NEWS BY CABLE.

Opunake Times, Volume VII, Issue 327, 26 October 1897, Page 2

NEWS BY CABLE.

DISASTROUS CYCLONE. London, October 23. News has arrived that a cyclone has devastated the Island of Leyto, one of the Phillipine group, causing immense loss of life and property. SIR W. LAURIE R FIRED AT. Ottawa, October 23. An attempt was made on the life of Sir Wilfred Laurier, Premier, by a disappointed office seeker, who aimed at him with a revolver. The Premier escaped uninjured. INDIAN TROUBLE. Calcutta, October 23. Further particulars of the fighting in the Chagru Valley show that Brigadier-General Biggs found 800!) Khals, Orakzias, and Afndis occupying Dargia and other heights commanding the Chagru Pass. Lieutenant-Colonel Dempster’s three Sikh batteries were massed at Chagru, Kotar, and Samana Ridge, The Sikhs supported the Goorkas and the Dorsetshire Regiment, who, in single file, climbed the mountain path, 1000 feet, under the enemy’s fire, which temporarily checked the advance. The Goorkas, who fired with great accuracy, wore reserved until the men were exposed on the unsheltered zone. Three companies crossed the zone at the rush, losing heavily, while the remaining forces intercepted the Hank attack. Meanwhile, the artillery fire from Fort Gulistan failing to dislodge' the enemy, the Gordon Highlanders essayed to cross the zone. Many fell, but ullder cover of the guns, they ultimately succeeded in joining the Goorkas, the remainder of the force streaming after them. The Gordon Highlanders, with the other companies, then seized the enemy’s position. After Brigadier-General Biggs’ force had gained the enemy’s position* the tribesmen fled. The rebels are fortifying the position commanding the Sempajha Pass. Calcutta, October 24. In the second attack made by the British under General Biggs upon Dangai. one of the heights commanding Chogan Pass the following officers were killed : —Capt, Smith, Derbyshire Regiment; Lieut. Lainont, Gordon Highlanders; five other officers were wounded. Of the rank and file, six men of the Dorsetshire Regiment, and ten Gourkhas were killed, while 30 of the Dorsetshire Regiment, 17 of the Derbyshire Regiment, and 12 Gourkhas were wounded. The Gordon Highlanders had 32 men killed or wounded. Details of the attack show that the head of the attacking columns was five times destroyed. Eventually the Gordon Highlanders, led by Colonel Mathias, made a dashing charge and captured the ridge. The fight lasted seven hours. BRITISH LABOR WAR. London, October 22, The Board of Trade has forwarded letters to the Employers Federated Engineering Association, and the Amalgamated Society of of Engineers, in which the attention of these organisations is directed to the lamentable results accruing to employers, employees and country by the strike. The Board suggests as a basis of conference that employers should disavow any intention to interfere with legitimate action by the trades union, while not admitting interference in the management of their business, the Trades Union on their side to maintain the right of combination, but to disavow interference with the management and withdraw a demand for 48 hours, leaving the united conference to settle the hours of work. THE GOUDAN EXPEDITION. Caiho, October 24. The British gnnboats on the Nile have made a reconnaissance and shelled Metemeh, where the Dervishes hold possession. Five grain boats belonging to the enemy wore captured. THE DISASTER IN THE PHILLIPINE3. Manilla, October 24, The estimated damage by the cyclone which devastated Leyte an island, Phillipines group, is seven and a half millions francs. The loss of life also was enormous. One thousand natives were drowned at Tacolabau the capital town of Leyte. Samar, another island of Phillipine group, was also devastated. VOLCANIC DISTURBANCE. Sydney, October 25. News from the East states that Borneo was the scene of a tremendous volcanic eruption off the coast on 21st ult. Only slight tremors wore felt ashore. A new island has been thrown up between Metnpakui and Labridan. It is fifty yards from the mainland and opposite Labuan Island composed of clay and rock. Its dimensions are 200 by 150 yards and 00 feet hight It appears to be increasing in size.