GENERAL SUMMARY.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 190, 21 December 1868, Page 3

GENERAL SUMMARY.

LomooN, Nov. 2. The Queen is at Balmoral, but leaves on the 3rd for Windsor. Dr Longley, Archbishop of Canterbury, died on Oct. 27, aged 75. * Preparations for the general elections are progressing. There have been election riots in Devonshire. Sir John Burgoyne, constable of the Tower, has been presented with the freedom of the city of London. Mr Eeverdy Johnson continues to practise conciliation. Sir James Ferguson, Bart., the new Governor of South Australia, wae entertained at a banquet at Willis's Booms. The claims of British and American citizens arising out of the Southern rebellion are to be determined by an International Commission, composed equally of British and American members. The Governments are not to put in or support any claim; every claimant to make his own. It is rumoured that the ex-King of Hanover will take his seat in the Souse of Lords, as Duke of Cumberland. ; .;... ..) \ ..;•:. ThevEreedom of the city of London is to be presented to John Bright. ; are

The Befornr League sent a congratulatory address to the Junta at Madrid. Shocks of earthquake have been felt in several places in Great Britain and Ireland. Dr Magee, Dean of Cork, is nominated to the see of Peterborough. The Prince and Princess of "Wales leave shortly for a tour. They will visit Paris, Germany, Denmark, Greece, Aaia Minor, and the Nile. The Home JS/ervs states that the Panama Mail Company has passed through the crisis safely. The Belgian Government recognizes the Provisional Government of Spain. The Duke of Edinburgh's departure is postponed for a few days. Republican meetings and demonstrations are taking place at Madrid. There is a split in the Democratic party. General Novaliches is improving. A seed warehouse in Liverpool "fell in ; four men killed. The Lord Justice General of Scotland and Mr Gladstone have been nominated to the Chancellorship of the University of Edinburgh, in the room of the late Lord Brougham. [by cable via new toek] London, Nov. 8. There has been a railway collision near Newnham, Wales ; many persons killed and injured. At the Liverpool Autumn Meeting the Cup was won by Sir J. Hawley's The Palmer ; Capt. Machell's Knight! of the Garter second ; E. "W. Topham's Tribune third ; 17 ran. The Post announces the dissolution of Parliament for Nov. 11. Uncontested elections will commence on the 16th ; contested elections in the boroughs on the 17th ; in counties, later. Parliament assembles on Dec. 9, and will proceed to business on the 14th, after which the Premier will announce his resignation. The Liberal party expect a majority of 100. The conduct of the captain of H.M.S. Chanticleer in blockading Mazatlan, though not sustained by the British Admiral, has been approved by the Foreign Office and the Admiralty. London papers comment variously on the election of General Grant to the Presidency. The Hudson Bay Company's claim in territory between Canada and the Pacific coast is not recognised by the British Government. The Khan of Khokand has sent ambassadors to St Petersburg, making offers of friendship and submission to the Czar. Miss Becker's claim to vote was heard to-day before the Court of Common Pleas ; the decision is to be given in a few days, and is looked for anxiously. Paeis, Nov. 7. The ex Queen of Spain and suite had arrived. Minister Burlingame, in charge of the Chinese embassy, is expected to arrive here in January. He will make a proposition to open for foreign commerce the ports on the interior waters of China, to have European consuls at all the great cities of the empire, and to send Chinese consuls to the principal European cities. The papers criticise Grant's election favourably. The bullion in the Bank of .France decreased 15,600,000 francs last week, j Madeid, Nov. 8. Marshall Serrano has confirmed the appointment of General Prim as com-mander-in-Chief. A Brigade of Infantry will sail for Havana on the 15th inst. The Republicans in this city decided that the party should vote against a Monarchy at the coming elections. General Prim issued a circular to the military commanders, to the effect that it is not proper that soldiers should take part in political meetings. The city of Havanna has been authorised to borrow 10,000,000 crowns for the completion of the Isabel Canal. A decree will be issued reducing the standing army. The Provisional Government has issued a decree, sanctioning the holding of public meetings in places where the people have pronounced for the Government. Barcelona desires Eapartero as king of Spain, in case the. Cortes should pronounce for a Monarchy.

