NEWS BY CABLE.

Opunake Times, Volume II, Issue 80, 9 April 1895, Page 2

NEWS BY CABLE.

HOME AN© FOREIGN. THE CHITRAL DIFFICULTY. London, April 5. The Chitral expedition is experiencing great difficulty with the transport services owing to the roughness of the country and the rapid rate at which the troops are marching. They are advancing at top speed. The second and tbird brigades stormed Malakind Pass. After five hours' fighting the Scottinh Borderers dashed boldly at the enemy, who numbered 12,000 and they retreated with heavy loss. The British casualties were slight. The advanced brigades have now crossed into Swat. The casualties on the British side at the storming of Malakind Pass numbered 40. The enemy lined the stone breastwork, which the Scottish Borderers carried at the point of the bayonet. The enemy consisted chiefly of Mura Khan's supporters. The brigades from Swat and Molak are expected to meet to-night at Alaband. Advice from India states that the Gordon Highlanders and Scottish Borderers stormed the Malakind Pass. The Artillery used the Maxim guns with terrible effect on the enemy, who lost over five hundred men. The invaders had only three men killed, and about fifty wounded. Calcutta April 6. The First Brigade has captured Shakhot Pass. Another brigade is being prepared for service in Chitral. The efforts of troops from Gilgit to force Mastig Pass has failed owing to blinding snowstorms. Fifteen were killed en the British side. Both Brigades are at Malakind Pass. The Ranizai tribesmen, defeated at ing of Malakind, have since submitte"; to the British. Umra Khan has imprisoned two British officers and seven Sepoys. His troops are gathering and entrenchi ig themselves at Mandor. The British forces have now resumed the advance. The Swatis swarmed on both si.les of the pass. Their shooting was wild, but if they had been armed with modern weapons, it would have been impossible to dislodge them with the force at the disposal of the British general. The machine guns, however mowed them down by hundreds.

FEANCE AND ENGLAND. London, April 5

The Governor of Dahomey reached the coast on March 18th, and wired to the Premier urging a- further advance.

Sir E. Gray, in reply to another question in the House of Commons, said the negotiations with France respecting the Upper Nile territory began ast year. While the British claims to the Nile Valley continued, England would not permit the Mahdi to oust, Egyptian rights, nor would Turkey's claim be ignored. Paris, April 5.

A section of the French press urge arbitration upon the conflicting claims of England and France in Africa. No reply has been sent to Lord Kimberley's enquiries on the subject addressed to the French Government. London, April 5.

Since the recall of Colonel Monteil, leader of the French expedition to the north-east of the Congo territory, the chief Samory has reconquered the King and the Tjunini country, killing or enslaving 180,000 people. Caibo, April 5. Nubar Pasha has informed an interviewer that the British are absolute masters of Egypt, and that if they evacuated the country it would be necessary to replace them by other Europeans. London, April 5.

The Standard's Berlin correspondent says it is believed there that France intends to seize the Upper Nile country as a hostage for the evacuation of Egypt.

HON MR WARD IN ENGLAND. London, April 5.

The Hon J. G. Ward, in his interview wiih Lord Ripon, urged him to recognise New Zealand's claims to administer Samoa.

Lord Ripon answered that the treaty witb Germany and the United States precluded such a change at present. Mr Ward also urged that England should subsidise the Vancouver and San Francisco services, which together would supply a fortnightly mail. He also pressed the claims of the Pacific cable to a subsidy. Lord Ripon was personally favorable, ai'd suggested that Mr Ward should see the Chancellor of the Exchequer and the Postmaster-General on the subject. He thought Lord Jersey's report deserved careful weighing.

The Oaraaru bondholders saw Mr Ward and urged that the Government should consolidate all the bonds and guarantee 3-i per cent interest instead of the present rate. Mr Ward replied that the guarantee was impossible, but offered to facilitate the consolidation, and allow the Government debt to rank with the other creditors at reduced interest. Ile urged the holders to submit a sound scheme. The shareholders of the Bank of New Zealand asked Mr Ward for an assurance that no fresh calls would be made.

Mr- Ward refused to give a pledge on the subject, but expressed a strong opinion that no further call was necessary or likely. The shareholders expressed gratification at the frankness with which they were met. Mr Ward returns at the end of May. Mr Ward delivered an informal address to the Colonial Party in the House of Commons. He advocated preferential trade rates throughout the Empire, Imperial penny postage, and Pacific cable, providing the last-named is left to private enterprise.

