ARRIVAL of the LADYBIRD.

Hawke's Bay Times, Volume IV, Issue 189, 26 August 1864, Page 3

ARRIVAL of the LADYBIRD.

ENGLISH NEWS TO JULY 4. GENERAL SUMMARY. London, 27th June. The Australian April Mails were delivered in London on the 14th and 23rd June. The Queen cmtinues in good health, and held a third Court at Buckingham Palace on the 21st June. The Prince and Princess of Wales gave their first hall at Marlborough House on the 4th of July. The Duke of Newcastle's health is much improved. A large and influential deputation of Australians waited on the Colonial Secretary on 22nd June to protest against continued transportation, and referred to the Duke of Newcastle’s speech in February, 1863, giving a distinct pledge that transportation to Australia should at an early date entirely cease. After much discussion the Colonial Secretary declined to give any pledge’on the subject. The Parliament and British people are entirely absorbed with the Dano-German question. The Loudon Conference held its last sitting on the 25th of June without successful result. The Danish Plenipotentiary severely criticised the inconsistent policy of the British Government, and its varying attitudes. Earl Clarendon replied warmly and vehemently against the charge. The general feeling in England is for peace, although the public are annoyed at the wavering conduct of the Ministers. The British fleet is ordered to be in readiness to proceed to the Baltic. The attitude of Denmark is as bold and defiant as that of Germany is insolent and domineering; but France and Russia give no sign. In the House of Commons, Henncssy’s bill to stop emigration from Ireland was negatived by 80 votes to 32. Berkeley’s motion for vote by ballot at the ensuing elections was also negatived by 212 votes against 123. Gladstone introduced his bill to enable any one to make a contract with his attorney to do work for a fixed sum. It is stated that 40,000 females are wandering outcasts in New York alone—the relatives of Irishmen plied with drink, and car-

ried off to fill the broken ranks of the Federal army. The Euphrates submarine telegraphic line was not expected to be in working order for two months. The increased rates of postage to Australia commence on the Ist July. A grant of <£20,000 has been bestowed on Sir Rowland Hill. The motion condemnatory of the Essays and Reviews has been carried in both Houses of Convocation. The Rev. Charles Bromby has been appointed Bishop of Tasmania. The right of the civil authorities to refuse marriage to Roman Catholic priests is to be argued at Bordeaux. A fearful accident with loss of life occurred of June 7th, on the Egham branch South Western Railway. The American steamer Berkshire was destroyed by fire on June 9th. Fifty lives were lost. A new line of steamers has commenced running between New York and Havre. SPORTING. The Oakes Stakes were won by Fille-de--I’Air, with Breeze second. The Ascot Hunt Cup was won by Gem of the Sea, with Crisis second. The Gold Cup—Scottish Chief, 1; Little Loaf, 2. France Prize of Paris—Vermont, 1; Blair Athol, 2. Fille-de-I’ Air, the winner of the Oakes, was distanced. LATEST SPECIAL TELEGRAMS. (via MALTA.) Loudon, July Ist. The English Government declines active interference for Denmark. A Conservative meeting has been held, at which an indictment against the Ministry in the shape of an address to her Majesty was drawn up. A resolution is to be moved by Mr. Disraeli on July 4th, thanking her Majesty for placing correspondence before Parliament, and expressing deep concern at the failure of the Conference, and regretting that by mismanagement the influence of England has been lowered. Mr. Kingsley is to move an amendment expressive of satisfaction at our abstinence from armed interference. Hostilities had re-commenced. Alsen had been captured by the Prussians. Jutland was occupied as a pledge. The entire Confederation join against Denmark, and the Allies declare themselves free from their late concessions. A naval engagement off Heligoland is imminent. General Grant’s whole array is south of James’s River. Sheridan’s Corps had been defeated. The capture of Petersburg was rumoured. Gold 196. Juarez had been totally defeated. LATEST TELEGRAM. London, 4th July, and Suez sth. The Prince of Wales and Lord Palmerston attended the Trinity House banquet. The Oxford Tests Bill was lost by a majority of two. The intended vote of censure on the Ministry is expected to result in a majority of twenty against them. If defeated, a dissolution is expected. Earl Derby is laid up with gout. Austria and Prussia officially repudiate the Holy Alliance correspondence published by the Morning Post. The Danish loss at Alsen wras 3000. In the Federal repulse at Petersburg, America, the loss is estimated at 8000. OBITUARY. William Smith O’Brien, Dr. Lenard Emanuel, Lord Adolphus Vane Tempest, Lady Grenville, Earl of Gosford, Sir Arthur Fanshaw, Earl Ponlett, Sir Edward Bacon, Sir John Gordon, Major Cochrane, Colonel Terrene, Mr. Henry Seymour, Mr. Drummond, Mr. Senior, Mr. Hawthorne, Mr. William Fox, Profefsor Ferrier, Professor Miller, Rev. Cenon Cureiou, Sir W. Codrington, Mr. George Lance, Mr. J. Archer, the King of Wurtemburg. DESTRUCTION OF THE ‘ ALABAMA.’ The Confederate war steamer ‘Alabama’ arrived at Cherbourg on'.the 11th June for repairs. Next day the Federal war steamer * Kearsarge, 5 1031 tons register, carrying 8 guns, commanded by Capt. Winslow, arrived, and instead of anchoring, cruised outside the breakwater, challenging the ‘Alabama’ to fight; the latter accepted the challenge, and the combat took place on Sunday, 19th June, 9 miles from Cherbourg. After severe fighting for 1 hour and a quarter, the ‘ Alabama’s’ rudder was disabled by a shell, but she continued the engagement until she sank.

Captain Semmes, 12 officers, and 30 men, were saved by the boats of the English steam yacht ‘ Deerhound,’ owned by Mr. Lancaster, who, after getting them on board, steamed at once for Southampton, where they were landed. The * Kearsarge’ possessed much greater speed than the ‘ Alabama,’ and was heavily coated with chain plating, covered with wood, which Capt. Semmes was not aware. TheFederalcommander considers they are all bound in honor to surrender as prisoners of war. Meanwhile Capt. Semmes and officers are fitting out another powerful war steamer. The ‘ Kearsarge’ was much disabled by the action, and owed her safety to her plating.