TELEGRAMS.

Temuka Leader, Issue 353, 12 February 1881, Page 2

TELEGRAMS.

ENGLISH AND FOREIGN.

London, Feb. 'SV-v s Michael Davitt will be exempt from: hard labour during his imprisonment for the remainder of the term of his sentence.

A disastrous fire has broken out in ft colliery at Tunstall, Staffordshire. Twenty colliers are entombed, and but little hope of rescuing them is entertained .

T. W. Walsh, Land Leaguer, on® of the traverses, in the recent prosecution at Dublin, has started for Australia. In the House of Commons, to-day, the debate on the Irish Coercion Bill was resumed. The proceedings were, in every recpect, orderly, and the debate is progressing satisfactorily. It is announced that it is the intention of the Government that the Irish Laud Bill should,if possible, become law before Easter, and every effort will be made to bring about this result. In view of possible hostilities with the Ashantees, Her Majesty’s corvette Champion, fou teen guns, has been ordered to the Gold Coast, where she will organise a Naval Brigade for service in Ashantee.

According to official documents which have been published, General Sir Frederic Roberts discovered, while in occupation at Cabul, a secret treaty for an offensive and defence alliance signed between Russia and the Ameer, and dated August. 1878 ; also a letter from the Russian General Stalietoff {sic), dated October of the same year, advising Shere Ali to sue for peace with England but at the same time to secretly prepare for war. Other papers which were found, moreover, show that the Russian policy included measures to incite an armed rebellion of Mahommedans iq India.

Per Merchant Shipping and Underwriters’ Association :—Arrived : Ships, Lyttelton, from Port Chalmers, left November 15tli ; Crusader, from Lyttel ton, left November 19tb? Helen Denny from Auckland, left Noveraberrßth. <Feb. 9. In the House of la'tfTrpgbt, the Irish Coercion Bill was read a seeoild time, on a division showing a majority of 300 to Government.

Madrid, Feb. 8. A Ministerial crisis hasoccured here, and a new cabinet is being formed by Senor Sagasta. Marshall Campos will take the portfolio of Minister of War. Capetown, Feb. 8. News has been received from Natal that the Boers have stopped the mail between Sir George Coolley ? s camp at Laugsack. and head-quarters at Newcastle, All reinforcements from England and India have now arrived at Durban, Natal, and the troops will proceed to the front without delay.

Further news to hand from Natal states that since the stoppage of the mail between Langsack and Newcastle, General Sir George Colley, has despatched a force to clear the road of Boers.

Feb. 9. Later intelligence from Governor Sir George Colley now in the Transvaal, announces that his force has successfully attacked and defeated a large body of Boers, whom it encountered between Newcastle and the Ingogo. The British loss in the fight was 150, killed and wounded. The enemy, suffered very heavy loss, but the extent is not stated. General Colley expects to be able to maintain his position in the Transvaall, until the arrival of rein« forcements from Durban.

Later further official intelligence from the Transvaal slates that Sir Geo. Colley, advancing to clear the road to Newcastle, seized Pateau of Innogo, when the Boers made a strong attack on the position. Heavy fighting ensued lasting fully six .hours. Both s’det suffered severely, but tie enemy' were finally repulsed with heavy loss, and withdrew at sunset. The British troops then returned to camp, where. General Colley hopes to maintain his position ;s until the arrival of reinforcements. 3