ADDITIONAL CABLES.

Auckland Star, Volume XII, Issue 3546, 17 December 1881, Page 3

ADDITIONAL CABLES.

LONDON, December 6. In connection with the inqairy now boiDg prosecuted by the Royal Commission oil the defence of British1 possessions and commerce abroad, the War Office has decided to despatch Licutenant-Colouel Crossman, of the Koyal Engineers, to report upon tho best means of providing for the defence of colonial harbours of importance. Sydney, as a point of defence, was especially recognised in Colonel Crossman's instructions.

The rumour which has been extensivelycirculated that Italy and Kussia wcro likely shortly to commence hostilities aeainst Austria is now found tv be purely fictitious. Major-Ucneral Woods, who, since tho death of General Colley has acted as Governor of Natal, has been offered the permanent position, with increased salary, in place of Mr Scndall, who has been recalled in deference to the wishes of Natal colonists.

By a flagrant defiance of articles 12 and 26 of tho Transvaal Convention, the Boers are endoavouring to ruin English traders who remain in tho country by subjecting them to a «pccics of boycotting similar to that practised in Ireland. Lord Hill has been arrested on suspicion of having committed a great robbery of the family jewels. -The jewels which have been abstracted arc estimated to be worth £40,000.

In consequence of the recent outrage on slaves. H,M. Philomel has Ibccn ordered to blockade the island of Zanzibar.

Tho Dutch Government announces that it has received assurances from Great Britain that she does not contemplate assuming the sovereignty of Borneo. The authorities have discovered that the Irish National League are endeavouring to perfect their military organisation. Numbers of adherents are secretly drilled at midnight in various parts of the country by recognised military chiefs. Ad attempt has been made to destroy its Court-house at Montreal, one of the

.incipal buildings of the city, by ap explosive machine charged with dynamite. The outrage is attributed to American i'enians in convention.

The Irish Americans now sitting at licago have organised a rebellion fund >,nounting to §250,000 to be expended in .sistancc to the Irish, to obtain their national independence.

When the result of tho election for Londonderry became known, the defeated party created serious disturbance, and pelted the Solicitor-General with stones. Sir Samuel Wilson on the other hand was loudly cheered, and was carried to his hotel shoulder-high by several of his enthusiastic supporters. He threatens to petition against the return of his opponent

An anonymous letter has been received from one of the accomplices in the outrages committed at the Mausoleum attached to Earl Crawford's bouse, Aberdeen, in which the writer confeasecd that he was hired by two men, who were strangers to him, to Btcal the body of tnc late Karl of Crawiord from the family vault, to enable thorn to learn the art of embalming.

LUJSDON, December 6.

Hear-Admiral Sullivan has been appointed to succeed Earl Clauwilliam in command of the Detached Squadron. In connection with the |proposed visit of tho Australian eleven's to England next season, matches have been arranged with 17 county teams, with the Gentlemen of England, the Universities, the Players of England, and All England eleven. It is proposed that the Australian eleven should receive half the gate money. The promoters in England are awaiting the acceptance of terms offered.

An Irishman, named Tobio, who was arrested at Middlesborough on the 14th ult, on suspicion of being connected with a Fenian Lodge at Bradford, Yorkshire.is now procuring evidence to shew that the Bradford " centre" comprises 250 fenians. A great tire has occurred in Minnesota, one of the chief wheat producing States of America. Fonr flour mills and ono cotton mill have been completely destroyed, and four men perished in ilamcs. The loss occasioned by the fire is estimated at £80,000. Six men have been rescued from tho ruins of Calf Kock Lighthouse. Bantay Bay, which was destroyed during the gales which prevailed on the Irish Coast on November 27 and 28. Wigram and Sons, ship-owners, of Lead-cnball-street, have entered into contracts for the construction of three powerful steamers of 4,000 tons each, to be employed in the London and Australian trade.

It is understood that if it is the wish of the Zulu people that Cetewayo Bhould retntn to Ms native country, the British Government will direct his release from Oade Mallin farm, where he is at present confined. Another unsuccessful attempt has been made to blow np the Court-house at Montrea by means of an infernal machine.