LATEST TELEGRAMS.

Otago Witness, Issue 904, 27 March 1869, Page 10

LATEST TELEGRAMS.

London, February 1 0. Parliament was opened by the Lord Chancellor, ill-health preventing the Queen from appearing in person. The speech contained nothing of special interest. It referred to the resumption of Parliamentary labours in consequence of the enlarged system of enfranchisement ; alluded to the friendly relations with foreign powers, aud stated that Her Majesty was desirous of, and rejoiced in, the continued prospect of peace ; Turkey and Greece were pacified. It was hoped that the pending negotiations would cement a lasting friendship tvith America ; it regretted the New Zealand atrocities, and expressed confidence that the Colonial Government and people would prove equal to the occasion, and would prudently prevent their recurrence, but it recommended an enquiry tr> insure tranquillity ; it promised an education, bill for Scotland, revision of the bankruptcy laws, and abolition of imprisonment for debt; that the ecclesiastical affairs of Ireland would be considered forthwith, with a view to promote the welfare of religion and equal justice to all, and to secure loyalty and the observance of the law, efface former contentions, and cherish sympathies with an affectionate people.

The wool sales commence on the 25th . Probable stock, 130,000 bales.

_ The Panama Mail Company have gone into liquidation. The Great Britain sailed from Liverpool for Melbourne on the 3rd inst.

The borings on the Esplanade at Oamani have, according to the local journal of Tuesday, reached rock at the depth of 46ffc. This shows the rocky stratum to be 32ffc. below the level of the lagoon. The lagoon has albo been sounded ia various place 3, and the depth of water is found to re from 10 to 14ft. Fresh borings are now being made on the north side of the lagoon mouth at the bathing place.

A correspondent of the Sydney Morning Herald -writes as follows : — Sir— Being an old tar, I naturally turn to the shaping news for information, and am shocked to see the number of accidents recorded by clipper ship 3 losing men off the jioboom when stowing the jib in bad weather. It is a notorious fact the jib is carried till the last moment, and while set, acts as a lift as well as a drag, but as soon as it is down the vessel swashe3 mto the head sea fearfully, which makes it doubly dangerous to lay out and hand it, especially when there is nothing but the foot ropes and boom for support, with the sail and pennants slanting about the poor fellows' heads and trying to knock them off. Now, my idea is that this danger might be obviated simply by having a triangular net made with a bag in it just deep enough to pass under thef oot-ropes, one angle to be seized under the boom end, and the side to traverse on the gib guys or small rinas, with hauling line to spread it jin as far abreast of the bowsprit cap, and when not required it can be stowed under the boom end and not be unsightly ; also, a life-line, set up along the top ef the boom, for the men to hold on by, a simple precaution which very few adopt, because Mr Mate thinks it looks lubberly. But it is very easy for an officer to order men out on a dangerous duty while he stands aft himself looking on. Surely men's lives are sufficiently valuable to use all precautions for their safety, as it is generally the smartest seamen who are lost. — XbiU'S obediently, March 6, 1869, N

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