NEWS BY THE TORRES STRAIT MAIL.

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXI, Issue 4812, 24 August 1876, Page 4

NEWS BY THE TORRES STRAIT MAIL.

The following telegrams appeared in the Melbourne Argus of the 14th instant : Brisbane, August 12. The Acheen news is not cheering, and cholera is still prevalent amongst the Dutch. The rivers were flooded, and communication with the outposts interrupted. Vigorous action against the enemy was impracticable. The coffee crop in Java is plentiful, and the rice crop very good. Two Chinamen were executed at Singapore for murders arising out of the Malacca-riots. The fate of eight others sentenced is uncertain, A London telegram states that in the House of Lords Earl Carnarvon paid a high tribute to Governor Jervoise for the vigor he displayed in connection with the Malay difficulty, and stated that there was no reason for his recall. Hongkong, July 15. A section of the Shanghai and Woosing Railway was opened for traffic on June 30. The Chinese perfectly rushed the trains for the first few days, and were much interested in the novelty. The Glenartney steamer won the tea race to London.

The opium crop in Shanghai is short. It is rumored that the Japanese Govern ment is about to colonise the Bonin Islands.

The Japanese Government has practically abolished the use of the torture in the judicial courts. Yang lasi, the leader of the mutineers on board the German schooner Anna, has been decapitated. Foochow, June 25.

The political situation is considered critical. Negotiations have been with the Chinese Government, who must yield to Sir Thomas Wade's terms or face the consequences. . ■ , . It is stated that the existence of a complete and'formidable Mahommedan organisation in China has been discovered by the authorities of one of the provincial capitals. St is understood that the Abbd Blanc and his confrire reached Corea, but were forbidden to go about freely. The King is said to be well disposed towards Europeans, and it is

thought that it will not be difficult to open up the country to foreign trade. Iliejhimai Government is endeavoring to avert the famine impending in the northern provinces consequent on the faihire of the crops through the long drought. r _The new salvage regulations. issued by the Chinese Government promise promotion and reward to those saving Iff. and property at shipwrecks, while punishment is threatened to those who are-apathetic.

Coals at Hongkong are exceedingly depressed, and prices are. drooping. Soft. Australian, 7.5Gd01. to 8doL; hard, 4.50d01.- Bullf 5d01., nominal; Cardiff, 9.9Jd01. V ’ In the Canton-tea market the. transit'' p« have been on a' fair scale, prices continuing firm. At Fooohaw a decreased businessia reported in consequence of the unfavorable weather. At Hankow the arrivals of tea have been on an unusually large scale. The crop is above the average, and the transactions are larger than eyer before known. At Yokohama rates show a tendency to advance. There are loading for the colonies at Hongkong the Cingallee and Kudex, and at Foochow, in addition to those reported by the Bowen, the Pacha, E. M. Young, Catherine, and Maiden, for Melbourne, and the Georgina, Kate, and Tatham for Melbourne or Sydney.

Batavia, July 17.: Xhere have been no departures for the colonies. Loading —Frederica, Star, Jamaica, Moses B. Tower, Deux Freres, for Melbourne; and the George Noble, for Adelaide or Melbourne.

There is no business in Australian coals. In English sales have been made at 27f.