NEWS BY THE MAIL.

West Coast Times, Issue 212, 24 May 1866, Page 2

NEWS BY THE MAIL.

The overland mail from Christchurch, which arrived last evening punctual to time, brought the English letters, but no English newspapers. From the " Otago Daily Times" of the 19th inst., however, we extract the following items of intelligence taken from the papers brought by the South Australian to Duuedin, whioh are not included in the telegraphic summary already published by us :— GENERAL SUMMARY. London, 26th March. The Australian January mails were delivered in London on 16th March. The Queen held her first court on 9th March, the second on the 15th, and the third on the 23d, in Buckingham Palace. The Prince and Princess of Wales con* tinue to reside at Marlborough House. Prince Alfred has been installed a master of Trinity House. The "Times" of 28th February caused great sensation by announcing the retirement of Earl Russell from the Cabinet, and the Duke of Somerset as his Bucoessor. The statement was withdrawn next day. Should the Reform Bill pass, Earl Russell and Sir George Grey will retire upon superannuation privileges. The principles of the bill are the inanipula* tion of the franchise. The county franchise, formerly LSO, is to be reduced' to LI S ; borough ditto, now L lO, to bo reduced to L 7; leaseholders to have the samo county rights as freeholders ; LSO in Savings Bank for two years to command a vote; ratepaying clauses abolished ; LlO lodgers to be entitled to vote. The present constituencies are estimated at 900,000 working men's votes, now averaging 26 per cent. It is proposed to increase votes by 40,000, half of which to belong to the working classes. Public opinion is in favor of a readjustment of seats, should the franchise be altered. Sixty-two petitions are beforo the House aifecting seats, on grounds of bribery and treating. The Government pledges itself to stand or fall by the Reform Bill. Large meetings in its favor have been held in various parts. Tho second reading of the Oxford Tests Abolition Bill was carried in the Commons by 217 votes against 103. The University of London intend petitioning Parliament for the right of being represented in Parliament by two members. The 20th of March was observed as a day of humiliation in London, in reference to tho cattle plague. Tho Governor and Attorney-General of Jamaica said, in evidence, that general discontent had prevailed for the last five years ; the dissatisfaction being to the Government and not to the Crown, the universal discontent having been fomented by Gordon and others. There has been a debate in the House of Commons on Governor Darling's recall. The speakers agreed that the conduct of Mr Cardwell, in the Victorian crisis, was moderate, wise, and prudent. A public entertainment has been given to Mr Gladstone at Liverpool. The University boat race on the Thames was won by Oxford. The results of the annual billiard matches between Oxford and Cambridge were equally divided. Further accounts confirm the rumor that the Fonians in America resolve to invade Canada. Stevens, the head centre, has escaped to Paris. The Fenian terror in Ireland, since the passing *of tho Habeas Corpus Suspension Act, is sinking into oblivion. The report of the inquiry into the wreck of the London represents the loss of tho ship as due to the unshipping of the engine room skylight. Mr Denis published ft letter from his

brother, as follows: — " Six, Thursday January 10. — Farewell, father, brothers, sister, and my Edith (his little daughter, now an orphan). Ship London, Bay of Bay of Biscay, Thursday, twelve o'clock noon. — Reason, ship overweighted with cargo. Too slight house over engine room. All washed away from deck. Bad poop windows, water broken in. God bless my little orphan. Storm, but not too violent for a well ordered ship." . Dr Whewell, Master of Trinity, is dead. i Bishop Colenso was formally excommunicated on 7th March, and another bishop appointed in his stead. Bishop Colenso has no legal appeal. Garroting is increasing, with brutal assaults. The last batch of ruffians convicted received an unusually severe flogging, which produced the desired effect. A man has been arrested in Brussels, who states that he murdered Mr Briggs, for which crime Muller suffered death. A libel action, for L 50,000, has been raised by the parents of Constance Kent against the "Edinburgh Daily Review." Irish emigration still increasing. The ex-Confederate cruiser Shenandoah has been sold for £15,750. The Liverpool Grand National •Steeplechase was won by Salamander, Cortolvin second, and Creole third. . The Great Northamptonshire Stakes was won by John Davis, Mail Train second. The election of Mazzini for Messina has been annulled by vote of the Italian Parliament by 191 against 107. The conference on the Danubian Principalities is still sitting in Paris. The French Corps Legislatif carried the address by a large majority, but rejected the motion to deal with the Press by ordinance of 0 court instead of by the Government. A bill has been adopted by the Belgian Chamber of Deputies enlarging the representation of both Houses. Obituary. — Lady Douglas', the Right Hon, Arthur Herbert, Earl of Beauchamp, Dr. Lee, C. G. Addison, James Campbell, Q.C. ; Lady C. Law, Hon. R. White, Sir G. Harnage, Archdeacon Evans, Rev. W. Moore, D.D. ; F. D. Goldsmith, M.P. ; Captain J. L\ Parkin, R.N.