CABLEGRAMS.

Oamaru Mail, Volume II, Issue 587, 20 March 1878, Page 2

CABLEGRAMS.

LATEST HoME NEWS.

EUROPEAN AFFAIRS TN A CRITICAL STATE. (reuter's telegkams, per press agency.) London, March 15. Sir Stafford Nort .cote, replying to n qu stion in the House of Commons, said that tlie negotiations for an European congress stilf continued, out the British Government required before agreeing to filter the conference that all the peace conditions should be submitted for consideration, and added that tiie decision of the majority would not necessarily be considered as binding. England would maintain her own views. St. Peteusbuugu, March 15. It is seuii-oiiioially stated here that Russia refuses to accept the demands of En-land regarding. t'io treaty of peac ■ which Turkey submitted for the cons:dera•iiui of the congress. Athens, Marc'i 15. The official journal annouec-s that Lluasia refuses to accept the proposal to admit Greece to the En-<>pean Congress. London, March 16. Doubts exists as to whether the Congress will meet at all. Warlike preparations in England coniuue. Marc'i 11.

The European situation is menacing. T .e British ironclad squadron at Galli:>o]i has been reinforced. Constantinople, March 17.

The Russians have occupied Plate.iti, iear Fi'iiir, commanding the Black Sea nrrance to ihe Bosphoroiis. Tin; Russian troops near Bulair have been reinforced.

St. Petehsbcrcjh, March IS. The ratilication of the treaty of peace •as been exchanged between Russia and Turkey. Vienna, March 18. It is reported that serious negotiations are pr >ceeding between the Austrian Minister for "Foreign Affairs and the British Ambassador at tuis city respectin.' an alliance between Austria and Eng.and. Constantinople. March IS. Tiie Russians have arrived ax Rojuk•leue, on the shores of the Bosphorns. Great excitement is manifested in consequence. 1 March 10. Reinforcements of 23,000 Russian troops have arrived at Tchalaldchi from I'irnova. London, March 18. In the House of Commons Sir Stafford Northcote, in replying to a question, said tiie British Government was justified in ts vigilance in retaining the fleet in the vicinity of Constantinople. [special TO TIIE AUfU-S.] London' (I T nd;tted). A. disastrous fire has occurred at. Dunville's distillery. Belfast, ; loss, LBO.OOO. There is great distress at S itinihi. where there are a large number of fugiI lives.

It is reported that Russia has dissented to the admission of Greece to the Congress. The Victorian crisis has been mentioned in the House of Lords and the House of Commons. The papers were promised on Tv.esdav. Lord Carnarvon and the Right Hon. Mr. Beach replied to questions on the stibj. et. Lord Carnarvon said Inhoped tire Governor would conform to tiie law in tiie widest s use r. gurdin _' th. Imperial, not less than the local, obligations. Mak'-ii 14 to 10. Sir Stafford Xorthcote says that England will not enter tl-e Congress till tinfull t-niis of the treaty of p=ace are known.

The London Press strongly condemns the revolutionary excess of the Berry Ministrv. The Governor's attitud.- is mr approved <>f. and prompt intervention l>y rii<) Colonial C);"!io*-; is invoked. Tin; vietuallini: shed in course of tT"'--tii.n :it Woolwich collapsed, hiit-yiiiu' 170 workman. Num. roiis dangerous injuries were received, hut no deaths resiihtd from tlie ac-'dent.

The San Francisco mail has been de liveretl.

The Cape 4{ ; pr cent, loan of a million was subscribed threefold, the average being OO.i. The hank minimum is unchanged and the reserve better.

Consols are weak and irregular at 95J-. The wool market is more languid in rone : combing continues firm, but the middle and lower softs are weak ; 0,000 hales have been withdrawn, mostly Capes. Wheat is drooping, owing to expected large arrivals. ♦ DIRECT AUSTIIALIAN NEWS. [UKITKILS ■rELKUUA.Mh. VKK I'ItKSS AIIKSCV.j Svdnev, March 19. In the action Manning vermis New Zealand Insurance Co.. for L7OOO, insurance on the steamer Lord Asliley, a verdict was given for plaintiff for the full amount and interest.

The Rev. William B. Clark, Government Geologist, lias been stricken with paralysis, and is seriously ill. Melbourne. March 19-

The city is solely dependent upon the water supply of the Yarra, and serious hardship is felt. The Merchants Shipping and Underwriters' Association have received the following cable news :—" London, March Bth. -The Argonaut, ship, bound from London to Adelaide, put back to Lmtd.;n on the 2nd to repair damages received in collision with the Bombay ; the latter vessel sank. The Ben Lomond arrived on the sth, from Melbourne ; the Old Kensington, from Melbourne ; the City of Adelaide, from Port Augusta ; the Astracan, from Port Victor ; the Gateai.il, from Kingston ; tiie Ramsay, from Brisbane ; the Windsor Castle, from Brisbane : the Davlight, from Champion