ARRIVAL OF THE SAN FRANCISCO MALL.

Timaru Herald, Volume XXX, Issue 1350, 17 January 1879, Page 2

ARRIVAL OF THE SAN FRANCISCO MALL.

SUMMARY OF NEWS. [By Tblbobaph.] Auckland, Jan. 16. The English Parliament w*u convened on the sth Drcember. The Qu»en'B Speech referred principally (0 the debate or, the Address. After a chirp criticism by the leading Liberals, of Lord Ljttoa'n c mrse towards the Ameer, it was resolved that war hiving been commenced, it muit ba continued vigorously. The Addrrss was pajael wiihouta division. General Roberta gained a complete victory over the Ameer's forces on the sth ii stint, capturing Peshawar and Kbo'ftl with slight 1008, and securing all the Afghan eann.m. The British lon wu 80 killtd and wounded.

The Afghans loss was very he ivy. Captain Keiso und Iftij jr Anlers-m are among the killtd, and General Oobbe and Lieutenant Munro among the wounded. Sulieman Pasha has been sentenced to fifteen years' imprisonment. He has appealed against the sentence. A Chinese league is organising a pr.'sj bureau. 10 influence public opinion m America. Already sevenl eastern papers are heavily subsidised, a'so, tlie Alta and other papers of the Pacific slope. A special Americm c irrespondent is to be sent to China, accompanied by the Chinese editor of the Chinese Xews. a paper published m San Francisco The Chinese Empire is to be open to the correspondent, who will tie m charge of officials during his slay m the country. Monoy is no object for som-> time. A gigantic strike of 100,000 men is threatened "t the commencement of the year m South Yorkshire and Norrh Derbyshire. The Duke of Cumberland and the Princess Thyra were married on the 21st December, at Christianborg Castle. A man named Madden wa3 arrested m London for uttering threats against the Queen. A telegram announces that Mr. Edison has perfected a machine for measuring the eleotric current used m light, and that his invention for counteracting any loss m the subdivision is a complete reduction of cost, and now engages his attention. Jonathan Nierd, managing partner of the private bunk of J. and J. Fenton and Sons, Kochlttl-, England, m November last lost 3,000,000 dols. of the bank's money by speculation on the Stock Exchange The Cz.irina was delivered of a son at St. Petersburg, on December sth. Lidy Goo.-h has been committed for trial for attempting to pass a bogus baby upon Sir Francis Gooch as his Bon and heir. The Grand Jury ignored the bill. Before the death of the Princess Alice, the physicians recognised that the oa«e was hopelees, and sent a message to that effect to England. Symptoms of suffocation appeared at one o'clock on Saturday mornini, but were tempirarily removed. The Grand Duke was then induced to leave the room, but his mothir regained administering to the Princess until her last. The Standard's Vienna correspondent declares Schouvaloff's special object of visiting here, was to try and persuade the Austrian Government to agree to a joint occupation of Constantinople. Austria insisted on consulting England first, so the Count's mission failed. Large re-inforcements have recently joined the Russian army of occupation m Turkey. Berlin papers declare that it is the intention of Russia to retain its hold on Turkey, by keeping the district of Bourgos and Adrtanople occupied until the Sultan Bigns the proposed definite treaty of peace. Negotiations between Austria and Turkey reaped ing Bosnia are virtually completed. It hits been arranged that the Sultan shall retain sovereign rights, and that the Austrian shall retire when permanent order is established ; the expenses of occupation to be reouped It is reported m diplomatic circles that negoiiutions were proceeding for the concussion of a fresh convention between England and Turkey, ut the request of the Porto. French and English officials are to undertake the reform of the Turkish Custom Houses. An Imperial decree authorises the Forte to take steps to raise a loan of twenty millions Turkish pounds. The English Government have been asked to guarantee it. The Emperor o f Germany has returned to Berlin. Extraordinary prr