NEWS FROM CHINA.

Temuka Leader, Issue 1676, 22 December 1887, Page 3

NEWS FROM CHINA.

Stdnrt, Dec. 19. Telegraphic advices from Port Kennedy (Thursday Island) report the arrival of the Fairlie at that place from Hong Kong. She brings news of a number of extremely fatal disasters which have occurred within Chinese territory and waters. The steamer Wab Kabung, which sails under the British flag, caught fire when lying within 220yds of the shore. Upward* oflOO persons from the burning vessel managed to effect a landing, but about 400 persons perished by drowning, among' whom were 200 small-footed .Chinese women, who were accommodat'd below deck. The military magazine at Amoy exploded ajtb terrific violence, a Chinese general and fifty soldiers being blown to. atoms. 400 booses in the vicinity eame down with » crash, burying the inmates in the ruins. A concomitant fare broke out, which spread from the debris in all directions, and destroyed upwards of SOO other buildings.

Ain alarming epidemic of typhoid fever prevails at the town of Port Arthur. Oter two'thousand deaths have already occurred.

Hoang-Ho (Yellow River) broke its banks in the vicinity of Cbing Chow, inundating an enormous area of country Thirteen cities are submerged, and the loss of:life and property is fearful, the distress of the;: survivors being indescribable.- -

The steamships Wakataoara and Mara were advertised to sail on the 20. h Novrmber for Hono‘uiti. Six thousand four:-hundred »Pd thirty Japanese emigrants are booked by the vessels.