EUROPEAN.

Te Aroha News, Volume II, Issue 75, 8 November 1884, Page 3

EUROPEAN.

London, October 29. — In the House oi Commons the Hon. Evelyn Ashley, Undersecretary for the Colonies, in reply to o question, stated that General Smyth, commander of the British force in South Africa, had been instructed to refuse to recognise the claim of the Transvaal Government to protect Montsioa, the paramount chief of the Bechuanaland territory over which British authority is about to be restored. London, October 30. — Five new peers have been created. Small-pox is raging at Merai, a town a short distance below the fourth cataract of the Nile. England intends to punish the murderers of Bethel (sic), and to expel all marauders from Bechuanaland. London, October 31. — The debate on the Address-in-Reply to the Speech from the Throne was continued in the House of Commons last night, when Lord Randolph Churchill moved an amendment censuring Mr Chamberlain for his action in connection with the riots which occurred at Birmingham on the 14th inst. A long and animated debate ensued, and resulted in the rejection of the amendment by a majority of 36 votes. Sir Moses Montefioi'e, whose centenary has just been celebrated, is at present suffering from a bronchial affection, which is causing his friends some anxiety. The Chinese have made repeated attacks on the French position at Tugen-Quang, but were repulsed on each occasion. The Bank of England to-day raised the rate of discount to 4 per cent. The "Times" warmly praises Mr Jordan's process of treating pyrites. Professor Crookes also supports Mr Jordan's system. Vessels leaving Marseilles are now granted clean bills of health. A meeting will be held on Monday next to test the validity of certain decisions made by the liquidator in the Oriental Bank estate. Messrs William Howard Smith and Sons have purchased the shipbuilding yards and engineering works of Messrs Key and Sons, at Kirkcaldy and Kinghorn, on the Firth of Forth. London, November 1. — The rumours which have been in circulation regarding Earl Granville's attempts to mediate between France and China daily gain ground, but have not as yet received any official confirmation. Intelligence is to hand of the arrival at Meshed, North Persia, of Major-General Sir Peter Lumsden and the members of the Afghan Frontier Commission. The Earl of Northbrook, who has arrived at Paris en route to London, had an interview with M. Ferry. A serious outbreak of cholera has occurred at Nantes, and fifteen fatal cases are reported. London, November 2. — Mr P. Tungoyne's exhibition of Australian wines at the Health Exhibition has been awarded a gold medal. Parleying is now proceeding with the view of effecting a compromise on the franchise question. Some anxiety is felt for the French position in Tonquin, on account of the Chinese blockading it. The Dorsetshire regiment is at present at Chatham, prepared to embark for the Transvaal at a moment's notice. Lord Wosleley has arrived at Dongola. Information from Khartoum state 3 that General Gordon had made a sortie on the enemy, capturing a large quantity of corn and provisions. The several Agents-General were entertained at a banquet by the Plymouth Chamber of Commerce. In the course of their remarks Sir Dillon Bell, Sir Saul Samuel, and Sir Arthur Blyth eulogised Plymouth as a port of departure for emigrants, and Mr J. F. Garrick, AgentGeneral for Queensland, promised to reconsider the claims of Plymouth in this respect v*ith legard to the shipping of emigrants for Queensland. Sir F. D. Bell and Sir Saul Samuel made special reference to the immense trade that had sprung up between Plymouth and the colonies, and Mr Murray Smith also alluded to the elastic character of the protectorate established over New Guinea. Earl Morley presided at the banquet. A disastrous panic took place at the Star Theatre, Glasgow. During the performance several workmen who had formerly been employed at the theatre and discharged, raised a cry of "Fire !" causing the audience to rise en masse, and rush to the doors. A terrible scene ensued, and .after the building had been cleared it was I discovered that 14 people had been killed, and 14 were more or less severely injured, some of them being in a critical condition. The police succeeded in arresting the men who caused the panic. Another account received by cable says : — " At the Pacific Star Theatre, Glasgow, last night, a false alarm of tire was raised, and a disastrous panic ensued. In the crush that took place in the stampede from the building, fourteen persons were killed and a number of others seriously injured." Intelligence has been received from Khartoum through a noted Arab shiekh, who reports that at the end of September the greater portion of the garrison there were deserting, and that General Gordon had embarked with two thousand soldiers and refu f fee 3, e ee3, and steamed nprthward, but the rebels succeeded in sinking several of the vessels, which completely barred the passage of the river to Berber. The only steamer that succeeded in passing upwards was that with Colonel Stewart on board, and which was subsequently wrecked. General Gordon, with the rest of the flotilla, succeeded in retreating as far as Shendy, where they were all captured by the rebels. ■This information requires official confirmation. London, November 3.— The dieaafcer at the Pacific Star Theatre, Glasgow, was of a ■most serious nature, the number of persons injured being very large. In its issue to-day the " Daily News publishes a telegram from its correspondent in the Soudan stating that a terrible battle has taken place between General Gordon's forces and the followers of the Mahdi. The latter numbered over 25,000 men, and fought desperately for eight hours, suffering enormous losses and temporary reverses, but continually returning to the field in increased numbers. The Khedive has sent a telegram to Her Majesty the Queen conveying the intelligence that Khartoum has fallen, and that General Gordon has been taken a prisoner by the rebels. In the House of Lords today Lord Granville took occasion to deny the statement current that the Khedive had wired the Queen that Khartoum had fallen, and that General Gordon had been made prisoner. The report to that effect is generally disbelieved. London, Nov. 4.— The s.s. Llewellyn, built for the Queensland pilot service, has an-ivedat (Gibraltar, en route for Queensland. Lord Derby has stated that the New -Guinea and Pacific decision is final, but he admitted that the protectorate means annexation. .... Victoria's preferential claims against the Oriental Bank estate will be argued on Friday next.

