NEWS BY THE SUEZ MAIL.

Oamaru Mail, Volume III, Issue 622, 1 May 1878, Page 2

NEWS BY THE SUEZ MAIL.

(PER ARAWATA, AT THE BLUFF.)

London, March !.">. The Queen is at Windsor. She shortly proceeds to Osborne. The Duke of Connaught has resumed his military duties at Dublin. The Duke of Edinburgh has left Malta for England, where ho will shortly receive flag rank. Two steamers have left Malta with (olograph cable, to lay down in various parts of the Levant for the British Government. Vessels are already in commission, fitting out, including the Thunderer, Dreadnought. Snccumbent, Northampton, Monarch, Superb, Belle Isle ; the two new ironclads purchased from the Turkish Government ; the Independence, purchased from Brazil ; tho Eralipus, Agamemnon, Lord Warden, Triumph, Hercules, Thunderbolt, Northumberland, Prince Albert, Grattan, Cyclops, Hydra, Hecate, Philomel, and Cormorant. Tho Inflexible is being speedily pushed on, and her 81 ton gnus are nearly ready. Large quantities of war material are being'shipped to tho Mediterranean fleet and fortresses. Great precautions are being taken by the fleet in the Dardanelles and the Sea lif Marmora against attack. Each vessel is protected by hawsers and spars. Steam torpedo launches are used, and extra sentries posted. Tho heavy guns are kept constantly loaded, while electric lights from the tops of the Alexandra and Tenieraire render all objects visible for two miles around. A number of commissions in the ordnance and transport departments are being given to non-commissioned odicers'. of the "artillery. Lieut.-General Sir Patrick M'Doug.ill, late of the Intelligence Department, of the Horse Guards, will assume the command in Canada in May. Major-General Hamley succeeds him. Baker Pasha was entertained at a grand banquet at Stafford House by the Duko of Cumberland, when a large party of general officers and noblemen, &c, assembled to meet him, including tho Duke of Teek, Prince Edward of Saxo Waiemar, Field-Marshal Lord Strathnairn, Sir Garnet YVolsoley, Midhat Pasha and many others. "The guest of ihe evening'' received a perfect ovation,, •ind warmly returned thanks. Slartling revelations have been made before the Stock Exchange Commissioners, and very strict measures will bo proposed to abolish certain practices which have been tho cause of the heavy losses sustained by private individuals during the last five years. Earl Cardogan has succeeded Mr. Lowlier as Under-Secretary, for the Colonies. Viscount Bury takes his place in tho War (>fbee. Mr. Blaise's Bill for tho abolition of ■•apital punishment was defeated on the loth in the House of Commons by 203 to f>4. Mr. Osborne Morgan's motion in favor if interments in churchyards without religious service, if desired, was lost by 242 to 227. An annual grant of L3OOO is proposed for Hansard, to improve the system of ■eporting debates, with special reference to the late debates and discussions in I.'omniitt.ee and on private Bills. General Sir Arthur Barton succeeds Sir Van Stranbeti/.e as Governor of Malta. The London Salvage Company have commenced operations for raising the Vanguard. Colonel Arbnrthnot, Conservative, has been returned for Hereford by 1110 votes, against 10(iti given to Pulley, tho Liberal candidate. Exploring expeditions for Africa arc being fitted out both in Prance and Germany, and both Governments are aiding them. The Indo-European Company have introduced tho telephone into Persia, and ;!0(i miles have been spoken over. The intended marriage of the Dnko of Genua with a sister of the (.Jucen of Spain is announced. Oliver Pain, who escaped with Ituchfort from New Caledonia, is stated tr> have been captured and \tn>t by the Russians. Tho De Pits Ministry has been broken ' up through domestic scandal in connection with Signer Crispo, who repudiated his first wife on the ground that tho marriage had not been thoroughly legal, although she had presented at Court, and married again. In consequence of tho great outcry he resigned his seat in Ihe Ministry. Signor Cairoli, an opponent, was elected President of tho Chamber, and on the resignation of the Ministry was called upon to form a Government, and has succeeded. Scandals have come to light in connection with the management of the Fronch military garrisons. The Shah of Persia starts for Europo ou the sth April. During tho Lost sitting of tho Turkish Parliament, public affairs were discussed with great freedom, both Christians and Mussulmans joining in exposing the faults of the Administration. On the prorogation, prominent members were expelled to Asia Minor. Fifty thousand Russians are to remain in the new Principality of Bulgaria for two years, until a national militia is organised. Communication with Russia will be maintained by sea from Varna and Bourgas. Tho obstructions at the Sulina Mouth of tho Danubo are boing cleared away. All Mussulmans who have quitted Bulgaria can return to occupy their homes.