TUESDAY, MARCH 26, 1867. ARRIVAL OF THE ENGLISH MAIL.

Hawke's Bay Herald, Volume 11, Issue 838, 26 March 1867, Page 2

TUESDAY, MARCH 26, 1867. ARRIVAL OF THE ENGLISH MAIL.

The Taranaki, s.s., arrived yesterday forenoon, with the English mail via Suez. The Panama mail steamer had not reached Wellington when the Taranaki left — on the afternoon of Sunday the 24th. (From the "Evening Post " Extra, March 23.) Bluff, March 21. The s.s. Rangitoto arrived at the Bluff today, at one o'clock, after a good passage of four days and eighteen hours. The s.s. Avoca anchored in Hobson's Bay at halfpast ten on the morning of the . 6th. Her arrival was unexpected, as the branch steamer from King George's Sound to Adelaide had not arrived up to tbat date. It is supposed she has broken. down. GENERAL SUMMARY. London, Jan. 26. A terrific catastrophe happened in Regent's Park by breaking of ice, and about fifty lives were lost. The French Emperor issued a decree making several constitutional changes ; the debate on the address is suppressed. Mm-, isters will be sent to both Chambers of Legislature to take part in the debates. The privilege of putting questions to members is granted under certain restrictions, and jurisdiction over the press is transferred from the Executive to the Correctional Tribunals. The French Ministry has been reconstructed, and Fould has retired ; he was replaced by M. Rouher. Schleswig' Holstein has been formally incorporated with the Prussian monarchy, It is stated that the Emperor of Austria has resolved to grant a separate Ministry for Hungary. It is generally believed tbat the Judicial Committee of the American Congress will report against the proposed impeachment of President Johnson, or leave the matter for the decision of the New Congress. The bill for granting Negro Suffrage in the district of Columbia has been passed by both houses of Congress over the President's veto. Ifc is rumored that Government intends to throw the responsibility of dealing with the Reform Question upon the House of Commons. A committee has been formed at the Mansion-house to collect subscriptions for the relief of distress in the East of London. Some riotous attacks have been made on various shops at Deptford. The money market is quiet. The price for Consols is 90| to 90$ for money, and the same for account. Disastrous^floods have occurred in Yorkshire. Greece proposes to increase her army to 31,000, on the ground of the armament and threatening notes from Turkey. London, Feb. 5. Parliament was opened to-day by the Queen in person. Her Majesty in the speech from the throne states that th. present relations of Great Britain with foreign powers are satisfactory, and that Her Majesty's Ministers had suggested to the United States a mode of amicable settlement of the questions still pending between England and America, which it was hoped would be met in a corresponding spirit of friendship by the people of the United States, and thus remove all grounds of possible misunderstanding between the two countries. Referring to disturbances in Canada, Her Majesty says discontent was prevalent in some provinces of Turkey, and insurrection had broken out in Canada. Conjointly with Russia and France, the British Government had endeavoured to improve the relations of the Ottoman Porte with its Christian subjects as far as was consistent with the rights of the Sultan. The delegates from the British North American provinces, who recently met in England, had agreed upon a scheme of federation, by means of which the whole of those colonies might be united under one administration. Her Majesty had heard with deep sorrow of the calamity which had befallen India in the prevalence of famine . which had pressed heavily on the provinces of lower Bengal and Orissa. Instructions had been given to the Government of India to make the utmost exertions for the mitigation of distress, which still existed in those provinces. The blessing of an abundant harvest in the past autumn had not materially improved the condition of suffering districts. The restoration of public confidence in Ireland might probably lead to a discontinuance of exceptional legislation in that portion of the empire. Attention would again be called by the Government to the representation of the people in the House of Commons, and her Majesty trusted the deliberations of Parliament would lead to the adoption of measures greatly extending the franchise without disturbing the balance of power. Several measures are announced to be brought forward in the ensuing session including a bill for improvement of the relations between landowners and tenants in Ireland, and a commission to enquire into trades' unions. The Bank of England this day reduced the rate of discount to 3 per cent. 12th February. Mr. Disraeli announced that the Government promised in their programme of reform, to proceed by resolution in rating the basis of franchise • no boroughs are to be wholly disfranchised. The Times condemns Disraeli's speech. A Reform Demonstration took place yesterday, at which quietness prevailed. There are apprehensions of riots at Chester, however, several hundreds of people, supposed to be Fenians, having assembled. Troops have been despatched to the place. London, 13th Feb. Chester is quiet; the Fenians having left. Sixty arrests bave taken place in Dublin. LONDON WOOL REPORT. 25th Jan. „ Since last sales there have been a few enquiries, and sales of a very limited character.. The advance paid has beeja about one

