EUROPEAN CABLEGRAMS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XVIII, Issue 5999, 8 February 1881, Page 5

EUROPEAN CABLEGRAMS.

[PER s.s. rotomahana, at the bluff.] London, Janu-uy 26. The Greek Government regard the proposals of the Porte to hold a conference of the Powers at Constantinople for the settlement of the frontier dispute with suspicion, and have asked Germany to interfere on their behalf. The Basutos, having been pressed by the colonial troops, and having had most of their cattle captured, are now reported to be starving. A riotous meeting of sympathisers with the Irish Land League have been held at Chicago. London, January 27. Turkey now holds out some prospects of granting a concession, with a view to the settlement of the Greek claims to additional territory. The long sitting of the House of Commons, induced by the determination of the Government to obtain precedence for their Irish measures, has caused a good deal of public excitement. The Times, in referring to the recent proceedings in its leading columns, saya that Parliamentary Government has been reduced to an absurdity. A sharp shock of earthquake lias been felt in Berne, Switzerland. No serious damage was done. Mr. Libouchere, the member for Northampton, and the editor of Truth, is opposing Mr. Forster's Irish Coercion Bill. During the debate in the House of Commons on the

Irish Coercion Bill, Mr. Bright made a great speech in support of the measure, in the course of which he - denounced the Laud League, and said that its proceedings degraded Ireland. He touched upon the proposed land legislation for Ireland, and hinted that the measure which it was intended to introduce would be efficacious. The revenue returns of the Dominion of Canada shows a splendid result. Sir G. Colley attacked the Boers at Laimwent, and, after some sharp fighting, was repulsed. The casualties were heavy. Sir G. Colley still holds the camp near Laimpuck, and is awaiting the arrival of reinforcements before again attacking the enemy. Loxdo.v, January 29. Sir G. Colley, with the force at his command, advanced from Ingoe to Laimpuck. At 6 o'clock in the morning he sent forward his artillery, and they shelled the heights to the right of his position. The sSth Regiment, under Colonel Bond, then attempted to storm the height held by the enemy in force. The Boers, seeing this manoeuvre on the part of the British, rapidly brought up reinforcements and on the regiment inflicted severe loss. The British colours, which had , fallen into the hands of the enemy, were recaptured at the point of the bayonet. Colonel B. M. Deane, Deputy-Adjutant and Quartermaster-General on the Staff, and Captain Inman were amongst the killed. The Boers butchered the wounded who fell into their hands. Sir George Colley is now entrenched in a safer position pending the arrival of reinforcements. A meeting, held at the Mansion House, and presided over by the Lord Mayor, in order to stimulate the proposed exhibition of foreign and colonial wools, to be held at the Crystal Palace in Sydenham, was very successful. Loxdox, January 31. Sir George Colley, who is now encamped at Lampuek, reports hopefully of the state of affairs. Those who were the worst wounded, he says, are well, but the loss of officers in the recent engagement was serious.