SPECIAL TELEGRAMS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XVIII, Issue 6270, 21 December 1881, Page 5

SPECIAL TELEGRAMS.

( BY CABLE. [rkuter's telegrams.] TERRIBLE COLLIERY EXPLO- , SION. London, December 19. A disastrous, explosion of fire damp occurred to-day, at the Abram Colliery, near Wigan, in Lancashire, by which it is feared that many' lives have been lost. A large number of men were at work at the time the disaster occurred, and. of these fully 200 have not yet rescued. SEIZURE OP DYNAMITE AND GUNPOWDER. FURTHER ARRESTS. London, December 19. News to hand from Ireland states that the police yesterday proceeded to a house in Dublin and made an extensive seizure of dynamite, gunpowder, and arms, and in addition a number of documents implicating several people.' The persons in charge of the house were arrested, and the arrest of others will be made forthwith. THE OPENING OF PARLIAMENT. London, December 19. The statement which has been current to the effect that the Queen would open Parliament in person is officially denied. DEATH OF MR. G. E. STREET. London, December 19. Obituary : George Edmund Street, tlie eminent architect, aged 57. DESTRUCTIVE HURRICANE IN ENGLAND. London, December 19. A storm of unusual severity was experienced over great part of England last night. The wind blew with hurricane force, and caused immense destruction to property in several places. COLONIAL NEWS. THE NEW FLAGSHIP. Perth, December 20. H.M.s. Nelson, Commodore James Erskine, under orders to relieve the Wolverene as flagship of the Australian Squadron, arrived here to-day. PROROGATION OF NEW SOUTH WALES PARLIAMENT. Sydney, December 20. Both Houses of the New South Wales Parliament were prorogued today by His Excellency the Governor, Lord Augustus Loftus, who, in the speech on the occasion, reviewed the chief events of the past session., With reference to the Chinese Immigration Regulation Bill, the speech stated that, in its present form, the measure would attain the desired object without inflicting any injury upon the Chinese now resident in the colony, and without in any way prejudicing the commercial relations of the colony with China. The speech then referring to the Act under which the procedure of the City Police Court has been modified, described the changes which have been introduced as being a great improvement, and as giving much satisfaction to the public. The new Licensing Act was a great benefit to the community, connecting as it did the operation of the law with the responsibility of the citizen. The railway extension was making rapid progress, and would continue with vigour. The financial position of the colony was satisfactory, and the revenue has been well sustained. Parliament stands prorogued to the 28th of February next.

CRICKET MATCH. Melbourne, December 20. The cricket match, the English team versus an eleven of Victoria, "was continned to-day. The weather during the day was fine, and the wicket more lively than yesterday. The visitors continued their second innings, which closed for 19S, Shrewsbury being not out for 80. The home team then went for their second innings, and were all disposed of for 75 runs. The bowling of the Englishman was dead on the wicket, but their fielding wae weak. Great excitement prevailed towards the conclusion of the game, which thus resulted in a victory for the English Eleven by 18 runs. The scores are as follow :—First innings : Englishmen, 14G; Australians, 247. Second innings: Englishmen, 198; Australians, 75.

DEATH OF A QUEENSLAND NOTABLE. Brisbane, December 20. Sir Joshua Bell. President of the Legislative Council, while driving in a cab to-day, was seized with a fit, and died suddenly, The cause of death is believed to have been apoplexy. The deceased was 55 years of age. He had held the position of President of the Council since March, 1879, and was created Knight Commander of the Order of St. Michael and St. George only last month. PROROGATION OF VICTORIAN PARLIAMENT. Melbourne, December 20. It is expected that Parliament will be prorogued this week. SHIPPING. Melbourne, December 20. Sailed : Yesterday afternoon, the Union Company's Steamship Ringarooma, for the Bluff.

THE UNIVERSITY FRACAS. Melbourne, December 20. The decision of the University Coun-' cil in connection -with the • fracas > be-; tween the professors, has been amended.Professor Elkington has been for one month, and Professor Mansoh. has been fined .£SO.