NEWS BY CABLE.

Opunake Times, Volume VII, Issue 298, 16 July 1897, Page 2

NEWS BY CABLE.

A PATRIOTIC COLONY. London, July 13. The Government of Cape Colony has olfered to present a first-class battleship as a free gift to the Empire. Mr Goschen, in reply, intimates that he gratefully accepts the offer, and remarks that the gift is even more valuable because it is unfettered with conditions. Sir J. Gordon Sprigg, addressing a meeting of the Defence Committee of the Imperial Federation League, said t,he Cape’s naval subsidy to the British navy was absolutely unconditional. They did not believe in fettering Admiralty, preferring to trust England. THE GOTHENBURG SYSTEM. Adelaide, July 14. The official report shows that a trial of the Gothenburg system at Renmark settlement proved an unqualified success. TERRIBLE ACCIDENT. Copenhagen, July 14, A terrible railway collision occurred at Geontoffe, where the Helsingors express train came into collission with a passenger train. Forty persons were killed and sixty injured. The victims were chiefly of the artisan class. TERRIBLE HEAT. New York, July 14. Terrible heat is being experienced throughout the United States. Over two thousand cases of severe prostration have been reported, and thirty-five deaths occurred since the beginning of the month. COMMONWEALTH BILL. Adelaide, July 14. A deputation representing over two hundred thousand members of Protestant Churches asked the Colonial Treasurer to use his influence to have a provision inserted in the preamble of the Commonwealth Bill recognising the Almighty God. He promised to confer with the other delegates and if possible have the provision inserted. Similar well supported movements are afoot in other colonies. Capetown, July 14. The natives are fighting in the Mazoe district, Bechuanaland. They have cut down the continental telegraph wire, converting it into bullets, A patrol force killed thirty of them. Washington, June 14. McKinley has instructed the Admiralty to send the battleship Oregon to Hawaii. She will land a force of marines in the event of any Japanese agression being attempted. Sydney, July 14. After fully discussing the project the representatives of the meat'freezing companies intimated to the solicitors representing Hooley that they cannot entertain his offer in its present form.