ENGLISH MAIL NEWS.

Te Aroha News, Volume IV, Issue 160, 10 July 1886, Page 2

ENGLISH MAIL NEWS.

The Australian Cricketers v. Surrey. The Arawa brings a day's later news than the 'Frisco steamer. Our London corres pondent, writing on May 21st, says: "There will be an enormous attendance at, the Oyal this, afternoon, to witness the continuation of the match between Surrey ! and the Australians. The weather seems again to have aettled 3 dpwn fine. . To-day is warm, bright; and sunny! -For the first* time this tour the colonists will have a decent wicket to play on.' Beach has expressed his willingness to meet Hanlan's representative to arrange a match. It will be for £l,oo(Tover the Thames Championship Course. Beach was amongst the audience at Vance's benefit at the Trocadero Music Hall last night, but very few recognised him. The champion will make his first public appearance at a matinee at the Royal Music Hall to-morrow afternoon. . , . The Doncaster Spring Handicap of 500sov8. (If mile), was won yesterday by MrL. De Rothschild's Middiethorpe (6yrsl), 7 at. 101b., by 4 lengthe, from Mr Morton's Dalmeny (6yrs.), 7st. 111b., and Mr Jardine's Moth (3yrs.), sst. 131b, Betting : 3tol on Middiethorpe. State-Directed Emigration. Lord Longford occupied the chair at an important meeting of the National Association for Promoting State-Directed Emigration yesterday, supported by Cardinal Manning, Lord Normanby, Mr Samuel Smith, M P., and the fuke of Manchester. The report, which was adopted after speeches by> the Cardinal, Mr James Rankin, M.JP., and Mr Arnold White, stated that the Council had submitted to Lord GranviUe a draft of a system of colonisation and emigration for unemployed work people from Great Britain to the colonies, and it was believed that this scheme was now under consideration of the Cabinet. ' Tbe Prince of Wales and the Australian Eleven. The Australian's match against Surrey, at Kennington Oval yesterday, commenced at noon, but was almost immediately interrupted by a heavy shower of rain After luncheon, fortunately, the weather took a turn for the better, and ,by five o'clock, when the Prince of Wales made his appearance on the ground, the scene was, as brilliantand animated as it ÜBuallyisoo a bigday. The Prince seldom visits the Surrey side of the Thames, so that .his advent yesterday was very properly considered a significant compliment to the colonialeleven. , H.R.H. was accompanied by Prince Albert Victor, looking unusually bright and interested, and a, couple of A. DCs. The Australian?, on recognising the Royal party, turned toward* the pavilion, and gave them three stentorian cheers, which were taken up by the crowd again and again Sir Saul Samuel and Mr Graham Berry then came forward, and presented Mr Scott, Mr Wardell, and the various members of the team to their Royal Highnesses. The Prince remained about an hour converging Mr W. W. Read and Sir Saul Samuel, and watching the game. He doeßn'fc care a great deal for cricket ; neither does Prince Albert Victor. They withdrew about 5 30, amidst more cheering. The Eruption of Mount Etna. Rome, May 20. The accountb received here of the eruption of Mount Etna are somewhat alarming. The point where the volcanic activity has manifested itself is the extinct crater of Monte Groeso The earthquake shocks and peals of subterranean thunder are incessant. The small township of Nicolosi is threatened with destruction .by the streams of lava which are pouring down the mountain side towards it At Aderno a number of cottages have been destroyed by the earthquake shocks. The district of Bronte has been visited by a heavy fall of sand. Eleven craters have now appeared, from which immense torrents of ( lava are issuing and rushing rapidly down the mountain towards iS'icolosi, the streams at some points being over 200 metres in breadth. The, Sottish Cimrch Assembly. Under most inauspicious circumstances, as regards weather, the session of the General Assembly of the Church of Scotland waa opened at Edinburgh at noon on May 20. Lord Thurlow, Her Majsty'q High i ommi^sioner, waa escorted to St. Gilea s6s 6 Church by al) the cavalry and infantry in the Edir b*irgh garrison. The streets, notwithstanding the rain, were lined with spectators, it being a public holiday. After hearing a sermon from the retiring Moderator, Dr. Mitchell, of St. Andrew's the High Commissioner proceeded to the Assembly Hall, where he read the Qjeen's authority for the opening of the Assembly for eccleeiastieal business, and his appointment as Her Majesty's representative. Dr Cunningham, of Crieff, was thereafter appointed Moderator of the Assembly. The Assembly of the Free Church was also opened at noon. On this occasiou Dr. Brown, of Aberdeen, preached a sermon. v>t the close, Dr. Somerville, of Glasgow, was appointed to succeed him in the Moderator's chair. The Russian Black Sea Fleet. The following Imperial Order, addressed to the commandei s, officers, and sailors of the Black Sea fleet, was promulgated on May 20th :: — lt More than thirty years have' now elapsed since the Black Sea fleet, after accomplishing' heroic deedH, sacrificed itself for the Welfare of Russia, the brave men who served in it transferring themselves in spirit to the memorable heights of Sebastopol. Their fleet is now being reconstituted, to the joy of the' fatherland, which so long " mourned itd loss. My will and thoughts are directed to the peaceful development of the nation's welfare Circumstances, however, may render the fulfilment of my wishes difficult, and may force me to the armed defence of the dignity of the Empire. You will go with me in this with the devotion and constancy which your ancestors displayed in response to the appeal of my grandfather, and 'which caused astonishment to their contemporaries. On the sea which witnessed their gallant exploits 1 confide to you the defence of the honour and safety of Russia.' A Berlin correspondent writes :—": — " The Czar's Order has made a very unfavourable impression here. On the Bourse it caused a general decline, particularly in the Russian and Austrian Funds."