cautions had been taken to ensure his safety, owing to his feeble etntoof health. Prince Bismarck was unab'e to be present on the account of the Emperor's reception. Tha week previously an order was issued under the new Socialist law, which enacted that dangerous persons were to be expelled from Berlin and ita suburbs, and persons prohibited from carrying arms or possessing projectiles. Alarm hue been excited by the seizure of Or-idi bioks at Hitnburgon the 29th ult. Foity conspicuous Social domccrats, m eluding two Socialist deputies, received notice of expulsion from the police. No time was given them to arrange their affairs. They a ill seek refuge m Switzerland, Belgium, England, and America. A manifesto addressed to the Socialistic brethren wus confiscated by the Govornmeat. Great alarm prevails. Owing to t!ie activity of the Internationalists, agitation is generul throughout the Continent. The Spanish Government has resolved on the expulsion of all foreigners belonging to tha International Society, and the Madrid Cabinet is corresponding with Foreign Governments as to joint action against Socialism and secret societies. A Congress at Rome to discuss the subject is suggested. The great Bank fraud trial at Brussels after lasting a month, terminated yesterday, by the conviction of T. Kind and Fortamps, on a charge of embezzlement of 40,000,000 francs. Kind was sentenced to 15 years solitary confinement, and Fortamps to several years' imprisonment, and to piy 600 francs fine. The Times' Philadelphia correspondent states that onlers have been received tt prepare immediately for sea, the Russian cruisers bought m Americ.i. All are expected to leave before Christmas. London, Dec. 22. A despatch from Allahabad say* it is reported the Ameer, Share Ali and family are journeying towards Balkh with the retiring Russian Division, and that complete anarchy prevails m the country betweou Jellalabad and Cabul. The Ameer's flight will probably end (he fighting. A despatch, dated Kurum, December 19th, says it is reported the Afghan Chief, Walli Mohamed, is near Shuagad, m the Peiwar Pass, with eleven regiments of infantry, and four of Cavalry, from Balkh. He will scarcely venture to cross the Puss this season It is reported that the Tyagur Khybeerei, m the Khyber Valley, escaped to the mountains before the arrival of the British. Their towns and dwellings were destroyed. A despatch from Luceta, says the Governor of Kandahar determined to resist the approach of Generals Stuart and Bidulph. The Ameer's Master of Horse (England's greatest enemy), is dead. A despatch, da'ed Deeomber 20th, again reported that the Ameer bad fled, leaving his son Yakoob Khan, m power. London, Deo. 20. A Paris despatch says official confirmation has been received that the instructions sent to the Russian mission at Cabul have been withdrawn. A correspondent with General Brown reports I hat the Britih are one day's march frocn Jell'ilabarl. Herepeits the itory of the Ameer's flight m a more positive form. Dec. 21. The Viceroy of India telegraphs that Major Cavanagh confirms the news that the Ameer fled from Cabul to Turkestan. Yakoob Khan was left at Cabul. The Ameer had lost neirly all control over his soldiers, who were deserting him. London, Dec. 22. The Daily News says that, notwithstanding that the B»nk of England has raised the rates of interest, virtually to 7 per cent., whi^h is the latest figure for advances, and that this givea her the gold she needs, she still cannot keep up her reserve to the figures which finnncial men oneider safe. As fast as the gold is received and notes issued thereon, according to the terms of the charter, tlie latter ire drawn out by the County and London Joint Stock Banks, and by bill brokers, m order to satisfy the demands of customers and to strengthen themselves ; the result U thxt general distrust of all forms of credit, other than legal tender notes of the bank itself has been created. This is causing an universal demand for the circulating notes of the bank, and ehould any further bank failures take place will necessarily be intensified. Liverpool, Dec. 20fcb. The leading grain circular says the wheat market has been inactive, and the supply of home grown grain has m most cases realised small prices. Transactions were very restricted, there being little demand, and prices were nominal. Yesterday, however, five cargoes were sold off the coast on the Bpot. Bince Tuesday, wheat was fully maintained at previous quotations, and there was moderate business doing m corn. There is a consumptive demand that slightly favors sellers, and red wheat is a penny a cental dearer than on Tuesday, while, supporting that day's quota-

