News by the Mail.

New Zealand Mail, Issue 238, 1 April 1876, Page 8

News by the Mail.

ARRIVAL OF THE COLIMA. EUROPEAN. London, February 28. On 17th February the steamer Franconi was run into by the steamer Strathclyde of Glasgow, and fifty of her passengers were drowned. Five have been landed at Dover, and four others are reported as saved. The Franconi has put into Dover. She had her bow stove in at the water line. The Strathclyde sailed from London for Bombay, and had been in to Dover Bay to land her pilot, and as she was sheering out again, about a mile from the Admiralty Pier, she was caught by the tide, which turned her bow toward the south-east. Then the steamer Franconi coming down Channel ran into her with great force on the port quarter. Two minutes after the boilers of the Strathclyde exploded, and the steamer went to the bottom. The Franconi was badly damaged, but kept afloat. Two tugs took her in tow. The weather was clear and the sea calm at the time of the disaster. The Dover lifeboat Avas launched, but was unable to reach the scene in time to rescue any of the Strathclyde's passengers or crew. A telegram dated the 23rd says :—" Of the twenty-nine persons landed at Deal from the steamer Strathclyde many were greatly exhausted, and three have since died. The crew numbered thirty. The steamer Franconi belongs to the Hamburg and West Indian line. She was outward bound. The Strathclyde lies in the fairway, about two miles off Dover, her masts standing about twenty feet above water. Two ladies and three gentlemen are reported as having been picked up by a passing vessel bound for London. Mrs. Green, niece of Boucicault, is among the drowned. A steamer passing up the Channel collided with the masts of the Strathclyde and was sunk in fifteen minutes. All hands were saved. A sensational story was lately published in the German newspapers. An officer in the German Imperial Foot Guards was said to Lave received a cLallenge from Paris, in wLicL tLirty officers of Lis regiment were bidden to do battle with an equal number of Frenchmen. The German Government considered the matter of sufficient importance to justify the demand for explanation addressed by its Ambassador to the French authorities at the French capital. Finally' it turned out that such a challenge had really been sent, but that its sender was not a French officer, and that the insane act was repudiated by French military opinion. Edward Wilson and Co., chemists, of Manchester, have failed, with liabilities estimated at £500,000. The bullion in tLe Bank of England increased £370,000 during tLe past week. TLe proportion of reserve to liability is 42'304 per cent. The evening papers have published the following :—General Schenk's resignation has been tendered and accepted. He intends to remain in London to answer any charges that may be brought against him respecting the affairs of the Emma mine. The Times Paris despatch says :—A strange rumor is current that some Carlists who recently entered French territory mistook French soldiers for Alfonsists, and fired upon them. The French replied, and the engagement lasted ten minutes, one of the French soldiers being killed. It is said that in consequence of this occurrence, and the possibility of similar complications, Senor Molino, the Spanish Ambassador, has abandoned his intention of going to Madrid to take his seat in the Senate. Touching Count Andrassy's note, The Times says : —After having been communicated to the Ottoman Government at Constantinople, the note of Count Andrassy is made public. It is a document of great length, written in somewhat popular style, as if iutended to be read and understood by the whole world, and its expressions have a frankness and directness not generally associated with diplomatic composition. The Porte is invited to cooperate in a work from which it will reap the chief benefit, and to recognise the friendliness of the Powers who have associated themselves as peacemakers. Yet, with all this decorum of principle'and address, something peremptory shows itself in the composition which can hardly escape the general reader, and will certainly not escape the Government to which it is addressed. The reforms are full of religious liberty, the abofition of farming of taxes, a law which shall guarantee that the product of the direct contributions of Bosnia and Herzegovina shall be employed in the interests of the province itself, the institution of a Special Commission, composed of an equal number of Mussulmen and Christians, to supervise the execution of reforms, and finally an improvement of the position of the rural population. These recommendations, or rather these demands, are supported by argument which would be convincing even if the conclusion had not already been made, and for the most part admitted, by the Porte. The Agrarian system, however, has been less considered than any other special grievance of the province, and it deserves notice since it is probably the most powerful of all the causes that have produced the insurrection. The ablest part of the note is that in which the justice, reasonableness, and necessity of the reforms proposed by the Powers are explained to the Porte. The tenor of the argument might almost have been anticipated from the numerous discussions of which these unhappy provinces have been the subject. The wrongs are too palpable and notorious to give much scope for novelty. The eldest son of Boucicault, the actor and author, was among those killed in the railway collision on the Great Northern Bailway. The Queen's speech contains the following clauses :—The humane and enlightened pohcy consistently pursued by this country in putting

