ARRIVAL OF THE ’FRISCO MAIL.

Temuka Leader, Issue 1359, 30 June 1885, Page 2

ARRIVAL OF THE ’FRISCO MAIL.

The B,s. Zealandia, Captain Webster, arrived at Auckland at 2 p.m. on Sunday from San Francisco. She left on the 6th June. Her passage was uneventful. Among the passengers were Messrs Jas. Tracey and M. Badger, who come in connection with the extradition of Maxwell alias Dangeur, the alleged murderer of C. Preller. The following is a brief summary of the Intelligence brought by the Zealandia, the European dates being to June 5 San Feancisco. Hanlan, the rower, who arrived here by the s.s. Zealandia on May 21st reports that nowithstanding his defeat in the colonies, he made 3000 dollars as his share of the gate money. As he naturally would say for own sake, Beach, in his opinion, is the most wonderful oarsman he has met.

The United States Minister Phillips was banquetted by the Lord Mayor of London on June 3rd. In responding to the toast, “ The President of the United States,” Mr Phillips assured his hearers of the pleasure with which Americans viewed the settlement of affairs between Russia and England.

A London special of June 3rd says the desperate condition of the Scottish land market is shown by the surprising number of estates now offered for sale in Scotland. One auctioneer alone advertised to sell on June 2nd estates valued at £2,500,000. Lord Garmoyle, (of breach of promise fame) now Earl Cairns, assumed his place in the House of Lords on June sth. The German despatch boat Pomerania seized a Yarmouth lighter on June 4th in the North Sea, and towed her into Wilhelrashayen, where she is detained. The pretence is that the lighter was fishing in prohibited water. Bishop Mortcby announces his intention to resign his Salisbury scat this Hummer, on account of age. He is now 82 years old.

The London police were informed on June 15th that two dynnraiters had arrived in England from the United States. An active watch for the parties was instituted. A fire broke out in Margaret pit, of the Philadelphia colliery, near Durham, at noon of June 3rd. The pit was closed by an explosion, and 22 men and boys were killed outright. The explosion was followed by a rush of water in immense volumes, and the whole mine was overflowed, notwithstanding the most slienuous efforts to prevent it. The Biitish Missionary Society, of London, breakfasted the explorer Stanley on 27th. Stanley is miking his campaign in Europe on behalf of the Congo State very vigorously. Late despatches say the official reports concerning the Indian wheat crop indicate if the present anticipations bo realised that there will be a European demand in England for American wheat this autumn than last year.

A despatch from London of May B'h says a most encouraging feature of the agricultural outlook is the favorable change in the weather, which has come most opportunely, when warmth and sunshine will produce the best results, especially as it had been preceded by a copious rain. The backward condition of the crops and the discoloration of the wheat has been a source of complaint, but it is now admitted that no lasting injury was done, and if the present fine weather continues, a rapid improvement in harvest prospects is expected. It is said that the Budget increase of duty on beer and spirits has been a blessing in disguise to many enterprising dealers, who have made a fortune by the exercise of a little forethought. Mr Gladstone, replying to an enquiry made by Mr McLean, the Home Rule member for Wicklow, said it was not the intention of the Government to establish regular diplomatic relations with the Vatican,

A report has been republished in London to the effect that Alfred Ail ward, notorious in connection with the Boer rebellion, was one of the leading spirits in fomenting the halfbreed rebellion, of which Riel was the only figurehead. Berlin papers of May 29ih have alarmist articles over the trouble between the Sultan of Zanzibar and the German East African Company. They hint that Germany may be, compelled to declare war against both England and Italy. The Right Hon. John Bright has written a public letter approving of Parliament granting £31,000 a year to Princess Beatrice as a dowry. Mr Bright said he was astonished to see Liberals objecting to so small a grant while silently concurring in the extravagance of the Government over unjust wars.

It is said Cunningham, the dynamiter, has shown signs of insanity since his confinement in Chatham prison. ' A fierce cyclone occurred at Aden on June Bth, and proved the most disastrous that ever visited the region since the British acceptance in 1869. The wind destroyed nearly every bungalow in the place. The iron roof on the Government shed on the jetty was blown away, and great damage was done to the shipping at anchor in port. The men-of-war Turquoise and Reindeer were driven by the force of the wind so hard that they both broke their moorings, and narrowly escaped being wrecked. IRISH AFFAIRS. Sir Ohas. Dilke, whilst in Dublin on a visit to Earl Spencer, refused to attend an official breakfast given by Lord Mayor O’Connor on May 25th on account of that official’s insults to the Prince of Wales in inciting riots at Malone and Cork during the Royal visit. The purpose of Sir 0. Dilke’s being in Dublin is to consult with Earl Spencer regarding Irish crimes, and it is said the two have settled their differences of opinion on the matter.

The Pope had a two hours’ conference with the Irish Bishops at the Vatican on May 25tb. Archbishop Croke returned to Dublin from Rome on June 3rd. He deprecated any political manifestations. Addresses were presented to him declaring that be had vindicated the cause of the Irish people at Rome and had stood firm to the faith of the fatherland. The Archbishop in reply advised them not to put themselves in the power of the so-called but really sham friends of law and order. Such addresses, he said were useful, as showing the unity of priest and people. He was anxious to see the old land restored to its pristine grandeur, to see Orangeism broken down, and all classes working loyally together.

