THE NEWS BY THE MAIL.

Hawke's Bay Times, Volume 7, Issue 372, 30 April 1866, Page 1

THE NEWS BY THE MAIL.

OPENING OF PARLIAMENT. (From the Home News.) In consequence of the general election and the assembling of Parliament, the session was formally opened on February 1. The swearing in of peers and commoners, so as to constitute both Houses, before the delivery of the Queen’s Speech, occupied three days. Mr E, Denison was re-elected Speaker, with the unanimous approval of all parties in the House. After a long retirement from public life, but not from public duty, her Majesty opened the seventh Parliament of her reign on the 6th February. If divested of a few of the usual observances, the ceremony on this occasion was in no way shorn of the splendour and pomp which ought necessarily to accompany one of sucli an important nature, and there certainly was nothing wanting out of doors to render the state pageant as brilliant as any one in which her Majesty has ever appeared during her reign; for the weather was indeed preternaturally bright and clear. At two precisely Black Rod made a signal to the Lord Chancellor, at which the whole assembly rose, with the same pleasant rustling of silks and satins as before, evidently expecting that the Queen was approaching. Her Majesty was attired in half-mourning, and walked with slow steps to the Throne, followed by the great officers of State. Her Majesty stopped for an instant at the foot of the steps to shake hands with the Princess of Wales, who in common with the whole assemblage, had risen on her entrance. The Queen wore a black, some said a deep purple, velvet robe, which, whether it was purple or black, looked intensely black in the dim light of the chamber, trimmed with white minever, and a white lace cap a la Marie Stuart, to the portraits of which unfortunate lady she bore in this attire a remarkable similitude. Around her nock she wore a collar of brilliants, and over her breast the blue riband of the Order of the Garter. Her Majesty was accompanied by their Royal Highnesses tile Princesses Helena and Louisa, and by bis Serene Highness Prince Christian of Schleswig-Holstein, who stood at the right of the Throne; the two princesses attired in half mourning, like their illustrious mother. To the left of the Throne were the Duchess of Wellington, Mistress of the Robes, Duchess of Aihole, and other ladies. The Prince of Wales occupied the chair to the right of the Throne, behind his royal sisters and his future brother-in-law, and was scarcely visible amid the blaze of beauty around him. The Queen having spoken a few words to the Lord Chancellor, he informed the House that it was her Majesty’s command that all persons present should resume their seats. sSir Augustus Clifford, the Black Rod, was then ordered to summon the Commons to appear at thg bar of the House, and during this brief interval there was almost a breathless pause. Her Majesty appeared to he much affected, and never once raised her eyes from the ground. It was unmistakeable to everyone present that she felt very acutely the ceremony which she was going through, and a relief to all when the noisy clatter of the Commons bad subsided to some extent, and the Lord Chancellor was enabled to read the Royal Speech, which was as follows:

My Loans and Gentlemen, — It is with great satisfaction that I have recourse to your assistance ana advice. I have recently declared my consent to a marriage between my daughter Princess Helena and Prince Christian of Cichleswig-Holsteia-Sonden-burg- Augustenburg. I trust this union may be prosperous and happy. r lho death of my beloved uncle, the King of the Belgians, has affected me with profound grief. I feel great confidence, however, that the wisdom which he evinced during his reign will animate his successor, and preserve for Belgium her independence and prosperity. My relations witu foreign Powers are friendly and satisfactory, and 1 soa no cause to fear any disturbance of the general peace. The meeting of the ileets of Franca and England in the ports of the respective countries has tended to cement the amity of the two nations, and to prove to the world their friendly concert in the promotion of peace. 1 have observed with satisfaction that the United States after terminating successfully the severe struggle in which they were so long engaged, and wisely repairing the ravages of civil war. The abolition of slavery is an event .calling forth the

