TELEGRAMS.

Temuka Leader, Issue 1561, 5 March 1887, Page 1

TELEGRAMS.

ENGLISH AND FORKIGN. LONDON, March 1. The statements made by the parvivors of the Kapunda disaster confirm the reports that preceded their arrival, The passengers support the statement that the Ada Molmore did not carry side iights at the time of the collision. The skrieks of the women and children as the vessel went down are described as awful, A shocking incident is. related as to the fate oj some of the passengers. It is asserted that, according.to the rule wLich prevails on immigrant ships, all the siDgle women were locked in their quarters by the matron when Bhe retired for the night. In consequence of the confusion, and the rapidity, with which the Kapunda sank, the unhappy women were not released, and all were drowned, despite their efforts to free themselves. The last sounds heard as the ship went down were the frantic thud 3 of the imprisoned victims as they vainly tried to break open the doors of their cabins.

A statement comes to hand from Paris ihat M. Gob'et, the French Premier, is desirous of discussing with the colonial delegates of the Imperial Jubilee Conference the whole question of the New Hebridep. In the House of Commons to-day, Sir Henry Holland, Secretary for the Colonies, in reply to a question, stated that Mr Mitchell, Governor of Fiji, and High Commissioner of the Western Pacific, would personally conduct the enquiry into the state of affairs in Tonga. Mr Thurston, Lieutenant-Governor, and the Colonial Secretary would not take part in the same. Germany has consented to the conference proposed by Great Britain in regard to the adjustment of the uugar bounties. It is understood that Sir Geo. Bowen will return to Hong Kong. Extensive preparations are being made for fortifying the various ports on the river Thames.

Tbe Orient steamer Austral, from Melbourne (Jan. 21st), arrived at Plymouth to-day. Mr G. F. Vernon has succeeded in organising a team of amateur cricketers to visit the Australian colonies next next season. The team will include M. B. Hawke, W. W. Read, E. Rollen, J. B. Walker, Stoddart, Vernon and Studd. March 2. Papers relating to Mr HennickerHeaton's universal penny postage pro? posals were placed before Parliament to-day. Mr Heaton's fourth letter shows that the English Post-office collected £116,000 annually for the carriage of letters to Australia, and further stated that in proportion to her population Australia sends England six times as many letters as America sends. Mr Heaton asserts that the Orient, Peninsular, and Oriental Companies are willing to carry six times the present quantity of letters to »nd from A ustralia for- the same rate as at present. In the House of Commons, Mr George Howell, member for Bethnal Green, brought forward a distinct charge of corrupt expenditure on the part of the Corporation of tbe City of London with a view of defeating the London Government Bill, introduced under Mr Gladstone's regime. Several startling disclosures were made. It is asserted that £20,000 was spent in hiring audiences and feeing speakers, Sir R. N. Fowler, ex-Lord Mayor, courted a full enquiry into the question. Mr Labouchereand Mr Chas. Bradlaugh stated that they are prepared to prove the allegations. The Government is now considering the question of appointing a Special Committee of Enquiry into the whole matter. Hanlan probably leaves for Australia in August, At a meeting of the Colonial Institute tho proposed absorption of the Institute by the Imperial Institute was discussed, and the fellows expressed themselves as strongly adverse to the proposal. March 3. It is now stated that tbe casualties by the earthquake have been exaggerated, especially in Genoa. The London Press complains that the obstruction offered to (be progress of

business in Parliament by the PameJli, •■ party is a public scania', aid urg'B G - vernmeut to suppress it. Chins has reinforce.) her troops in Kaishuagar. Calcutta, March 1. Two Bengal regiments have been ordered to Burmah. Aden, March 2. Intelligence is to hand from Moznmbique that the natives had taken advantage of the absence of she Portuguese forces despatched to occupy Tungi, in Zanzibar, and had risen in open revolt against Portuguese rule in Mozambique The rising h»s become general and is spreading throughout the country, and a number of trading statious and house? occupied by British residents have bef n destroyed. According to latest report? a large body of natives are menacing the town of Mozambique, and the British Consul there has summoned H.M.S Turquoise to protect the British reei dents. Washington, March 2. I'hf United B l »tps Congress l'«s passed a Bill for the purpose of obtain ing drastic reprisals for the treatmunt of American fishing vessels in Canadian waters.

AUSTRALIAN CABLE. Melbourne, March 2. The Mararou sailed this afternoon for the Bluff. March 3. The Marquis and Marchioness of Hantly are passengers for New Zealand by the Mararoa. Chaffey Brothers have renewed their former offer for carrying out irrigation works. Sydney, March 8. The steamer Warratab, which sank in the harbor after the collision with the s.s. Emu on the 24th ult., has been raised. Two thousand men are now employed on the Government relief works. Hobabt, March 2. Arrived— Waihora. Sailed, to-day— H.M.S. Diamond, for Tonga.