LATEST ENGLISH NEWS. (REUTER'S SPECIAL SUMMARY.) London, Feb. 21.

North Otago Times, Volume XXVIII, Issue 2456, 7 April 1880, Page 2

LATEST ENGLISH NEWS. (REUTERS SPECIAL SUMMARY.) London, Feb. 21.

General horror and indignation has been excited throughout Europe by the fresh diabolical attempt on the persons of the family of tho Czar. Tho details at present received are very meagre. The censorship of telegrams will bo more rigorous than ever, Tho following are tho latest particulars ! Shortly after seven in the evening of the 17th February, when tho Czar with tho Duchess of Edinburgh, and Prince Alexander of Bulgaria, were about to ropair to tho dining room in the Wintor Palaco, a terrific explosion was heard. The Czar was immediately after informed that tho banqueting hall was a wreck, and that the accidental delay saved him and tho Imperial family from death. Tho dinnor had been fixed for seven, and tho Emporor and the Ducheis of Edinburgh displayod wonderful composure. On search being mado, it was found that several pounds of dynamite and gun cotton had boon placed in the cellars beneath the guardroom, situated on the ground floor directly beneath tho dining saloon. The explosion was fired by a oleotric battery from some point without tho palace yot undisoovored. Tho cellars were used as joinor's shops, and wore occupied by four workmen, tlireo of whom wero arrestod. Tho fourth man is missing. ]VJany persons in tho palaco and immediate vicinity have boon arrested, At tho moment of tho oxplosion tho guard chamber bonoath the dining saloon was filled with about IGO mon, eight of whom woro killed, and 45 wounded. Such an attempt in tho heart of the Winter Palace is oonnidorod all tho moro extraordinary booiuiso bofore the Czar takes his usual wintor residence thero the most minuto examination is made in and around tho pal<\oo in ordep to prevent a repetition of an attempt similar to that made to blow up tho Imperial train near Moscow. If therefore tho explosion was really tho work of Nihilists, it ia, thought they must havo direct assistance from persons connected with the Imperial household. Queen Victoria and all tho Sovereigns of Europe tologrophod congratulations to tho Czar on his fortunate escape. A'l expectations mo now abandoned of any announcement of constitutional reform on the occasion of tho anniversary of the Emperor's accession to the throne. On the contrary extreme measures are expected to bo enforcer! throughout Russia. The Czar is greatly irritated, and harassed, and is represented as regrotting tho liberal concessions made during his reign. Tho oxplosion in tho Winter Palaco makes tho fiftfy attempt on tho Omars life within ton months. Tho Pope has issued an E.noyqlical lottor in which his Holiness declares that civil marriage is insufficient, and strongly condemns divorce. Ho says it behoves everybody to know that any union between man and woman apart from tho Sacrament has neither tho character nor value of real marriage. Divoroo is declared to be fatal to the prosperity of tho family and people, and a louroe of moral depravity. Dr Russell, of Crlmoan ronown, special correspondent to the Daily Telegraph during tho late South African war, has mado serious charges of breaohea of

discipline against several regiments in the Transvaal, accusing tho mon of plundering, drunkenness, gonor.il lawlessness, and beinj? uuoontrollablo by thoir ofiioers. Sir G. Wolseley denied tho charges, but subsequently stated that enquiries would bo made, aa the Homo authorities had determined to sift tho matter to the bottom. A blue book has boon published, containing a despatch from Sir M. HicksBeach to Sir Bar tie Frero, dated Docembor 11, in favor of solf-govornmont at Natal, and also tho Transvaal when settled and loyal. Tho Marquis of Lorno has recommended the Dominion Parliament to grant a hundred thousand dollars to tho roliof of i Irish distress. , A volunteer review will bo held at Easter on the Brighton Downs for tho first time during the last seven years. Capetown, March 14. In tho Transvaal mattors have assumed a moro settled aspect. The Boers hold a committee mooting on tho 10th, and decided to adjourn. A monster mooting is called for April, on tho same day that Major Lanyon opens tho now Legislative Council. Several Bills have beeu rend a first time, including one croating a nativo hut tax of 10s. The operatives in the Kimborley mine continue impeded by tho fallen reef, for the romoval of which a contract was recently signod, but not fulfilled, at an estimated cost of LBOO.OOO. The Hon. J. S. Spriggs has announced the introduction during next session by tho Ministry of a largo scheme of railway extension, and resolutions on tho subject of confederation. It has transpirod that the resolutions will take the shape of a conference of fiftoon delegates, six from Capo Colony, three each from Griqual and Wost Kimborley, Transvaal, and Natal. Sir Bartlo Frero will attend tho Conference.