penny, but that 'bnly one sort, most wanted; ifc is not expected that prices, will be maintained at March sales. Bradford market quiet, and although manufacturers are moderately busy, yet orders do not equal expectations. .'yy (fbom oub own cobbespondbkt.) London, 26th Januaiy, 1 86?. Is 1867 to be another annus mir&itis that, the French Emperor is to figure foremost in? Or is it tbat Louis tfapbleph, hithetto the impersonation of autocratic will, desires to shake hands with and imitate John Bright ? Yet it is a fact tbatNapoleon lll is desirous of adding another phase to his many sided character. Scarcely has the curtain of 1867 lifted, before, .enter the founder of the new empire and successful schemer of cottps-rf-efa*— as a Reformer; France is to have liberty to speak but, mark you, only in the style the Emperor chooses. Certain concessions are made, but these are certainly of a most puzzling nature to Englishmen, and scarcely seem worth the long letter of the Emperor's that preceded the decree ; but if France is satisfied what does it matter ? One would like to know, however, what it is that has induced the Emperor to make these concessions. Perhaps he does not. want any nasty remarks about that little failure in Mexico, or the snubbing France received at tbe hands of the " parvenu " Bismarck. Counting upon the enthusiasm with which France will welcome ever so homeopathic a dose of liberty, he trusts to get the address passed comfortably and quietly. With new ways, new men must be had, so on the day these -"Reforms" were ordered for France, the ministry were "ordered off," and the ruler at the Tuileries reformed his cabinet, managing to get rid of those ministers who were rather objectionable to him— M. Fould and Marshal Randori giving place to M. Rouher as Minister of Finance, and Marshal Niel as Minister of War. In the Marine department, too, a change has taken place, Admiral de Genouilly becoming Minister of Marine. Whereto will all these changes lead Europe, one is anxious to know, as the present ministry can only be looked upon as a makeshift one at best. A curious way of persecuting the Press at Paris is adopted by the Government. Whenever a paper indulges in remarks not quite agreeable to Govermental taste, down comes a communique from one of the "departments," which the paper is compelled to insert to the exclusion of its own matter. A nice way of shutting up your opponents truly! Little else of moment has occurred upon the Continent. The Pope is very silent— that is for him, while Italy is busying itself about its finances, that are far from flourishing. Should, however, a long period of peace be allowed Italy, she has every prospect of shewing in a few years' time a clean balance sheet, i.e., one without that ugly word " deficit." Turkey and Greece have been indulging in rather hard language, and seem inclined to exchange hard blows. The quarrel springs out of the Cretan insurrection and the undisguised sympathy expressed for the Cretans by Greece, which Turkey alleges has assumed the form of armed assistance. A war between the two powers is very likely to terminate in their both vanishing from the map of Europe, for they have both been "intolerable nuisances" for a long time. The principal cause of their remaining intact, being the jealousy of the other powers of any one of them being special "cheffonier." There is just that kind of rumbling in Spain that precedes the outbreak of a political volcano, and doubtless before long we shall see the country given up to strife. All that keeps it quiet is the fact that up to the present moment the army remains faithful. The near advent of the. Paris Exposition of 1867 is at last attracting a little attention ; and, now, we begin to hear who is going, and who is likely to stop away. Parisian shop-keepers &c. seem almost mad with speculations, many of which, I am afraid, will turn out disastrous failures'. Of course there is the usual crop of prophecies — how this Exhibition is to usher in a new era for the whole world, and how henceforth, nought but loving words and peaceful interchange of compliments will take place between the nations. You will remember that just 16 years ago we were told to look for a similar result from the 1851 affair. How has this been verified ? Do catastrophes run in chains,, that the commencement of the new year should seem so firmly linked with the last days of 1866. We had only just learnt to comprehend in London the magnitude of the Colliery accidents, when a terrible catastrophe takes place in the heart of Babylon itself. On the 15th inst. those who delighted in skating shewed in great force, and a large concourse assembled in the Regent's Park. The ice was in a very indifferent state, but no serious catastrophe took place until 4 p.m. At that time, when nearly 200 persons were skating, the ice gave way en masse, and the whole of them were immersed. About 150 were extricated, leaving 50 to be accounted for. This shocking affair caused a most painful sensation. 