LONDON.

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume VI, Issue 655, 20 March 1879, Page 2

LONDON.

March 18. A Commission has been appointed by the Swiss Federal Government to represent Switzerland at the Melbourne Exhibition. Two thousand lives have been lost by floods at Izegidin, in Hungary. The Mails, via San Francisco, were delivered to-day. The Chancellor of the Exchequer has fixed the debate in the Commons on the Zulu war to take place on the 27th of March. Lord Blackford has given notice of motion in the Lords condemning the Zulu war. The Mission Embassy progresses satisfactorily. The English press advocates the consideration of the Embassy's representations. Owing to Mr. Childers having accepted the Agent-Generalship for Victoria, probably the House of Commons will discuss the Victorian difficulty earlier than was first intended. Mr. Berry is urging the Cable Company to reduce rates to the Press and Government earlier than was agreed. A scandalous scene has occurred in the House of Commons, owing to the Home Rule opposition to the Army estimates.

Mr. Berry has definitely arranged to accept only three millions at present of tho amount subscribed for Victorian Loan. There was a serious riot in Belfast over the celebration of St. Patrick's Day. The Cath'olic procession came into conflict with the Orangemen. The police and military were called out, but the rioting continued throughout the evening. Some uneasiness has been caused by the movement of Russian troops to the north of Afghanistan, where, by latest reports, they were advancing upon Merv. Wheat quiet and easy.