SPECIAL TELEGRAMS.

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume XIV, Issue 4953, 30 August 1887, Page 2

SPECIAL TELEGRAMS.

ATTEMPT ON THE CZAR. A TERRIBLE DISASTER. (ARGUS MESSAGES TO AUGUST 20) It has just leaked out that an attempt to assassinate the Czar was made by the Nihilists on the 20th inst. A Nihilist disguised as an officer of the Russian Army obtained access to the Czar'a presence and fired two shots at him. One bullet perforated the coat worn by the Czar, but he was not injured. The most severe secrecy was enjoined upon the Russian Press and the various ambassadors, and the truth was only known today. A pleasure yacht belonging to the Royal Yacht Squadron has been capsized by a squall near Ilfracombe, off the Devonshire Coast. Fifteen persons who were on board at the time were drowned. The P. and O. Co's new steamer Britannia has been launched at Greenock, and saiU for Australia on Nov. 4. The Company will place their large new steamers at the dispcsil of the Government in war time for an annual retainer of £300') each. They will alao supply seven other vessels without a retainer. A batch of pauper immigrants who left for tho United Sbates were not allowed to laod, and they have returned to England. The Canadian Government have refused to receive in that country boy 3 convicted of oTencea committed in London. Sir J. Higginson, in a letter in Le Temps, saya tho New Hebriles were always regarded as a dependency of New Caledonia, and the French element also absarbed English interests since 1852, when the French troops saved the European population from being massacred by caunibals. English missionaries inculcate hatred, and maintain factitious agitation with Australia The lotter advocates that England bhould protect tho Banks and Santa Cruz Groups, leaving France to annex the New Hebrides on engaging to cease the deportation of recidivistes to the Pacific Prince Ferdinand has not baeu able to form a Ministry, but is expected to do so in a few days. . Russian agents in Sofia are threatening an immediate occupation of the country should the Prince be chosen as ruler. The escape of Ayoub Khan from Persia and his alleged adoption of the Russian cause excites considerable interest here. Ayoub is well known to be represented all over Afghanistan by his spies and adherents, who lose no opportunity of attacking the present Ameer aa a mere British puppet. He is s ippoaed to bo the real instigator of the recent Ghilzai rebellion, and much trouble is anticipated by his reported escape to Merv. . In consequence of reports received from the British Resident at Cabul, precautions are being taken to prevent any outbreak of the Afridi tribes in the neighbourhood of the Kybes Pass. The Indian Intelligence Department on the north-western frontier has been strongly reinforced of late, and their reports tend to show that a strong party in Afghanistan favour the claims of the exiled Ayoub. A gigantic meeting was held in Trafalgar Square on Saturday to protest ngainst the proclaiming of the National League. Several thousands of working men assembled, and delegates from Liberal Associations all over Great Britain were present. The speakers included several members of Parliament, and the utmost indignation was expressed at the conduct of the Tory majority. A resolution was passed asserting that the prcclamatvun of the League was a breach of the privileges of the British subject. Telegrams from all over the three kingdoms were read at the meeting amid deafening cheer 3, expressive of sympathy with the objects of the meeting. Very strong opinions are expressed that the majority of the country is against the action of the Ministry, and the Gladstonian ranks are being swelled by seceders from the Liberal-Unionists. From the expression of opinion by tho provincial Press it is evident that a strong spirit of opposition baa been evoked by the Government proposals. It is reported that a number of the Union-ist-Liberals will shortly go over to the GladEtonians as they object to Lord Salisbury's extreme measures. Sir Dillon Bell, Agent-General for New Zealand, has received a letter from Sir Robert Stout, in which the latter states Jjthat he expects the Government will sustain a defeat. Owing to the prolonged drought a water famine is imminent throughout Great Britain. For many years past the rivers here have been very low. The Upper Thames in some parts is nothing but a succession of small pools with a small connecting stream. Brightwell and Edwards are unable to comedo terms aB to a sculling match. Sir P. Jennings represents New South Wales at the Vienna Hygienic Congress. He will, in Dec, join Cardinal Moran, of Sydney, and the Australian deputation attending the ceremony of celebrating the Pope's jubilee. £70,000 of tho Women's Jubilee Offering will bo devoted toward improving the provision for nursing women and girls. Mr Strnker, partner in the h'rm of Brown and Co., Newcastle, has guaranteed to pay for completed sections of the Midland Railway of Western Australia, and also the capital to proceed with the work. Mr Matthews, Home Secretary, has refused to remit the sentences pissed on the captain and crow of "the ship Lady Douglas for the murder of a seaman on the voyage from Australia. The yi.ld of the English crops is above the average.