Mr Currie, late Manager of the Bank of Adelaide, has beon presented with a service of plate. London, Novembor 4.— A true bill has been found against Captain Dudley and Stephens (the mate of the yacht Mignonette) for the murder of Richard Parker. The trial will take place on Thursday next. The death is announced of Lady Shorbrooke, the wifo of Viscount Sherbrooke, better known as Mr Robert Lowe. She was a daughter of the late Mr George Orred, of Liverpool, and was married to Mr Lowe in 1536. Lord Northbrock arrived in London last evening. The report that His Lordship had had an interview with M. Ferry while in Paris proved without foundation. The International Congress of European Powers, which has been arranged with a view of arriving at the neutralisation of the Congo Valley and neighbouring country, will hold its first meeting on the 15th instant. Captain Francis S. Clayton has been appointed commander of H.M.S. Diamond, vice Captain A. T. Dale. Messrs Hirsch, Splinder and Co., of Sydney and London, who woro recently adjudicated bankrupts, have passed 1 heir examination before the Bankruptcy Court. The cholera has entirely disappeared from Naples. Parleying in connection with Pacific affairs is awaiting replies from Sydney on the subject. Professor Nordenskjold is at present endeavouring to interest tho Russian Government in an Arctic exploring expedition. Tho towns of Brighton, Eastbourne, and Hastings, in Sussex, have been lighted a\ ith the electric light. The current is transmitted from central stations. Paris, November 3.— The outbreak of cholera at Nantes is assuming sorious dimensions, and despite tho precautions which have been taken by the authorities, the disease continues to spread rapidly. Hono Koxo, October 29. Late intelligence from Tonquin shows that the French troops are puttering severely from the effects of the climate.^ A large proportion of the men arc unfit to take I field, and the number on tho sick list is I rapidly increasing. Hongkong, October 31. — The Chinese are massing in large bodies of troops at Shang hai and Pekin with a view to the prosecution of active hostilities against the French. Cairo, October 29. Telegrams have been received hero reporting the arrival at Ambukol of Lord Wolseloy and his staff. The Hussars Contingent and Camel Corps liavo reached Ashouam (query, Assouan), and will proceed towards Dongola at an early date. Cairo, October 30. The first battalion of the Royal Irish Regiment, the first battalion of the Royal West Kent Regiment, and the first battalion of the Gordon Highlanders, will ascend the Nile next week for Khartoum. Intelligence has been received here from Dal announcing the arrival of Lord Wolseley and his staff. Cairo, October 31. — Inteligence is to hand from Wary Haifa that the Canadians have arrived there, and are now passing fifty boats daily over the second "."cataract, and troops are proceeding up the Nile with the utmost despatch. Cairo, November 1. A telegram has been received from Sir C. W. Wilson, head of the Intelligence Department attached to Lord Wolseley, stating that he has received a report which he believes to be true, that the Mahdi's forces attacked General Gordon opposite Khartoum, and were repulsed with heavy loss. Cairo, November 3. Intelligence has been received that the Mahdi is gathering his forces around Khartoum, and has summoned General Gordon to surrender. Cairo, November 4 Major Kitchener telegraphs that information has reached him that Gordon has refused the Mahdi's summons to surrender, and that the Mahdi has since withdrawn from Khartoum, and announced his intention of making no further attack on the place for two months.