BRITISH AND FOREIGN.

Lyttelton Times, Volume LXI, Issue 7223, 24 April 1884, Page 4

BRITISH AND FOREIGN.

[Br ELECTRIC TELEGRAPH-COPYRIGHT. ,]

[Reuter’s Telegrams.]

[Received April 23, at 11 a.m.'l EARTHQUAKE IN ENGLAND. LONDON, April 22.

A very severe shock of earthquake was experienced this morning over the eastern counties of England. The shake lasted fully thirty seconds, and caused considerable alarm. Great damage has been done to buildings in several towns, and at Colchester, in Essex, the spire of a church has been overthrown. So far as is known, no loss of life occurred, THE AUSTRALIAN CRICKETERS. Boyle, Midwinter, and Alexander arrived to-day, and the rest of the Australian cricketers will arrive on Monday next. The team will again take up their quarters at the Tavistock Hotel, Coven fc Garden. In addition to the matches already arranged , one has now been fixed to take place at Liverpool towards the end of June. [Received Auril 23, at 10.10 p.m.l LONDON, April 22. The Homeward mails via Suez and Brindisi, dated Melbourne, March 1, were delivered here to-day. SAN FRANCISCO, April 22. The City of Sydney, with the Homeward mails, dated Auckland, April 1, arrived yesterday, two days in advance of the contract time. [Received April 24, at 12.50 a.m.] LONDON, April 23. The Committee of the Surrey County Cricket Club has invited the members of the Australian team to the Club’s annual dinner on May 6. VILLAGES WRECKED. The earthquake which occurred yesterday in the eastern Counties was severely felt over a large area. Several villages were completely wrecked, and numerous casualties are reported to have occurred. CAIRO, April 22. A rumour has reached here that Berber has yielded to the rebels, and is now in the hands of the followers of El Mahdi. No authentic details are to hand. [Special to Press Association.] [Received April 23, at 7.15 p.m.] LONDON, April 22. Sir H. B. Loch, the new Governor of Victoria, leaves for Australia by the Orient steamer, John Elder. FOREBODINGS OF WAR. The Fall Mall Gazette says that the undecided policy of the English Government with regard to affairs in Egypt will result in a war with France. THE EARTHQUAKE. A very severe shock of earthquake has been felt in the East of England. It was felt most severely in the counties of Essex and Suffolk. The damage at Colchester, in Essex, is estimated at <£lo,ooo. Two churches and several villages were wrecked. The shock was felt heavily at Ipswich, Chelmsford, and the village of Southend. It was likewise experienced in the Strand, No one was injured. The English Government assert that the position of Gordon Pasha is not critical, and they deny that he has requested troops to he sent to his assistance at Khartoum. I Received April 24, at 1 a.m.'l DEFEAT OF THE BRITISH GOVERNMENT. LONDON, April 23. On a division in the House of Commons, on the Cattle Disease Bill, the Government were seriously defeated. Nubar Pasha. President of the Council of Ministers, has threatened to resign his position unless the Egyptian army is sent to the relief of Berber. Sir Evelyn Wood, with his army, is making preparations to relieve Berber, and will do so unless he is prohibited by the English Government. The Orient Steamship Company have not declared a dividend this year. The Conference to consider the position of affairs in Egypt has not yet been summoned together. Lord Lyons has had another interview with M. Ferry, and is endeavouring to obtain the views of the French Premier on the Egyptian and other questions. SHIPPING. The New Zealand Shipping Company, Limited, have received the following telegram:— LONDON, April 22. The s.s. lonic arrived, all well, at Rio de Janeiro on April 20, and sailed for London on April 21. The Fenstanton arrived at Madeira on April 22, and imported in time for wool on hoard to be included in the May sales.