NEWS BY THE ENGLISH MAIL.

South Canterbury Times, Issue 2491, 15 March 1881, Page 4

NEWS BY THE ENGLISH MAIL.

to^tokeces. The New York papers report that the American lion tamer, Elijah Lengel, of Philadelphia, was recently killed by a tiger belonging te the Courtney Circus, with which he was connected. He had given a successful exhibition in the tigers’ cage before a numerous audience, and was preparing to leave the cage when his foot slipped and he fell. One of the tigers threw itself upon him with a roar, and in five minutes had torn the body literally to pieces. Some of the spectators had revolvers and they fired at once upon the animal. A lucky shot killed him, and Lengel’s body could be withdrawn through the sliding door,but at this moment the other tiger threw itself upon the one that had been shot, and began tearing it with teeth and claws. The horror of the scene was such that most of the spectators took immediately to flight.

THE SOUTH AMERICAN WAR. The Chilian army has attacked and completely defeated the Peruvian army at Miraflores. The Dictator Pierola fled and the Chilians occupied Lima without resistance on Jan 17.

A private telegram received in London, dated Valparaiso, Jan 12, at noon, says that Lima has surrendered to the Chilians. In the battle the Peruvians lost a great many troops in killed and prisoners. The victory of the Chilians was most decisive. The capitulation of Callao has also since been reported. The “ Pall Mall Gazette” in speaking of this event says :—“ Few people have ever doubted the issue of the prolonged conflict whick is now probably brought to an end. There is little doubt that the Government of Peru for some time past has been in the hands of incompetent, dissolute men, under whose guidance the whole country has been gradually falling to pieces. Peru like Chili, had abundance of wealth at her command; copper is plentifully distributed along her sea-coast, she has abundance of gold and silver; but she has never acquired any knowledge to enable her to make the most of these natural gifts. In agriculture she could have rivalled the world, and yet she is content to be fed by her neighbors. She has the finest of wool producing animals in the alpaca and vicuna, but has always been dependent upon foreigners for her blankets. Her fields of perennial cotton of the longest and best staple are unlimited, but she has never turned it to any practical use. So foolish, ignorant, and arrogant has she been, that she has delighted her heart in building costly railways that are not of the slightest practical utility, and war-ships that she could neither man nor sad, while she neglected with contempt such lowly but necessary duties as storing water to cultivate the fruits of the earth and to provide her children with common food. Had the Peruvians devoted only a quarter of the money they spent in making the Lima and Oroya Railway to saving the water of the Piura and directing its course, they need not have come to the dreadful pass in which they now find themselves. HIRING A PRIZE-FIGHTER. At the Mansion House on Monday, before the Lord Mayor, and Alderman Sir Robert Carden, M.P., Edward Rayner Hume, provision merchant, Hibernia Wharf, Tooley street, and Edward Hipwell appeared, upon adjourned summonses, charged with soliciting and inciting Constantine Morris to cause grievous bodily harm to Timothy Horgan, with intent to disfigure him. It was alleged by the prosecution that, through an advertisement in one of the sporting papers requiring a heavy-weight boxer, Morris, who then resided at Sunderland, came into communication with Hipwell, who promised him £2O if he would “ pay an Irishman with big whiskers” well, and disfigure his face with a knuckle-duster or life preserver. Mr Timothy Horgan the gentleman it was alleged Morris was to assault, said, that he had a dispute with Hume in the County Court, but he (Hume) got his verdict by perjury. Was very angry to see a gentleman in the defendant’s position resort to this, and struck him (Hume) in open court, but it was in consequence of his calling him (witness) “an Irish bog trotter.” (Laughter.) Hume was an atheist. Outside the court he struck Hume, but it was in return for a blow.—Mr Waddy—Did you bite him on the chin ?—Witness— Well I don’t know. I believe I did. (Laughter.) He pushed his chin into my face. Had been bound over to keep the peace in August last, but that occurred in this way—a gentleman in a bathing machine had kept witness waiting a long while, when witness opened the door of the bathing machine and turned him out.—Re-examined—lt was impossible for him to distinguish as] to what took place at their several altercations. Hume looked daggers at him, and he returned the compliment. (Laughter.) The defendant Hume struck him with a letter book outside the County Court, and he hit him back. At the “interview” in Tooley Street Hume called him an “Irish cannibal,” in addition to a “ coward.” John Morris corroborated bis brother’s evidence as to the bribe offered by defendants. , When they met Hipwell said the affair was to be kept an absolute secret. Hipwell "said he wanted this Irishman to have a jolly good hiding the next time he came out, and he (witness) should not be hard up for a £lO note “if the Irishman got what he wanted." On Dec. 4., witness reeeived another 30s from Hipwell, who with Hume, had been conversing with his brother near the Monument. Hipwell gave his brother £3 and said he hoped be would do the job well, and “ I want you (Constantine Morris) to use a knuckle-duster or life-preserver, to disfigure his face well.” Witness took all the letters to Scotland Yard.—After hearing the defence the Lord Mayor said ;—I have consulted with my brother aldermen, one of whom is of very great experience, and they agree with me that it is a case which a jury should decide. —Hipwell, in reply to the charge, said he had nothing to add to what his counsel had Lord Mayor then committed the defendants for trial, allowing them bail in their own recognizances of £IOO each.—Mr Guiry asked the Court to express an opinion as to its being a proper case for the Public Prosecutor to take up.—The Lord Mayor—Mo ;we shall not express an opinion on the subject.