NEWS BY CABLE.

Opunake Times, Volume V, Issue 240, 22 December 1896, Page 2

NEWS BY CABLE.

SEVERE EARTHQUAKE. London, December 18. At earthquake was felt at Stroud and Sedbury yesterday. Houses were rooked and inhabitants ran into the streets. The Hereford cathedral suffered some damage. A worn m was so terrified that she died from tha shook at five this morning. Further shocks were felt extending from Cardigan and Thames Valley, in Chester and Lancashire. The shocks were severe, but no serious accident occurred. London, December 18. The earthquake in some places lasted a minute and a half. The shock was severest at Birmingham, Worcester, and in Shropshire. The quake was preceedod by a rushing noise like a hurricane. At Darley some workmen were thrown to the ground. It was only slightly felt in the vicinity of London. The worst of the earthquake was felt at Wales, and west of the Midlands. It also reached Durham and Lincoln. The shake was felt in over 200 town and villages. The tower of Windsor Castle was rocked. McKINLEY TARIFF. Washington, December 18. The McKinley Tariff Bill has been withdrawn. THE EDUCATION QUESTION. London, December 18. The National Liberal Federation condemned an attempt to enquire into the Board schools and insisted that local control should accompany State aid. TURKISH MISRULE. London, December 18. Lord George Hamilton, in the course of a speech, said England was once more asserting her proper position, and it was probable that misrule in Turkey would shortly be stopped.

THE TRANSVAAL. Pretoria, December 18. Five thousand Boers have assembled to take part in the celebration of tbe anniversary of the great defeat of tbe Zulus under Dingan. Kruger said the Government would be true to the Burgers, and would entertain good will to the British. " God gave the Boer 3 liberty.'" HAMBURG STRIKE.. London, December 18. Lord Salisbury informed Tom Mann tbat his expulsion from Hamburg was quite legal. Berlin, December 18.' The Hamburg strikers are rioting. VENEZUELA. London, December 18. Tbe Venezuelan Government has ordered all arms and ammunition to be deposited in the Government store previous to the congress in February. WILFUL MURDER. Sydney, December 19. A body found near Bourke has been identified as that of an old man named Edward Smith. Another old man named Moore was arrested with a quantity of Smith's belongings in his possession. At the inquest a verdict of wilful murder against Moore was returned. REVOLT IN THE PHILIPPINES. Madrid, December 18. The revolt in the Philipines is becoming serious. The rebels are said to number 50,000, and it is also reported that a section of the Spanish troops have revolted. A protection committee has been formed. TRAIN ACCIDENT. Brisbane, December 19. A cattle train ran off the rails on a steep curve on the Esk line. A hundred out of a hundred and forty beasts were killed, and much damage was done to the rolling stock. FEDERATION. Adelaide, December 18. In the Assembly the Premier stated the Government favored Mr Seddon's idea of a federal meeting of Premiers in New Zealand. South Australia would be represented at the gathering. It would be likely to promote a Federal spirit, and they were prepared to go on with federation without Queensland if the other colonies desired. Brisbane, December 19. In the Assembly the Premier ; n reply to Mr Drake said tho Government had nc intention of being represented at the Federal Convention unless it was postponed till after the next session. Meanwhile he would take no action in the matter. WHEAT YIELD. Sydney, December 19. Official returns of the estimated wheat harvest are that the yield will be 7,485,000 bushels, being an average of 9*B. The area under crop is increased by 187,000 acres compared with the previous year. The hope of a bountiful harvest has been upset by prolonged dry weather in September and October, and although there are splendid crops in many places the great wheat growing areas give only moderate results. The requirements of the colony are computed at a million and a quarter for seed and 7,435,000 for food. SUDDEN DEATH. Sydney, December 20. Colonel Stokes, aide-de-camp to the Governor, and officer commanding fourth regiment dropped dead while cycling. The cause of death was heart disease. -