NEWS BY THE SUEZ MAIL.

Globe, Volume XXII, Issue 1891, 16 March 1880, Page 3

NEWS BY THE SUEZ MAIL.

[By Tblbobaph.] [Per g.s. Rotomahana, via Bluff.] The s.s. Bangalore, which reached Albany on Maroh sth with the Suez mail, brings the following summary of news under date London, January 30th : It is again stated, but the statement is quite unconfirmed, that the Prince of Wales informed the Hon. Mr Childers that he and the Princess of Wales intend to be present at the opening of the Melbourne International Exhibition. The Duchess of Marlborough has disclaimed any connection between her fund and the Dublin Mansion House fund. ■ The Duchess, in addressing her committee in Dublin, said that the purest charity could not escape Mr Parnoll's misrepresentations, but that was not surprising, seeing that he who slandered Her Majesty the Queen, by daring to say Her Majesty gave no help in the famine of 1848, should also unjustly accuse the Duchees' fund as being used for political purposes, and not for the.relief of a distressed country.

Mr Bras Boy, at the Bradford Chamber of Commerce, pointed out the importance of establishing a coaling station in the colonies in case of war. He said that large sums were expended for objects really much inferior in importance to that of the defence of the colonies. If the colonial resources are to be made available for Imperial as well as local purposes, some new special machinery must be devised, and the British Isles, India and our colonial possessions must become the component parts of an organised Imperial whole. Germany intends founding convict colonies in the South Sea Islands. The subject has been discussed by the Federal Council, but nothing decided regarding the oarrying out of the project. It is rumored that Germany alio intends acquiring the possession of other small South Sea Islands, and the new German Consul at Apia has been directed to pay particular attention to this subject. On the embarkation of Sir GarnetWolseley for England, the command at the Cape will be temporarily assumed by Major-Goneral Clifford, but another Major-General will shortly bo sent to take command of the British troops, who are to be kept entirely distinct from those of the colonial forces.

A meeting at the Mansion House was held on January 29th, under the presidency of the Lord Mayor, in support of the proposed Arctic expedition, which is described as a "British and Canadian Expedition, under John Oheyne, R.N." The estimated cost of the expedition will be £30.000, whioh is to be raised by voluntary contributions. Commander Cheyne said that the Finance Minister of Canada suggests that the colony should find money if England did not. It is proposed to ascertain by balloons which of the two ohannels is most open. In the first week of June, these balloons would leave the ships with provisions for fifty-one days. The North Pole, it is presumed, can be reached in from twenty-four to thirty days, and the return is to be accomplished partly by sledge and partly by balloons. In a letter, Lord Bury strongly opposed the scheme as an impracticable one and suicidal for those engaged in it.

The latest news from Afghanistan is under date Bombay, February 14th. There had been no further fighting as yet, but rumors continue to be circulated, pointing to the resumption of hostilities at an early date. The Ghilzais are known to be organising for their long-threatened attempt to drive our forces from Sherpur. General Roberts is busy strengthening his defences. A redoubt whioh will hold 700 men and six guns is being constructed at Siahi-sang, on the crest nearest Bala-hessar, and a smaller fort on the slope nearest Sherpur. The opinion in India is universal that until our power is fnlly established at Ghuzni and Herat taken, the Afghans will not believe in our supremacy. The Government itself evidently holds the same view, and is making preparations for the coming campaign on a great scale. The weather at Cabul continues very severe, but the health of the troops is very good. The Hindoos at Cabul are beooming reassured by General Roberts' preparations for the renewal of hostilities. Sir Frederick Haines leaves Calcutta for Peshawar on February 20th. Sir Richard Temple is on a visit to the frontier in order to expedite the construction of the Kandahar railway. Bombay troops are under orders to join at Quetta. The Kandahar force is being rapidly moved to the front.