GENERAL SUMMARY.

Hawke's Bay Times, Volume IV, Issue 197, 21 October 1864, Page 2 (Supplement)

GENERAL SUMMARY.

London, August 26. The Australian June mails were delivered in London on the 14th and 20th August. Her majesty enjoys uninterrupted health. The Prince and Princess of Wales intend visiting Denmark, escorted by the Channel fleet. The Queen’s speech in prorogation of Parliament, on the 29th July, dwells chiefly on the observance of strict neutrality between the belligerents in America. Lord Palmerston is in excellent health and increasing popularity. Lord Carlisle, Viceroy of Ireland, has retired through ill health. The vice-royalty was offered to the Marquis of Landsdowne and Duke of Devonshire, but both declined to accept it; the appointment of Prince Alfred is suggested, aud much discussed ; but the Times hints that the post has been offered to Lord Woodhouse. Sir Charles M’Garthy, Governor of Ceylon, died in Belgium on the 14th August. Lawrence Oliphant is likely to be his successor. It is expected that pensions to the Governors of Colonies on retirement from public service will be granted shortly by the Government. It is said the Marquis of Westminister, Sir Charles Wood, Mr. Wentworth Beaumont, Sir W. Bulkely, and Mr, Denison (Speaker) are to be raised to the Peerage. , A colossal statue of the late Prince Con-

sort is to be inaugurated at Perth By the Queen, on the 30th August" Several detachments of engineers, sappers, snd miners, are under embarkation orders for New Zealand.

The Victoria Cross has been conferred on Lieut.-Col. J. C. M’Neill, and S. Mitchell, captain of the foretop of H.M.S. Harrier, for gallantry in New Zealand. On the Bth August the foundation stone of a monument to Daniel O’Connel was laid in Sackville-street, Dublin, amidst immense enthusiasm. A general holiday was observed. Serious and disgraceful riots have taken place at Belfast between Protestants and Catholics, arising out of the O’Connell demonstration at Dublin ; the town for twelve days was virtually in possession of furious mobs numbering upwards of 70,00 U, who committed frightful excesses. Churches of different deuominations were broken into and sacked. Vast numbers of houses were demolished, and black mail levied for the purchase of ammunition. The Mayor and several of the magistrates left town during the riots. Sixty persons were killed, and two hundred received gunshot wounds. At last, with the assistance of 5,000 troops, the constabulary, and special constables, the magistrates were enabled to quell this disgraceful sectarian disturbance. The Lord Lieutenant of the country, the Marquis of Donegal, severely censured the Mayor and Magistrates for neglect of duty. A fearful hurricane, unequalled since 1838, raged over Great Britain and Ireland; immense damage done. This stormy weather was expected or prognosticated hy the Admiralty, or chief of the meteorological department.

Excessive heat prevailed during the month and several lives were lost by sunstroke.

Seven miles of Woolmer Forest was destroyed by fire. An earthquake occurred at St. Helena on the 15th July, being the fourth during the last two centuries.

Preliminary arrangements are progressing for laying the Atlantic telegraph ; also the Anglo-Australian line. The detectives sent over to America to arrest Muller, the supposed murderer of Mr. Briggs in a railway carriage, have arrived in New York, and await his arrival per Victoria, sailing ship.

The great exodus from Ireland is rapidly subsiding. In the Yelverton case, the adverse decision of the Lords excited wide-spread sympathy for Miss Longworth. Proceedings have been commenced in Scotland to place Major Yelverton on oath, as the result of this, notwithstanding the judgment of the Lords, will finally decide the question as to the Scottish marriage. The Shakespeure Memorial Fund is expected to be appropriated to the Dramatic College and Schools. Goodwood Races. —Steward’s Cup, Marigold, 1 ; Argonaut, 2. Goodwood Stakes. —Blondin, 1; Guerilla, 2. Goodwood Cup. —Dollar, 1 ; East Lancashire, 2 ; Ranger, 3. Great Yorkshire Stakes.—Minor, 1 ; Blair Athol. 2. It is a disputed race. The Thames Champion Cup Prize is awarded to Cooper. Obituary. Major-General Brereton Cole, Colonel Hyslop, Major Biggs, Lord Rodney, Mr. F. Scully, Mr. Dyott, M.P., Mr. Bruce, Lady Ellerton, Miss Southey, Miss Sinclair, Mr. Robson, the actor, Mr. C. W. Dilk, Mr. George Offer, Mr. Serjeant Merewether, Vice-Admirals Marrier and Drake, Mr. A. Hastrie, M.P.

LONDON WOOL REPORT. After the commencement of the sales prices declined three half-pence, owing to the rise of the bank rate to 8 per cent. During the later part of the sales, prices slightly improved, chiefly caused by large operations for export. Sales closed on August 31st, the number of bales offered and catalogued was about 130,000. It is confidently anticipated that the remainder of the clips for sale in November will realise good prces. LATEST SPECIAL TELEGRAM. London, Sept., 1-55 p.m. The wool sales closed languidly, with a decline on Sydney wools of Id. and Melbourne l|d. In America, Fort Morgan, in Mobile Bay, still holds out. Beauregard has been despaeched with reinforcements for the Shenandoah valley. General Sheridan has been driven to Aarper’s Ferry, with loss. General Sherman was twice repulsed at Atlanta. The Confederate steamer Salabapee has destroyed fifty coasting vessels. Peace negociations still continue. There is great excitement about the next Presidential election.