TELEGRAMS.

Temuka Leader, Volume 2, Issue 133, 29 March 1879, Page 2

TELEGRAMS.

ENGLISH AND FOREIGN. London, March 25. A severe earthquake in northern Persia caused great damage. Nearly 1100 persons perished. The Government have accepted the tender of the Eastern Company for the construction of :i. cable from Aden, via Zanzibar, Moznmbique, and Delago, to Natal. In the House of Lords to-day the Secretary of Slate for Foreign Affairs, replying to a question, said that if the Treaty of Berlin were not fulfilled, the Sultan thought that the British Fleet in the Sea of Marmora, should be sent to the Black Sea to secure compliance with the conditions, and that he (the Sultan) should be authorised to ask assistance from his allies. The Secretary of State added that he did not anticipate the contingency alluded to by the Sultan would arise. After a long debate on Zulu affairs, the vote of want of confidence in the Government has been defeated by 156 against 01. The Premier lias made a statement concerning the British policy in Africa. He said confederation, not annexation, was desirable. Sir Bartle Frere was the right man in the right place. He was only blamed because he assumed the supreme power in the declaration of war. Tho Queen has started for Italy. The negotiations continue with Yakoob Khan. An unsuccessful attempt has been made to assassinate the Chief of the Gendermes in Petersburg. The assassin escaped. March 20. Lord Cranbrook, replying to the Liberals, condemned Sir Bartle Frere for commencing the war without waiting the decision of the Cabinet. The relations between Turkey and Greece are critical. The Lords, by a majority of ninety-five, refused to censure the Zulu policy of the Government. St Petersbukgh, March 24 A fresh case of plague has appeared at Wiitlanka., Siberia. The Russian Government suggest a mixed occupation of Roumelia, after Russia has evacuated that territory.

The Eastern Companies tender has been accepter] for the Cape cable, utilising the Australian. Sir J. Coode's scheme for improvement of the Yarra involves a cost of over one million. AUSTRALIAN NEWS. Sydney, March 26. Fifty thousand bushels of wheat were sold at Adelaide at 4s lOd. March 27. The current opinion here is that recent murders in New Guinea are due, in some measure, to the conduct of white missionaries, Baron Maelay, the Russian scientist, returns to New Guinea to-morrow. The pugilists have eluded the Victorian police. There is excitement in Melbourne, and there will be a searching enquiry.' A well equipped expedition, under Baron Mac-lay and Chevalier Bruno, sailed to-day for New Guinea. Three police inspectors have perished in the Queensland bush. A great fire at Newcastle has destroyed seven stores and hotels. The insurance companies' losses are heavy.