English and Foreign Itmes.

Hawke's Bay Times, Volume 16, Issue 805, 18 July 1870, Page 3

English and Foreign Itmes.

The s.s. Claud Hamilton, with the English May nail on board, arrived at the Bluff at daylight on the 13th jnst., having left Melbourne at 3 p.m. on the 7th. We append a summary of general news; latest shipping and commercial items will be found under their respective heads. The Hawke's Bay portion of the mail may be expected to arrive here about Wednesday next.

GENERAL SUMMARY. London, May 20. A debate took place in the House of Commons on the 26th April on Mr Torwren's motion for a select committee to inquire into the political relations, and anodes of official intercommunication between solf-governing Colonies and the mother country, and to report what modification is desirable, and to offer practical suggestions as to restriction of the Imperial veto, and the appointment of diplomatic envoys by the Colonies. Mr Eastwick seconded the motion, dwelling mainly on the commercial advantages resulting from the Colonies. Viscount Bury moved the previous question; which was carried by .a majority of 43. The vagueness of Mr Torren's motion was universally condemned. If it had been confined to enquiry into New Zea land affiirs the discussion would in all probability have had a different definite result. The warnings and remonstrances of the friends of the Colonies have not, however, beeu lost on the Government, which has annou iced since the debate that Parliament will be asked to guarantee a loan of £1,000,000 to New Zealand for road making, promoting of emigration, and for the purpose of employing friendly natives in suppressing the rebellion. Newspapers acquiesce in this concession. The Bnndisi route is likely to be forced on the Government; three days will be gained occasionally by it over the Mar seilles route. The 18th Regiment is to remain i;i Australia till August. Prince Arthur is expected home in July. Earl de Grey and Ripon has been installed ns Grand Master of the Order of Freemasons, and Karl Carnarvon as deputy. A■' address and costly testimonial has been presented to Earl Zetland, the retiring Grand Master. The; new Stanley park has been opened at Liverpool. The statue of Mr Gladstone, by Acton, presented to the Co'poration of Liverpool li.is been unveiled at St. George's hall. A ship canal from Manchester to Liver pool is proposed. Three matches between the American yacht Sappho and the English yacht Cambria have been sailed during month In the first match the Sappho won by fifteen miles. The second fell through by the Cambria refusing to start. In the third the Sappho was aijain victorious. The Prince of Wales has offered a cup f<>r competition between the American and British yachts of one hundred ions and upwards. A half-penny stamp on newspapers and book packets comes into operation on the Ist October. Obituary. Prince Demidoff, Sir E. Autrobas, the Dean of Rochester, Marshal Hesse, Kichard Tattersalls (head of the firm), La r! y Auckland, Pev. A. Campbell (Hector of Liverpool), Count Stack Leberg (the Russian ambassador at the Tuileries). M. Villemain (Secretary to the French Academy), Genend Grey on, M. Mairo (French lawyer). The m.urder of four English gentlemen captured by brigands in Greece produced a profound sensation throughout Europe. The passionate indignation first excited is subsiding ; but a stern determination remai s to compel reform in the Government of Greece, and the total uprooting of brigandage. The Times suggests the appointment of an English Administration &. at Athens. The official correspondence * on the subject, and the journals of the victims and their letters, published, show that the ransom demanded was provided, but that the brigands insisted on an unconditional amnesty, which the Govern-, rnent had constitutional scruples about granting. The brigands, finding them selves surrounded by troops, divideu into two bands, each wi'h two captives, tried to escape, and when hotly pursued they stabbed or 6hot their prisoners. The bodies of Heroert and Vyner arrived in England, and were interred. The Greek Government have made pecuniary provision for Mrs Lloyd, widow of the murdered mm. It is believed that the release of the captives was opposed by some political partisans at Athens. A searching investigation will be enforced. The United States tariff bill, despite the efforts of protectionists, has been greatl) liberalised in Congress. A pens.on of $3,000 yearly has been granted to Mrs Lincoln. A bill, introduced into the Senate by C. Sumner, provides telegraphic communication between America and Asia. The cable would have to be 8,500 miles long, and the capital required, $10,000,000. The Washington Government ordered the arrest oi the chiefs, and seizure of *i'msj and ammunition. I

I Two hundred Fenians of all factions | united in nn invasion of Western Canada. The Canadian Government adopted energetic defensive measures. President Grant issued a proclamation, warning persons; from illegally taking part in {he invasion.! The troops repulsed the Fenians in two| engagements. The invaders lost one gun.! The United States Marshall arrested Fenian General Kiel, whose expedition was disavowed by the President of the Fenian Couueil. Prince Arthur marched to the frontier with the volunteers. The companies of Fenians, on being attacked, fled precipitately. The English Ambassador at Washington expressed to President Graut the satisfac tion of England with the course pursued by the American Government. Precautions taken at Woolwich powder magazines against any possible Fenian attempts. Police boats are cruising in the Thames.

Government granted £I,OOO for an expedition in search of Dr Livingstone. Receipts of Suez Canal to the end of April amount to £77,000. A family of seven persons was murdered near "Oxbridge $ the murderer arrested. The crime was committed from motives of revenge. Troop steamer Jumna passed through Suez Canal, and arrived home. The GEcumenical Council finished the discussion relative to the infallibility of the Pope, and a proclamation defining papal infallibility will be read on the 29th St. Peter's day. Espartero refused the Spanish crown. Four Englishmen have been carried off by brigands near Gibraltar. Government sent pressing orders to release the captives, who are John Borel, his nephew and two servants. Borel returned to Gibraltar to procure the ransom, fixed at £6OOO. High Court of France is convocated for the trial of conspiracy cases against the Emperor. The is an alarming prevalence of smallpox in Paris.

LATEST TELEGRAMS. June 8. Earl Eussell introduced the Colonial question in the H bnse of Lords, by moving an address to the Queen, prajing for inquiry by Royal Commission into the means best, fitted for guaranteed security to part of her Majesty's dominions. The long threatened Feniau raid into Canada failed ignominiously, and large numbers of leaders captured. The recall of Imperial troops from Canada suspended. The New Zealand medals have been distributed. June 9. Three Italian war ships have arrived off Caprera. The Government are fearing the formation of fresh revolutionary bauds. Disraeli is again indisposed. A great fire has occurred at Pera, a suburb of Constantinople, by which the British embassy, and the American and Portuguese consulates had a vast amount of property de-troyed. Estimated loss — £5,000,000. A fearful loss of life has also occurred —250 bodies have already been recovered. An earthquake has occurred in Mexico LGO persons were killed. Obituary. —Mr Mark Lemon, Sir James the Countess Dowager of Bandon, Lady Woodford, Hon. Arthur Sa ville, and Sir Norman Pringle. June 10. Charles Dickens died at his residence, Gadshill, last night; he was seized with paralysis yesterday evening whilst sitting at dinner, and never recovered consciousness afterwards.