VIA SUEZ.

Wellington Independent, Volume XXVII, Issue 3475, 18 April 1872, Page 2

VIA SUEZ.

A PISTOL PRESENTED AT THE QUEEN. WOOL A PENNY LOWER. THE TICHBORNE CLAIMANT IN NEWGATE. THE AMERICAN CLAIMS HAVE BROKEN DOWN. [A portion of the following was published as an extra to tho Independent yesterday afternoon.] Lyttelton, Wednesday. The John Knox arrived here this morning, and brings the English telegraphic news. The Alexandra arrived at Glenelg at 2 p.m. on tho 6th April. The passage to King George's Sound occupied 100 hours and 98 hours back. The Bangalore, Captain Burn, sailed from Galle on the evening of the 10th March, and arrived at King George's Sound on the morning of the Ist April. She was to sail for Melbourne the same evening. London, February 23. The Australian January mail, via Brindisi, was delivered in London on the 19th. . A complimentary dinner was given by the leading colonists in London to the Hon <x. J\ Verdon as an expression of respect and admiration. It was one of the greatest successes of the kind ever achieved. Edward .Wilson, Sedgwick, Oowper, and John Currie, organised it. The Duke of Edinburgh referred pleasantly to his experience in visiting the British dependencies of which he had the lion's share. Lord Kimberley spoke of the growing difficulties of maintaining so vast an empire, but deprecated any policy calculated to produce an unfriendly severance. A few days later the Queen distributed a shower of honors on representative colonists as already announced. Knatohbull Hugessen's bill to constitute kidnapping of the Pacific islanders a felony has passed. Australian Courts are empowered to try the cases, and the Australian squadron is to be strengthened. The monstrous claims for inferential damages in the Alabama case has aroused the strong indignation of all classes in England, everybody, including the Ministers and Commissioners believing that the American negotiators had distinctly waived the indirect claim. Their revival was at first regarded as sharp attorney practice. A further scrutiny of the treaty and protocol shows that they are nowhere expressly excluded. The Americans profited by the ambiguity and refuse to withdraw these claims from their case for arbitration. England is taunted with cowardice before an impartial tribunal lest she should find herself mulcted in a few hundred million pounds damages. England maintains that no treaty can be ratified under a wrong understanding, and the national resolve is absolutely to refuso to recognise the Alabama claims. The indignation at Yankee cunning is qualified by mortification at the obtnseness of English lawyers and officials. The Government is reproached with dilatoriness. A large balance of European opinion is on the British side. The German press particulary pronounce the claims outrageous, and declare their right to claim similar reparation from America for assistance to France. A legislator indeed has moved for an inquiry into this breach of neutrality. Four of the sharpest of American lawyers have arrived in Paris ready for general pleadings. Owing to a false report circulated that the separation of Canada from Great Britain had been decided upon, it is to be declared a distinct nationalityimmcdiately should any disturbance take place with the United States. A letter has boen published from Sir S. Baker, who is forcing his way through most insuperable difficulties .into the African interior. Diamonds continue to arrive from the Cape. Lynch law prevails at the diggings, and canteen keepers have been burnt out for buying stolen diamonds from the natives. There is great disorder. A dreadful murder has been committed at Lambeth by an American surgeon, The cause of the crime is incomprehensible. A memorial fund devoted to mission purposes is proposed by the Society for the propagation of the Gospel. The British Government has not yet formally recognised the Fiji Government. On the 20th Eebmary. Mr Macfio. called attention to the last report of tho Emigration Commissioners. The Court of Error confirmed the judgment of the * Courts of Exchequer in the case of M'Coil versus the Australian Moat Company. The Ouke of Edinburgh's art collection is visited by increasing crowds at South Kensington. The Brazilian Government is making great efforts to advance that country. Upwards of a month was occupied by the Attorney-General in presenting an historical resume of the fraud of the Tichborno claimant. All his Australian career has been clearly traced, except six months of 1850, whou ho disappeared as Arthur Orton and re-appeared as Castro. General surprise is expressed that Sergeant Ballantyne did not follow Rose & Son and throw up the case. An extraordinary caso of disappearance of a Russian travellers has occurred in London. Colonel Tomlins' pertinacity has been rewarded by Mr Lowe ordering the bank to oxehange old silver for new, and the Mint to coin night and day to relieve the scarcity. Robert Kelly, who was acquitted on the charge of the murder of Talbot, has

been sentenced to fifteen years' penal servitude for shooting another policeman. There is great activity in Woolwich Arsenal in the manufacture of heavy cannon for naval and coast service, The colonies are also being supplied with the newest designs. Torpedo experiments are carried on nightly. London, February 29. The national thanksgiving was an unqualified success, and the weather favorable. There was a general holiday and the crowds unprecedented. Numerous casualties occurred. The Prince of Wales was present with the Queen, and bore the fatigue well. The manifestations of loyalty were indescribable. St Paul's Cathedral was occupied by thirteen thousand persons, and presented a magnificent spectacle. The illuminations were very effective, and the festival decorations covered miles. The French Imperial family breakfasted with the Queen, witnessing the departure of the cortege from Buckingham Palace. The Queen presented £1000 and the Prince of Wales £500 towards the Cathedral restoration fund. The London Corporation address was presented at Marlfeorough House yesterday .The Prince of Wales, with emotion, returned thanks for the sympathy expressed and his gratitude to God for his recovery. He suitably acknowledged the public reception accorded to the Queeu and Royal Family. The American Government asserts its determination to have the indirect claims submitted to the Geneva Commission. A deputation proposed that New Caledonia should be sold iustead of becoming a convict settlement. The Standard interprets Earl Kimberly's invitation to New South Wales to annex Fiji, and encourage its becoming independent, as an evasion of his national duty. Two thousand cans of condensed Australian meats were seized. Arrived — Darra Chase, Glen Conrad, City of Paris, Norfolk. Jndus, Clodion, Corinth. Sailed — Gahvay, Lincolnshire, Whittington, Ascalon, Woodbine. London, March 8. The Queen has written a touching letter, expressing her deep sense of the reception accorded on the thanksgiving day to herself and family. The Queen returned from a diplomatic court on the 29th February, and is living at Buckingham Palace. She was attacked by George Arthur O'Connor, who presented an uuloaded pistol, and a petition for the release, of the Fenian prisoners. He was overpowered by the attendants. The Queen was unmoved. The prisoner is without an accomplice, and was committed for trial. Public excitement was promptly allayed. The Queen's health is good; she visits Germany shortly. The Prince of Wales will spend the spring in the South of Europe. A baronetcy is conferred on the Mayor, and Sheriffs Truscott and, Bennett are knighted. Sir Charles Cowper was presented at Court by Earl Kimberley. In the Tich borne trial the claimant was nonsuited, and next day arrested for perjury. He was taken to Newgate. Dixon's attack on the Education Act has failed. Mi 1 Oardwell's army reorganisation scheme is adopted and the estimate voted. The Megrora report fixes the chief responsibility upon Sir Spencer Robinson, blames ]\Jr Reed, Carberry, Lord Morgan, and others. Wool closed flatter, and most descriptions are a penny lower from the highest point. Five thousand bales were taken for export. The next sales will take place on April 18. Probable stock will be 200,000 bales. The French indemnity — the fourth half milliard — was paid under discount. Arrived — Anna Maria, Miltiades, Delaware, La Hoguo. Sailed — Furness Abbey, Tucholrn, Coklingham, Ann Duthie.