NEWS BY CABLE.

Manawatu Herald, Volume III, Issue 51, 25 February 1881, Page 3

NEWS BY CABLE.

_# — ; (retjter's telegrams). Melbourne, February 22. Owing to a misunderstanding Swan, of New Zealand, and Baker have retired from the six days' walking contest, which is now proceeding. Brisbane, February 22. Five escapees from New Caledonia have landed on Stradbrooke Island, Moreton Bay, in a nude state, and nearly starving. Their immediate arrest has been ordered by the authorities. London, February 21. News to hand from the West Coast of Africa announces that the Ashantees have collected their army, and have commenced an advance on Sierra Leone, with the view of prossecutiug hostilities against the colony. Mr Parnell addressing a meeting at Clare to-day, exhorted his auditors to adhere firmly to the programme of action which had been laid down by the League. In the House of Commons to-day, Mr Gladstone, replying to a. question, made a statement in which he confirmed the previously announced fact that negotiations have been opened through the President of the Orange Free State, to bring about if possible a bloodless and honorable understanding with the Boers in the Transvaal. At the wool sales today, 7900 bales were catalogued, making a total of 45,800 offered since the opening. The tone of today's auction was quiet. In the House of Commons today, the consideration of the Irish Coercion Bill in committee of the whole House was concluded, and the Bill reported to the House. The third reading of the inesure is expected to be completed without delay. Capetown, February 21. Telegrams from Natal report that Sir Evelyn Wood has left Pieterenaritzburg with a large body of the reinforcements, and has made a brilliant reconuaisance in force through the Ingogo District where the encounters with the Boers have lately taken place. News has been received from Blomfontein that the Volkorood, ( or Parliament of the Orange Free ] State, has passed a resolution authorising the passage of the British troops through the State from Basutoland into the Transvaal.