NEWS BY CABLE.

Opunake Times, Volume II, Issue 66, 19 February 1895, Page 2

NEWS BY CABLE.

HOME AND FOREIGN. London, February 18. Terrible distress is reported in London and other centres, and the cold weather is rendering scores of thousands of workmen idle. The West India docks are frozen, and several Australian steamers are embedded. The Isle of Man is snow bound, and several villages are buried. Admiral Ting sent a flag of truce to the Japanes Admiral before the storming of Leukeington, offering to surrender on the condition that the lives of the Chinese and foreigners wore guaranteed. Conflicting reports have been received as to the actual state of affairs, at Weihaiwei. An official statement published at Yokohama, represents that the forts on the island of Titpis as being silenced, two ironclads and two cruisers sunk, and thirteen torpedo boats captured or destroyed. The remaining Chinese warships and some forts still resist. The Gothic is being fitted up to carry three hundred tons of chilled beef. The Radicals are irritated at Sir William Harcourt’s decision to shelve the Payment of Members Bill, and have decided to “ heckle ” the Government on the matter. London., February 16. Some 40,000 people are starving in Birmingham in consequence of the stoppage of works ,by the severe weather. The municipal bodies are being asked to raise a relief fund. In the House of Commons Mr Clancy’s amendment to the Address-in-Eeply, that amnesty be granted to dynamiters was rejected by 188 votes. Sir Vernon Harcourt warmly corapbiined of the number of such amendments and pointed out that when Guy Fawkes attempted to destroy the House of Commons by the gunpowder explosion the people did not descrimate whether it was a political or an ordinary offence. In the Lords the Premier said the Government would undertake the construction of the Uganda railway when the moment was opportune. Negotiations were proceeding with those interested in the territories which the railway would traverse. ' The Marquis of Salisbury urged promptitude owing to a fear of losing markets there in view of the energy of other powers. Shanghai, February 16. Li Hung Chang’ yellow jacket, peacock's feathers, and all his honors were returned to him prior to his leaving for Japan as one of the Chinese envoys to treat for peace. Rumor has reached here that the commander at Weihaiwei and Admiral Ting have committed suicide. The Japanese are trying to raise the warships sunk in the fight off Yalu River. Berlin, February 15. Berlin newspapers condemn the withdrawal of the warship Falke from Samoa, and assert that it was the pressure of the German warship alone that prevented Great Britain annexing the group. The Government explained that the Falka is unable to weather the stormy season. The newspapers thereupon demand an increase of the navy in Samoa. It is stated that Herr Schmedt, German Consul at Yokohama, has gone to Apia on a Government mission.

The Emperor proposes to formulate an international scheme for the protection of private property in naval warfare. Debates on the Elbe disaster continue in the Eeichstag. Bebel, a Socialist, declared that the Lloyds’ boats were deficient in life-saving apparatus; that the sailors were not used to boat drill; and he demanded Imperial control of shipping. Herr Boetticher denied the charges, and declined to take steps for the change of control. San Francisco, February 16. The court-martial in Honolulu convicted 62 of the rebels, and they will be sentenced to death. The English authorities urge the delay of the execution of British subjects pending further enquiries. The ex-queen denies any connection with the revolution, but it has been decided to place her on trial for treason. Germany is also protesting against the expulsion of her subjects. Constantinople, February 16. The city is in a state of great unrest. Murders are of daily occurrence in the streets, and the perpetrators are allowed to go unpunished. Trade with the interior is quite paralysed, St. Petersburg, February 16. The Czar receives daily threats from Nihilists that he will suffer the same fate as his grandfather unless he concedes freedom to the people. Melbourne, February 16. An important action, affecting English companies doing business in Victoria, and now reconstructed, came before the Supreme Court. The plaintiff sued the N.Z.I. and M.A. Company to recover £8,700 with interest, plaintiff refusing to recognise the reconstruction scheme, and contending that the order of the English court was not binding on the Company’s creditors in Victoria. Defendants asked to be allowed to defend the action on the ground that the reconstruction sanctioned by the Court of Domicile was binding on creditors all over the world. Mr Justice Hood said the points were too important to be decided. On application by the plainjiff for leave to enter up summary judgment, lie refused the summons with costs, leaving the case to be tried in the ordinary way.