The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1881-12-24
WASHINGTON.

The Mexico Guatemala Boundary Dis
pute.
WASHINGTON. Dec 23.--It is stated that
Minister Montufar OF Guatemala, Is on mis-
sion to Washington seeking the friendly offices
of the United States in the boundary dispute
between Mexico and Guatemala.
A Time-Ball Service to be Adopted
Prof. Able, of the Signal Service, states it is
intended to establish time-ball service
throughout the country. In order that the en-
tire shipping of the United States may set
their chronometers by Greenwich time. Ar
rangements for co-operatson, which the CHIEF
signal officer has been making, are now prac-
tically complete, and tie Washington, Cam
bridge, Albany, Allegheny City, st. Louis,
Glasgow, Mortified, Mimi, (near st. Paul.,
Cincinnati, and Yale College observatories, all
of which are now conducting what may be
termed local time services will, about Ethe ilrst
of February, send their daily time signals to
the normal clerk at the office OF the chief signal
officer, and in return may receive from him
standard time signal which they may repeat to
their local customers. After full consideration
Gen Hazen has determined, as far as practical
BILE that he will encourage the dropping OF the
time-balls ON the exact hour of Greenwich
time.
Tie Neurological bureau of Winchester OBJ
servatory, at Yale College, propofes the erec-
ton of a time-bal on the Equitable building
in New York, which shall be dropped hourly,
from sunrise to sunset. Greenwich time. Gen
Hazen will cooperate at all signal stations
The general management of the details OF
he time service will probably be placed in the
hands of Frank Waldron and Winslow Upton
both of whom have had experience in the
time-service of Boston.
Mr.. Frelinghuysen's Private Secretary.
John Chew of Washington, has been APP
pointed private Secretary to the Secretary OF
State.
The Postal Telegraph System.
Representative Springer has called upon the
State and post office departments for copies OF
all correspondence with foreign governments
on the subject of the postal telegraph system,
apparently with view to introducing bill to
establish the system in this country.
Observing the Holidays.
All executive departments will be closed on
Monday, December Goth, and Monday, De-
cember 3D. during Christmas week, and to-
morrow business will be generally suspended
ia the various departments after II o'clock
noon of each day.
Relating to National Banks.
The following circular has just been issued
A change has been made in the regulation
by the Treasurer of the United States, pre-.
scribing method to be followed by national
banks 10 making return Of average deposits
subject to sem-annual duty. The circular OF
the Commissioner of Internal Revenue. No.
34i, dated October 9Th, 1881, applies only to
banks other than national banks.
JAMES GILFILLAN.
The New Chinese Minister.
Cheng Tsao Ju, the new Chinese Minister to
the United States, successor to Chin Lon Pin,
arrived to-day. The Minister was accompanied
[ his wife, the first Chinese lady of rank who
has ever visited this country, and suite OF 26
persons, including IL servants. The entire
legation will live at the Arlington Hotel about
three weeks. The new minister is about SO or
60 years of age, and of rather portly build. He
comes of noble family and most OF his life has
been passed in public service.
New England's Steamboats,.
According to the census bulletin there were
in the New England States during the year
ending Dec. 81, 1880, 515 steamers of all class
es, measuring 120,177 tons, and valued at
IS, 041 $50 By these steamers were carried
during the year 1851, 280 passengers and
2 $50 S74 tons of freight. Their gross earnings
were $7,91S,7S5 and running expenses $751;
1872.
Sensational Rumor
WASHINGTON, Dec. pa private letter
from South America states that rumors are
rife there that the U. S. steamer Alaska has
been fired into, damaging her so seriously that
she had to return to Callao for repairs The
report is discredited here.
LATER
PANAMA, Dec. 23.-The Star and Herald's
Lima letter of Nov. Both says:--"The United
States ship Alaska has arrived at Valparaiso.
and will remain until the Pensacola returns
from her cruise to the north.
Notes.
The United States Supreme court adjourned
yesterday until January 4th