CABLE NEWS.

Patea Mail, 23 August 1881, Page 3

CABLE NEWS.

{Reuter's Despatches to the Alai-.) FRESH OUTBREAK of SMALLPOX. Sydney, 22nd. Seven fresh cases of small-pox have been reported to the Board of Health. One of these, a child, has died. All the others suffering from small-pox have been removed to the Quarantine Station, and their residences have been isolated. NEW ARCTIC COLONY. A London cablegram to the Age says : A scheme has been set on foot for the colonisation of Nova Zembla, two islands in tlje Arctic Ocean, dependent on Russia. The proposal is regarded with interest in connection with the Arctic exploration and the recent discovery of the north-east passage. PANIC at a BULL FIGHT. A despatch to the Age says; —A terrible accident has occured at a bull fight at Marseilles. During the progress of the spectacle, when the ampitheatre was crowded with people, a portion of the building gave way with a loud crash. A number of persona were seriously hurt, and a panic set in amongst the spectators, many of whom were severely injured. During the rush to escape, the utmost consternation prevailed, and finally, when investigation could be made, it was ascertained that 12 had been killed and 150 wounded. EXPLOSION on SHIP. A London despatch says a serious explosion of dynamite has taken place on board a trading vessel lying at Perth, Scotland, by which the ship was greatly damaged and some of the crew wounded. CONDITION 0F IRELAND. London, 20th. In the House of Commons to-day, a motion was introduced by Mr Parnell, condemning the Government for the re-arrest of Davitt. After debate, the motion was negatived by 61 to 16 votes. GREEK FRONTIER. Constantinople, 20th The territory in Thessaly, which forms the extended Greek frontier, has now been evacuated by the Turks, and the Greeks have entered upon possession. RUSSIA AND CHINA. St. Petersburg!!, 20th. The Treaty between the Russian and Chinese Governments for retrocession of Kuldja territory to China, has been ratified here. AFGHAN TROUBLES. Calcutta, 20th. Telegrams to hand from Afghanistan report that Ameer Abdul Rahman’s forces are now concentrating in the neighbourhood of Kelatizhizai. Ayoub Khan is still at Candahar, where be continues the massing of his troops. TREATY DISAGREEMENT. FRANCE AND ENGX.AND. London, 19th. Sir Charles Dilke announced in the Commons that Franco had now declined to agree to prolongation of existing

commercial treaties for three months, and a communication had been sent to the French Government stating that England must decline to resume negotiations for a; new treaty, REPLY If ROM FRANCE. It has transpired that the French Government has sent an official note to the British Government explaining that its refusal is due to the fact that it is thought the proposal to prolong the existing treaty is contrary to Jaw; and at the same time expressing a hope that it may yet be found possible to overcome the obstacles which have arisen.