SAN FRANCISCO MAIL NEWS.

Oamaru Mail, Volume IV, Issue 952, 7 May 1879, Page 2

SAN FRANCISCO MAIL NEWS.

Auckland, May 7. The City of Sydney arrived at 6 o'clock this morning with dates from San Francisco to April 15. She spoke the City of New York, which experienced a heavy gale after leaving Auckland, and was hove-to for twelve hours. Passengers for New Zealand: Mr. Mason,. Mr. Lewis, Mr. and Mrs. Stevenson, Mr. Clark, and eight in the steerage. She brings 195 tons of cargo, and 314 bags maize. NUMMARY OF NEWS. The Queen is in Italy. The Pope has written a letter welcoming her. The labor strikes still continue, and on a more extensive scale than ever, in the Home country. On April Bth, 30,000 pitmen, employed in the Durham coal mines, struck, stopping about 90 pits and throwing 2300 heavers out of work. In many instances iron workers were provided with an extra supply of coal, and it is believed the Cleveland district will be able to run a fortnight Without fresh supplies. On the night of the Bth there were serious riots at colliery villages in Durham. The police were injured in protecting the non-strikers, and houses wrecked. The miners in Houghton and Scham districts determined to destroy the property of the managers. Two hundred police were stationed at Schamhall colliery," the managers either leaving or barricading their houses. Ten thousand strikers at Shadow Hill voted "No surrender." The cause of the disturbance is a reduction of wages. Parliament meets on April 17th, after the Easter Holidays. The first question that will occupy their attention will be the Egyptian crisis, arising from the action of the Khedive in dismissing European Ministers and adopting a reactionary policy. The outcome will probably be the withdrawal of the firman making the succession hereditary, followed by deposition of Ismail, and the elevation of his uncle, Halita Pasha, an educated gentleman living quietly in European style for years on the Bosphorous. The Khedive appears determined to precipitate the breach with the other Powers.

The question of the remonitisation of of silver coinage was brought before the Ministry by the Liverpool Chamber of Commerce. Sir Stafford North cote promised to give their views consideration. The matter had been already seriously considered by the Government. Foreign trade with England is in a deplorable condition, thereby reacting upon domestic trade. Exports to America are practically at an end, the balance being enormously against England. These points formed the subject of debate in the House of Lords, in which Lord Bcaconsfield indicated as the probable cause of stagnation the fluctuation in the value of precious metals, consequent upon the adoption of the single standard. * The Chancellor of the Exchequer delivered the budget on April 3rd. Last year's revenue amounted to L 83,116,000 ; expenditure, L 55,407,500. The expenditure includes the credit for the Zulu war, with other supplementary estimates. It is proposed to increase the tobacco duty, and meet the-credit of the six millions required for the current year by Treasury bills. The financial policy was agreed to. There is great agitation in Germany regarding the tariff. The seaport towns oppose and the rural districts support Hisinarck.

The Russian soldiery, acting under otders, butchered all political prisoners in Kief prison. The details are horrible. The director of the prison has been decorated for his share in the transaction. Of 500 prisoners in Charcoff prison, 200 died within four months owing to cruel treatment.

The Nihilists dcolare that thoy will assassinate Hill, chief of the police, and other responsible oflicials while the present system of cruelty continues. The Egyptian troops won two engagements, with Sulienian as principal slave gatherer, in Kardogan, sfaughtering from two to three thousand Arabs. Fifty thousand deserted to the Egyptians between the first and second actions.

The floods in Hnngaria continue, and 17,000 persons arc receiving relief at Lveu'din.

The Afghan war drags slowly. General Tyfler defeated 3000 on March 24, near J'eshblock, with a trifling loss. Two hundred Afghans were killed. The same day Captain Saundman was attacked by 20,000 Maistocks. The enemy lost 145, and the British had two killed and two wounded.

A Lahoree telegram dated April 3rd, reports that Captain Gough defeated 5000 Affghans, killing 400. The British lost 3 olficers. and 3 men killed, and 31 wounded.

The cattle plague at Kaival Pindee has interfered with the commissariat.

Negotiations with Yakoob Khan continue, the British agent having entered Cabtil.

A great earthquake occurred in Northwestern Asia about the middle of March. Over 1000 persons were killed. The Burmese question is unsettled, and the situation is very critical: but to overtake reinforcements sent to Rangoon from India the King of Burmah called out all subjects capable of bearing arms. Burmah is reported to have made an alliance with China. Russia lias resolved to evacuate Kirednja rather than fight China. There is great commercial and industrial depression throughout Japan.

An avalanche at Bloibcvg, Austrian Tyrol, destroyed ten houses, killing forty and wounding eighteen persons; fifteen are missing. The French ironclad Arrogante foundered in a storm, on the 20th March, off Hywes. Forty-seven were drowned out of a crew of 122. The plague has ended in Astrachan. The conflict has arisen between the French Sonar e and Chamber relative to the return of the Legislature to Paris. The Chamber supports and the Senate opposes the movement. A great fire has occurred in Philadelphia, and prairie firos have taken place in Arkansas and elsewhere.

A great exodus of colored people has taken place from the Southern States towards Kansas. Much distress prevails among them. "War has been declared by Peru and Bolivia against Chili, which has blockaded Iquique, in Peru. It is all about the nitrate mines.

Trade is reviving in the United States. An Indian war is threatened in the spring at latest. - The Czar was fired at four times while walking near the palace in St. Petersberg. The man was arrested by the crowd, and preparations made for illuminating the city. The Sultan denies the report that he intended to depose the Khedive of Eastern Roumelia. The question is more complicated than ever, and the joint occupation scheme lias been wholly abandoned.