ARRIVAL OF THE 'CONSTANCE' WITH THE ENGLISH MAIL.

Auckland Star, Volume I, Issue 141, 22 June 1870, Page 2

ARRIVAL OF THE 'CONSTANCE' WITH THE ENGLISH MAIL.

Thb Circular S-tw clipper Constance, Captain Gibbon, arrived in harbour this morning fj^nn Sydney, bringing the English '-mail via Sutez. We are indebted to Captain Gibbon for a copy of the Nome News, from which we extract the following:— ...--

New Zealand flax is in the shade. Our market reports show the price it has realised of late. Eope-makers say it is not adapted for maritime purposes, and that Manilla hemp is worth double the price of New Zealand flax. That this is the case is not quite clear. Certain commercial arrangements appear to have interfered with the ordinary market routine. In the meantime New Zealand has been selling at a low price, and it remains to see whether the prices quoted will pay the growers. The following letter was published in the .Standard on the 20th of April, with reference to the New Zealand product. It may lead the way to,a new industry. The letter reads thus:—" We hear much of the dearth of paper-making material, and your article of to-day speaks of the difficulties in the way of a regular supply of esparto grass. I would ask has the fibre of the New Zealand flax {Phormium TenaxJ been tried ? There is a boundless supply of it in the colony, and thus far it has not been utilised, though the Government have offered large rewards for the discovery of a process by which it can be prepared for weaving. Should such a discovery be made, it would be a most excellent thing for the colony, but I fear it is not probable, as no indigenous plant has yet given a fibre suited for textile purposes. Meanwhile, if tho New Zealand flax could be employed for paper making, it would confer great benefit on the colony, which wants it badly enough, and would also relieve the paper-makers from a difficulty which, from time to time, threatens to be serious. To me, using timber fur papermaking looks like burning our candle at both ends."

The New Zealand Commissioners have literally nothing to say as to their proceedings in England. They have been treated civilly, and that's all. What they may be able to do with reference to emigration remains to be told. All that can be said is, that they are tryiDg their best, and the best of Dr. Featherstone and Mr. Bell should result in good. The English Government will give them an answer by-and-bye. Some offers they decline, and rightly so. They decline to receive worn-out soldiers . and useless officers, and, more than all, they decline to pledge the Colonial Government to pay for them. Their position is an unhappy one, and the only consolation they have is that they are doing their best. The hope in England is that the gold diggings will produce a peace, although politicians have failed.

The City of Brussels, steamer, has arrived safely from New York, having proceeded under sail since she became disabled in her machinery. She was telegraphed off Crookhaven yesterday, April 21, and was accompanied by the City of Durham, steamer, and the Rattler, steam-tug. Ten guineas premium per cent, has been paid to effect insurance on her.

LIBEL ON THE PBINCE OF WALES

In the Court of Queen's Bench on April 20, a rule for a criminal information was applied for against the proprietor of the Sheffield Daily Telegraph for a libel on the Countess of Sefton. The libel was in the following paragraph, which appeared in tho paper on tho 4th of April last, and which was printed as a leader paragraph, among the '* Latest News" — "Staetling Rumour. — The Prince of Wales is likely to appear in the Divorce Court again. It is stated in Westminster Hall that the Prince of Wales is likely to be again mentioned in the Divorce Court as a corespondent in a case in which a countess is the respondent. The case is said to be one by the Earl of Sefton against the Countess." The application for a criminal information was made upon the following affidavits on the part of the Prince and the other noble persons concerned, and which were filed in Court, and referred to as the grounds of the application : — Affidavit of Albert Edward, Prince of Wales, Marlborough House, Middlesex, sworn the 14th of April, 1870, states as follows : — "1. I have read the paragraph in the Sheffield Daily Telegraph. " 2. I was never guilty of the slightest impropriety with the said Countess of Sefton, and there is not the slightest foundation or pretext for the statement that I am likely to be mentioned in the Divorce Court as a corespondent in a case by the Earl of Sefton against the Counte.s. " 3. I know nothing of, and cannot concieve of anything, which could have suggested or given rise to such a statement." The joint affidavit of the Earl and Countess of Sefton stated .- — "1. We have read the paragraph in the Sheffield Daily Telegraph. " 2. We were married on the 18th of July, 1866. "3. We have lived together from the date of our marriage down to the present time in perfect harmony and affection, and we have three children. "4. There is not the slightest shadow of foundation or pretext for the above statement set forth, as contained in the S/ieffield Telegraph. " 5. And I, the said Earl, for myself say that I know of nothing, and cannot conceive of anything, which could have suggested or given rise to such a statement. 6. And I, the said Countess, for myself say that I know of nothing, and cannot conceive of anything which could have suggested or given rise to such a statement. " 7. There has never been the slightest impropriety of any kind between His Royal Highness the Prince of Wales and myself. "8. And we, the said Earl and Countess, say that we cannot look upon the said statement, as anything but a wicked falsehood and calumny."

Upon these materials, Sir John Karslake, Q.C., moved, on behalf of the Earl and Countess of Sefton. for a ori-

minal information against a Mr. Long, the* proprietor of the .paper. After reading the paragraph, the learned counsel proceeded to say: —" My lords, there is not the slightest foundation of any sort or kind—as is stated by the Earl and Countess, asywell as by the Prince of Wales—for the suggestioar thus cir* culated ; and, although I understand $bme sort of apology has been made or offered^ the Earl of Sefton feels that it is his duty to apply to this Court for a criminal information against the proprietor." The Lord Chief Justice (with emphasis) : Most certainly, Sir John Karslake ; take a rule. "'■'" :.. Eule nisi for a ci-imiual information. '<■