SPECIAL MAIL NEWS.

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXII, Issue 5137, 10 September 1877, Page 2

SPECIAL MAIL NEWS.

BY TELEGRAPH. (from our own correspondent.) The following is the concluding portion of our special correspondent’s collation of news telegraphed from Auckland. It was omitted from Saturday’s issue in consequence of the pressure on our space caused by a lengthy parliamentary report and a quantity of ordinary telegrams:— WAR NEWS. THE SHIPKA PASS. Official accounts show that the capture of the Shipka Pass by the Russians was very dia. creditable to the Turks. General Gourka attacked the Turks in the Shipka Pass of the Balkans. After burning Yeni Sagbra and capturing Kesanlik, the first crossing was made at one of those places known only to Bulgarians, and the object of the attack on the Shipka Pass was to secure a better passage for the artillery and waggon trains. The first attack ou the pass was repelled by the Turks, and the Russians suffered heavily; but on the second day reinforcements arrived,- among which' was the Minsky Regiment, which had already distinguished itself during the passage of the Danube. The prisoners captured on the second day . by the Russians, after the signal defeat of the Turks, stated that there were 14 battalions occupying eight splendid positions one behind the other all through the Shipka Pass, all of whiclwwere abandoned in a most unwarrantable manner by the Turks. The prisoners stated that the pasha in com* maud first fled, and was soon followed 10,000 men, all of whom were regulars. The positions abandoned by the Turks were so well fortified that the Russians could not help admiring their construction. The Russian troops captured a large quantity of army biscuits and five mountain guns, five Krupp guns, three regimental standards, aud a number of tents, RUSSIAN FEELING AGAINST ENGLAND. A London despatch from Berlin to The Times says that in consequence of the despatch of British troops to Malta a regular campaign has been opened by the entire Russian Press against England. Some journals laugh at the insignificant force England can spare for the Eastern war. Others fiercely declare that “odious England” is fighting Russia even now, seeing-that the Egyptian troops have been equipped with English money, while all agree in favor of regarding English antagonism as a matter of indifference, and not to be dreaded by Russia. GENERAL NEWS. THE POLITICAL SITUATION IN FRANCE. A London despatch of August 10th says that the electoral campaign ou the part of the French Government daily becomes more active audoppressive. Yesterday’s news concludes with the following items ; —The hawkers of newspapers on the racecourse at Compiegne were recently required to furnish a list of the newspapers they served to customers. In the Arroudisements the officials have repressed the delivery of Le Steele, the Nineteenth Century, La Presse, liepublique Prancaisc, National Bien Publique, Petit liepublique Francais, aud Petit Journal, all Republican journals ; and also a colored map of France, showing the political complexion of the departments. The charge against the latter was being an unauthorised publication of drawings. The Court convicted them, but passed a nominal sentence of 50 francs each. Two clubs at. Arles have been closed, charged with being political assemblages. The Depeche newspaper at Toulouse has been fined 100 francs for refusing to print a speech of President MacMahon’s. The Minister of Agriculture has asked the prefects in a circular letter to remind the employes of the Department of Agriculture that it is their duty not to attempt to thwart the action of the Cabinet, or to place at the service of hostile parties the influence they derive from their offices. The police have forbidden the street sale of the photographs of Thiers.’ .The papers announce that 80,000 copies of equestrian portraits of MacMahon will be distributed in Ibo provinces. The offence of speaking insultingly of MacMahon in the streets is now becoming tbe subject of daily action in the Courts. Lefevre Dufle, who originated this offence, was condemned to two months’ imprisonment, but the term was reduced to fifteen days. He is the son of a former Bonapartist senator. The, Court of Bordeaux reversed the decision of the inferior tribunal, and fined a bookseller who sold newspapers with a special authorisation. On the other hand the tribunals of Nevers and Carcassonne declared themselves competent to try actions by newspapers against prefects for preventing tbe street sales thereof. THE WIMBLEDON MEETING. One of the most successful meetings yet held at Wimbledon closed wben the successful competitors were presented with the prizes. The Queen's prize was one by Private Jamieson of tbe 15tb Lancashire, a native of Scotland. The annual match between the Army and Volunteers teams was won by the latter, who scored 947 points against 912 by their rivals. The Elcho Shield was won by the Irish team, the English being second, and the Scotch third. The Army and Navy Challenge Cup was won by the Navy for the first time. The match between the Houses of Lords aud Commons was oue by the former. For the public schools contest Cheltenham was first, Eton second,” and Harrow third. The Spences Cup was won by Sergeant Lamb for the second time. In the University match Oxford beat Cambridge. The English team defeated the Canadian for the KolaporeCup. Scotland didnot fire for the International match, which was won by England, the Irish being far behind. Corporal Bells, of the Ist Norfolk,’won the silver badge and £SO. THE INDIAN FAMINE. At a public meeting held at Madras on the 9th August, to consider the steps necessary for securing help from England for the famine sufferers, the Duke of Buckingham, Governor of the Madras Presidency, stated that the famine area contained 18,000,000 people, of whom a large proportion were dependent for their daily food on the exertions and activity of those who transport grain to the country. The necessity for supplies was steadily increasing, and the wants of Madras were already beyond the means of the presidency. Every aid that could be secured was needed to save the people. The increasing severity and distress necessitated an appeal to public charity. TRADE RIOTS IN AMERICA. ' The first loss of life in connection with the strikes in America occurred at Pittsburg, Large mobs of the strikers had assembled in the streets, and the military ordered them to disperse, but the order was not complied with. When the regiment was marching to the armoury a volley of stones aud brickbats waa