tions there is rather more enquiry. Flour is unchanged, and corn is fair y cold. London, Dec. 20. Sir M'Clure, a Liberal, has been elected to the Houbo of Commona for the County of Londonderry, defeating the Conservative candidate by a majority of 611. Makian, Tibber" and Co., merchants, of Bradford, have called a meeting of their creditors. Their liabilites are £86,000. Dec. 21. Consols are at 94}. The etnployets m the manufacture of iron m North England clnim, before the arbitrators, five per cent, reduction, m consequents of depression of business. The men claim hat the price of lnbor i* lower than it has been for the past twenty years. Tao newspapers c>ntiuue to publish accounts of distress throughout the country, which the authorities and , private citizens endeavor to relieve. Dec. 22. The proposed reduction of 12J per cent, m the wages of colliers m South Yorkshire and North Derbyshire affects 100,000 men. A monster meeting is to be held during the holidays, when a scheme for striking en masse will be discussed. This course has been favored because it is feared masters are endeavoring to resist. Some pits have already received notice of the reduction. Constantinople, Dee. 21. The British Bteamer Runaldo, which collided with the Byzantine, has ardved. The captain reports the saving of 90 persons from the Byzantine. Pabis, Deo. 20. The Grassinch Company have received a telegram announcing that nearly all the Byzantine passengers have been saved. London, Dec. 20. The trouble continues bet-reen the Russian Government and the students. At St. Petersburg on the 11th several hundred students assembled before Czarewitch's Pulace to present a petition. The Czarewitch, being at Scovascoe, the Prefect of Police hastened to the palace, received the petition, and orderod the crowd to disperse, saving ie was illegal to present a petition m such a manner. On the 14tli the Agencies Russe announced that m consequence of illegal demonstrations by students of the Schools of Medicine, the authorities had adopted certain measures fur securing them. A publio despatch from St. Petersburgh says that on the 16th a meeting was held to protest against the violence of the soldiery. The occurrence against which the students piotested was as follows : — The Prefect of Police promised to answer the petitiou culling nttention to tha incarceration of students, and requesting the liberation of their colleagues arrested at iJuarniff. Instead of a reply being given, the St. Pt-tersburgh colleges were surrounded by 2000 Gendarmes ond Cossacks, and 200 urrests were made. The Cossacks used whips, and sevoral students were injured. The drawbridge over the Neva was removed to prevent thousands of students from crossing to the south side. The lecture hall has been closed, and a fresh disturbance is expected. Meetings within the Universities will bo held, outsiders being forbidden. The police have been ordered to deal with the Universities, and, if reßiated by the riotors, to havo a proclamation conspicuously posted that they are forbidden to carry arms. Philadelphia, Deo, 20. Two Russian cruisers, the Apia and the Europe sail to-morrow for Cronstadt. They leave the port under the command of American masters, to be turned over to Russian officers as soon as they get out of the American waters. Constantinople, Dec. 21. Safet Pasha has been appointed Grand Vizier, and is authorised to conclude an arrangement respecting Novi Bazaar on the terms prepared by Austria. The Sultan, m receiving Cuthidari Pasba, the new Minister for Foreign