The Lyttelton Times. MONDAY, JUNE 7, 1897.

Lyttelton Times, Volume XCVII, Issue 11288, 7 June 1897, Page 4

The Lyttelton Times. MONDAY, JUNE 7, 1897.

There is terrible distress among _ the Greek fugitives in Thessaly and Epirus. It is reported that they are compelled to subsist on grass, and that many of them are in a state of nakedness. Mr Seddon has had an interview with Mr Chamberlain, who expressed gratification at the splendid response of the colonies to his invitation that they should participate in the Jubilee celebrations.

Mr Seddon was informed by Mr Cham' berlain that the subjects to be discussed at the conference of Colonial Premiers and the Home authorities will include the questions of closer trade relations, the increase of the Australian auxiliary squadron and the improvement of colonial land defences, the restriction of alien immigration and the administration of affairs in the Pacific, Further news respecting the reported outbreak of plague among the natives in the Transvaal is to the effect that there has been appalling mortality. The eating of the flesh of cattle affected with rinderpest is responsible for the deaths. The British Government is not disposed to accept a' suggestion that the Irish, dynamiters now in prison should be released on the occasion of the Eecord Reign celebrations. The Earl and Countess of Ranforly have left London for New Zealand. A Commission is to be appointed to revise the Grondwet, or fundamental law of the Transvaal. The Newcastle coal-owners, after a conference with representatives of the miners, declined to raise the selling price of coal so_ that an increase in the hewing rate might be granted. The Canterbury Trades and Labour Council declines to take part in the Record Eeign procession on June 23, and Las requested the Demonstration Committee to see that employes are not compelled, against their personal wishes, to work at their trades in the procession. Messrs P. Hayman and Co.’e premises at Wellington were destroyed by fire on Saturday evening. The damage is estimated at .£IO,OOO over the insurances, which amount to .£27,500. A proposal to erect a statue of the Queen, mark the Diamond Jubilee, is being considered in Auckland. The Qneen-Eegent of Swain has summoned Marshal Campos, who commanded the Spanish forces in Cuba prior to the appointment of General Weyler, to consult with her as to the revolt in the island. At the Epsom Summer Meeting, the Oaks Stakes was won by Limasol, with Chelandry second and Fortalice third. In the senior football matches on Saturday, Linwood defeated Christchurch by twenty-five points to three, Kaiapbi beat Sydenham by ten points to six, and in the match Merivale vei’sus Albion, the former won by twenty-nine points to nil.