an end to slavery within our own dependencies, and in the suppression of the slave trade throughout the world, make it important that the action of British national ships in the territorial waters of foreign States should be in harmony with tLese great principles. I have, therefore, given directions for the issue of a Boyal Commission to inquire into all treaty engagements and other international obligations bearing upon this subject, and all instructions from time to time issued to my naval officers with a view to ascertain whether any steps ought to be taken to secure for ships and their commanders

abroad greater power for the maintenance of the right of personal liberty. The war in Spain being at an end, Don Carlos has asked France for hospitality. He informed General Pourcel, commanding at Bayonne, that he would enter France on"the morning of the 23rd of February by the bridge of Arueguy. Three thousand Carlists have entered France at St. Jean. They are crossing the frontier in hundreds, and the French will at once intern them. King Alfonso has arrived at Pampeluna. A despatch arrived at Bayonne from Abitoa, announcing that Don Carlos entered France that morning at Arueguey. London, February 29. The London Standard has the following special despatch from Madrid: Great enthusiasm prevails here. Alfonso will have a splendid reception on his return. The letter to General Pourcel giving notice of Don Cai'los' intention of entering France was written by Lizzardagga. It declares that Don Carlos, having been conquered by adverse fortune, has resolved to abandon further struggle as useless; he asks the hospitality of France. General Pourcel on receipt of the note started to interview the fugitives. Three Alfonsist army corps are advancing in the Bayonne valley. They met with no resistance. The Paris correspondent to The Times says:—lt is thought King Alfonso will very soon issue a proclamation to the nation to give thanks for peace, then he will return to Madrid, where he will make a solemn entry. At a meeting of French Liberals and Republicans, held at the house of M. Thiers, it was decided to agitate the question of the Government granting an amnesty to political offenders. The great flood in the Danube continues. Berlin is wholly under water. Trade and other matters are at a standstill. Vienna, February 29. The Wiemer Press reports a great battle as having taken place in Herzegovina, near Vassojkivich, and the Turks as totally defeated. Trieste, February 26. Twenty-two more Garibaldians have been arrested at Castel Nouvo while endeavouring to join the Herzegovinians. Paris, February 25. The following in all probability will constitute the new Cabinet :—Dufaure, Vice-Presi-dent ; Percere, Home Office ; Decarcy, War ; Walton, PuKic Instruction ; Bort, Commerce; Leon Saye, Finance. The Japanese war cloud still hangs over the Corea, whence Ave hear all sorts of contradictory reports. The latest accounts state that Kuranda and Inonye, the Japanese envoys, were well received at Fusan, but it is none the less certain that the Government is hastily pushing forward its operations for war. A l»cal shipwright has received orders to fit up the Takasago Maru (late Delta) for the accommodation of 2000 troops. As we write this we hear that Japan has declared war with Corea, but we have not yet seen the official notification. During the night of the 26th of January and the entire day of the 27th, the heaviest snowstorm which has been known here for years prevailed in Yokohama and Jeddo. Communication with the shipping in the harbor was interrupted, and the streets were rendered impassable for carriage. According to the Alee Bono SJdnbun, it is rumored that General Williams, who left our country last year, has been ordered to raise several millions by selling Japanese Government bonds. The estimated revenue of Japan for the year ending June 30, 1876, is 68,588,266 yen ; estimated expenditure, 68,498,506 yen ; estimated excess of revenue, 89,769 yen. The total national debt is 127,808,666 yen. CHINA. A correspondent to one of our Shanghai contemporaries announces that the mines some thirty miles beyond Kinkiang, and two or three miles from the banks of that great river highway the Janguize, are to be worked as soon as possible by the latest foreign appliances. To this end the authorities have secured the services of Mr. J. Morris, C.E., by whom the shaft of the now famous Takasima mine in Japan was sunk. Mr. Morris left Shanghai for the scene of his new operations, in the steamship Fusyama, on the 6th. The last report says that fresh hostilities are impending between the aborigines and the Imperialists in Formosa. Considerable activity is said to prevail at the Mamoi arsenal, Foochow, and ohe troops at the South Camp are being drilled incessantly. Nearly 15,000 persons were employed during the late Imperial obsequies at Pekin in taking the two Imperial coffins to the grave, and the Government paid each man the sum of 32A- cents. It is stated that_ the Chinese Government show some disposition to sustain the cause of Corea against Japan. AMERICA. Chicago, February 23. A horrible tragedy occurred in Warren County. Three families named Howery Dillard, and Westfall have for several years been engaged in a feud, caused by the location of roads, fences, &c. The Howery party, consisting of father, two sons and a hired man named Groom ; the Westfall party of two, and Dillard's party of three,had been to church, and on their way home the old