cordial sympathies and congratulations of this country which has always been foremost in showing its abhorrence of an institution repugnant to every feeling of justice and humanity. I have at the same lime the satisfaction to inform you that the exertions and perseverance of my naval squadron have reduced the slave trade of the West Coast of Africa within very narrow limits. A correspondence has taken place between my Government and that of the United States with respect to injuries inflicted on American commerce by cruisers under the Confederate fi-ig. Copies of this correspondence will be laid before you. The renewal of diplomatic relations with Brazil has given ms much satisfaction, and I acknowledge with pleasure that the good offices of my ally, the King of Portugal, have contributed essentially to this happy result. I have to regret the interruption of peace between Spain and Chili. The good offices of my Govcvr. • ment in conjunction with those of the *Einperor of the Trend), have been accepted by Spain, end it is my earnest Lope that the cause of disagreement may be removed a manner honorable and satisfactory to both countries. The negotiations which have been long pending in Japan, and which have been conducted with great ability by my minister in that country, in conjunction with the representatives of my allies in Japan have been brought to a conclusion which merits my entire approbation. The existing treaties have been ratified by the Mikado; it has been /stipulated that the tariff shall be revised in a manner favorable to commerce, and that the indemnity due under the terms of the Convention of October, 1834, shall be punctually discharged. I have concluded a treaty of commerce with the Emperor of Austria, which I trust will open to that empire the blessings of extended commerce and be productive of important benefits to both countries. The deplorable events which have occurred in the island of J amaica have induced me to provide at once for an impartial inquiry, and ibr tue due maintenance of authority during that inquiry, by appointing a distinguished military officer as governor and commander of the forces. I have given him the assistance of two able and learned cornmisiouers, who will aid him in examining into the origin, nature, and circumstances of the recent outbreak, and the measures adopted in the course of its suppre sion. The legislature of Jam tea has proposed that the present, political constitution cf the island should be replaced by a new form of government. A bill upon .bis. abject will be submitted to your consideration. Papers on these occurrences will be laid before you. Papers on the present state of Kew Zealand will be laid before you. 1 have given directions for the return to this country of the greater portion of my regular forces employed in mat colony. I watch with interest die proceedings which are still in progress in British biurlh America with a view to a closer union among the provinces, and continue to attach great importance to that object. I have observed with great concern the extensive prevalence, during the last few months, of a virulent distemper among cattle in Great Britain, and it is with deep regret, and with sincere sympathy for the sufferers, that I have learnt the severe losses which it has caused in many comities and districts. It is satisfactory to know that Ireland and a considerable part of Scotland are as yet free from this calamity, and I trust that by the precautions suggested by experience, and by die Divine blessing on the means which are no a being employed, its further extension may be arrested. The orders which have been made by the Lords of my Privy Council, by virtue of the powers vested in them by law, with a view to prevent the spreading of this disease, will bs laid before you aud your attention will be called to the expediency 01 an amendment of the law relating to a subject to deeply affecting the interests cf my people. Gentlemen of the House of Commons, I have directed that the estimates of the ensuing year shall be laid before you. They have been prepared with a due regard to economy, and are at tUe tame time consistent with the maintenance of efficiency in the public service. The condition of trade is satisfactory. Mr Loeds and Gentlemen, A conspiracy, adverse alike to authority, property and religion, and disapproved and condemned alike by ail who are interested in their maintenance, without distinction of creed or class, has unhappily appeared in Ireland. The constitutional power of the ordinary tribunals lias been exerted for its repression, and the authority of the law has been firmly and impartially vindicated. A bill will be submitted to you, founded on the report cf the royal commission, on tire subject of capital punishment, which I have directed to bo laid belore you. Bills will be laid before you for amending and consolidating the laws relating to bankruptcy, and for other improvements in the law. • Measures will also be submitted to you for extending the system of public audit to branches of receipt and expenditure which it has not hitherto reached, and for amending the provisions of the law with respect to certain classes of legal pensions. • . f r Your attention will be called to the subject of the oaths taken by members of X’ariiameut, with a view to avoid uuuccessary declarations, and to remove invidious distinctions between members of different religious communities in matters of legislation.

ITltt‘e«Sck£®ja that information should be procured in reference to the rights of vo'ing in the election of members to servo in Parliament fer countries, citie«, and beroupus. When that information is complete, the attention of Parliament will be called to the result thus obtained, with a view to such improvements in the law which regulate the rights of voting in the election of members of the Ifoasc of Commons as may tend to strengthen our free institutions, and conduce to the public wt-Phre. In these, and in uii o; tier deliberations, I fervently pray that the blessing of .Almighty Cod may guile your counsels to the promotion cf the happiness of my people. At the conclusion of the reading of tits speech, her Majesty rose with sciue alacrity as one seemed to observe, and, descending li’Otu the Throne, advance-! to the woolsack, where the Princess of Wales sot, and kissed iter iwyai highness in, perhaps, an unrpieenlw, but allectionute and earnest manner. As she passed the angle of the dipienmlic L.tt she paused and sheik Lunds with a gentleman ia uniform who stood there, ami who, hitherto unobserved, was muieisto. i 10 be Bunco Christian, the betrothed of ibo Princess Helena. On this the Prince of Wab.-s approached, tendered his hand fo her Majesty, and led her fro in the House, followed 1-y ihs Princesses Helena and Louisa, and the Princess of Wales escorted by' the Duke oi‘ Cambridge.