Affairs, urged upon him to push forward tho negotiations connected with the Treaty of Berlin, as he was determined to striotly observe all the stipulations. Ue specially indicated the Bosnia and Novi Bazaar Convention. Paris, Dec. 22. A Moscow special says an express train on the Rostor and Valdikoskao Railway recently fell oS an embankment. Twenty persons were killed, including General Hunts and several functionaries and officials of tbo army. Thirty-eight persons were injured. London, Dec. 22. A Berlin correspondent says he is informed on trustworthy authority that Russia has been making enquiries concerning a loan m Berlin. A Vienna despatch says the Russian Government have apprehended persons at a Nihilist demonstration on the 21st instant, and'a number of urrests were made last week. It ib rumored that a temporary closing of tbo Universities is seriously contemplated. Theße international troubles, it is considered, will change Russia's foreign policy. COFKNHAOBN, Dec. 22. The Duke of Cumberland and the Princess Thyra were married with great pomp at the chapel of the Christianiabeg Castle on Saturday evening. London, Dec. 23. A correspondent at Copenhagen, describing the wedding of the Princess , say the crowds >ere particularly enthusiastic m their manifestation of loyalty and j >y, which they intended as a demonstration against recent sinister rumors that had been received threatening the Sing of Denmark with assassination. Berlin, Dec. 22. The funeral services of Biy ird Taylor, late Minister to Germany, was conducted with great potnp to-day. The body will be removed to America. Halifax, Dec. 22. A hoivy south-east gale this morning caused damage to shipping m the harbor. Montreal, Deo. 22. The heaviest snowstorm for years occurred la9t night near the railway. Three feet of snow covers the ground, and trains were several hours late. Quebec, Dec. 22. About three feet of snow fell last night, and some of the streets were almost impassable. Roue, Dec. 21. Depretes, the new Italian Premier, made a ministerial speech, and submitted to the Chamber the provisional programme. His speech was received with absolutely freezing silence, and the opinion of the organ of the Right foreshadows the early downfall of the Ministry. Berlin, Dec. 23. The Emperor is wonderfully well. He daily listens to long reports on publio affairs, and gives audiences. Bismarck is working hard at finance matters'. A committee of three Prussian members and representatives of other states, has been appointed to devise a scheme of tax reform, which, when ripe, will be laid before the Reichstag for approval. It has been officially denied that the Emperor has received letters of congratulation from the Pope. Versailles, Dec. 21. The Senate has reinserted m the Budget the grant of 200,000 francs for augmenting the stipends of the clergy, struck out by the Chamber of Deputies previous to the adjournment. This made necessary the re* assembling of the Chamber, which to-day rejected the grant. The Senate then concurred, and the Chamber adjourned till Jan. the 16th. The Grand Duchess of Hesse-Darmstadt, Princess Alice of England, died of diptheria at 7.30 o'clock on the morning of the 14th December. She was m a state of unconsciousness from 230 a.m. until the time of .her death. The funeral took plaje on the 18th. On the 14th December the blind* were drawn at Buckingham Palace, St. James's Palace, and Marlborough House, m consequence of the death of Priocesß Alice. Dean Stanley left London, with the .Princess of Wales, PrinceßS Christian, and Prince Leopold. The anniversary of the Prince Consort's death was observed at Windsor, though the memorial service was not held. The Prince and Princess of Wales, Prince Leopold, and Princess Beatrice were there with the Qaeen, and all her Majesty's Ministers ; and members of the Government sent expressions of their sympathy win Her Majesty. The Qu>-sn, though greatly grieved, was not ill. The flag at Windsor Castle was at half-mast; the bells at Royal Chapel, and at one college tolled, and nearlyjall the houses, public and private, m the local borough were closed.