41 dead bodies have been recovered, and an inquest has been opened which is likely to last for some time. The usual flood of suggestions has poured in since the accident, as to how such things may be prevented in future. An accident on ice is always a most difficult one to encounter, as the treacherous surface in too many cases only acts as a lid upon its unfortunate victims. To remove it, when it is thick, is a work of time, and time means life. The only simple mode suggested for such a wholesale accident as the present is to have ropes stretched upon props, that can all be levelled at a moment's notice, and thus become available to those wbo are suddenly immersed. The ropes, it is proposed, should be placed at a sufficient height f o allow of skaters and sliders easily passing under them. But perhaps we shall admit that " prevention is better than cure, 1 ' even in this case, and the suggestion that all waters in our parks shouldvbe reduced to one uniform level— -say four feet--is now being carried out. The plan, has -- been adopted in St. James's Park, and answers capitally. Go where you will in London, little else „ has been spoken of for the last ten days, — - hence the session of parliament, how soclbse at hand, does not seem likely to be. ushered .; in with the usual trebaendous flourisbesof , political , rumour. Enough, 7 hpwever>^pis transpired to shew thateach^partyisjpreparing for the fight, and f each|ideris; inclined to stake its ; oil upoh the' ; r c6ntest/'£V

Mr. Disraeli has sounded his drum, and Mr. Gladstone has called upon hia men td rally round him on the " opening day." Entt c nous, there runs a rumour that the Liberal side are somewhat dissatisfied with the Eight; Hon. William Ewarfc Gladstone and will try to put forward another leader, but don't know where to look for one. The somewhat, petulant, Ex-Chancellor is certainly the greatest orator they possess, is a gentleman and a scholar, and compares favourably with all, the front rank men in the Liberal army. ; . Besides, say what they will, bis name is a " tower of strength," with all the radicals, a party whose numbers are not to be despised. The cause of complaint is evidently the ultra opinions Mr. Gladstone has expressed on Reform, and their near approach to some of Mr. Bright's fierce utterance.. As to this vexed question of Reform, the Conservatives are particularly reticent just now, some of them assuring us that we shall all be surprised out of our senses by the "liberality" of the DerbyDisraeli ministry, while others vote Reform a "nobsance," and only to be talked about by "Bright, and that sorfc of fellow you, know.'V We do know that three really good and useful measures will be introduced by the ministry directly the session begins. Mr. Gathorne Hardy is going to talk to Bumbledom in quite a new manner, and the guardians are anxious to learn whether they are to be abolished or not. Then our ship owners are to be made to provide "better quarters and food for the sailors, and to provide them with real lime juice, and not (as it too often is the case now) -yyith some filthy decoction of acids. Our Bank of England directors arie also to have a word in season, by a little reform of the Bank Charter Act. All these subjects call for immediate treatment, and it may just so happen that the House will, in treating them; agree to shelve just for a session any measure, afiecting the franchise. Still Mr. 1 Gladstone's opportunity will comewhen his rival introduces the budget —for on this these two renowned men of figures must fij*ht t Mr. Disraeli has a very difficult course before him, as his Minister of War and his First Lord of the Admiralty are knocking loudly at his door for more money wherewith to get more men, as well as "needle guns" and ships. If he yields to their demands, exit reduction of taxation, exit surplus, and enter in a high state of excitement the men of peace, and the so-called-economists. It will take all the great Coningsby's brilliancy and manoeuvering to steer a safe course between this Scylla and Charybdis. ' Her Majesty will open Parliament in peron, and, this time, will not advance one tage nearer to a resumption of all her regal duties by reading the speech in person. The Reform League are desirous (or raher I may say some of them are, for there is a split in the League) of shewing how high in the. social scale they are-, and how great their respect for law and order is, by having a " tremendous demonstration " on the llth February, as near the House of Commons as they dare. In fact, by a show of physical force to attempt to obtain moral rights, Such a plan of intimidation is likely to be resented rather warmly by those who ; are to be made its subjects, as also by the i great body of Englishmen, who have a par- : ticular objection to Parliament being bullied in any way, shape, or make. If this course < is persisted in, I much fear the really desirable extension of the .franchise wili be postponed almost indefinitely, for the very name of Reform wiil be made to stink. i Indulging in personalities is always a dan- i gerous game, and is generally commenced j by the person who is quickest at feeling i such things. Hence, some of Mr. Bright's opponents pelting him with a little mud, the j great demagogue has replied fiercely. Certainly Mr. Garth overstepped all reasonable bounds id some of the statements he made, so that, when called upon to justify them, he notoriously failed. Up to this point Mr. Bright had the best of it, and it was