NEWS BY CABLE.

Opunake Times, Volume III, Issue 124, 10 September 1895, Page 2

NEWS BY CABLE.

THE KUCHENG MASSACRE. Brisbane, September 7. News from China gives details of the Kucheng massacre. 0 One of the survivors—The Rev Phillips—states that five ladies attached to the Zenana Mission, who lived in the lower two houses which formed the Kucheng Sanatorium, after futile attempts to escape were surrounded by Vegetarians. The ladies pleaded for their lives and some of the men seemed touched by their pleadings. One old man pleaded to his fellow members to spare their lives, but the leader ordered them to be killed. When the attack was made Mr and Mrs Stewart were not dressed, and Lena the Irish nurse, was killed while protecting Stewart's infant who was injured in the eye. Dr Gregory states that Miss Marshall's throat was frightfully hacked about. On Miss Stewart he failed to find a wound, and thinks she died from the shock. Miss Gordon received a spear wound in the neck. Topsy Saunders' death was caused by a spear wound in the eye, the weapon penetrating the brain. THE PERTHSHIRE CATTLE. Brisbane, September 8. It has been ascertained that the cattle by the Perthshire, which the New Zealand authorities declared were suffering from pleuro-pneumonia, were inspected by English veterinary surgeons at Deptford and no diseased lungs could be found among them. It is probable that the two which died in New Zealand suffered from acute pneumonia caused by the rough voyage from Brisbane to Lyttleton. A COUNTRY UNDER FIRE. Sydney, September 7. The bush fires are unabated, and are devastating large areas in all parts, assisted by the prevailing high wind. On the south coast, dairying districts have been swept away, and Berry and other townships were encircled, and were only saved by the residents organising and fighting the flames day and night. Several outlying houses and schools have been destroyed. Miles of mountain ranges are blazing, presenting a magnificent spectacle. Fifty square miles have been devastated by bush fires in the Kemsey district. THE ARMENIAN QUESTIONLondon, Septembsr 5. It is reported in Constantinople that Lord Salisbury informed the Turkish Ambassador that if the Sultan refused to allow the control of the Armenian reforms by the Powers, a European Congress would be summoned to apply Article 61 of the Treaty of Berlin, with an international commission, and further opposition would be a signal for the dismemberment of Turkey. Consternation is said to prevail in the palace. London, September 7. The shareholders' Committee of the Bank of New Zealand has convened a meeting of shareholders for September 16th, to protest against the calls. They demand that the Bank shall go into liquidation and denounce Mr Ward's statements in London.