The Pacific commercial advertiser. [volume] (Honolulu, Hawaiian Islands) 1885-1921, 1893-04-07


salaries over $500 are subject to the
l2t per cent. reductions.
These reductions are part of an ex
tensive scheme Of retrenchment which
the Government have decided to carry
out in all branches Of the public ser
vice.
An Island Hurricane.
SYDNEY, March 2O-News has been
received that terrible hurricane
swept over the New Caledonia and
New Hebrides Islands on the 9Th, eth
and 6th instant.
The latter group appears To have
been almost swept clear Of the evil
dences of civilization.
Nearly all the plantations were
leveled. and the whole of the villages
wrecked, while the loss of life is re-
ported to be enormous.
Numbers of vessels were wrecked,
but with the exception of the bark
EmpreZa, their names have not been
ascertained.
The EmpreZa, which was recruiting
among the group, became n total
wreck, but it is not known whether
any lives were lost.
The steamer Birksgate fell in with
the hurricane, and had a very narrow
escape. Her steering gear became
disabled, but she managed to reach
Noumea in safety.
New Caledonia suffered severely,
but the eastern side seems to have
| felt the effects more than any other
portion of the island.
Everything afloat was destroyed,
and houses were converted into ruins.
At the nickel mines eleven lives
| were lost.
The mail left shortly after the hurri-
cane occurred, and fuller details were
not then at hand.
| ADDITIONAL PARTICULARS.
SYDNEY, March 21.-The whole set
Element at Port Sandwich, New Gale
donna, was swept away.
The French Company has sustained
heavy loss. Their finest plantation
has been destroyed.
The natives are absolutely without
food.
The loss at Kilahanah Is estimated
at 1885, 900 francs.
| Noumea escaped, though other parts
of the island were deluged.
Appalling floods have taken place.
The loss is 5000, 900 francs.
Twenty thousand tons of nickel ore
| were washed into the sea.
Many thrilling escapes are recorded.
The Governor has cabled to France
for 100000 to relieve the immediate
wants of the residents.
Proposed Customs Union.
MELBOURNE, March GA confer
ence representing the Chamber Of
Manufactures and Commerce, Trades
Hall, Employers Union, Agricultural
Society and Young Victorian Patriotic
League, is sitting on the subject of g
customs union between the Colonies
1t was at first decided that New Zea.
land should have no part in such 6
union, having up to the present helC
alOof, also on the ground of the strong
opposition of farmers to the free intro
euction of New Zealand cereals into
Victoria.
The conference is now discussing
whether the union should be on pro
tective or free trade basis. This is the
rock on which the conference is likel,
to split.
The Gambia Incident.
LONDON, March 22.-News has beer
received that the Administrator o
Gambia, West Africa, hoisted fias
in PachangtOwn, which is SITUATED
within the British sphere. The French
Governor hauled the flag down.
The Pope Declined.
ROME, March 21.- The Pope de
clines to grant an audience 10 tn
German Emperor unless the cremo
NAL is similar to that of 1885.
The Navy of Japan.
YOKOHAMA, March g. The En-
peror of Japan has reduced his incom
by 100000 per annum in order I
. secure an increase in the navy.
The Military Forces.
LONDON, March &c. Colonel Hut
ton, the newly-appOinted Command
: ant of the New South Wales force!
: charges the British military authOri
t ties with neglect of practical trainin
and marching.
Releasing Prisoners.
, LONDON, March 23.-Mr. John Mo
! ley, Chief Secretary for Ireland, hs
) released Foley, the dynamiter. |
the House of Commons to-day, Mr..
p. Barton, member for Mid-Armagl
moved the adjournment of the Hou:
as protest against the action of NJ
5 John Morley, Chief Secretary for Ir
: land, in releasing Foley, the dyn
inter, who was sentenced to seve
years imprisonment in 1891.
The Associated Banks.
i LONDON, March %. The Dali
+ News considers that the decision
the Victorian Government to ASST
the associated banks, should nece
sity arise, is adequate to restore I'll
5 confidence of depositors in banl
5 there.
. England and Uganda.
g LONDON, March 21.-In the Hou
V of Commons, the vote for Uganda w;
v passed by 36S to 46. In the course
: the discussion, Mr.. Gladstone deni'
n that Sir G. Portal was authorized
J. occupy or annex the country. NJ
t Labouchere made violent attack {
Lord Rosebery's foreign policy.
Imperial Institute.
! LONDON, March %. The Indis
n Government will send a cavalry esco
e to attend the Queen at the opening
20 the Imperial Institute. a desire h
been expressed in the highest quart
that the Victorian house artillery al
New South Wales cavalry detac
n ments, now on their way to Englan
l. to take part in the military tourn
% ment, should also form part OF II
d Majesty's escort.
!" Australian News.
n BRISBANE, March 22.-Mr: Nels'
W has Informed the Governor that he
n unable to form a Cabinet, and advis
= that Sir Thos. McIlwraith be SUI