NEWS BY THE SUEZ MAIL.

Oamaru Mail, Volume IV, Issue 868, 27 January 1879, Page 2

NEWS BY THE SUEZ MAIL.

( recter's telegram, per press association.) Melbourne, Jan. 26. The following is a summary of English news to December 30 : The weather is intensely cold. The severity is greatly increased by the widespread distress in England and Scotland, owing to the almost complete stagnation of trade in the iron, coal, and manufacturing districts. The distress in Sheffield is almost unparalleled. Gloomy accounts come from Manchester, Birmingham, Wigan, Wolverhampton, Liverpool, Bristol, Plymouth, Dundee, Glasgow, Preston, and the pottery districts. The relief committee formed are unable to cope with the calamity. The Indian Council have decided to increase the army by 15,000 men. The interest in the forthcoming exhibitions is very great. Intense sympathy is felt with the Queen on the death of the Princess Alice. Earl Beaconsfield, in moving an address of condolence, said the death of the Princess was wonderfully pitious, because it was her lot to break to her son the news of the death of his youngest sister. The boy was overcome by grief, and his mother clasped him in her arms, thus receiving the kiss of death.

There are great hopes of the promised Turkish reforms being carried, consequent on the change of Ministry. In the House of Commons, Sir Stafford Northcote denied that England had agreed to assume the protectorate of Constantinople. His contradiction of the statement of England guaranteeing .the Turkish loan was inexplicit. It is stated that Russia has declared that she will occupy Mero if England holds Herat. Bombay, January 9. The Viceroy informed Maliavatta, of Cashmere, that he will accept the offer of their services if the war continues beyond the spriug. The Kyber tribes seriously annoy the convoys, and an expedition sent to punish them has destroyed several villages. Numerous desertions from the Afghan army have taken place, The Afghan prisoners are employed road-making. The health of the Europeans is good, but the natives suffer from the cold, and great mortality is resulting. The baggage camels, with supplies, are coining in freely. Mirakhau, who insulted Baraguan, fled, but was afterwards caught and imprisoned.

Military operations have btsen suspended on account of winter. Generals Roberts and Brown are securing the positions they have won. Great commercial depression prevails in Bombay. __