NEWS BY CABLE.

Southland Times, Issue 14978, 26 June 1901, Page 3

NEWS BY CABLE.

British and Foreign CAUSE OF THE VIRGINIAN DISASTER. • STILL TROUBLE IN CHINA A PRECIOUS PEER. BRITISH BIRTHRATE. END OF A GREAT POLICE BUNGLE : LILLYWHITE TO BE SET FREE. (United Press Association. —By Electric Telegraph—Copyright). LONDON, June 24. A cloud burst, followed by thirty hours’ rain, causing the collapse of the dam at Pocahontas. It is estimated the damage will amount to between two and three million dollars. The Allied Villagers movement is spreading in China. It is described as Boxerism under another name. A fire occurred in the Sultan’s harem at Constantinople. He was sleeping in an adjoining room. In with the Russell bigamy case, Judge Curless, who married the Earl to Mrs Somerville in Nevada in April, has deposed that the divorce which was obtained by the Earl on the morning he was married was invalid, owing to insufficient notice. A later message states that Somerville’s divorce decree against Earl RusselJ has been made absolute. Yorkshire is displaying brilliant cricketing form, winning ten county matches and drawing two. W. C. Whitney has purchased the American colt Nasturtium, nominated for next year’s Derby, paying fifty thousand dollars.

Prince Henry of Prussia, in launching a cruiser at Kiel, said Germany could have no prosperity without colonial expansion and no expansion without a fleet.

The Very Rev. W. S. Fremantle, Dean of Ripon, says the British birth rate is seriously decreasing. In 1875 it was 35 per thousand, now it is 29. Lillywhite will be released on Wednesday. The newspapers condemn the police’s blunder in arresting him and suggest that compensation should be paid to Lillywhite. Latest. BRITAIN’S ULTIMATUM ON CHINESE TAXATION FRANCE’S BILL AGAINST CHINA GRAVE ALLEGATIONS AGAINST CATHOLIC MISSIONARIES IN CHINA SURRENDER IN MANILA VICTORIA DAY N.Z. BOWLERS BEAT THE FAIR CITY THE HUGE DESTRUCTION IN VIRGINIA LONDON, June 25. Received 25th, 11.10 p.m. Sir E. M. Satow has announced that Great Britain will only consent to a double Chinese tariff in return for the entire abolition of the likin duty, the revision of the commercial treaties, and the removal of the restrictions fettering trade. The French indemnity claims total eleven millions four hundred and sixty thousand, and include £372,000 compensation on account of Catholic missions. Received 26th, 11.16 p.m. Several Paris newspapers support a suggestion that the Kaiser should be asked to be present at the French naval manoeuvres at Cherbourg. Seventy banks and leading firms have joined the Australian Chamber of Commerce in London.

The Times’ Pekin correspondent alleges that the Catholic missionaries have exacted locally many millions of taels for the indemnification of native Christians under the pretext that itwas to protect the gentry and officials from interference by the Allies. He adds that these methods have caused intense exasperation. Some Protestant missions have accepted comparatively insignificant local compensation.

General Cailles, leader of the Filipinos since Aquinaldo was captured, his staff’, and 650 men have surrendered to General Sumner.

Lord Salisbury has promised to carefully consider the Council of the Colonial Institute’s suggestion in favour of the substitution of a bank holiday, to be known as Victoria Day, on the nearest Monday to May 24th, for Whit Monday. Received 26th, 12.25 a.m. The New Zealand bowlers beat Perth by 47 against 42. Received 26th, 12.32 a.m. In the House of Commons the Sugar duty clause of the Finance Bill was carried by 240 against 159 votes. Traversi, of Wellington, passed part of class one of the Institute of Actuaries.

The bursting of the Pocahontas dam destroyed fourteen small towns, thirty villages and 300 miles of railway. The Governor of Virginia estimates that a thousand lives were lost.

Australian. ANOTHER VIEW OF THE NEW HEBRIDES QUESTION THE PROPOSED FEDERAL ARBITRATION BILL DAMAGE TO HARBOUR WORKS BRISBANE, June 25. At the by election for Rockhampton North Mr Turner (Labour) was elected, beating the Ministerialist, who entered a protest, by one vote. MELBOURNE, Junk 25. In reference to the French Consul’s statement in the Sunday Times with regard to the New Hebrides, Premier Barton points out that private ownership of property by people of any nation does not constitute territorial rights. He presumed that, no matter how the New Hebrides were disposed of, private rights would be respected. A deputation of employers interviewed Mr Kingston in regard to the Federal Arbitration Bill, and asked, in view of the grand interests involved for both sides, that further time be given to consideration of the measure, including the publication of the report of the Commission that recently

. visited New Zealand. The Steamship Owners’ Federation said that if the bill was a copy of the New Zealand Act it would be a step in the wrong direction. They did not know what effect the law would have in New Zealand till the pendulum swung the other way, and decisions favoured employers. Mr Kingston promised consideration, but said he would stand no humbugging or delay. ADELAIDE, June 25. Mr Verran (Labour) was elected to fill the vacancy caused by Mr Granger accepting the State Agency-General. PERTH, June 25. A gale caused an extensive subsidence of the mole at Fremantle. Three men were driven to sea, but were rescued. Latest. FATAL ROW ABOARD SHIP SUFFOCATED BY CHARCOAL FUMES THE . IRISH PEOPLE’S LIBEL ON THE KING REPRODUCED IN A MELBOURNE PAPER: ITS PUBLISHER A MEMBER OF PARLIAMENT: THREATENED WITH EX- - PULSION. BRISBANE, June 25. Received 25th, 10.50 p.m. A man named Skinner, his wife, and child were found unconscious from coke fumes from a bucket in their bedroom. The woman and child died. MELBOURNE, June 25. Received 25th, 10.30 p.m. In a quarrel aboard the German steamer Asia a stoker named Schwer shot another, named Howe, dead. Received 26th, 1.8 a.m, An excited discussion took place in the State Assembly on the question of the republication of the libel on the King from the newspaper Irish People in the Melbourne weekly journal, The Tocsin, which is published by Findley, the Labour member for Melbourne. The Premier severely condemned the republication. He had consulted the Attorney-General and found that he had not power to seize the unsold copies, and considered that to institute a prosecution would only be to spread the libel. He then asked the Lieut.-Governor to telegraph to the Imperial authorities to inquire if the suppression of newspapers, as an act of the State, would imperil the Government, adopt as such [sic] as there was no other authority here. Findley explained that he did not authorise the publication of the article and did not read it till his attention was called to it in other papers. As publisher of The Tocsin he had no control over its contents. Asked if he would apologise Findley said he regretted to have given offence to the House, and also that the article had appeared. The Premier said it was not sufficient to express regret; there must be an unqualified disavowal and disapproval of the sentiments of the article. He then moved that Findley was guilty of disloyalty to the King ; had committed an act discreditable to the honour of Parliament, and that he be expelled the House. The AttorneyGeneral seconded this, and Mr Irvine, leader of the Opposition supported it. I he debate is proceeding.