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New Zealand Tablet, Volume XII, Issue 1, 25 April 1884, Page 17

A Loughrea telegram states that priests and people in the district have refused to pay the police tax, and that the authorities have threatened to put the full power vested in them for collection in force. A false alarm of dynamite was caused in London on Saturday night, March 8, by the swinging of an open door of a third-class carriage on the Underground Railway, and the smashing of a window, Mr. Henry George enjoyed a conspicuous success on Monday night, March 10, at the Guildhall, Cambridge. The celebrated economist had been announced to deliver a lecture, and hundreds of undergraduates were present intending to create a disturbance. Mr. George was received with some disturbance, but gradually fixed the the attention of bis audience. Haviug concluded his lecture, Mr. George was questioned at considerable length by prominent members of the univeisity, and his answers were marked by great tact, readiness, and ability. A unanimous vote of thanks was then passed to Mr. George, and ou leaving the hall, the undergraduates gave him three rinsing cheers.— Dublin Freeman. According to the St. James's Gazette uneasiness is spreading among certain circles in England in connection with Russia's occupat ion of Merv. Few are imposed on by the pretence that Russia's design in annexing the place is merely to secure an advantageous route from the Caspian Sea, and that the occupation of Merv is a final advance. Russia's designs on Afghanistan and through Afghanistan, on British India have been patent to all statesmen for the last half century, and the dexterity with which she has outwitted successive English Cabinets is a chapter by itself in the history of diplomacy. On the present occasion there is no mistaking the Russian policy, for her Foreign Office has announced through Baton Jomini that the presence of: English troops at Herat would be regarded as a menace to Russia's position in the East, and would cause action to be taken from her " new base of operations." The Indian troopship Euphrates, which arrived at Portsmouth on her return from Bombay, reports that while the vessel was at Malta, on her outward voyage, a disturbance took place amoagst the troops owing, it is alleged, to some complaint about the food, and- so serious did it become that the marines had to be called upon to fix bayonets to preserve order. On the arrival of the vessel at Bombay several of the ringleaders were tried by courtmartial, and sentenced to terms of penal servitude. About fifty malcontents broke oat of the ship at Malta and bolted, but were recaptured,