When the Bill is introduced in Parliament, as is proposed, to purchase a royal residence in Ireland for young Prince Victor, of Wales, it will be opposed by the Parnellites, on the ground that Ireland has more than enough of vicelegal pageantry now in Earl Spencer’s court at Dublin Castle. THE SOUDAN. Reuter’s cable special of May 24th says the withdrawal of the British troops from the Soudan has had the effect of reviving and immensely strengthening the power of Osman Digna among the Red Sea tribes who have been wavering in their choice

between an allegiance with the Mahdi or Great Britain. They now declare for the former, and with them have gone thousands of Arabs who had declared their friendship for England. The British evacuated Handaub on May 24th, under a galling fire, part of which came from their own rifles in the hands of a treacherous enemy. The armourer train at Souakim surprised a body of rebels on the 38th tearing up the rails of the new railway and opened fire on them, killing several hundred. The Guards who stopped at Alexandria whilst en route from Souakim to England have gone into camp to await further orders. Advices from Cairo dated June Ist state that emissaries from El Mahdi come daily into Souakim, that the sick soldiers in Souakim are increasing in number, that the Indian troops suffer terribly, that the rebel forces are beginning to renew their attacks on Souakim, [and that tribes hitherto friendly to the English are wavering in their fealty. El Mahdi has sent ten guns and a supply of arms and ammunition to Osman Digna. Despatches from London of June 3rd state the English troops will leave Assouan about the middle of June for Cairo, at the rate of 1500 a week. The rebels have occupied Korti, and it is expected they will advance upon Dongola when the English are gone. THE ANGLO-RUISIAN SITUATION. Colonel Stewart and the Engineer officers who accompanied him to Herat, have reported the result of their inspection of May 26th. They found the fortifications wholly ’’ndefencible with the present armament. The only decent gun found was a 24-pounder. The place, however, could he made impregnable owing to its natural position, by the erection of a new series of posts equipped with modern artillery. They strongly recommended the immediate construction of these works, but are doubtful if the Ameer will agree to the outlay. A London special of May 27th, says the Russian censors of the Press are exerting themselves to the utmost to suppress the fact that, notwithstanding the favorable prospect of peace, Russian preparations are still being pressed on with extraordinary vigor. This message, however, has reached London by various roundabout routes, and it is known there is an immense amassing of troops towards

Centra! Asia, that large bodies of infantry, cavalry, and field artillery, and railway and telegraph builders are pressing forward in an almost continuous stream from European Russia through the transCaucasian provinces across the Caspian Sea, and eastward towards the Afghanistan frontier. The work of strengthening the Russian defences in the Black Sea is progressing, and the fortification of Sebastopol especially is proceeded with with feverish energy. The Standard's St. Petersbnrgh despatch confirms the Daily News’ statement with reference to the settlement of [the Afghan frontier. Many European papers consider that Russia's acceptance of th'e English proposals was prompted by a desire to prevent the overthrow of the Gladstone Cabinet.

Sir Peter Lumsden, in an interview at Constantinople on June Ist, said, referring to the Angio-Russian situation, it might bo weeks or months before matters were again fixed up, but that the difficulty was sure to break out afresh sooner or later, and that before long the old frontier, including all the land that was best and 80 miles of desert land, would bo given up to Russia. Sir Peter farther said that Russia is now able, through the possession of the Penjdeh district, to provoke fresh complications. Russia wants an ethnological frontier; Sir Peter Lumsden proposed a geographical one. Later despatches from London say the Government is in despair over the fierce and outspoken denunciations of the Afghan break-down which Sir Peter Lumsden has scattered along his path from Constantinople to Paris. He is thoroughly exasperated. He does not care who knows it. When he arrived in Paris almost the first greeting he received was a telegram from the War Office ordering him to see no more interviewers. Efforts are being made to cashier Sir Peter Lumsden, but it is known he has great influence in the highest quarters. AMERICAN. The smallpox epidemic prevails in Montreal. By a treaty between Honiwar, Salvador Costa Rica and Nicaragua, the territory of Guatemala will be dismembered, Salva* dor taking the largest slice. Goldivar, late President of Salvador, has been compelled to fly from the country. The winter wheat crop of the United States is reported the worst in ten years. There will be a scarcity of 261£ million bushels for the Pacific coast alone. The Polygamists in Idaho are forcibly resisting the authorities. California is suffering from a plague of locusts which eat the grass out by the roots.

The revised edition of the Old Testament meets with a slow sale :n America.

By a fire at Sullivan’s printing house sixteen girl employees were killed and five injured. A number of the Zealandia’s passengers bound for San Francisco left the steamer at Honolulu under the apprehension that war had broken out between England and Russia (1) and they were in danger of being captured in an English bottom. They therefore preferred paying 75 dollars additional and going on in an American ship.