CHINESE AND JAPANESE NEWS.

Timaru Herald, Volume XXIX, Issue 1342, 8 January 1879, Page 2

CHINESE AND JAPANESE NEWS.

[by telegraph.] Wellington, Jan. 6. The China and Jnpap Special Corresp indent to the Pn-»s A pency, writes from Shanghai, on 28th November, as follows : — The Custom's rt-turns lor this port for last quirter compare favorably with the corresponding quarter of 1877, and show a slight increase. The Marquis of Tseng, ths newly-appointed Chinese Minister to France and Knpland, left Shanghai for Europe two days ago, taking with him Ids wife and family. Since his short stay m Shanghai he has made himself very popular, and he seems desirous to cultivate the good wishes of foreigners. The result of his mission is being looked forward to with much interest, as it is thought the Marquis is just the man to help China m the onward movement believed to be commencing. Great interest is taken by the Chinese m the Afghan affair, and a telegram which reached here yes' erdny states that Sir Thomas Wade, instead of coming direct to China, will proceed to Lahore to confer with the Viceroy as to the attitude of Russia and China with regard to the possession of Kashgar. This telegram ib exciting a lively interest amongst tha Chinese, und it is believed m very high official circles that an alliance may be come to between China and Kngland, to oppose the advance of Russia m Centrnl Asia. If Russia should openly support Sheer AH, and England be m need of outside help, China might prove no insignificant auxiliary. The British schooner, Barbara Taylor, and also an Ita'i>in vessel, have been lost on the coast of Corea. It is believed no lives were lost, and it appears the shipwrecked crews were, kindly treated by the natives. The result of the boring operations near Tien Tsin are very satisfactory, a depth of 216 feet htis been reached, and three seams of coal have been b truck. The quartz is said to be fully equal to the beßt Welsh imported. A staff of engineers and miners has been sent for from Europe and America, aid mining operations will be actively prosecuted. The working of these coal mines will have a serious effect on the importation of foreign coal, besides probably leading to the establishment of cotton mills and similar industries m China. Indeed, a large building is now being erected near Shanghai for a cotton mill. The nativegrown cotton is of a very inferior kind, but it ii cheap, and it is thought may be worked up into materials suitable for the Chinese, and sold at a lower price than imported goods of a similar class. A serious affray occurred on board, the American ship Goldhunter last week. The police went aboard to arrest some of the orew, but the arrest was resisted. The captain armed himself and his ofHoers, and the police, and a brisk fire on both sides was kept up. The crew were ultimately driven into the forecastle. Owing probably to the darkness of the night when the affray took place, no lives wore lost, but several were wounded. Next Hay the United States Consul-General sentenced four of the crew to 18 months' hard libor. Very serious floods are reported m tha Province of Sbankang, caused by the Yellow river bursting its banks. Whole villages have been swept away, and the sufferings of the people are fearful. Yokohama, Nov. 11. The Mikado has just returned from an extended tour throughout the provinces of his empire. He was detained several times, and compelled to make oircuits, m consequence of heavy floods and cholera having broken out on his line of route. The rumors of imminent political changes, for some time current, are daily becoming more clear and defined;' and m consequence of the widespread insubordination m the regular army, a new Minister of War is to be appointed. Mr Rennie, of the Shanghai Bar, ha« accepted the Judgeship of the Jiipan Court. The financial outlook of the empire is Btill considered anything but hopeful. The attention of the Government is being devoted to the necessity for adopting precautionary measures against the importation of epidemic diseases. A Committee of physicians has been appointed to draw up quarantine regulations. The editor of a native paper has been sentenced to one year's imprisonment becauso he gave publicity to a rumor m the capital that four of the Ministers had resigned or were about to do 30, though he added that he believed the rnraor to be unfounded. The cboleri, which prevails at Nagigaki, is not ot the malignant Astatic type, and does not cause any venous alarm, but at other places the cholera appears to be more fatal m character, there being a good many deaths. The Japanese steam vessel, the Tokushima Maru, built to run between Osaka and Aws, left the former place on the 28th of October, and the same day was blown to pieces by an explosion of the powder which was on board. Eighty-three passengers and th» crew of twelve were lost. The explosion" occurred off Tsudu, within sight of land. Those who witnessed it say that m a few moments there was no ve»tige of anything to be seen on the stirface of the water. Criminals condemned to imprisonment are not now allowed to read newspapers though, formerly allowed to do so. The Japanese Government are taking great (trouble to prevent opium-smoking, the punishment for which by the Code is now death.