AMERICA.

Wairarapa Daily Times, Volume X, Issue 3214, 27 May 1889, Page 2

AMERICA.

Saißoaii affairs continue io excite interest in political circles, and afford matter for newspapers. With the Naval authorities in Washington the masterly manner in which the British warship Calliope escaped from peril is a very sorb point. Naval Constructor Bichardson does not credit the statement that the fires of the Trenton were extinguished by floods of water that came through her hawseholes. He attributes the cause of Lor wreck to insufficient engine power. The Calliope, he says, has 8000 horsepower to 2700 tons displacement, The Trenton had 8100 horse-power, but her tonnage was 8000. The prohibition amendment to tjie constitution of Massachußsetts was defeated on April 2nd by a majority 'of over ii,ooo votes. Tho liquor men are equally astonished with the total abstinanco advocates at the result,

On the ißth April James Munday, a workman, engaged in re-building a suspension bridge, fell a distance of 200 ft into the Niagara Biver. The body was seen to enter the Whirlpool but rescue was impossible. One of the most extraordinary sights ever seen for a frontier-country was presented -in the heart of the Indian territory fora week or more before April.22nd,' on which day a large area of land known as Oklahomas, formerly held as a military reservation, but lately turned over to the Interior Department, was proclaimed by the President open to settlement by Amerioan citizens. Thousands upon thousands of intend. ing settlers had gathered, waiting for the signal to advance, .arid were only lield back from anticipating ijie date fixed by the President by the presence of a large body of troops.' When the order to advance was given, the army of home-seekers flowed over the promised land like a rush, of waters when the flood gates are opened, There were some fights, and a loss of life as a consequence among- the i! |selectors"; but &J1 things considered, the settlement under ■the circumstances was effected without much trouble,