Copenhagen, Dec. 14. The marringe Of Princess Thyra to the Duke of Cumberland has been postponed till after the funeral of the Princess Alice of Dnrmstsult. On December tho *ith physicians recognised the condition of tho Grand Duchoiswa* hopeless, and sont secret melanges to tliat effect to England. Symptoms of Biiffocition appeared at one o'clock on S-i'urUy morning, but. waa then induced to leivo th« room, but liib mother remained to administer to tho Princes- 1 till the la<it. The Gr.ind Ducal Court and llcsßo-Parmßtndt generally go into mourning for twelve weeks. Gort-ehakolF and Orloff have tendered their resign itiin to tho Cz ira Court. Ihe Duo do Chambord thinks, if God grant wi«dom to France, she wi 1 proclaim her King, and reatore ancient glory to the roulm. General Lomakino is slowly pushing to Hcraborli. In December ho was reported within ten marches of Herat. The British Ambassador to China left London for Pekin on Novembor 26th, with instructions to consult tho Viceroy of India en route regarding the attitude he should assume m tho relations between Russia and China on tho Kaßhgar question. Russians manifest a disposition to conquer Kanhgar, while the Chinese General, having defeated the Mahomedan Dynasty, the Kuahgrian army, he declares will permanently occupy tbat country. Foreign merchants have been expelled from Kashgar. The question IB important, and increases the Central Asian difficulty, and may involve India with Ru'Biu at another point brsidea Afghanistan Tho Bulgarian ABSoml>ly, composed of bishops, functionaries, and notables, convened for December 27th, are preparing to organise luwk. Tho province will elect princes m April. Tho balance of 4 per cent. Canadian loan of £3,000,000, Las been allotted m London at a minimum price of 96}. J. B. Buckstone, the actor and dramatist, is m ereaf distress m his old ago. The Whitehall Review opened a subscription list to relieve bis necessities. Florence Marryatt, English novelist, known m Home society as Mrs. Robs Church, could not obtain a decree of divorce from her husband, Colonel Thomas Church. Ho proved that his wife had lived for yenra m wifely relation with Colonel Lun, officer of the British Murines. Fifteen thousand cotton operatives struck at O'dlmm, Great Trenton. Colberg and Co. closo their mines till trading improves. During a fog on the Mersey, Nov. 26th, a ferry boat ran into a vessel at anchor, and a panic ensuod. Several leaped overboard and wero drowned. The Kaffir war is ereiting interest, and vigorous mi-HBuros will be taken for tho suppression of the rebellion m the Transvaal. The mail steamers of the Cape line are hired to transport reinforcements and to sail early m December. O'Connor, a Fenian prisoner st Spike Island, waß released conditionally on living outßide the Queen's dominions, and sailed for America. Distress provails m South Staffordshire owing to works closing and wages being reduced. The Kentish hop-growers declare a geneml depression caused by the free trade tariff, admitting foreign products into competition, and recommend the imposition of duties. The wreck of tho Pomernnia steamship, of the American and Hamburg line, by a collision at Fulkeston on the night of December 25tli, cause great excitement. F»om various details gleaned, the Pomorania, Captain Schewensten, left New York for Hamburg on November 14th, and arrived at Plymouth ut midnight on tho 16th, landed English passengers from Plymouth, and proceeded to Cherbourg, whero she landed other passengers and proceeded on her voyage up the Channel. At midnight on the 25th a dense fog met her near Dungenness, and about tlireo miles off the shore she collided with tho Welsh b>rque Norl Mien, of Carnarvon, from Rotterdam to Cardiff. The Fomerania Bank m twenty minutes after the collision. The barque anchored off Folkestone. Her bow was Bmve m, and her forward compartments were full of water. The Pomerania waa struck on the starboard side amidships. Distress signals were given, and responded to by the steamer Glen^ary proceeding down the Channel, which Hide all speed towards the scene of disaster, and rescued 172 passengers. There were 9 boats on the Pomerania, 4 of which wee crashed by the collision and 5 were cut off, but. one, being overcrowded with passengrrs, aank. All the boats pulled away from the doomed ship, leaving theciptain, who refused to quit the ship until the lost moment. Tho last boat to leave was under the command of the cbiet officer, who did all m his power to persuade the captain to leave. After