quarrel was renewed, when a general fight ensued, in which revolvers, bricks, stones, slung shots, knuckles, and knives were used. Twenty shots were fired. The Howery party were unarmed. The fight lasted about twenty minutes. David Howery, the father, was shot in the upper lip and left ear, and stabbed over the left eye. George, his son, was stabbed, and fell dead on the field. John, another son, was stabbed, and fell dead after going about forty rods. James G-room, the laborer for Howery, was stabbed in the right lung, breast, and back. The Westfall and Dillard party were all armed. After the battle the victors went to Dillard's house, and remained until they were arrested and lodged in gaol. New York, February 24.

The scene at Beecher's church last night is a general topic of interest. Beecher's courage, boldness, and determination challenge respect, and increase confidence in his innocence among thoughtful men. Beferring to the coming Advisory Council, he said: "You that receive brethren into your households ought to set up within your hearts a sentiment of honor. Those who come together upon this council come to hear impartially, and give such advice as the Lord may inspire in them upon the facts that shall be presented. You must not attempt in your households to bias them by your kindness in the slightest degree, or to beguile them from the fullest and fairest discharge of their duty, even if their judgment should be adverse to your convictions and mine. Every dictate of Christian honor demands that these men should be received in your families without being in the slightest degree biased by social influences." In equally strong terms he urged them not to attempt to influence the council meetings by tokens of applause or dissent. When Bowen's case came up he referred to him with evident sadness, in view of their long relations; but finally, when referring to Bowen's insinuation, he said: "If for more than fifteen years Bowen has been in possession of such facts as he now alleges in his letter, and never mentioned them to me or any officer of this church, nor in any wise brought them to the knowledge of the church itself, he deserves to be expelled for violation of his covenant. (Great applause.) If I am what he alleges I have been, and he knew and permitted it without a, word of warning to me or to the church itself, he has committed a crime against his church and against morality. His allegation is a lie, and before God I so pronounce it. I do not propose that he shall hide himself, nor will I permit anything to be hidden about me by having it referred to these gentlemen, with the understanding that they shall keep the proceedings laid before them secret, and only let out what they choose. Since the matter has been published with his name attached to it, he has got to face these things, and produce his evidence. For myself, I have only this to say : I pronounce all the insinuations and allegations that he has made to be false, and with Almighty God before me, and looking to the Judgment Day, I -arraign him as a slanderer and a liar." Beecher sat down overpowered ; and the congregation became wild as its waves of cheers and shouts of applause reverberated through the room, subsiding only to break out anew again and again despite every effort to repress them by cries of " Order." Washington, February 24. There is definite authority for a positive assertion denying in toto the alleged Cabinet troubles. Attorney-General Pierrepont said to day that there was positively no foundation for the reports of a Cabinet rupture. The President has authorised the contradiction of the report that Bristow's resignation has been demanded. Our despatches from Washington indicate that prominent officials there are still agitating the silver question. It is officially announced that the question of issuing subsidiary coin will without doubt be a subject of discussion at the Cabinet session, and it is asserted that should a favorable decision be then reached an issue of silver will commence early. Mr. Swan reported back the correspondence in reference to General Schenck's connection with the Emma mine. The report states that Schenck resigned from the Emma mine directory at the request of the Executive, and that the Government had no official knowledge of his connection with Michado claims. Secretary Eish concludes that so far as reflections have been cast upon General Schenck in the course of the prosecution of these claims, or because of the presentment of them by him to the British Government, a sense of justice compels me to say, " I am satisfied that such reflections are unjust, and that General Schenck is open to no imputation whatever arising therefrom." General Schenck telegraphed to Mr. Eish on November 27, 1875, expressing his pain and surprise at the telegrams from the United States, published in Bondon, regarding his connection with the Emma mine, but stated that he would withdraw from the board rather than embarrass the Administration. Reverdy Johnson died at Annapolis, in Maryland, on Wednesday, February 9, from injtiries resulting from an accidental fall. In June, 1868, he was appointed Minister to England, where he negotiated the treaty for the settlement of the Alabama claims, which was rejected by the Senate. Up to the time of his death, at the advanced age of seventy-nine years, there was no indication of the decay of his intellect or the failure of his great powers. David Turley was hung at Tuamento on the 25th of February, for the murder of William Roseville in April last. Life became extinct after he had hung fifteen minutes. General Babcock, charged with conspiracy in connection with the whisky frauds, has been acquitted. The President gave evidence on his behalf. There are great rejoicings over the event at St. Louis. Babcock has sent in hi 3 resignation as Private Secretary to the President. New York, February 26. A German banking house here has received a telegram from Europe announcing the fact (

