LAST NIGHT’S WIRES.

Poverty Bay Standard, Volume I, Issue 88, 15 March 1884, Page 2

LAST NIGHT’S WIRES.

(reuter’s telegrams.) (Received Meh. 14th, 7.85 p.m.) THE FRANCO-CHINESE WAR. GREAT BATTLE. FRENCH VICTORY AND TOTAL ROUT OF THE ENEMY. BACNINH OCCUPIED BY THE FRENCH. Paris, March 13. Official despatches have been received from Tonquin announcing that the French troops have captured and occupied Bacninh. The city and outworks were held by a strong force of Chinese regulars, bende, and local troops, but the French successfully turned their positions, and after several hours’ fighting, during which the Chinese suffered severely from the fire of the French Artillery, a general advance was made, and the Chinese fled. The city and the neighboring forts are now occupied by the French troops. Despatches state that the French loss is seventy (sic) wounded. THE SOUDAN. FURTHER DETAILS OF THE BATTLE. London, March 13, noon. Further intelligence to hand from Souakim states that the battle with the rebels under Osman Digna, which commenced this morning, lasted half an hour, during which time the fighting was severe. The rebels were defeated on all sides. The British loss is stated to be trifling. Afternoon. A despatch to hand from General Graham spates that the Osman camp has been taken, after heavy fighting on both sides. The engagement was a very brief one. The loss on the British side is given as seventy killed and a hundred wounded. The enemy’s loss is not known. (Received March 14, 2.20 p.m.) HEAVY FAILURE—DEBTOR ABSCONDED. Melbourne, March 14. W. J. Greig, a merchant of this city, has filed, with liabilities amounting to £90,000, the cUef of which a’e outside the colonies. He has disappeared from Melbourne, and is believed to have gone in the Lusitania, which sailed last week. Adelaide, March 14. At the close of yesterday’s play, the local fifteen had scored 223 for 10 wickets, not 131 for sas previously wired. Nove was highest scorer with 63. [Per Association Telegrams.] CRICKET MATCH. Dunedin, March 14. A cricket match Otago v. Canterbury began to-day. Otago in the first innings made 104, and Canterbury 44. Otago second innings, 6 wickets for 38. SUICIDE. Redfisher, an old storekeeper at Skippers, shot himself this morning. The cause is unknown. A charge of stealing flowers from graves in the Southern Cemetry, was preferred at the City Police Court this morning, against a married woman named Moyse. The offence was clearly proved, but as the prosecution did not press the charge strongly, the bench let the accused off with a fine of £l2.

Christchurch, March 14 Over 2,000 entries have been received for the forthcoming ram and ewe fair. Mrs. Royal is still in the Hospital, she will be charged with wilful murder this morning at the It. M. Court. An inquest on the children is to be held to-morrow.

Mr. Olliver, R. M., gave judgment to-day against Daniel Faloy, for having failed to qualify .himself as efficient volunteer, for 50s. capitation, and 255. for neglect of parade, and costs. COMMITTED FOR ARSON. Hawera, March 14. Sul tier has been committed for trial for arson. A witness named Brooks swore that some time ago Suitter urged him to get insured, so that they could burn their shops, which adjoin, and get the insurance money to go away with.

Auckland, March 14. An attempt was made last night to fire Eden Terrace Public Hall. When the fire was suppressed a bag of burning paper was found underneath the building. The detectives are investigating the matter. Rumors have been flying about the city anent a case of levanting which, in some of its phases, displays a greater amount of moral turpitude than even the notorious Hayes’ case, and adherents of an influential city congregation have been much incensed, because the levanter bore the reputation ox being one of the most exemplary young men connected with their church. Within the course of the past year or two a Germrn gentleman named Proebsting commenced business in Fort Street as a general commission agent, and he was soon doing a large business with the local merchants on behalf of his principals, an influential German firm. A young man named Huxtable, of highly moral profession, so ingratiated himself with this gentleman, that the latter entrusted him with the control of his businass, while he made a business trip to Germany. Shortly after the confiding friends departure the moral young man levanted with, it is supposed, about £l,OOO. Huxtable is supposed to have gone to Liverpool. Wellington, March 14. The Premier to-day, in response to the representations of Messrs. Levin and C. C. Johnston, M.H.R.’s, promised to place a sum on the estimates for the erection of a new Custom House here. A Maori, named Taipoto, was sentenced by a bench of Justices, to two months fora brutal assault on his wife. The police wished the case made an indictable one, but the Bench accepted the plea of guilty of common assault.

Daniel C. Mounsell, far a long time past Private Secretary to various Premiers and Ministers, yesterday filed his schedule, and was to-day arrested for embezzlement of £267 of Government money. It is understood the deficiency is in imprests made to him from time to time to pay his travelling expenses whilst on Ministerial tours, and which he has not properly accounted for. Mr. T. O. Kelsey, of Christchurch, has had an interview with Ministers as to a certain scheme for the construction of the Middle Island East and West Coast Railway by a Company. The Government promised to consider any specific proposal made in writing.