THE LATEST.

Marlborough Daily Times, Volume X, Issue 314, 25 February 1888, Page 2

THE LATEST.

ALARM IN ITALY AT THE MASSING OF FRENCH TROOPS. A PACIFIC ASSURANCE FROM RUSSIA. FIRE AT A PENAL ESTABLISHMENT. THE SOUTH AUSTRALIAN MINING MANIA. CRICKET, BRUTAL CRIMINAL ASSAULT ON WOMEN. Per Electric Telegraph—Copyright. United Press Association. Received Feb 24, 11 p.m. London, Feb 23. At the annual banquet of tho Chamber of Commerce, the Right Hon. Anthony Muudella urged that the manufacturing districts should be largely represented at tho Melbourne Exhibition in order to counteract the foreign display. Rome, Eeb 23.

The massing of French troops on the frontier is causing some alarm here, and is being discussed in the Chamber of Deputies. St. Petersburg, Feb 23.

The Mes-enger Official, iu an article on the Bulgarian question, states that Prince Ferdinand’s presence and acts at Sofia are a distinct violation of the Berlin Treaty, and all that Russia seeks to do is to induce the Powers to both declare the Treaty inviolable, and bring the Sultan of Turkey to inform Bulgaria that the election of Prince Ferdinand is illegal, and that he is merely a robber of power. It concludes by, asserting that Russia rejects the idea of forcibly restoring her legal status in Bulgaria. Received Feb 25, 1.25 a.m.

In the House of Commons, Sir James Fergusson, Under Secretary for Foreign Affairs, made a statement in connection with the recent expulsion of the Rev Mr Jones from the New Hebrides. The French Government declare that the reason Mr Jones was expelled was on account of his actively propagating a proposal to have the group annexed to Australia despite the warning given him by the French authorities.

Dublin, Feb 24 w The Rev. Father Konnedy, of 1 Cork, lias been sentenced to two months’ imprisonment for attending a meeting of a branch of the Land League, which had been suppressed. Received Feb 24, 10. p.m. Brisbane, Feb 21. f Great excitement was earned here to-day on the report that he Queensland Penal Establishmeit on St Helen’s Island, situated a Moreton Bay and 22 miles froc this town, was on fire and that th • convicts were escaping. A large body of armed police went on board the steamer to proceed to tho Island, but it was ascertained that the gas house on tho Island was ablaze and that tho terrified men, thinking the prison was on fire, set up a-screaming and had to bo released from the cells. The fire soon burnt itself out, and tranquility was restored. Adelaide, Feb 24. Tho mining mania is stronger than ever and fresh are. being floated daily. Apery large amount of capital is pouring in from England and the Colonies. Sydney, Feb 24. A cricket match was com-, menced to-day between Lillywhite’s team and a new Australian eleven, The Englishmen went first to the wickets and were disposod of for 173; Shrewsbury 57, Preston 27, Rougher 22 and Ulyett 18. Turner took five wickets and Trott three. Thero was only a small attendance; the wicket was in moderate condition. The game was frequently interrupted by rain showers.

Received Feb 24, 11 p.m. Sydney, Feb 21

The Australians have lost three wickets for 21 runs; Jones, not out, 10, Melbourne, Eeb 24. Two startling assault on women hands of the police. One was committed iu the middle of the month, and only became known through the victim being on the point of death. In the other case a number of men are concerned, and in both instances the victims were brutally illused. Received Feb 25, 1.15 a.in. Sydney, Feb 24. Arrived —Union Company’s s.Sj Hauroto, from Wellington. Brisbane, Fob 21. The Government steamer Otter collided with Messrs Elowurd Smith

and Co.’s steamer Derwent in the river to-da;. Doth vessels had large holes knocked in them, which will take considerable time to repair. The Derwent v '.a ordy prevented from sinking by her water-tight compartments.