SUEZ MAIL NEWS.

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXIV, Issue 5641, 29 April 1879, Page 2

SUEZ MAIL NEWS.

(PER PRESS AGENCY.) London, March 14. No news of importance comes from tho Indian frontier. An advance on Cabul is talked of, and siege guns are being sent to Jellalabad. A heavy storm, which clouded the camp, occurred at Kandahar. No such rain has ever been experienced within the memory of man. The prospects of the grain crop are superb. Summary punishment upon all robbers who are caught has been ordered by General Maude. Rain has been general throughout the Cashmere Valley. There has already been a large downpour. Numbers who emigrated on account of the threatened famine, are now returning to their homes. Rain has been pretty general throughout the Punjaub, doing a vast amount of good, and probably saving many persons "from suffering. General Grant left Calcutta for Burmah and Singapore. No news has been received of Yakoob Khan's latest movements. The Commissioner-in-Chief passed up Kurram Valley to tho Piewar Pass on the 14th instant. The 92nd and 67th Regiments are under orders to join the Kurram force ; a brigade to hold Piewar Pass. It is reported that Yakoob Khan is inspecting his troops on tho line of road to J ellalabad.

Major Cavagnari has arrived at Lahore, and it is believed that all Impes of peaceful negotiations with Yakoob Khan have failed. An advance in force on Cabul begins when the snow has left the Shuturgarton. News from Mandalay is extremely disquieting. Troops have been dispatched from Calcutta and Madras to British Bunnah. The King is reported to be mad with drink, and is preparing hostilities against the British, but the latest advices say that he is completely sobered by the prompt dispatch of some of our troops, and is willing to concede anything. Confidential agents of the Burmese Head Minister are coming to Rangoon, and are believed to be bearers of some proposal from the King. Only five Europeans now remain in Mandalay. * Mr. B. Foster has written to Mr. W. E. Gladstone, asking him if he would consent to sit for Leeds in the event of being defeated for Midlothian. Mr. Gladstone, in reply, stated that he will place the matter in the hands of Mr. Adam, and does not say whether he accepts or declines the Leeds candidature. It is unhappily certain that- the British losses on the Tngela Eiver, instead of being, as had been said, less heavy than was in the first instance reported, are infinitely more serious. Of the Imperial army, not fewer than 786 men and 61 olficers have fallen. Of the colonial forces, 110 white troops and 21 officers have been killed.

The question of licensing public-houses is t again being brought to the fore by Sir W. ■ Lawson, and it is possible that Government may take some steps for licensing reform. Weston failed to walk 2000 miles in 1000 hours by about 22 miles. Had the weather been more favorable, there is little doubt he would have succeeded.

Cetewayo is reperted to have temporarily disbanded his forces to allow opportunities for gathering in the crops, and it is considered doubtful whether there will be any invasion of Natal, as Cetewayo has already imprisoned his brother for a violation of the king s orders not to cross the border.

Official telegrams published at St. Petersburg from Astrakhan continue to assert that the plague may be considered to have died out in that district, as there have been no cases of deaths or illness due to the epidemic registered since the 9th Eebruary. A new Bankruptcy Judge is to be appointed, and the Bankruptcy Court Is to bo a department of the Chancery division. Sir P. O. Owen was on Wednesday presented with an address and a cheque for £3500 in recognition of his services as secretary of the British Royal Commission at Paris during the Exhibition. In consequence of the Pope s offer to create Dr Newman a Cardinal, the Catholics in London are taking steps to provide a fund to be presented to him as a mark of esteem and respect.