ADDITIONAL MAIL NEWS.

Westport Times, Volume VI, Issue 1006, 20 September 1872, Page 2

ADDITIONAL MAIL NEWS.

Sax Francisco, Aug. 20. Another awful steamboat explosion has occurred in Wisconsin. Thirtvtbree persons were aboard, and ouly three women and eight men have been found ; one of them since died, and all are injured. The steamboat sunk in 10ft water. The ' Atla California' contains a letter exposing the report published in the New Zealand papers as a debate in Congress on the Australian Steamship Bill. The report of the debate, as] furnished to the Colonial press, in] which over a column and a half is given as Senator Chandler's and othe'j Senators' is pronounced a bast deception. He draws attention to the Congressional record to prove that no such speech was made on the Bill, and states, for the information of the Colonial Press, that the Australian Steamship Bill was unanimously recommended by both the Senate and House Committee, and was not brought to a final vote, and stands on the paper with many odier Bills for next session, when it is firmly believed thot it will pass. The Spanish Government have decided to abolish slavery in the Spanish dominions. A Suez despatch reports that 2000 Egyptians were advancing on Abyssinia with a view to conquest. The Emperor Kassai was marching to meet them, but it is thought that his defeat ia certain, and that Magdala will eventually fall into the hands of the invaders.

The Secretary of the mixod Commission at Washington says that twenty of the claims by the British against America had been disposed of at less than 3 per cent of the amount claimed, and the award of a large number of cases is ready. Several awards for direct damages have been made by the Geneva Commission, and it is expected that on conclusion of the adjudication a sum will he awarded to America, thereby avoidmg a reference to the board of Commissioners.

From Belize, Honduras, a leHet' says, the schooner Lizzie Webstei\ from New Orleans, was wrecked 011 the Island of Cozumelo. The inhabitants discharged the cargo, onethird of which was seized for thu Zakatan Government, one third for salvage, and the rest stolen by natives' who stole all the clothing and every thiug belonging to the passengen, J. 5 in number, iueluding three ladies. Seven children were left entirely destitute.