ENGLISH NEWS

Lyttelton Times, Volume II, Issue 93, 16 October 1852, Page 4

ENGLISH NEWS

The " Joseph Fletcher" arrived at Auckland, from London, on the 31st August, making a favourable passage of 99 days from Plymouth. She brings about one hundred passengers, and English dates to the 20th May. On that day, the Chancellor of the Exchequer, in stating the intentions of Government as to certain measures, observed that " the Militia Bill must be passed, and that it seemed to be the wish of the House to proceed with the New Zealand Bill; but he intimated a doubt as to its passing this Session.' If it were not thought necessary to proceed with the Bill, it would be necessary to bring in a Bill to maintain the present state of things for another year." This looks ominous as to our having Representative Institutions from the present Parliament; we have hopes, however; as the "Australian" brought intelligence of the second reading of the Bill, and it is just possible, therefore, that it may have gone through the ordeal of Parliament, and be now the Law of the Land. We regret to learn that Mr. Gladstone's " Church Constitution Bill" has fallen to the ground. Sir John Pakington, in a long speech, on the 19th May, of which we have no particulars, strongly opposed it, and moved the previous question, which, after some discussion, was agreed to without a division. It was expected that Parliament would be prorogued about the 25th June, and the dissolution take place on the following day. Arthur O'Connor, one of the celebrated leading United Irishman, died on the 23rd April, at his chateau at Bignon in the Loiret, in his 89th year.