A SENSATIONAL LAWSUIT. London, April 6. The libel ease against the Marquis of Queenabury was finished to-day, a verdict of not guilty being returned. The jury considered that the charges made by the Marquis of Queensbury were of a public benefit. Oscar Wilde's counsel withdrew from the case, anl Wilde himself left the Court while liis counsel was explaining that the plaintiff's literature and letters justified the plea of defence, that Wilde posed as an immoral person. He explained that the reason he withdrew from the case was so as to avoid the appalling evidence which would be advanced. The verdict was received with loud cheers. It is expected that Wilde will be arrested. No warrant has yet been applied for, but the Counsel for the Marquis of Queensbury has sent to the Public Prosecutor a statement of witnesses and notes on the evidence in order to prevent a miscarriage of justice. Oscar Wilde has been arrested. The Marquis of Queensbury wrote to his son, saying that he believed he was crazy, and suggesting that he should leave the country. London, April 5. Sir Henry Loch is regarded as certain to be appointed Governor of New South Wales unless the salary is reduced. The live cattle by the steamer Port Chalmers, from Sydney, are reported from Perim to be in excellent condition. Five directors of the Liberator Company have been committed for trial on charges of fraud and conspiracy. Heavy bail Was imposed. At the Bank of Australasia meeting, Mr Gibbs said that owing to the reduced rate of interest the deposits fell off £850,000, and that, in Queensland, owing to the taxes, the note issued decreased £85,000. Some of the shareholders advised the directors if the depression continues to bring a portion of the capital to England. Beunos Ayres, April 5. Jabez Balfour has left Salta for Buenos Ayres in custody. Washington, April 5. The American deficit for the year is estimated at eight millions. Shanghai, April 5.

■ It is reported that Japan demands, in addition to the payment of an indemnity, the cession of Formosa and Southern Manchuria.

New York, April 5.

By an explosion in a drinking saloon in New Orleans, fifteen persons were killed and many injured. It is believed to be the work of a Mafia Society, formed to avenge thelynchiug of Sicilians in prison in New Orleans in 1891.

Paris, April 5

In the Senate, M. Loubet said the French colonies were costing three millions per annum, and the amount was increasing every year. The time had arrived when they should consider whether, for the mere sake of vain-glory, unprofitable colonies were worth preserving. Berlin, April 4.

The Kaiser has wired to Prince Bismarck : " God bless and render you happy in the evening of your life. You are a man who will ever remain the pride of the German people." St. Petersburg, April 6.

Officials building the Siberian railway have embezzled funds to the extent of two and a half millions. The Czar is having an enquiry made into their speculations. Melbourne, April 6.

The Jewish congregation has decided, with the oonsent of the Chief Rabbi, to introduce organ music into the Synagogue. The more orthodox portion of the congregation are strongly against the innovation, as opposed to Jewish principles, but the majority are of opinion that a change is necessary to bring the ritual into harmony with the advanced Judaism of other countries and the advanced ideas of members of the Jewish congregation. The choral portion of the service, rendered by organ music and a mixed choir, will take place for the first time in any Jewish synagogue in Australia on the first day of the present Passover season.

Owing to the delay of the Tariff Board in submitting a report, the opening of Parliament has been postponed till the beginning of June. The Postal Department will increaie telegraphic messages from 6d to 9d. Under the present arrangement the Department has been sending messages at a loss of 5d per message. Under the new arrangement, the rates, coupled with the retrenchment, just cover the loss. Adelaide, April 6.

The Government has decided to make a clean sweep of the militia and make other retrenchments in the military service. The estimated saving is £IO,OOO per annum. The commandant has accepted a reduction in salary.

Brisbane, April 6.

The Premier, speaking at Longreach, said he expected his estimated surplus of £500,000 to he exceeded. He was quite of opinion that the country had started on the up grade, and in a few years might expect a wholesome recovery in all industries. The development of the wool and frozen meat trades promised to make cattle stations some of the best assets in the colony.

Sydney, April 6.

The Court Martial acquitted Capt. Close of the charge of seduction brought against him by the woman Cummings, and also of suggesting an illegal operation, but held him guilty of traducing the woman's character. The Executive, with whom the final decision rested, reviewed the fiuding, and upheld the Court with regard to the acquittal, but quashed the finding of guilty. Close was therefore fully acquitted.