NEWS BY CABLE.

Opunake Times, Volume V, Issue 197, 24 July 1896, Page 2

NEWS BY CABLE.

THE RECENT EARTHQUAKE IN

JAPAN;

_ Sydney, July 22.

The mail steamer brings a few additional particulars of the disastrous earthquake in Japan. Over 74,000 lives were lost. One hundred and fifty miles of coast line were affected by the wv\ and one town disappeared, 2 ),:l 'icnses being engulfed. Professor Phohilee, of the Imperial University, attributes it to a land slip, which geologists call “ Taskarora.” Off the coast a huge cavity exists, 600 miles long and 300 miles wide, with a depth of from three to four thousand fathoms slope. On this £ * Taskarora ” is almost perpendicular, and the land slip would cause a gigantic wave as well as earthquakes.

ENGLAND AND AMERICA.

London, July 21.

In the course of an interview, the Hon James Bryce thought Lord Salisbury was over cautious—almost timorous—in framing proposal for arbitration with America* He declared that nine-tenths of the best America approve of the Treaty.

SOUTH AFRICAN AFFAIRS.

Capetown, July 21.

Major-General Carrington’s expedition to Matoppo has started. It comprises 3200, including natives. The impis who occupy the hills are chiefly Mohalis under Matabele leaders.

The recent destruction of grain by the enemy has rendered famine among them imminent.

The opening of the road from Fort Salisbury to Umtali is about to take place, and arrangements are being made for next month’s supply of provisions for 2000 men.

Capetown, July 22.

Lord Grey, Cecil Rhodes, and Colonel Rhodes, having arrived at Matappo Hills, General Carrington directed the at aok to be made on the enemy’s position. They were shelled out of their position and followed by Babyans, a stronghold among Koppes’ caves at Sourci Tulli river.

The Matabeles succeeded in holding the caves, though they lost sixty. The English loss was three killed and eleven wounded.

Ooopes’ scouts are holding the passes to prevent the retreat. Captain Baden Powell had a narrow escape of being captured.

DR JAMESON’S TRIAL,

London, July 22.

Dr Jameson, and his five associates, are being tried before Lord Chief Justice Russell, Baron Pollock, and Sir Henry Hawkins. Sir E. Clarke moved to squash the indictment on the ground that it was vitiated by the absence of the proclamation required under the Foreign Enlistment Act. The Attor-ney-General, in reply, contended the Act warranted a general indictment.

The decision of the court is reserved.