NEWS FROM THE CAPE.

Oamaru Mail, Volume IV, Issue 805, 9 November 1878, Page 2

NEWS FROM THE CAPE.

■ © '■ f" Wellington, ISTovember 8,! The own correspondent of the Pre;, Ageii'A- writes under date Cape Town, Septctnber : —During the past month everj. thing has been exceptionally dull, with % ne»>% of importance stirring) Cetyways, tK Znhiju chief, appears to be; the wire puller who t 3 , urging a great many minor chiefs rebel.' His influence over Omgiekela, leader of the flpoudoo, has been clearly traced, he is crafty enough wMle inciting others J ,' o acts of 'hostility towards"the British to avo£ any apjjearanfe himself of direct revolt, S?^]

Bartle Frere has arrived in Natal, on his way to the Transvaal, and has met the Com-mander-in-Chief. It is anticipated that the policy of the Government will be to force Citywavs hard, and if he declines to give material guarantees for peace, to drive him openly to revolt, and crush him once and for all. "in the Transvaal, a great deal of desultory fighting is going on against the Secocanes and a few other petty chiefs, who are sufficiently strong to create considerable disturbance and private alarm among farmers, but not to inflict any great loss on our troops, who hold them in check. Gold in paying quantities, and diamonds of superlative sizes, are said to have been discovered in the Transvaal, midway between Potchefstroom and Pretoria, but reports are as yet too vagiie to warrant a new rush from the old work on the northern border. The Koramas have been giving us trouble, and a small force has been despatched against them ; but at the seat of the late disturbance in Galskeland peace is prevailing, and the Gaikas, who have been moved in large numbers across the Kei into new locations, are reputed happy and contented with their lot. The Rev. Samuel Hardy, Wesleyan superintendent of missions, died at Cape Town the other day, at the ripe age of 75. Miss Ada Ward, who proceeds by the Chimborazo to Adelaide, has been staying here for a month with great success, and takes with her a local amateur of some repute to accompany her on her tour as leading man. The failures of Messrs. Hizard, Caldecott, and Co., Reil and Co., Benjamin and Co. (in London), have not had the perceptible effect here that was anticipated. Some firms were, indeed, indicated as likely to bo shaken by the fall of those named, but as yet no extensive commercial failures have, transpired. The Government are taking steps to have the country between the terminal stations of lines of railway, now in progress of construction, and the Orange River surveyed. It is in contemplation to lay a submarine cable from Natal to Mauritius, whence another will be laid to Aden ; this colony to pay L 15,000 and Natal LSCOO per annum": Mauritius also contributes a share of the cost. The demand for wheat has abated. Nearly all the vessels expected with breadstuffs have arrived. The exports between this and the end of the year are likely to be small. Steamers continue to get full freights. There is less wool offering at Port Elizabeth, but a larger quantity here.