that the police at Brussels have discovered counterfeit bonds of the New York Central and California and Oregon Railroad Companies. It is presumed that these bonds were issued by one of the noted forgers now m the Tombs, and were sent over to the other side either for sample or to borrow money upon. By a tornado in Princeton, Indiana, over fifty houses were demolished, and fifty more injured. Eight persons were injured, four mortally. In the break of the storm it was impossible to trace the line of streets. The great four mile and repeat race at San Francisco for a purse of 30,000d015., given by the Pacific Jockey Club, obtained eight entries, and was won by Forster, an Oregon horse. Peek, a mining expert, has sued Michael Castel for 200,000d015. damages in a contract in regard to the stock of the Ophir mine. The Treasury authorities at Washington charge that the resolution recently adopted by the House of Representatives, calling on the Secretary of the Treasury to report within ten days the actual amount of gold owned by the Government available for specie payments, is a move in the interest of Wall-street gamblers, who, it is said, are bulling gold on the strength of the resolution. A man named William Oldham is charged at San Francisco with attempting to extort money from his divorced wife. A great bank robbery was committed at Bakers Field on the 18th February. The cashier, Sansing, said while putting away the books in the safes he went to attend to a knock at the door. A man entered and knocked him down with a club insensible, and then stole 27,000d015. Chief Officer Ellis was notified, and at once despatched Detectives Keyser and Stone to the scene of the robbery. Within a short time they discovered that Sansing was the true thief, and arrested him forthwith. Sansing then made a clean breast of the affair, and told the officers where to look for the funds. Eight thousand dollars were found concealed in an outhouse, and the remainder had been secreted in the wall of the bank. A hole had been cut in the wall paper, and the money dropped down the hole. It was then concealed by hanging a picture over it. The cashier was arrested, and all the money recovered to the extent of 200,000d015. He is being tried in New York. The States of Louisiana and Mississippi are impeaching their Governors. London, February 28. The Mark Lane Express in its weekly review of the corn trade says : The grain trade for the week has been dull and uninteresting. Imports have moderate, although it is doubtful whether the stocks on hand are as lai'ge as have been imagined. The warehouses are probably fairly filled, notwithstanding the steady depletion which has been in progress since the end of 1875. We are now approaching a period of critical importance regarding supplies. The large fleet from South-eastern Europe, which has recently been an incubus on trade, has been almost cleared up, and the stoppage of shipments from icebound ports must greatly reduce supplies. Add to this the diminution of farmers' stock, and we can reasonably conclude that the plethora will shortly be over. A feature of the grain trade now is that our near continental neighbors are not so well supplied, and a relaxation of rates here would lead to an inquiry from there. Altogether the trade seems healthy, subject only to contingencies of more than usually open weather and increased supplies, which now seem improbable.