A large naval and military expedition for Cuba is fitting out at Cadiz. It consists of four frigates, heavily armed, conveying a fleet of transports filled with troops. General Dulce, the newly-appointed Captain- General of Cuba, will sail with the fleet. He tnkes out a decree providing for the elc tion of deputies in the island. He is instructed to carry into force measures to liberalise the administration of Cuba; to establish the liberty of the Press ; to divide the island into three provinces; and to suppress unpopular institutions. General Contreras has been appointed Captain- General of Porto Rico. Olozaga and his party have issued a manifesto, urging the necessity of a Monarchy in Spain. , The Provisional Government has received many petitions for the abolition of slavery. The Government will now recognise the Mexican republic. The members of the Provisional Government are unanimous in their opposition to the Duke of Montpensier. Customs duty in Cuba, Porto Rico, and the PhiUipine Islands, on all goods and materials intended for works of public utility, is abolished. The officers and men of the Spanish navy have been placed on the same footing, as to rank and pay, as those of the army. Beblin, Nov. 6. King "William opened the session of the Prussian Diet with a speech. He said new sources of revenue were needed to provide for the increased expenditure of the kingdom. The relations of Prussia with all foreign powers were satisfactory and friendly. He hoped that Spain would succeed in independently reconstituting her affairs on a basis which would render the future welfare of her people aecure. He concluded by declaring that the wishes of the sovereigns and the popular craving for peace would ensure peace. The Minister of Finance submitted a report, showing that the share of the Kingdom of Prussia in the financial deficit of the North German Confederation was £5,000,000. He also introduced a Bill to confiscate the property of the Elector of Hesse, on account of his famous memorial. Vienna, Nov. 4. Baron Von Beust urges a peaceful settlement of the Schleswig dispute. Lisbon, Nov. 7. Accounts have been received here, announcing the almost complete annihilation of a Portugese expedition to Mozambique, South Africa. This expedition, which consisted of about 600 soldiers, with artillery, &c, was sent into the interior of that country, where it was attacked by the natives. Nearly all the soldiers were killed, and their artillery, small arms, and ammunition were captured ; barely sixty escaped to the sea coast with their lives. ROTTEBDAM, Nov. 2. Serious riots occurred yesterday. A quarrel arose between the citizens and the police. The latter were overpowered, when troops were sent from the Hague to restore order. A severe contest took place in the streets between the troops and the people. Three men were killed, and about a hundred wounded. Sixty arrests of persons implicated in the riot had been made. The city is now quiet, under the guardianship of the military. Rome, Nov. 8. Desertion from the Papal troops continues in large numbers. Hayana, Nov. 4. Santa Anna has arrived at St Domingo. The excitement here is allayed. Balmaseda, with a detachment of artillery, has gone to Puerto Principe, which has risen against the Government. Pabaguay, Nov. 3. The mediation of England between Paraguay and the South American allies is desired. An Amecican war steamer has arrived at Ascencion, to demand the release of the members of the United States Legation. San Fbanoisco. Frightful earthquakes occurred on Oct. 20. Business was completely suspended ; 6 persons were killed and many injured. The Hospital, Custom House, Mint, City Hall, and hundreds of houses were destroyed. Fissures

opened in the streets, and water gushed up. The damage is roughlj estimated at two million dollars.! Many cities in the interior felt severe \ shocks. i New Yobk, Nov. 9. The National election resulted in the choice of Grant and Colfax for President and Vice-President, by 208 electoral votes, leaving to Seymour andBlair 85, who carried New York, New Jersey, Delaware, Maryland, Kentucky, Georgia, Louisiana, . Oregon, and probably South Carolina. The Democrats have gained 24 Congressmen, but are still in a minority in the House. New York city gave a Democratic majority of over 60,000; The State elects Hoffman as Governor, and gives a majority of about 10,000 for Seymour. Butler is re-elected in the fifth district of Massachusetts. The Democratic representation in Congress will be increased by about 23. The City of New Orleans gave a Democratic majority of 23,000. General Grant, will not resign hia commission till his inauguration. Sherman is expected to be promoted in bis place. Speculation on the effect of the election brought on a panic in Wall street. The loan market was raised to 7 per cent, on stock. Government securities declined 3to 4 per cent. A crash among financiers is expected. Panama, Nov. 22nd. Civil war broke out in the State of Panama, between the Liberals and Conservatives. It lasted ten days, and was decided in favour of M) 6he Liberals by battle; 100 men killed.