MAIL ITEMS.

Waikato Times, Volume XXII, Issue 2621, 30 April 1889, Page 2

MAIL ITEMS.

Tun mail steamer Zealandia arrived i Auckland on Sunday afternoon.

John Bright died at half-past eight on March 27th. His end was peaceful, the physicians say painless. He had been iu a comatose condition since the day preceding, and died without regaining consciousness. All the family were present at Ins bedside.

The British Cabinet has decided to propose at the next session of Parliament, a land purchase scheme for Ireland. The scheme is similar to Chamberlain's plan. The Ministry has also resolved to introduce in ISO! an Irish Local Government Bill. The measure provides for alterations in tho management of the internal affairs of Ireland, with a considerable grant of Home Rule.

Mr Fronde says of the Homo Rule: — " Home Rule will be the tirstand probably irrevocable step towards the separation of the islands ; it will increase the wretchedness of Ireland, and will bn followed at no distant period by the break up of the British Empire."

Jem Smith, tho English pugilist, injured his foot severely on March 2!l, and it is pro bable the proposed figlit with Mitchell will not nonie off. The latter claims forfeit.

According to the S'.andard, C"iiiit Herbert Bismarck's interviews with Lord Salisbury have resulted in a complete understanding between Germnny and England..

Sir Philip Henry Currie will suuc.e'l Si J. Pauncefote, the New British Minister ti tho United States, as Permanent Under Secretary of State for Jf'oreign Affairs.

All the reputable paper linns in London deny the report that a syndicate of paper manufacturers in England representing £2,000,000 had been formed to raise the price of paner.

The British Government intend to iay a sub-marine cablo between Bermuda and Halifax.

England has demanded of Morocc. £50,000 indemnity for the massacre and pil lage of the Mackenzie factory at Jfor Jui.g.

The recent foundering of the French torpedo boat off Harfleur has created a pain ful impression. Fifty-three similar vessels were constructed, but badly designed. The Minister of Marino has ordered they shall not leave port till reconstructed, and proved in every way seaworthy. The Manchester Guardian considers the United States has been blocked north and .south in the attempt to secure exclusive trade privileges—first by the action of tho Canadian Parliament with refereuce to Caitwright's reciprocity motion, and second, by tho conclusion of a new treaty between Mexico and England. The great Eiffel tower was opened in Paris on March 31. Mr Stead, of the Pall Mall Gazette, had a narrow escape from death. He was inspecting the tower in company with M. Cletnenceau when a sudden storm of wind and hail came up. Mr Stead was only thirty yards from the top of the tower when he fell over some looso planks, and narrowly escaped a fall of 800 feet by clinging desperately to some projecting ironwork until M. Olemenceau and some workmen came to his assistance. A movement has been made in influential quarters in the United States to abolish the Electoral College, and to elect the president by a direct popular vote. Harriet lieuchor Stowe, the authoress of " Uncle Tom's Cabin," has become an imbecile.