of 7000 dollars. The Prince of Montenegro wrote to Prince Gortschakoff that by following the wishes of the great Powers in maintaining neutrality he directly imperilled his throne and life. Prince Gortschakoff submitted his letter to the Emperor of Russia, who directed Gortschakoff to reply to the Prince of Montenegro to face courageously his present difficult position, and on no account to abandon his policy of neutrality, at the same time expressing a hope that his situation would improve. The Prince answered that he would follow the Czar's injunctions. A despatch states there is a Chinese riot in Malacca, and the troops have been sent to restore order. From to-day's papers we glean the following: There is but little doubt that Egypt contemplates the conquest and the annexation of the whole of Abyssinia. A terrible explosion occurred to-day in a coalmine near Mons, in Belgium. The full force of men was at work at the time, and the loss of life is appalling. It is reported that 110 miners were killed, and eleven were taken out injured. The accident was caused by firedamp. The reports that there was no loss of life by the burning of the training ship Goliath are contradicted, and there is reason to believe that twenty perished. News has been received of a dreadful calamity which occurred in the little village of Trillicken, in the canton of Nargan, Switzerland. The Christmas festivities were being celebrated in the schoolhouse in that place, when the flooring gave way, and eighty persons were killed and fifty more or less wounded. AMERICAN SUMMARY. It is generally known in Washington now that President Grant's proposition for mediation on behalf of peace in Cuba will be carried into effect. Cuba is to assume about the same relation to Spain as the Canadian confederation does to the British Government. War will cease on the island, and the insurgents will be admitted to the full rig 1 ;*"--? of citizenship, to join in the business of reorganisation, upon a basis of a new government of the people, with slavery abolished throughout the island. This much is acknowledged by officials who best know what is going on. At a meeting of the Philadelphia Common Council a resolution was adopted that the Board of Public Education be requested to inform the Council by what authority the reading of the Bible had been discontinued in certain schools. Arrangements by the National Rifle Association and amateur rifle clubs for the Centennial International Rifle Match are progressing. Invitations to participate have been sent to Great Britain, Australia, Canada, France, India, Prince Edward Island, Sweden and Norway, Austria, Belgium, the German Empire, Switzerland, Chile, Brazil, and Peru. Eight men will constitute each team. Ranges will be at 800, 900, and 1000 yards. The Tournament will last four days. Each man will have 90 shots, with a'possible score of 450. It is not yet decided whether the contest will take place at Creedmoor or Philadelphia. Major Fulton is at present visiting the Centennial grounds to report upon their adaptability. It is believed that Creedmoor will be selected. Philip Steiner, one of the leading dealers in tea and coffee, of New York, has failed. He had eighteen stores in New York, besides others in Brooklyn, Jersey City, and Newark. Liabilities, 198,000dol.; assets, 39,000d01. _ ; > News has been received from the Phillipme Island giv'-ig details of a dreadful hurricane on the 30tli ; the storm was particularly severe in the provinces'of Alban and Canaries. On the island of Lucan 250 lives were lost, 3800 dwellings were destroyed, many cattle perished, and the crops in all directions were ruined. A telegram from Pera shows that the British hold all the important positions in that neighborhood. The Maharajah Sela has taken refuge in the Siamese territory. The British power is supreme. Only the murderers of Birch are in arms. A Times special from Penang says that General Colborne reports that he has taken Kintah without loss. Maharajahs Imail and Sela fled to Penang. The representatives of the Congregational Church, Brooklyn, have been in communication, with the view to determine whether they shall participate in the council of the 25th January, for settling the question between

Mrs. Moulton and the church. Invitations - have been sent to other churches ; list kept secret, but believed that nearly all will accept. Shortly before 7 p.m. on December 22nd a terrible explosion occurred in South Boston, by which a large number of persons were injured and several killed. It is impossible as yet to learn the cause of explosion or the extent of damage. A large gas main running under Federal-street bridge to South Boston, and along the water's edge under the pavement on Federal-street, expleded with a loud report, tearing up the pavement for 150 ft. or more. It is supposed that several persons were blown into the water. Several dead bodies were taken out ; killed and wounded thus far over 50. It is supposed that the recent cold weather caused the pipes to burst and the ground becoming impregnated with gas, ignition from some cause communicated with the gas. The causeway on the right hand, under which the gas ran, fell into the river, carrying with it several persons, who were stunned, injured, or killed by the explosion. The number of these has not yet been ascertained. _^___^