LONDON.

Daily Telegraph (Napier), Issue 2993, 28 January 1881, Page 3

LONDON.

January 18

A hurricane and snowstorm of unprecedented fury have swept over a great part of England, causing incalculable destruction to property, and involving, it is feared, great loss of life. The storm raged daring Tuesday night with appalling force, sweeping everything before it. Within the recollection of no one living has such a calamity visited any part of the United Kingdom. On the eastern coast the hurricane raged most furiously, and traffic on the railway lines with London was abandoned through the damage done to the lines and rollingstock. The condition of thousands of homeless people is pitiful in the extreme. The Thames overflowed, and submerged large areas of land. At Woolwich the pier was entirely demolished, and everywhere the disaster and devastation is incalculable.

Serious riots occurred at Wigan on January 19. Tbe weather continues mo3t inclement, and generally of a severe character. Violent snow storms of long duration have occurred in Europe and America. The Russian force under General Skobeloff still maintains the siege of Geoktepe. The Turcomans have made several vigorous sorties, but so far have been repulsed with much loss. Sir Leopold Rothchild is married, the bride being the Countess of Perugia. The ceremony was of a very • imposing character. The Prince of Wales and Lord Rosebury were among the guests. January 20.

Owing to the continued severity of the weather the Thames continues icebound, and tbe race between Hinlan and Laycock is utterly impossible for many days. It has been decided that all bets on the race bo declared off after Sunday next.

The Supreme Court ot Victoria appeal case Tempest and De Fiander v. Goldsbrough has been decided in the Privy Council, the appeal beiner discharged. The members of the British Government are exasperated by the continued obstruction of the Irish members. The Speaker suggested the appointment of a committee to search for precedents so as to extend hia powers in case of the ruling of the chair being ignored. It is considered probable that decided steps will be taken by the Ministry immediately, unless the Irish members abandon tbe course pursued, of which there is scarcely any hope. The debate, notwithstanding, the vote on the motion for an amendment to the Address, has been re-opeued in various ways, and the tactics of obstruction are vigorously pursued. A series of amendments is moved on the Address, and no sooner is one negatived than another is proposed. Mr Gladstone threatens strong measures. A frightful accident occurred at Batley, West Riding, Yorkshire. A boiler in a factory exploded, and over thirty persons were killed and wounded.

C. J. Poole, the well-known journalist, and long connected with the Metropolitan press, is dead. Over 300U inhabitants of Carrington, Lincolnshire, have deserted their homes

in consequence of the frightful storms causing the overflow of the rivers and the destruction of house property. The people have taken refuge in Lincoln and the adjacent towns and villages.