ENGLISH NEWS.

New Zealand Gazette and Wellington Spectator, Volume 19, Issue 62, 19 June 1841, Page 3

ENGLISH NEWS.

The following is a copy of the Queen's speech, at the opening of the present session of Parliament :—: —

Mv Lords and Gentlemen, — I have the satisfaction to receive from Foreign Powers assurances of their friendlydisposition, and of their earnest desire to maintain peace. The position of aff.urs in the Levant lud long been a cause of uneasiness, and a source of danger to the general tranquility. With a view to avert the evils which a continuance of that state of things was calculated to occasion, I concluded with the Emperor of Austria, the King of Prussia, the Emperor of Russia, and the Sultan, a Convention intended to effect a pacification of the Levant; to maintain the integrity and independence of the Ottoman Empire; and thereby to afford additional security to the peace of Europe.

1 have given directions that this Convention shall be laid before you.

I rejoice to be able to inform, you that the measures which have been adopted in execution of those engagements have been attended with .signal success •, and I trust that the objects which the contracting parties had in view are on the eve of being completely accomplished. Iti the course of these transactions my Naval Forces have co-operated with those of the Emperor of Austria, and with the Land and Sea. Forces of the Sultan, and have displayed upon all occasions their accustomed gallantry and skill. Having deemed it necessary to send to the coast of Cnina a naval and military force, to cLmind reparation and redress for injuries inflicted upon some of my subjects by the officers of the Emperor of China, and for indignities olibred to an Agent of the Crown, 1 at the same time appointed Plenipotentiaries to treat upon these matters with the Chinese government,

These Plenipotentiaries were, by the last accounts, in negotiation with the government of China,- an'l it, will be a source of much gratification fo me, if that government s h a u be induced by its own sense of justice to bring these matters to a speedy settlement by an amicable arrangement. Serious differences have irisen between Spain and Portugal about the execution of a Treaty concluded by those Powers in 1835, for regulating the navigation of the Douro. JJut both parties have accepted my mediation, and I hope to be able to effect a reconciliation between them upon terms honourable to both.

I have concluded with the Argentine Republic and with the Kepublic of Hayti, treaties for the suppression of the Slave Trade, which I have directed to be laid before you. Gentlemen of the HouseopCommons, — I have directed the estimates of the year to be laid before you. However sensible of the importance of adhering to the principles of economy, I feel it to be my duty to recommend that adequate provision be made for the exigencies of the public service.

Mv £>oiu>s and Gentlemen, — Measures will he submitted to you without delay, which have for their object the more speedy and effectual administration of justice. The vital importance of this subject is sufficient to ensure for it your early and most serious consideration.

The powers of the Commissioners appointed uuder the Act for the amendment of the laws relating to the poor, expire at the termination of the present year. I feel assured that you will earnestly direct your attention to enactments which so deeply concern the interests of the community. It is always with entire confidence that I recur to the advice and assistance of my Parliament. 1 place my reliance ir.>on your wisdom, loyally, and patriotism, and I humbly implore of Divine Proviiier.cc that all your Councils may he so directed as to advance the great interests of morality and religion, to preserve peace, and to promote, by enlightened legislation, the welfare and happiness of all classes of my subjects.

The New Houses of Parliament. — About one hundred and seventy masons are daily engaged at the new houses of Parliament, and there are nbout one hundred other workmen in full occupation. The works are progressing rapidly. The average height of all the walls is now about 15ft., and they already present a striking appearance when viewed from the river. Mr. Barry, the architect, pays, it is said, the closest attention to all the works, which are, for the most part, executed under his personal superintendence.

Population o* the TJf.irra States. — V, T £. learn by the last arrivals from America, that the census of the United States was nearly completed. Tie population would reach, if it did not exceed, 17,000,000.

His Majesty the King of Hanover transmitted through the hands of Sir Frederick Watson, the sum of i. JSO,J 50, to distribute in coals, &c, to the poor of the parish of Kew, during the late inclement weather.

Earl Somers died at Brighton, in Sussex, rather suddenly, though in his 81st year, on the sth of January. Viscount Eastnor, M.P. for Reigate, son of the deceased, succeeds to the title and estates.

Admiral Stopford, we are informed, has accepted the office of Governor of Greenwich Hospital, and may be expected in England about March. — Morning Advertiser.

We regret exceedingly to state that Captain Alsager, M.P. for the Eastern Division of the county of Surry, expired on Sunday, the lyth of January, after a tedious illness. — Standard.

New Zealand — Launch. — No better proof of the increasing prosperity of this Colosy can be given, than the spiric which intending settlers, and the public generally, are showing, by the support awarded to the various schemes, whether set on foot by the Government, public companies, or enterprising private individuals ; in all such schemes the Clyde has taken, the lead of any other port of Great Brita'n. On Tuesday ws witnessed, at Port-Glasgow, the launch of a new ship built expressly for this Colony, and as she~g3utly glided towards her destined element, up went the burgee, ■which displayed the appropriate name, Clyde-side. She went off in gallant style, and was immediately brought into the adjoiniug harbour. She was built by Mr. Mathieson, (who has already visited that quarter of the globe) who, along with several friends, intends now to take up his final abode there. As a practical and successful shj^-buHer Mr. Matbieson was. second to none, anawiialever be his occupation in. the town of Wellington, New Zealand, we heartily wish him every success. We understand the Clyde-side proceeds from Glasgow, direct, to her port of destination. — Glasgow Courier.

A man named Samuel Scott, called the American. Diver, had obtained great notoriety for the feats he had performe I in various parts of America and England. He lately succeeded in getting a scaffold erected at' Waterloo Bridge, from which he was to have made an exhibition. Thousands were ready to witness the dangerous undertaking. It was customary for him to play antics, by hanging himself prior to making the dive. He did so on this occasion, and, in consequence of the rope slipping, hanged himself. He used to ieap from the masts of vessels, and the police requested the captains to refuse him permission, and their request was complied wi h. It is a question whether Scott succeeded in getting the scaffold erected on the bridge by deception, or whether the proprietors connived at it. Scott was about to request the Lord Mayor to have a tank, with ten feet water in it, at the foot of the Monument, as he was anxious to make a successful leap therefrom. It is said he had dived from a height of more than five hundred feet.