HOME AND FOREIGN NEWS.

Oamaru Mail, Volume XXIV, Issue 7494, 18 April 1899, Page 1

HOME AND FOREIGN NEWS.

(By Eieotrio Telegraph—Copybioht. ) 5 PSK UNITED P&SSS A3SOOZATTOK,} Received April 18, at 0.50 a.m. Hong-Kong, April 17. A thousand Chinese soldiers, without provocation, fired upon a party of 150 British troops at Taipofu, in the Kowlon region. The British, assisted by shells from, the destroyer Fame, charged and dispersed the Ch nese, killing several. 'The British casualties were nil. The British then hoisted the flag at Taipofu. Cabul, April 17.

.fin Afghan fired a revolver at the Ameer, but missed him. The shot, however, struck a general beside him. The outrage was perpetrated in Russian territory, The man has been arrested.

Rome, April 17,

The Pope attended a Te Deum at St. Peter's on the occasion of the 21st anniversary of his coronation.. Eight thousand were present, and extraordinary enthusiasm was manifested. The Pope was very weak, and had to be carried to St. Peter's. He pronounced the benediction in a recumbent position. New York, April 17.

" Bobs " Croker, in giving evidence before the commission to inquire as to the corrupt government of New York, admitted that Tammany controlled all the appointments made by ths Mayor and settled the fate of the laws proposed for the city and State legislation. He stated that candidates for positions on the judiciary must contribute to Tammany's funds, and were expected to appoint partisan referees who would award the lion's share of the proceed of sales to Croker's firm.

Received 18, at 0.55 a.m Washington, April 17. The authorities here consider that Herr Von Bulow's Bpeech was friendly and sensible.

London, April 17. Obituary Frances, Dowager Duchess of Marlborough. Rome, April 17.

At the conclusion of the '£e Deum at Sfc. Peter's, the Pope remarked, "I wonder if this is my last appearance." New York, April 17.

Croker declared that Senator Pratt ana his sons were responsible for all the corruption in New York.

Received April 18, at 9.25 a.m. London, April 17. France and Spain are taking concerted action with regard to the new British, wine duties. Cabui, April 17. A cook in the employ of Ischak Khan, a brother of the £ meer of Afghanistan, has been hanged &fc Samarkand for attempting to poiaon his master. New Yokk, April 17. Croker states that he will sail for England immediately. His disclosures have caused dismay. His arrest is threatened. Paris, April 17.

Fresh Dreyfus evidence has been published. Picquart is shown to have deposed that the document containing the expression " canaille de " was not produced until the authorities directly complained that the Dreyfus case was making no progress. The document was then shown to the courtmartial privately. Picquart himself dumbfounded at the manifest unfairness shown by Paty du Clam when dictating the bordereau UEed against Dreyfus. Received April 18, at 9.35 a.m. London. April 17. The upper floors of an eleven-storeyed house at Hyde Park corner were burned out. Fifty engineß were on the scene. There wera exciting rescues of the servants, the ladders proving short. Ten thousand quarters of Victorian wheat sold at 27s 3d.

A football competition under British Association rules for an Association Cup was played at the Crystal Palace. The final was won by the Sheffield United team. Seventyfour thousand spectators were present. Mr Balfour presented the prizes. Received April 18, at 0.20 a.m. Madrid, March 18.

Emma Nevada, the well-known American operatic singer, was singing in a theatre at Madrid, when the audience insulted her by turning their backs upon the stage. The Queen-Regent afterwards presented Nevada with a bracelet. She then left Spain and fled to Paris.