only by his again descending to personal abuse of a positively Billingsgate kind that be failed to come off with flying colours. How is it i that a man of Mr. Bright's talent should always so effectually spoil a good case when ; he has it ? At last our great " financiers " have been \ taught a lesson. The great " example "of their school has been made in the person of ] a Mr. Wilkinson. You will easily call to mind how this managing director of London i Joint Stock Discount Company (now following the fashionable course of "winding up") ; was asked for an explanation of certain ; transactions whereby a certain sum of ; £4,000, amongst others, changed hands in a most peculiar manner. Mr. Wilkinson evidently had the money, and ifc is equally cer- j tain that his brokers, to whom he owed some ■ £5000, received ifc from him, and had applied i ifc in reduction of their account. The 1 transparent mask of entering a fictitious ] loan upon the books of the company, was < useless, and a jury, upon viewing the facts ■ of the case (however much they might admire the prisoner's skill) could not but find : that he had appropriated what was not his own. And now Mr. Wilkinson is to under- j go five years penal sevitude. The only matter for regret, is that he has not .several fitting; companions in his solitude. Ifc is ; quite time that several other skilful promo- j ters of companies were sent to keep com- i pany with burglars and garotfcers. 1 We are now realising to the full the ruin i tbat the mania for "limited companies " has ] brought upon us. More than 360 of these ] affairs are being "wound up." In their j time these concerns have only demanded 1 from the public a little sum of £120,000,000 i for the prosecution of their various schemes, j and now all are being buried with as go»*- i geous funerals as their funds and their un- ■ dertakers (the lawyers and liquidators) can j provide. ( The case of Overend, Gurney and Co. ■ has again been before the Court of Chan- ] eery. Iv this concern the shareholders are i doing their best to be relieved of all their ( liability, on the ground that the prospectus ; of the company was fraudulent, but ifc does , not seem that they would have hesitated to ■ sell their shares at a premium, had the op- ] porfcunifcy offered. 1 To this release from 1 liability .the -depositors naturally object. _ Taken away the shareholders, literally no- i thing remains for them, asthey deposited ( their mphfey with. Overend, Gurney & Co. upop the "'faith of the uncalled up capital of . the cofic^-nv/^ be delivered j by the #ic^hanceHqr Malms at the com- i men^emfent of jaextyterm, and, from the re- i marks;he to time, both sh^rehjijldetis and depositors are equally J^^^^^^^il,^) : y : y' t : :7|^i^o^^^vthe^^ahtio, cable has : for :^

wßamcmamtß&mmmammm^BCßmmmammmammmmmmmmmimßaßmmXma were entertained that it had " given " ii some part ; but it appears the land lines and not the cables, are o'ufc of order, th< snows having been very heavy at Cap< Breton. The weather since my last has developec such changes as only the English climat< can produce. For the first few days of th< year we were troubled with snow storms : then a frost of remarkable severity set in and now we are enjoying weather more life balmy May than cold, cutting January The thermometer has ranged from zero tc 60 ° in the course of 20 days. What s contrast to New Zealand ! The severity of the frost has caused greai distress in London and elsewhere, and the charitable have had enough to do to ans wet all the claims upon their purses. We have had a few bread riots, but the participators therein have for the most part been the thieves and rapscallions that generally go to make a crowd, Nor is ifc a little of this distress that is attributable to the operations of the Trades Unions. The constant repetitions of strikes has rendered trade so uncertain, that, where work was formerly plentiful, thousands are now idle- Messrs. Potter and Co. have gone too far, and there is every sign of the artizans belonging to the Trades Unions rebelling against the tyranny of their councils. The series of gales with which our coasts have been visited have caused numerous shipwrecks and immense loss of life, though at present the disasters do not equal those of last year. In America strange things are taking place. Mr. Johnson, determined not to give way in his policy, has vetoed various bills passed by Congress, a course Congress has met by passing them over the veto with the requisite majority. At last, tired of this "** regular farce," as it soon became, the President's opponents have managed to get the judiciary committee ordered to prepare an impeachment against him. Hence we shall soon see the President of the United States placed upon his trial afc the bar of the Senate. WiU he become another martyr, like King Charles I. of our own country. Here is something that I know will be interesting to every New Zealand colonist. Ifc is dated, War office, January 25, and appears in the London Gazette of that date: — "The Queen has directed that the decoration of the Victoria Cross may be conferred on persons serving in the Local Forces of the colony of New Zealand, or who may hereafter be employed ip the local forces raised, or which may be raised, in the colonies and their dependencies generally." Justice truly has leaden feet !