INTERCOLONIAL, (Reuter's Special,)

Otago Witness, Issue 1489, 29 May 1880, Page 19

INTERCOLONIAL, (Reuter's Special,)

Sydney, May 26fch.

Lewis Sampson, one of the witnesses in the Shepherd v. Dibba slander case, has been sentenced to three years' imprisonment for perjury.

A conference having been held with delegates from the miners who struck, all hopes are now dispelled as regards a speedy settlement of the strike, they having determined to persist until their own terms have been obtained.

Melbouune, May 26th.

The steamer Taramung, for the intercolonial trade, has arrived from England.

Adelaide, May 26th.

The Orient Steam Navigation Company's Cotopaxi has arrived from Plymouth.

The South Australian Parliament meets to-morrow.

The following cable messages have appeared iv Melbourne papers to hand by the s.s, Rotomahana, at Auckland :—

London, May 12th,

The revenue returns of the United States Bhow that the paßfc year has been one of unexampled prosperity. In almoßt every branch there has been a marked increase, and internal trade displays an extensive development. Mr Sherman, Secretary to the Treasury, in hia budget submitted to Congress, announces that the finances of the country are in a more satisfactory condition than at any period since the war. For the present year alone he estimates that there will be a surplus of 100,000,000 dollars, or about £20,000,000 sterling, Santiago, formerly the capital of the island of Cuba, with a population of about 100,000, has been almost; completely destroyed by

fire, the origin of which has not been ascertained. The buildings, which for the greater part were composed of wood, were rapidly oonsumed, all efforts to arrest the flames proving ineffectual. The destruction of proparty is enormous, and thousands of the inhabitants have been rendered homeless and destitute. , An extensive fire, involving immense losa of property, occurred yesterday in the city of Bordeaux, in France. It originated in one of the warehouses situated in the mercantile quarter, and in which was stored a vast quantity of wine and spirits. The conflagration raged for several hours, and was not subdued before many valuable buildings and their contents had been destroyed. The insurance companies are expected to lose heavily. The destruction of spirits was immense. May 13th. Prince George, the second son of the Prince of Wales, will be present at the opening of the Melbourne Exhibition. Mr Bradlaugh, in hia protest to the House of Commons, points out that in hia refusal to take the oath he has been solely influenced by conscientious convictions, which, in cases of a similar nature, the House has not failed to reßpect. There have been several extensive forest fires in the State of New Jersey, United States, extending over many miles of country. Much damage has been caused, and several villages destroyed^ Serious riots have occurred in Salonioa, an important seaport town situated at the head of the gulf of that name. The disturbances are attributed to the embittered feelings and fanaticism excited between fche Mahommedan and Greek population. Martial law has been proclaimed by the Turkish Governor, and vigorous measures adopted to protect iife and property. Intelligence has been received concerning the recent movements of Abdul .Rahman, the most prominent aspirant to the Afghan throne. After his arrival ia Badadshan, where he was at first warmly received, his pretensions were disputed by several powerful chieftains. He has now succeeded in repressing their rebellion, and there ia reason to believe that his authority is supreme in that district. Abdul Rahman has adopted a more friendly tone towards the British, He has despatched letters to several of the most prominent sirdars in Cabul, in which he advises them to display a conciliatory attitude towards the British, with the view of arriving at some arrangement for the permanent settlement of the oountry. The town of Roubaix, in the north of France, with a population of about 100,000, has been the scene of serious riots, arising out of strikes amongst the operatives employed in the manufacture of cotton fabrics, furniture, cloth, and other articles. Several establishments have closed, and much distress prevails. The authorities have been compelled to call upon the military to suppress the disturbances.

May 18th. The action for libel brought by Mr Lambri, who claimed to be a foreign nobleman, against Mr Labouchere, M.P., proprietor of Truth, has excited much public interest. In a series of article written in Truth Borne months ago, Mr Labouchere charged the plaintiff with being an impostor, and with having bsen guilty of a number of dishonourable actions. The jury has returned a verdict in favour of the defendant.

A dreadful boiler explosion occurred today at Walsall, a manufacturing town in the county of Stafford, England, by which over 50 men were seriously injured and several killed. The accident took place in one of the largest ironworks in the district. The buildings were completely wrecked. Intelligence has been received at Madrid of a serious outbreak in Cuba, caused by the intense feeling of dissatisfaction at the action of the Cortes in refusing to ratify the promises given by General Martinez Campos when he pacified the last insurrection. The authority of the Governor- general has been eet at defiance, and it ia reported that the insurgents have deolared the independence of Cuba and proclaimed a republic