NEWS OF THE WORLD.

Otago Witness, Issue 1422, 22 February 1879, Page 6

NEWS OF THE WORLD.

GENERAL SUMMARY.

Auckland, February 13tb. The mail Bteamer Australia came alongside the wharf shortly after 9 o'clock this morning. San Francisco, January 21st. The mail was detained 30 hourß owing to a long Atlantic passage, and to snowstorms on the Continent of America. The Hon. Mr Scotland and Mr Warwick Weston are passengers on board the Australia. Mr G. Duncan, formerly of Dunedin, died at his daughter's residence, Fruitvale, Oakland. The barque W. H. Diety is loading at San "Francisco, with merchandise for Melbourne. The barques Dommendale and J. D. Peters are also loading merchandise for Sydney. The Cape Pearce chicken for the Canterbury Acclimatisation Society, on board the Australia, came from Topeka, Kansas. The following items are under date January 2q . " The loss by the Worth street fire in New York was 2,608,000 dollars. jilr J, G. Harrison, formerly of. Auckland,

will have a public reception at San Francisco, in recognition of his services in connection with the Beaconsfield testimonial presentation in England, Archbishop Purcell has filed a deed of trust to secure his creditors. A bill granting amnesty to the Mormon polygamists was introduced into the Senate in executive session. Senator Edmonds delivered an elaborate speech on the resolution submitted by him, which provides for terminating so much of the Treaty of Washington as alludes to the fisheries by giving the notice required by its prohibitors. The resolutions were referred to the Foreign Relations Committee, and, according to present appearances, will be adopted by the Senate without opposition, and the President will promptly give the required notice to the Government of Great Britain. London, January 20th. The Oxford University boat-crew have declined to row the Harvard College crew, because of the lateness of the date. The Right Hon. W. E. Forater, speaking at a soiree of the Bradford Chamber of Commerce, said they did not know the strength of Protection in the United States. It was particularly disheartening, but he thought that no threat of imposing Customs duties would have any effect. The United States would only thereby be provoked to make an isßue to see which side was strongest. Besides, such a policy would be impracticable, because to bring serious pressure on the United _ States would necessarily tax such vital necessities as wheat and cotton. The North Wales Quarrymen's Union has offered the same premiums to its members who will emigrate as those offered by the North Wales Miners' Association— namely, L 7to those emigrating to America, and Ll4 to those desiring to go to Australia. The Quarrymen's Union offer L 2 additional to members emigrating west of Chicago. It is believed that many will accept the offers, as the smaller quarries mostly remain closed. The cotton mills at Preston have given notice of a reduction of wages varying from 5 to 10 per cent. Berlin, January 20th. Prince Bismarck has written and caused to be published a letter appealing to the agricultural community of Germany to afford him their united and vigorous support in his work of fiscal reform, He refers to the new duties to be imposed on imported corn and cattle, and expresses the opinion that such taxation has become an unavoidable necessity. At Breslau the police prohibited a collection by Socialist leaders, and arrested a man for soliciting in spite of the prohibition. Bismarck is preparing to submit to the Feudal Council a law for the regulation of railway tariffs. Herr Bemingsen, president of land tax, lately protested his inability to protect outsiders from rhetorical insults by members. He merely played, designedly or not, into the hands of the Government. The North German Gazette exultingly declares this pro. test to be a declaration of bankruptcy of disciplinary power. The Czar of Russia has ordered the authorities east of Siberia to immediately despatch an overland eledge expedition to ascertain the whereabouts of Nordenskjold's expedition. Major St. John, of the British army, was fired upon in the streets of Candahar by a fanatic native, but was not wounded. The man was hanged. A lieutenant of the Royal Artillery was severely wounded, and two Boldiers Blightly stabbed with stilettoes. The Assembly of Bulgarian notables to elect a prince was postponed for a week. Mukhtar Paaha has decided on Jamard as the meeting-place for the Frontier Commission. The Greek delegates have been instructed to insist on the cession of Jamard >to Greece. The journals urge the Government to remain firm on this point. The steamer Oberon, from New Orleans to Liverpool, went ashore in a gale at White's Bay. Entering the harbour the vessel had previously lost her propeller. The popular vote throughout Switzerland resuited in a large majority in favour of subvention to St. Gothard and other Alpine railways. A dispatch from Vienna hints that the delay in signing the Convention is due to the revival of Russian influence at Constantinople, and to intrigues to prolong the occupation. St. Petersburg. It is semi-officially stated that the exchange of views, relative to the joint occupation of Eastern Roumelia has been without result. It does not at present appear likely that such a scheme will be carried out. The construction of a barracks for 15,000 men at Constantinople within the lines of defence has been ordered. Geneva, January 21. The Council of State has asked for 10,000 francs to relieve the destitute workmen. Berlin, January 21. It is stated that Prince Bismarck has decided to withdraw the Parliamentary Discipline Bill, leaving the matter to the Reichstag. London, January 31. The liabilities of the Gottesburg Commercial Company are L 200,000, caused by advances to Swedish lumber merchants and paper-mills.