CABLEGRAMS.

Te Aroha News, Volume VI, Issue 350, 13 March 1889, Page 5

CABLEGRAMS.

London, March 2. The " Schesenger Zeitnng," a Bresland paper, states that the German warship Olga bombarded Mataafa's camp. The American warship vainly protested, and finally fired at the Olga, which torpedoed the American, and sunk her with all hands. [15 is perhaps an ungrateful task to impeach the veracity of another journal, but we have no hesitation in pronouncing the above report a puio fabrication. No later advices than those which were brought here by the Alameda can have reached Europe, and ihe intelligence which she brought showed that an agreement had been made between Mataafa and the German Consul for a suspension of hostilities pending further advices from Europe. Another rather serious discrepancy in the " Zeitung's" story is the . libtlo fact that Mataafa's camp is situated [ inland, at the back of Apia, and the ' Olga could not bombard it. A similar canard about a collision between the German and American warships at Samoa was published by a German paper a week or two ago, and may simply be set down as being of that class of story which tells of things which might have happened, but didn't.]

London, March 6. A remarkable episode has occurred here, by which Miss Muir, an actress, and the daughter of a New Zealand squatter, has obtained considerable notoriety. Miss Muir, dressed in male attire, attempted to enlist as a soldier, bub the imposture was discovered. She was at once placed under arrest, but has since been discharged at the solicitations of friends who interceded on her I behalf.

London, March I.' Further news of the movements of Stanley and his force in Central Africa is to hand. Later advices confirm the previous reports of Stanley being safe at Aruwhirai.

Lonhon, March 8. Public nterest in the proceedings at the u Times "-Parnell Commission has almost completely died since the recent collapse of the "Times " evidence and the suicide of Pigott. The " Times " case is now closing. The Russian press is exultant over Milan's abdication. The uneasiness in Austria is increasing. Gruitch is Premier in the new Cabinet.

London, March 8. News has been received at the Admiralty of the wreck at Malta of the British ironclad Sultan. It is stated that all on board were saved, and that no fatalities occurred. The Sultan was a screw armoured ship of 9,290 tons, and carried 19 guns. According to recent advices, she was temporary flag ship for the Channel squadron, with Vice-Admiral Hewett. The captain was Ernest Rice. Lord Stanhope estimates an increase of in the army estimates, chiefly owing 10 the introduction of magazine rifles. The force is to be increased by 2,700 men, and it is intended to strengthen colonial gairisoning and coaling stations. A syndicate has been formed to work Pudell-Singer's wool scouring aptent. A plan has been submitted to the naval authorities for the construction of 70 warships of the aggregate tonnage of 318,000 tons, at a cost of twenty-one and a-half millions. It is proposed to build eight battle-ships of 14,000 tons each, two of 9,000 tons, nine large and thirty-three smaller cruisers, and eighteen torpedo gunboats. Thirty-two of these vessels are to be on the stocks within a year, and the whole to be completed by Apiil, 1894. Mr Goschen, in laying the pi oposals before the House of Commons, explained that the total cost — eleven and a-half millions — would be included in the oidmary naval votes for the next five years, and ten millions would be raised by additional taxation spread over seven yeats. The debate was adjourned for a fortnight.

Dublin, March 8. The trial of the piisoners arrested in connection with the recent riot at Gweedora, by which an inspector of police was killed, is proceeding. Twenty-one of the persons who were arrested have been discharged, the prosecution failing to prove ciiminal complicity. Fourteen others are stiil on their trial, and tiiese latter include Father McFadden, the priest who has already been sentenced to a term of imprisonment for inciting.

Paris, March 8. It has transpired that M. Rochereau, manager of the Comptoir d'Escompte de Paris, committed suicide in consequence of the threatened collapse of the copper syndicate, of which he was the piincipal financier. ; Thousands of depositors besieged the Comptoir while the excitement lasted, and two millions sterling was i withdrawn. \ The other banks assisted the Comptoir during the crisis. In the course of a speech delivered in this city last night, General Boulanger referred to the relations existing be1 tween France and Italy, and said the attempts which were being made to create a war between the two coun- [ tries were criminal.

, Belgrade, March 8. The abdication of King Milan has been followed by the formation of a Radical Cabinet. King Milan's thirleen-year-old son has taken the title of Alexander I. The Queen Nathalie has returned, but otherwise the political situation is unchanged.

Sydney, March 7. Sir Harry Parkea has succeeded in forming a new Ministry, and the following port1 folios havo been allotted :•—

Premier and Colonial Secretary: Sir Henry Parkes. - Minister of Lands : Mr J. M. Brunker. Colonial Treasurer : Mr W. McMillan. Minister of Public Works : Mr Bruce Smith. Minister of Justice : Mr A, J. Gould. Postmaster-General : Mr Dan, O'Connor. Minister of Mines : Mr Sydney Smith. j Minister of Public Instruction :MrJ. H. I Carrulhers. Mr G. Bowen Simpson will represent the Government in the Legislative Council, with the portfolio of Attorney-General. It is reported that Mr Spreckles has made proposals of a very important character in connection with the San Francisco mail Service, contingent upon the subsidy and contract being received. He intends, it is said, to build several magnificent boat?, -with -which to commence a fortnightly service, under which Wellington and Melbourne would be included in the ports of call. Some of the steamers would proceed from San Francisco to Auckland and thence to Sydney while the others would run from San Francisco to Wellington, and thence to Melbourne.

Melbourne, March 7. Margaret Fitzgerald and Mrs Curtis, her sister, have been arrested on a charge of murder, arising out of a case of concealment of the birth of an infant. Both accused recently arrived from New Zealand.