LATE ENGLISH ITEMS.

Waikato Times, Volume XVI, Issue 1391, 2 June 1881, Page 3

LATE ENGLISH ITEMS.

Extensive frauds have been unearthed in connection with the letting of the Government mail routes, and the conspirators to defraud are arrested. On the arrival of the steamship Victoria, of tho Anchor line, from London, with several smallpox cases 1 in the steerage, the quarantine physicians proceeded to vaccinate all the passengers, nearly 1000. They were met by expected opposition from the Russians and Poles, who threatened to brain the medical officer. Force had to be resorted to, and even then the combined crews of the steamers were insufficient. All who were not vaccinated were taken to Dixs Island until they made up their minds to submit. Nothing has yet been done with Lord Dufferin. Mr Gladstone is anxious to send him somewhere, because he spoke so freely against the Land Bill. A New York black-mailing journal called Truth has been mulcted in 2500 dollars for libel on a gentlemen named W. P. G. Shanks. The suit was brought for 250,000 dollars. An organised band of buccaneers is said to exist on the Louisiana and Mississippi coast, and the Governor of the latter State lias just offered 500 dollars for the capture of I. C. Denham, the chief of the band. The fasting woman of lowa City, Hattie ' Duell, died on the 11th inst., after 47 days abstention from food. It is intended to import 10,000 French labourers and a corps of engineers, to work on the Denver and Eio Grande Railroad extension. When this work is finished, the corps will be dispatched as required, to different parts of the country wheie similar work is going on. Joaquin Miller, tho poet, has published a new book, called "The Shadows of Shesta, " designed to expose the hideous outrages perpetrated by the United States Government upon Western Indians. The Niw Toil Trihinw endorses it, while speaking ot the "Ineffable disgrace of the Government which makes its army the instrument for oppressing and pillaging the weak, and a tool of pimps and thieves. Rev R. H. Smith, Supeiintendent of Methodist Missions, and head of the Church in Butish Columbia, lias dcclaied hib disbelief in the doctrine of eternal punishment, and no longer bound by the close standard of the Church. It i& said he will be followed in his secession by a number of Methodists, and that an independent Cnurch will be formed. Buonaventura, New Granada, was destroyed by fire on the 12th ult., loss 1,000,000 dollars. Over 1,500 people were rendeied homeless, and are bordering on starvation. Sitting Bull finally refines to surrender to the United States authorities, as he fears the Government intends to hang him along with all the other Indian chiefs. The Irish Land Bill drags heavily, and the second reading is not expected till the 16th inst. The best speech, so far, is Lefevre's. Divisions grow in the Irish camp. O'Connor Power has declared in favor of the Bill, and A. M. Sullivan has seceded from Parnell because the latter has advised the Irish members to abstain from voting. The proclamation of the city of Dublin was caused by a discovery of a supposed Fenian conspiracy. No deep regret is expressed among the Irish members at Dillons arrest. The performance of Wagner's "Nibelungen Trilogy " in Berlin was very successful. Twelve thousand Russian convicts are to be sent to Siberia. The first deportation will take place on the 10th inst. The Herald says ' ' the idea of a Wotld's fair in New York is not popular, nor does it grow in popularity. The wisest plan is to abandon it altogether."