thrown by the crowd. At the first volley three privates of companies I and h were felled to the ground ;in a senseless condition, and were borne back into the armoury amid a shower of stones. Companies I and * then filed into Front-street, and headed south to. ■wards JBaltimore-street. The assault by t e crowd growing fiercer, and the other c panics not yet being out of the armoury, the former were halted to await the an i\ of the latter. Colonel Peters and Major George at this time went to the head of their men, endeavoring to quell the riot and restore or er. The stones continued to fall thick ana as , and the men, without orders, fired mto the ; crowd, most of the guns being elevated above the heads of the people! By one man was killed and several wounded. Colonel Peters gave the order to cease firing, w ic was obeyed. Major George was struck with two boulders on the breast and m the light leg, injuring him temporarily but not seriously. An order was now given to march, and companies I and F proceeded along Front-street to Baltimore-street, into which they wheeled to the right. As they marched along Baltimore - street westward by Frederick, Gay, Holiday, South, and Calvert streets, the stoning was kept up unabated by the crowd which increased in numbers, and several pistol shots were fired at the troops. Firing by companies was then recommenced with stray shots, and continued at intervals until they reached Coleman and Rodgers’ drug store. The military fire caused great loss of life in the crowd, and as the regiment which had been the cause of this fearful butchery and sacrifice of human life held on their course to the depot they were again followed and surrounded by an immense mob, comprised of the better class of citizens, who were worked up t* the highest pitch of excitement, and condemned the conduct of the soldiers. The reoiment was penned up in Howard-street, and surrounded by a furious mob, whose rage increased »s each fresh report reached them about the number of killed and wounded. Forovertwo hours they formed in Howard-street unable to move; but at length managed to make the railway depot, and were disposed of in cars and locked in. The mob each moment grew more violent in their demonstrations, and had at length broken into the telegraph office, tore up rails, disabled the engines, threw the oars off the track, and wound up by firing Camden station depot rouud-house and other buildings, and Pandemonium seemed to reign, and the Mayor’s proclamation had but little effect. The feeling of the crowds collected up town is very bitter against the military. The mortality of those shot is greatly in excess of the wounded, about fifteen men were killed outright. The hospital station houses where the : wounded were carried present a sorry sight the killed and wounded during the tew days’ rioting numbering forty-five. The town was completely in the possession of the mob, numbering 3000, who destroyed a large amount of railway property. The following is a fair sample of the atrocities committed in the American strikes; — « Whilkesbarre, August I.—A crowd of 6000 or 7000 strikers assembled at Lehigh Valley depot this afternoon. As the mail train from the south came in, with Master Mechanic Drumhetter as engineer, the strikers stoned him until he had to jump off. They then mounted the engine, cut it loose, and ran it into the engine-house. A constable was seized by the mob and roughly handled. They would have killed him but for the interference of his friends. Large numbers of passengers wore compelled to lie over here. The strikers have the engine from the train, and are running it up and down the road, blowing the whistle and cheering. The miners and railroad men are coalescing, and trouble is feared.” A New York Herald London special dated July 27th says: —In John Bright’s address at the unveiling of the Cobden memorial statue at Bedford yesterday he referred Jto the disturbances in America as a purely local insurrection. He said regarding the strike—“ It is one of the most deplorable and discreditable events that have ever happened in the Northern States so far as my knowledge goes.” Bright Continued by saying that'he attributed the disturbances to the evil effects produced by the policy of the United States in locking themselves up from the rest of the commercial -world by onerous duties levied upon every class of manufactured articles which, if competition ■were open, would prevent labor from becoming unruly. He declared also that the prostration of the great iron industry was owing to the collapse arising from the general impoverishment of capitalists, which of itself would necessitate a great fall in wages. He concluded by saying he believed the excessive nature of the tariff heretofore levied for the protection of labor in America has received its deathblow, and nothing could avert the change, GENERAL NEWS. Mr. Tilden, the defeated candidate for the American Presidency, is visiting London. He goes from thence to Ireland and the Continent. The Standard understands that Dr. Ball will resign his seat for Limerick, and offer himself for re-election, to teat public feeling between himself and Mr. Parnall.

Adelina Patti’s case has been decided, - There were cross suits for a judicial separation. The lady’s application was refused, and the husband’s granted. As a divorce is not recognised by the French law, neither party can marry again. The Society of the Holy Cross and ritualism generally still afford topics of conversation and scandal in England. There are large numbers of reported secessions to Rome. Lord Beaconsfield, though harrassed by work, shows no sign of flinching, and the rumours of his resignation are contradicted. There is a great scandal in high circles by the elopement of the wife of Sir Charles Tempest with Mr. Hungerford. A special telegram from New York says the raising of the railway blockage has increased business. It is believed in financial circles that capital will soon find increased employment as the result of the fine harvest, and thus create a larger amount of traffic than ever was known since or before the panic. With freer receipts and unequal harvests the prices of grain and breadstuffs are trending down, though the decline is not heavy. The excitement attending coal strikes has subsided, and prices current are not readily obtained. At one time prices advanced 50 to 750. per ton. The iron market continues depressed. Whale oil is dull and steady. The raw sugar market is very unsteady. Quicksilver and Vermillion are lively at 65c to 70c. 7000 cases of refined petroleum sold at 16 jc to 19c.