TELEGRAMS.

Temuka Leader, Issue 355, 17 February 1881, Page 2

TELEGRAMS.

ENGLISH AND FOREIGN. London, Feb. 14. The House of Commons decided in Committee that the Irish Coercion Bill phnll be retrospective in its operation, and shall give the Viceroy of Ireland power to make arrests for offences committed prior to October Ist last year. Mr Parnell has been absent from the House of Commons for a week. It is believed he is visiiing Paris. The Ladies League in Ireland is daily extending its operations and increasing the agitation in regard to the land ques tio-n. The sculling rac<s between Edward Hanlan and Elias Laycock for £SOO a side, the championship of England, and the Sportsman's Challenge Cup, took place to-day over the usual course on the Thames, between Putney and Mortlake. The weather was fine and the water smooth, and the banks of the river were lined with spectators throughout the course. The betting was 4 to 1 on Hanlan. A good start was affected. Hanlan commenced with 35 and Laycock with 38 strokes a minute. Hanlan at once took the lead, and was a length ahead at Simmons's yard, and two lengths ahead at the milepost. At this point Laycock made a splendid spurt, and Hanlan's lead was for a time materially decreased, but the latter again rapidly drew ahead, and was four lengths in advance of Laycock at Barnes' Bridge. He continued to increase the lead, and reached the winningpost several lengths ahead, having led from start to finish, and completing the distance in 25mins. 41 sees. Feb. 15. Telegrams are to hand containing a rumor that 500 Irish Americans have left the States for the Transvaal, to join the service against the Boers. New Yohk, Feb. 15. The weather during the last few days has been very severe throughout the Northern States. The greater part of the City of Washington is inundated, and much loss of property is being caused. Very heavy storms have been experienced in the West, and the railroads in'many places are blocked, and traffic completely suspended.