CABLE MESSAGES.

Patea Mail, Volume V, Issue 447, 26 July 1879, Page 2

CABLE MESSAGES.

[Reuter’s Telegrams.] LONDON. July 12. An imposing funeral of Prince Imperial took place at Chiselhurst. His Royal Highness ihe Prince of Wales and Dukes of Edinburgh, Connaught, and Cambridge were pall bearers. Her Majesty and Princess Beatrice, with Empress Eugene, were present during the ceremony. July 17. At a banquet at Crystal Palace, the 'secretary of State for India eulogised the conduct of Afghan war, and declared that Yakoob Khan was honestly fulfilling the treaty obligations. The friendship of Afghanistan would secure India against aggression. It was his firm belief that

Russia was fulfilling obligations of Treaty of Berlin.

July 18. News from Capetown to Ist July, states that an envoy from Cetewayo had arrived at head-quarters, bringing fresh peace proposals, with a quantity of ivory tusks, evidencing submission, and asking that the advance of the British army might be postponed. He received a reply that the postponement would be conditional on the acceptance by the British of the proposals for peace. Sir Garnet Wolsely has gone to Port Dumford.

In the House of Commons last night, The Hon Robert Bourke, Under Secretary for Foreign Affairs, replying to Mr McArthur, said negotiations were progressing with German and other foreign Governments, relative to Samoan affairs, pending which it would not be desirable to produce papers connected therewith. July 19. New Zealand 5 per cent, 10,40; loan, 103*. July 23. An official despatch of 6th July, states that the Zulus have been defeated with enormous loss. Lord Chelmsford advanced on the 4th July. While marching, 20,000 Zulus attacked 5,000 British troops, who formed a hollow square. They were attacked on all sides, and two hours desperate fighting took place, when the Zulus commenced to retreat. The 17th Lancers then charged, and completely routed the Zulus, 1000 of whom were killed. The British loss is 10 killed and 53 wounded. They then advanced on Ulundi, which wasburnt, with all military kraals. British troops returned to camp on the 4th July. July 24. Another despatch from Bir Garnet Wolsley, of July Bth, announces that he believes the war is over. He is awaiting instructions to send Home troops. He expects to met Cetewayo on 18th July, to discuss conditions of peace. PARIS. July 21. Bonapartists have recognised Prince Jerome as the head of their party. General Bourbaki adheres to the republic. The Chambers have voted that the return of the Legislature to Paris shall take place in November, with an amendment conferring on the Presidents of the Chambers the right of making requisition for troops whenever it may be deemed necessary. BERLIN.

July 21. Prince Bismarck proposes that the German Budgets shall be triennial.

PUBLIC WORKS. The following official letter was received by the Chairman of the Putea County Council (Mr%lcGuire) while in Wellington : “ Public Works Office, “Wellington, July 21, 1879. “ Sir, —Referring to the subject of your various interviews with the Minister for Public Works, I am directed t» inform you that working plans have been forwarded to the District Engineer, with instructions at once to put in hand a couple of miles of the railway at Normanby end by piece work, to small gangs of working men; and also that the further portion of the line to Stratford is being prepared to be tendered for in the usual manner. a As regards the branch line to Patea Harbor, instructions have been given to proceed with contract, survey, and agreement for lands as speedily as possible, with a view of commencing the work as soon as the necessary funds are voted and available. “ John Knowles, “ Under-Secretary for Public Works.”

PARLIAMENTARY NOTES. In the House of Representatives on Tuesday last, Sir William Fox bronght under notice of the House a question of privilege. A paper had been laid on the tabe last session referring to railways (paper number E. 9.) He had occasion to refer to that paper, and had found that an important map had been removed from the pages, and he had traced it to the Government offices, and afterwards to the Government Printing .Office, and that on inspection the map had been tampered with.—The Hon Minister for Public Works said that he did not believe the charge, and felt regret that the hon member for Wanganui had not thought fit to speak to him first on the matter before making such a statement in the House. The Hon Premier, in reply to a question, said that the statement of accounts

for the past financial quarter and year would be published immediately.

Mr Hursthouse asked the Minister tor Lands, Whether the Government will, this session, introduce a Bill dealing with the classification and price of waste lands, with a view of reducing the minimam price at which Crown Lands are now sold ?—The Minister of Lands said a Bill had been introduced, but it was not proposed to interfere with the classification of land or the price for cash. Mr Seymour asked the Premier—“ If he will lay before this House the reports of the Chief Inspectors of Sheep.”'—The Hon the Premier said the papers would be laid on the table. Mr Ormond asked the Minister for Public Works--; 4 Whether an application was received from Mr Edward Watts, a settler residing at Kaikora, Hawke’s Bay, dated Ist February, 1879, making a claim for compensation for damage done by fire caused by sparks from a railway engine; if so, why such action was not acknowledged and replied to ? Also what course does the Government intend to pursue in that and similar claims ?” The n Minister for Public Works said no return had been yet received, and in consequence of the lines having been down no telegraph communication had been received in reply to enquiry made. As to the latter portion of the question it involved very important interests, and he held that it was very necessary something should be done by the House during the present session. Mr Ormond asked the Native Minister —“ Whether Kewi Maniopotohas agreed to give the land necessary for the construction of the proposed railway from Waikato to Taranaki; if so, on what terms; and will the Government lay the papers on this subject before this House?” —The Hon Native Minister said be intended to lay on the table any papers he might deem prudent to submit during the debate on the Address in Reply.

Mr. Goldie asked the Minister for Immigration, if he will lay before the House a return giving the number of immigrants recieved into the Colony during the year ending 30th June, 1879 ; the localities in which such immigrants were located, and their nationalities ? The Hon Mr. Gisborne promised the return should be laid on the table this day. Mr Feldw’ck asked the Minister for Native Affairs whether the Government have made the inquiry promised on the 4th October, 1878, in reference to the claims of members of the Defence Force to grants of lands.—The hon Mr Sheehan read a memorandum' showing that certain promises had been made by Major Dickson on his own authority, that all sources of evidence had b -on exhausted and he could only suggest that a committees be formed to consider the mode of dcoling with tho onhjoot. - Leave to introduce the following new Bills was granted :

Mr. Burton—A Bill to constitute a Harbour Boaid for the Port of Wellington.

Mr Hamlin —The Onelmnga Water Reserves Bill.

Hon. Sir G. Grey—A Bill to impose a duty on income. Hon Sir G. Grey—A bill to enable Maori owners of land to have the same sold, leased, or disposed of for their benefit by the Government of the Colony, and to restrain unauthorised dealings in such lands.

Hon Sir G. Grey—The Land Tax Act Amendment Bill. Mr Moorhouse—A Bill to amend the “ Sheriffs Act, 1858.” The debate on the Address in Reply was then resumed, and continued till 11.30 p.m., when Mr Turnbull moved the adjournment of the debate. Sir William Fox said the Opposition had been prepared to grant every facility, and would have allowed the Imprest Stpply Bill to pass three day’s ago if they had only known what the money was wanted for. The adjournment would not be opposed if the Hon Mr Sheehan was prepared to resume the question at half-past seven. Sir George Grey could not think of a more cruel thing than the stipulation made by the leader of the Opposition, who was well aware that his bon colleague was ill. He would, however, promise that if the Hon Mr Sheehan’s health permitted him to proceed, he would resume the debate at the time mentioned.