ITEMS BY THE ENGLISH MAIL.

Waka Maori, Volume 10, Issue 15, 28 July 1874, Page 191

ITEMS BY THE ENGLISH MAIL.

The Turkish steamer Kars, with 336 persons on board, was run into on the Sea of Marmora, by an Egyptian vessel, and was sunk: 320 lives were lost. (The Sea of Marmora is situated between Turkey in Europe and Turke y in Asia.) Extensive inundations have occurred in Hungary. Many villages were swept awa} r . (Hungary is a part of the Austrian Empire, and is situate to the east of Germany.) There is great distress at Hagusnaz, in Canada. There have been incessant rains since the disappearance of the snow. The farmers have been eating seed grain. Cattle were dying, and fears of a famine

were entertained. Small-pox is very prevalent, and has broken out in an asylum containing 600 patients. An excursion train, with 700 people, ran off the track at Lysville, in America. Three negroes were killed, and ten injured. Ten white men were killed. In another place (Syracuse) thirty persons were injured by one car jumping off the track. A slave ship with 275 negroes, from Mozambique (east coast of Africa), bound for the Island of Madagascar (on the same coast), was captured by the English man-of-war Daphne, on 14th March. The slaves were put on board with only two days' provisions, and the voyage was prolonged to eight. Their sufferings are alleged to be indescribable. Many died. The Government continue to furnish assistance to 3,500,000 natives in India. There can be no crops till December, and it is thought some may die before assistance reaches them. (See Waha Maori of 2nd June for an account of the famine in India.) A number of ships for New Zealand are loading in English ports. An attempt was made to assassinate Count Bismarck (principal Minister of the Government of Prussia, the country lately at war with Prance) while travelling in an open carriage in the neighbourhood of Kissengen. He was fired at and slightly injured in the wrist. The assassin was immediately arrested, and found to be an unknown man.

The Hon. D. McLean, Native Minister, and Major Ropata arrived in "Wellington on the 26th instant, from Melbourne, by the steamer " Otago." Since our last issue four ships have arrived at Lyttelton from England, with a total of 1,635 immigrants; two at Otago, with a total of 866 immigrants ; one at the Bluff with 220 immigrants; and one at Auckland with 470 immigrants. The total number of immigrants arrived in the colony from July, 1573, to June, 1874, amounts to 22,605. The entrance to the Waitara River has proved fatal to the schooner " Eliza Mary," as well as the steamer "Paterson." A sudden change in the wind, and a heavy fresh, took her on to the South Spit, where she became a wreck. On the 17th of July the wreck was sold by auction, and realized £SSO. A Mr. Baker was the purchaser. Her cargo of coals brought £l5O. The Government has entered into a contract with Messrs. N. Edwards and Co. for the conveyance of the San Erancisco mails from the Manukau to New Plymouth, Nelson, Westport, Greymouth, and Hokitika, and back by the same route. The s.s. " Murray" will be employed on this service. Erance produced silk and silk mixed goods to the value of £240,000,000 in the year previous to the war.