pulling for lialf-an-hour, the survivora were picked up by the Glengarry. One gentleman was taken from the water m an unconscious state, and restored. The Glengarry stayed near the scene till day broke, when the Pomerania was seen with her masts above wnter. Tbe Glengarry then proceeded to Dover with those saved, and landed them at 9 o'clock, when they were taken to the Sailors' Home, and treated with every kindness. Tho greatest possible order under the circumstances was maintained by the officers and crew. Canadian ladies are displeased at the order for the vice-regal presentations to Princes Louise. It is requested that they present themselves m low-bodied dresses, or come nrmed with a doctor's certificate. The ladies declare that the climate is too rigoroua to bare their shoulders, and, moreover, that they have been unaccustomed to such costume, and that they will absent themselves from the vice-regal Court if the orders are perlilted m. Obituary — Wm. H. Palmer, better known as Robert Heller, magician, Now York. George Lewes, editor of the Fortnightly, and husband of Miss Austin (Geo. Eiliotj ; Chief Justice Monaghan, Irish Common Pleas; White Melrille, novelist, who broke his neck hunting; Orson Hyde, an apostle of the Mormon Church, and a great friend of Joseph Smith, aenior ; Abyanbara, President of the Republic of Venezuela, on November 20th. The Cbiet Justice of Guillene, under tbe Constitution, succeeded as Acting President. Carl Ferdinand Gutz Cow. a German dramatic poet ; Duchess De Monetenie, aged 89, one of tbe richest persons m Franca ; Hy. Wells, founder of the well-known Banking House of Wells, Forgo and Co.; Bayard Taylor, United States Minister, "at Berlin. LIVEBPOOt, Deo. 21. Cftlifomian whoat is 9a to 9s 6d per cental. New York, Dee. 21. Gold and green backs wero at par through out the week. Rates for call of loan olosed at 7 per cent, sterling exchange: Flour is weak ; wheat a shade firmer ; petroleum unchanged ; wool ia active. Boston, pec. 21. Wool is quiet, and prices are ruling lower. Manufacturers are hoping to stock for the year at low rates, and sellers are disposed to meet the market. Chicago, Deo. 21. Wheat ia lower B.nd the provision market ia depressed, loner prices than ever since 1829 are ruling. San Francisco Deo. 15. There has been very light busineaa done here since last report and values are subßtant tally unchanged. The fleet m pon lsadingahowaaateady reduction, while the disengaged lift is increased somenliat. The absence of grain has great influence on the market at this time, and farmers are unwilling to sell. The prospects of good returns this winter are more certain. The low ratea at which ships can be secured do not allow exporters any margin, and the chief business done of late has been m loading ships on owners' account. Other articles are quiet, without special change.' . There ia littlo or no business doing apart from active holiday trade. After the turn of the year the rat.« should commence much better, but Bt present it ia useless to attempt to comment upon a lifeless market. William B.Lyster has succeeded m forming an Operatic Company m England, consisting of Madame Roae Hersee, Misa Alena Pelma, Charlea Grarnor, Signer G. Verdie, Signor Ugo Anglera, with Mr. Howell, as Btaae direotor, bignora Antovineta Link, and other prima donnaa m Melbourne, already waiting Lyeter's airiral. Tbe opera teaaon will commence m Melbourne m Maroh. The new company ia engaged for Australia, New Zealand, and the United Stateß, and will leave London for Melbourne on January 27th, Ihe idea has been mooted by tbe Pacifio Mail Company of limiting their buiintM to

tho trad« bei ween New Y»rk and San Francisco. At a meeting of the Directors at New York on the lath ult,., President Hart openly uVcliri'd ilmt tho Company had been robbed during the lait year, an'l had only recently secured an hone-t management. The Company his entered into a new c 'ntract with the Onion Pacific Railroad Co. for one year, on a mu«h more favorable basis than the for-ner contract, but th-y decline to make the condition* public, for at present the company lias received lnrgn offers Stim an English firm for its Australian leaving steamers. The siTvice will probably b« transferred. Gener.il Badc>ck has been appointed general superintendent of tho company's business at San Francisco. liorau udviceg state that Russia has 250,000 men couth of tho Balk'ina, an.) is ."training every nerve to complete new fortifications at Kuatendji, on the Dunube, and at Rußtchuk and Galatz.