LATE CABLE NEWS.

South Canterbury Times, Issue 2690, 2 November 1881, Page 2

LATE CABLE NEWS.

(Special .to “ Sydney Morning Herald.”) (Per s.s. Wakatipu at Wellington.) [By Telegraph.] London, Oct. 18 A most disastrous fire broke out at Port Said yesterday. No less than sixty houses were destroyed ere the progress of the conflagration was checked. The General Government have received information of a great battle fought between the French troops and Arab insurgents. The Arabs were defeated with a loss of 800 killed. Oct. 19. A fire broke out on board one of the Cunard steaifiers on the passage from New York to Liverpool, She was not far from the English coast when the fire was first noticed, and the captain made for Flint, the nearest seaport, which is situated in North Wales. It was found that the fire could not be subdued by ordinary means, and the vessel was acaccordingly scuttled. A Danish steamer has been burnt at sea. She had a large number of emigrants on board, 500 of whom are missing and are believed to have perished. Oct. 20. Great excitement has been caused by two attempts to destroy the Abyssinia, a steamship belonging to the Cunard line at New York. The designs of the incendiaries were frustrated by the timely discovery of their intentions. A disastrous hurricane swept over the greater part of Mexico, and resulted in the destruction of 400 houses. Oct. 21. Bills to institute trial by jury and provide for civil marriage will be introduced to the Spanish Cortes. A disastrous gale has swept over Spain, doing much damage, Oct. 23. Information has been received from India to the effect thatChaman has been evacuated by the British troops. Reports of’wrecks during the recent disastrous gale off the Coast of Scotland continue to come in. A Dutch steamer foundered during the gale and 200 of those on board are missing. Another engagement between French troops and Arab insurgents has taken place, in which 200 of the insurgents were killed. Rinderpest is prevalent amongst the herds of Norfolk. The Missisippi has overflowed its banks. Oct. 24. A water famine is feared in New York. Sickness is very prevalent among the French troops in Tunis. Mr Forster, Chief Secretary of Ireland is attended by police for his personal safety. Police are also on guard at Hawarden Castle, the seat of Mr Gladstone. It has been found necessary to increase the constabulary force at the Castle. Mr Gladstone’s effigy has been burnt at Philadelphia. Five persons connected with the Land League were arrested at Eoscommon, and three at Wexford yesterday.