LATE CABLE NEWS.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 4161, 22 August 1881, Page 3

LATE CABLE NEWS.

[Bx Telegraph.]

(Per s.s. Botorua, via the Blaff.)

LONDON, July 15

Terrific heat has prevailed in England for the last few days. The thermometer at noon to-dvy stood at 137deg. Fahrenheit in the sun, which is altogether unprecedented. Work has been suspended in several forges and blast furnaces in Staffordshire, and many cases of sunstroke have occurred. At the recent manoeuvres of the troops at Aldershot, four men died from sunstroke, and several are dangerously ill.

Kalakana, the King of the Sandwich Islands, has arrived in London, and has visited the Queen in Windsor.

The new Tichborne claimant is about to leave the United States for England to prosecute his suit. This claimant asserts that ho will have no difficulty in establishing his identity among his companions and relatives in France and England, and ho challenges examination as to the most difficult points. Eia statement is singularly circumstantial. He writes and speaks French. The story of his wanderings is quite romantic. It includes his marriage and the registration of the births of his children, who were christened by the name of Tichborne, dating prior to Orton's trial. The claimant for many years bore tho name of Charles Ogden Ferris. He accounts for his long silence, statins? that as far back as 1854 he took an oath, not to reveal himself until 1880, being in fear of assassination if his identity was established. The latest accounts, however, state that the claimant's two principal patrons are beginning to discover discrepancies in his narrative, and they now discountenance his visit to England. Tho Siberian plague has appeared in tho environs of 8t Petersburg. It has proved very fatal to cattle and horses ; it also attacks human subjects. Another terrible disease, presenting plague symptom?, has also .appeared amongst tho Russian peasantry, the principal characteristics being bleeding at the nose, and the appearance of black spots on the body.

The Reserve Squadron, commanded by tho Duke of Edinburgh, visited Cronstadt, and spent several days in the Baltic. They were received very cordially. The Russian authorities publish the fact that no English squadron has visited tho Baltic since Sir Charles Napier's hostile expedition in 1851. The Duko of Edinburgh's Squadron is now at Kiel, where their reception was equally friendly.

The French foreign policy is beginning to giro considerable umbrage to England.

[Agb Special.]

LONDON, August 14,

A mass meeting of Liberals will be held in London on Monday, to protest against the possibility of the Irish Land Bill being lost through the House of Lords insisting upon its amendments. The excitement throughout the country is very great. It has been announced that if the Irish Land Bill is lost the Government intend to call Parliament together in (he uutumn to hold a session, when the measure will be again introduced and sent to the House of Lorda a second time. The Liberals of Greenwich Imvej determined

upon giving a grand demonstration in honour of Mr Gladstone, who formerly represented the borough, with the view of strengthening his hands in the present crisis by an exhibition of public confidence. Mr Gladstone has accepted an invitation, and the demonstration has been fixed to take place on Wednesday next.

The relations between Egypt and Abyssinia are very strained, owing to disputes arising over frontier complications. Both countries are preparing for war, and it is feared that without European intervention, hostilities will ensue.

Litigation is arising over a law recently passed by the Legislature of the State of New fork imposing a head tax of one dollar on every immigrant landed from foreign vessels. Hitherto the coat of the emigration Bureau has been paid solely by a direct vote of tho New York Legislature, and this tax is represented as necessary to defray the expenses incurred in receiving and distributing immigrants. (The steamship companies have challenged the power of the Local Legislature to pass such a law, and have refused to mako payment of the tax. The Emigration Bureau haß accordingly instituted proceedings in the law courts to enforce payment. The German Government has given instructions to severely repress the riotous disturbances, arising out of the anti- Jewish feeling, which have taken place in many parts of the country.

A scheme has been set on foot for the colonisation of Nova Zeinbla, two islands in the Arotio Ocean now dependent on the Russian Government at Archangel. It is proposed to found trading establishments there, and the proposal is regarded with interest in connection with the Arctic exploration and recent discovery of the north-west passage.

At/gttst 15,

A terrible accident has occurred at a bull fight at Maraeilleß. During the progress of the spectacle, when the amphitheatre was crowded with people, a portion of the building gave way with a loud crash. A number of persons were seriously hurt, and a panic set in among the spectators, many of whom were severely injured. A rush was made to escape, and the utmost consternation preTailed ; finally when an investigation could be made it was ascertained that twelve persons had been killed and 150 wounded.

A serious explosion of dynamite has taken place on board a trading vessel lying at Perth, in Scotland, by which the ship was greatly damaged, and some of the crew wounded.

Hanlan, the rowing champion, has accepted a challenge from Boss again to row a sculling match. The contest has been fixed to take place at Toronto, in Canada, in October.

The sailors in London, having been unable to obtain a redress of their grievances, have carried out their determination to strike. A large number of the men are now out, and and the movement is spreading to other ports.