CABLEGRAMS.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 5913, 21 January 1881, Page 2

CABLEGRAMS.

BRITISH AND FOREIGN.

(Reutee's Special.)

London, January 18th.

Owing to the increase of agrarian outrages and the League agitation in CountyClare and in part of County Sligo, bothdistricts have been proclaimed "dis-' turbed." In consequence of renewed-, rumours of Fenian activity and possible^ • attacks on various^ Government establishments, the magazines at Woolwich. Arsenal are now strongly guarded by™ detachments of troops, and every pre- - paration made against an assaults ~~

January 20th. - The storm which, was experienced', throughout England yesterday was felt in Western Europe, with losing iW--severity. In mjihy parts of the-Conti-i----nent the telegraph lines were blown. down,. and-mail -traffic stopped. Considerable destruction has been done to property. " '

Further intelligence" to hand fron»" '.. Central Asia states that the Turcoman*ihave made a fresh sortie from GeokTepe,. but they were again unsuccessful, and. were repulsed by the Russians,- who are: now bombarding the town,

Owing to the recent heavy falls "of Isnow the Thames has risen several feetj and has overflowed its banks.' Fully 100 -■> barges have been sunk, and great damage has been done to stores and other establishments near the river.. The total lossT of property is estimated at "fully £2,000,000 sterling. -

The severe weather which has prevailed throughout England during.the past fewdays has abated, and it is now much finer~ and milder generally.

A luncheon was held on board the% steamer Metikara to-day to celebrate the - opening of a new line of direct steamer*, between Queensland and Great Britain.There was a large company present, including Mr A. Macalister, Agent-generat-for Queensland, <Mr Stanton, and other leading colonists. Both the gentlemennamed made speeches on .the occasion, and expressed their full confidence thatthe line of steamers, in addition to other benefits, would materially assist in thedevelopment of the - trade in fresh meatbetween the Colonies and England.

The measures taken by the Government to suppress the existing agitation in* Ireland have led to summonses being: issued for the arrest of 60 Land Leaguers," all of whom will be placed on their triaE for sedition.