MAIL NEWS.

Patea Mail, Volume XI, Issue 21, 3 June 1885, Page 2

MAIL NEWS.

(PER PRESS ASSOCIATION,) AUCKLAND, June 1. The Australia, from San Francisco, arrived at 4.30 p.m. to-day. She left San Francisco on the 10th May. The passage was fine and uneventful. GENERAL SUMMARY. The dates from Europe are up to the 9th May. Mr Gladstone gave notice in the House of Commons on the Bth May of a motion to provide a dowry for the Princess Beatrice, on her approaching marriage to Prince Henry of Battenberg. It was received with jeers from the Home Rule and Radical benches. A formal opposition will be made by Mr Henry Labouchere. An Anglo-German International Commission, appointed to arrange the terms of occupation of British and German colonies in the Pacific Ocean, has concluded its labours. The status of Samoa remains unsettled. Lady Lonsdale, on whose account Edmund Yatesj suffered imprisonment for Libel, was married to Earl De Grey at St. Martin’s, Charing Cross. Lord Ripon, the father of the bridegroom, Earl Pembroke, and a few select friends of tbe bride and groom were the only persons present. The Fortnightly Review publishes articles by Charles Williams, the Soudan correspondent, substantially proving the incompeiency of Sir Charles Wilson, and the virtual slaughter of General Gordon by his negligence. When the matter is brought up in Parliament, Lord Charles Beresford and many Blue Jackets are willing to be witnesses. The race for the One Thousand Guineas Stakes, for three-year-old fillies, was run on the Bth at Newmarket, and won by the Duke of Westminster’s Farewell. Sixteen started. In reply to a question from Mr Parnell in the House of Commons on the 16th, the Chief Secretary for Ireland ▼ justified the police in their action on several accessories during the Prince’s visit to Cork and Mallow, and curtly added that the Government decline to order an inquiry, as desired by- Mp Parnell. Mr Parnell thinks that the result of the Prince’s visit will be stimulate nationalistic workers.

In the Commons on the evening of the sth of May the Conservatives* amendment to the English Registry Voters Bill, providing that the cost of registry he charged to the treasnry instead of the local rates, was rejected by a vote of 240 to 237. The result of vote was received with loud cheers by the Opposition. Northcote asked Gladstone, whether in the face of the small majority, he would further consider the question. Gladstone said he would abide by the decision of the house. It is stated that Queen Victoria has arranged to visit Ireland in the autumn. The Eight Hon. John Naish, present Attorney-General of Ireland, has been appointed Lord Chancellor of Ireland, vice Sir Edward Sullivan, deceased. It is stated the Government intends to buy for Prince Victor, eldest son of the Prince of Wales, as a permanent place of residence, the celebrated Ard Brian Palace. This magnificent seat is located at Navan, in the County Meath, between the rivers Boyne and Blackwater.

Boer Twine Lodge, the country seat of the Hake of St Albans, was seriously damaged by fire. Many valuable pictures, books, and old china were destroyed. Smallpox prevails in Montreal.

The six days’ walking match closed in London on May 2nd at the Aquarium amid a crowd of spectators. The contest lost some interest owing to tha retirement of Littlewood on account of illness. Achihe, the French long-dis-tance champion, completed only 193 miles. A youth named Connor who did 397 miles is considered the coming champion. The total score of the principal contestants were Rowell, 430; Cartwright, 384 j Mason, 370.

An Irish Local Government Bill will probably be introduced in Parliament before the close of the present session.

The new measure provides for a properly elected council in each county, whose

duty it shall be to conduct the administration business hitherto relegated to grand juries. Provision was also made

for the Central Council, Dublin, to be elected by county councils. This council will discharge functions of boards of education, public works, etc. It is also

meditated to abolish the Lord-Lieu-tenantcy and create a Secretary of State

for Ireland, but this is still undecided, i and it is not unlikely the measure will' M be passed this year. Cholera is prevailing in Calcutta to an

alarming extent. William Ward, first Earl of Dudley, died on the 7th of May, aged 68.