SAN FRANCISCO MAIL NEWS.

Oamaru Mail, Volume IV, Issue 976, 5 June 1879, Page 2

SAN FRANCISCO MAIL NEWS.

London, April. 29. A meteor, one foot in diameter, with a blazing train, fell at Portlington, in Minnesoto (America), exploding just before reaching the earth with a noise that shook the buildings. London, April 30. A despatch from Capetown, of April Bth, says that the Zulus appeared to have recovered very rapidly from their defeat at Gungerova, as large numbers are reported in the neighborhood of Ekowe. Sickness is more or less prevalent among the British forces. A strong British force will be despatched from Turego for Cetewavo's kraal in a fortnight. May 2. A Gape Town despatch of April 25 says that Dubalinanzi, who led the attack on '.i o.ngcrova, oil April 3rd, and another chief, with a large army following, have proffered their submission to Lord Chelmsford, who promised them personal safety and the possession of their cattle ; but pending the war they should be located on British territory. John Dunn having pledged his word for their safety, the chiefs are expected in at ouce. The head of the Intelligence Department has moved forward from Greytown to meet the representative from Cetewayo, but the sincerity of his proposals is suspected. Evcrvthing portends an early peace. A general hope is entertained that the resignation of Sir Bartle Frere will not be accepted. As regards Lord Chelmsford, every kindly allowance is made for his conduct of the war ; but public opinion remains as adverse as ever. A despatch from Lord Chelmsford announces the transfer of the headquarters of his staff to Utrecht. Colonel Credock commands the division of the army on the lower Tngela River, General Newdagate supersedes Colonel Wood, and Colonels Pearson and Wood will command independent flying columns. Capetown, April 18. A white prisoner who escaped from the Zulus reports that Umbelina and his brother were both killed in the attack on Colonel Wood's camp. St. Louis, May 11. General Conway, of New Jersey, who has long been identified with the work of improving the condition of the colored race of the south, has been hereon behalf of the philanthropic people of Philadelphia, to ascertain the condition and needs of the refugees of the south. He says that if it were not for the terrorism exercised over the negroes by planters and mei'chants on the Mississippi River, there would not have been 20,000 refugees here now. He thinks negroes in the south ought to come out, but advises them not to leave until provision can be made for them in the north and west. He says that he has already received offers of employment on farms in Illinois and Indiana, Ohio, and Western Pennsylvania, for thousands. In Indiana alone homes and good wages can be found for 5000 in twenty days. A telegram states that Lieut. Loder, with fourteen men of the 37th Infantry, had a brush with some Sioux Indians in Musselshell, Canyon, in which eight of the Indians were killed and several wounded, One friendly Indian was killed. The body of Harry BurreU was stolen from a vault at Little Falls, New York. Burrell was 82 years old, and worth 250,000 dols. Heavy immigration is expected at New York this year from Ireland, England, Norway, Sweden, Southern Germany, and the Russian Mennonite Districts. At Pocassitt, Massachusetts, a man named Freeman voluntarily killed his fiveyear old daughter a3 a sacrifice to God, his wife assenting to the deed. They are Second Adventists. Several arrests have been made, as the fanatics sustain the murderer, Freeman. Politics at the national capital of America are menacing. The debates are as fiery as in 1870-71 and before the war. The working men party carried the new constitution in California by a large majority. Republican gains in Indiana are claimed to indicate a reaction against Democratic excesses. Mexican affairs are quiet. There have been considerable Ministerial changes. The Exhibition building is progressing. It will be a fine structure. In the House of Commons, Sir Stafford Northcote said the Government was considering th,e advisability of issuing a proclamation of neutrality in the South American war. He said that 292 casks of cartridges from America been loaded at Glasgow on the way to Liverr pool_, and addressed to parties in Valparaiso. He believed that the seizure of this munition was in his power. The Marqui= of Salisbury speaking at a banquet, declared that the Government were determined not to depart' in any oris way from the Treaty of Berlin ; that they had already given up a great deal for the pake of peace, but could give no more. Bo far as he knew, the Great Powers, without exception, were firmly resolved to execute the treaty. The Czar has sent an autograph letter to the Sultan, expressing a wish for the most friendly relations between the two

Governments. The Sultan reciprocates c the wish. 1 The Czar's proclamation, commanding t the Bulgarians to respect the settlement } of the Treaty of Berlin, had a very depressing effect upon East Roumelia, where t the revolutionary feeling had been ■ fomented by Russian officers. The Czar's j proclamation is, in consequence of the j firmness of the signatory Powers, to en- \ force the treaty literally. \lt is believed < that the Roumelia Militia will respect the - Czar's warning. j A Berlin despatch says it is announced j that Germany has designated Captain Siemeseh, a distinguished naval officer, as i Consul-General at Samoa. It is much : commented upon that the Government, without intending to annex the island, seems fully resolved to prevent the ; Americans from establishing their sway there, to the detriment of other nations. A dispute between Germany and the United States is not impossible. In consequence of the coal miners' strike, upwards of GO vessels have left Sunderland to load coal elsewhere, and 144 large vessels, await cargoes. The Northumberland miners are seeking an advance of wages, in consequence of the overflow of trade to their collieries. The London Metropolitan Board of Works, after experiments 011 the Thames Embankment, have resolved to discontinue the electric light. The cost is considerably more than gas, with the same illuminating power. The report declares that the defects connected with the electric light must prevent its general adoption. The British ironclad Iron Duke is ashore at Shanghai. A declaratory resolution was carried in the House of Commons on 7th May in favor of abolishing actions for breach of promise of marriage, except where actual pecuniary- loss has been incurred by j reason of the non-fulfilment of the promise. Cholera is disappearing from India. A despatch from Calcutta says that nearly a million of pilgrims who assembled at Hudwali Fair, have carried cholera in ' various directions. Outbreaks of the disease are reported from Delhi, Rumitzer, Ramalpindee, and elsewhere. Several cases have occurred among Austrian troops. [ It is asserted that of 80,000 persons who went to the fair from Cumaton, one . quarter are missing. This mortality has ' been increased by the police forcing them to travel by the desert tracks. It in probable that the story is much exaggerated. 1 The Bombay Government reports that great distress is imminent in Deccan because of the failure of the crops. Five thousand famine striken refugees from Kutgwar have entered Bombay. k The masters are withdrawing their de- " mand for a reduction of wages. The ironworkers are resuming labor. ; The masters association of Durham appointed a committee to meet the miners association with power to settle the ques--1 tions at issue.