Retrospect of the Month.

Dunstan Times, Issue 410, 25 February 1870, Page 1 (Supplement)

Retrospect of the Month.

The Parliamentary proceedings, since the opening of the session on the Bth, have not been of much importance to the colonies. The Queen's message contains but a very few words about New Zealand, and the only other matters in the House of Commons will be found fully reported in another column. In the House of Lords Lord Carnarvon made a telling speech against the Government, which received ample attention from Lord Granville; but in this case the Australasian colonies were almost totally ignored. However, a New Zealand debate is promised ■shortly. The Irish Land Bill has been published, and is of a very conciliatory nature. The amount of tonnage loading on the berth •for Australia and New Zealand is about 35,100 tons, as compared with India, China, and the Cape of Good Hope, at 53,600 tons. Charters are scarce. Prices rule high. According to the Liverpool bill of entry the declared value of Euglish and Irish goods exported from the Mersey to Australia aud New during January was £16,307 in excess of the previous month. The British Australian Telegraph Company (Limited) have given the order for the manufacture of a cable (to be laid between Singapore and Batavia aud Java aud Port Darwin, Australia) to the Telegraph Construction and Maintenance Company. A competing company is also announced, to be called the Calcutta and Singapore Telegraph Company (Limited), capital £600,000, in £lO shares. The cable will bo between Penang and Malacca, and the prospectus says: " The proposed submarine telegraphs to China and to Australia are to meet at Singapore,, which will thus be the great central station at which the China, Java, and Australian messages will arrive for redistribution. This company's line will also exclusively accommodate the trade of Bengal and British Burmah. The order has been given to Messrs. Siemens Brothers, at a cost of £557,000." it is expected that this will materially benefit the Australian colonies, as affording them a more speedy communication with the home One of the officers on board the flag-ship of the Flying Squadron has written to the Times, giving a most glowing account of his visit to Melbourne. He finds some considerable fault with his voyage from the Cape, the particulars of which you all ■know, but he considers the pleasures of Melbourne fully make up for it. Indeed, his admiration of the city is unbounded, and he remarks that the sailors are also mightily pleased; not the least advantage being the innumerable " nobblers " they are called on to drink gratis. Emigration has, of course, been the great topic of the past month, but beyond collecting subscriptions nothing practical has been done. Sir George Grey has taken much interest in the matter, and will be able to counterbalance the great predilection shown by emigrants in favour of Canada over Australia. The Lord Mayor of London—Alderman Besley —having solicited subscriptions in favour of the Emigration League, a large number of merchants, among them Mr. Goschen, have contributed, aud not the least important has been the donation of 100 guineas by the Bank of Australasia. Such generosity as this will surely meet its reward in the better supplying Australia with England's surplus labour. The emigration from the Clyde during the month of January shows about an average of the last five years, amounting to 380. Of these five went to Melbourne, and two to Sydney. The emigration returns from Liverpool for the month of January have been published. It appears that all the ships sailing under the Emigration Act were for the United States, and carried as many as 13,095 passengers; while of those not under the act, six were for the States, with 301 passengers ; two for Victoria, with 46 ; two for New Zealand, with 21, &c. &c., in all 489 passengers. The total emigration of the month was 239 in excess of that of January, 1869. It is a great matter of regret to those interested in the welfare •of emigrants, that so many fail to tee the advantages of making their homes in Australia, or New Zealand; however, during the coming summer it is to be hoped that the great superiority of our Australasian colonies will be duly pointed out aud realised. The news which reaches England by a Wellington, N. Z. paper, to the effect that the war may be considered at an end, has been received in London with considerable satisfaction. While the Maories were ravaging whole districts, and murdering whole villages, it could scarcely be expected that the colony should be pleised at the withdrawing of the Imperial troop 3; but now that ■war is ended, it is to be hoped that—which ever way they may incline—the colonists will look at the matter unbiassed and unprejudiced. The news ■that the Government is sending up irou blockhouses to Waihi and Patea, aud is otherwise fortifying the weak posts, is received as strong evidence of a desire on the part of the Government to do their best to prevent a recurrence of any hostilities. In the Divorce Court a case in some measure • referring to Australia has been heard. The suit was Jackson t>. Jackson, the wife suing on the . ground of adultery and desertion. The respondent went to Australia, and lived in Melbourne for some time, visited Sydney, Dunedin, N. Z., and on comiug back committed the first charge against him. Lord Penzance granted a decree nisi with costs. The two Commissioners for New Zealand, now in England, have had an interview with Lord Granville, but the result has not been made I public. Dr. M.xrsden, recently consecrated Bishop of Bathurst, has sailed for his diocese, and was accompanied by the Rev. W. Bardsley, son of the rector of St. Anne's, Manchester, the liev. W. P. Clay, late chaplain at Pan, and the Rev. W. H. Tarleton, late curate of All Saints', Birmingham. The Oxford and Cambridge boat-race takes place this year as usual. Both crews are strong. In the Cambridge crew is a man named Strachan, who comes from Australia. For the honour of the • colony it is to be hoped that Cambridge will win. Sporting matters have been quiet, the frost having precluded all possibility of racing. The most important event has been the match for tho 'billiard championship, won by Cook against Roberts, who, it will be remembered, visited Australia some years ago. «■ ■ Mn. Baxter, M.P., the Financial Secretary o' tho Admiralty, and Mr. Bristow, tho solicitor, have held an inquiry at the Royal Victoria-jard, Depti'oicl ■into tho conduct of ouo of the foremen of stores ; and tho fact that the official had demanded a douctui or bribe from one of tho contractors was fully proved. Mr. Baiter Btated that tho charge was of a criminal nature, and the offence woa one whioh tho Board of Admiralty and himself had determined to visit with severe punishment. The offender was discharged from her Majesty's service.