ARRIVAL OF ENGLISH MAILS AT THE BLUFF.

Marlborough Express, Volume III, Issue 132, 22 August 1868, Page 5

ARRIVAL OF ENGLISH MAILS AT THE BLUFF.

Bluff Harbour, August 13. The P. and O. Company’s steamer Geelong with Australian mails, loft Galle on July 17 th. She experienced severe gales off the coast of Western Australia, and reports the loss of schooner Emily with eight lives. Major Blackball, the new Governor of Queensland was a passenger. A despatch from Downing-street has been received by the Western Australian Government, proposing to increase salary of the Governor to £2,500 a year. GENERAL SUMMARY. Loudon, June 19. The Queen is in good health at Windsor. She will visit Germany in the autumn. Her Majesty intends holding public breakfasts at Buckingham Palace, commencing when Prince Alfred arrives. Prince Michael of Servia, has been shot dead. The assassins were a father and two sons. A lady beside him was fatally wounded. .He lived to name the assassins who were, apprehended. Prince Maine has been raised to the throne under a guardian, A vote of thanks has been passed to the Abyssinian forces by Parliament. A Conference of the National Peace League met at Berne on May 31. The delegates present were French, German, and Italian. The prompt trial and execution of O’Farrell has given great satisfaction. Mount Cenis railway was opened for traffic on June 15th. A daughter of the Emperor of Russia is reported to be affiance to the Crown Prince of Saxe Weimar. The Irish Church Appointment Suspension Bill passed the House of Commons on June 16, amid cheers from the Liberals. Mr. Stuart Mill prssented a petition to Parliament from the Home |and Foreign Affairs Committee, Macclesfield, praying for a commission to enquire into the Abyssian wa.i, and the murder’of Theodoras. Mr. Reardon, who lately asked whether the Queen should not abdicate, never rises in the House without being assailed with yells. The Irish Nation newspaper says that the Australian legislators, who passed the Treason Felony Bill are political Enochs! [P eunuchs] sunk into the slime of infamy; prosecutions are expected to follow.

At Birmingham, on May 29, meteoric stones fell in quantities, and several persons were killed by lightning. The Queen sent a message ol thanks to the Abyssinian troops, which was enthusiastically received. Mr. Disraeli intends to appeal to the country. Government has had its supplies voted. European affairs are peaceful. The Grand Jury ignored, the hill against Mr. Eyre. The Government will pay his expenses, hut refuse to stop further proceedings by enactment The Conservative electors of Westminster are subscribing- funds to enable Mr. Eyre to contest the seat against Mr. Stuart Mill. Money is plentiful; business dull, but sound. Lombard-street rate of discount 2-\ percent. Bank rate 2 per cent. The Ascot Stakes was won by the Earl ; eight started. Cap-a-pie second, Suffolk third. A great fire occurred in Shoreditch, at Guppy and Copestakes’. Five warehouses and fourteen buildings destroyed. Government lias consented to pay the expenses incurred through the explosion at Clerkenwell. Bisk Allah has brought an action against the Daily Telegraph 4 , damages have been laid at £20,000. The harvest promises well, but rain is much wanted. The hay crop is scanty. A commission has been appointed in the Tichbourne case, to examine witnesses in Australia. .-'Longfellow, the American poet, has arrived in England, and was warmly welcomed. The degree of L.L.U. at Cambridge, was conferred upon him. The Report of the Peninsular and Oriental Company show a. dividend of three per cent, for the half-year. P. D. Haddon, Esq., was elected chairman. Two new steamers —the Magdala and Hindustan—each of 3,000 tons burden, and 000 horse power, are now building. The P. N. Z. Company’s Report shows a loss sustained, attributable to fear of yellow fever last autumn, and a falling off in traffic betwen New Zealand and Australia. An improvement in the financial condition of the Company is expected this year. The Emperor Napoleon consents to the Emperor of Russia’s proposition, prohibiting the use of explosive missiles during war ; he says round shot is sufficient. Italian affairs are improving. Fresh taxes-have.Ree*>'~Voted~to a large-amount. Italy will have a splendid harvest. The Opinion Florence states that all French troops will leave Rome before the convocation of Council. Telegrams from Rome state that an amnesty will be granted to all political urisoners on the anniversary of the Pope’s accession. The Bavarian Government is willing to participate in the South-German Confederation. Count Bismarck has retired from political life through ill-health. His nervous system is out of order. The North-German Federal Council have adopted resolutions, requesting the Chancellor to call on the Confederation to negociate a treaty with Foreign Powers, rendering private property at sea inviolable in lime of war. An Imperial ukase has been issued by the Czar, granting amnesty under certain restrictions, to Siberian prisoners. They will not be allowed to return to Russia. An abundant harvest is expected this year on the shores of the Sea of Azoff. Coal has been largely discovered in Russia. The China civil war is still raging. The Governor of Ceylon has left on leave of absence. Major-General Hodgson is Acting-Governor at Galle. The P. and O. Company’s steamer Benares stranded on Fisherman’s rock, in the China seas, on the 17th May. The passengers were saved, and also a portion of the cargo. Hopes were entertained of getting the vessel off. OBITUARY. : V ’ ’ '* ■> Sir H. Halford, Sir -John Liddle, JMr. G. B. Bruce, Prebendary Randolph, Hon. F. Baring, Sir James Brooke, Earl Talbot and Shrewsbury. * AMERICA. General Schoefield’s appointment. as Secretary of War was confirmed by the Senate. The Senate passed a vote of thanks to Mr. Stanton, by 32 against ii. It refused a vote of thanks to Judge Chase for his conduct during the impeachment trial. Jefferson Davis’ trial is postponed until November. Reveredy Johnson Is appointed Minister to Great Britain.

The sailing from New Orleans of the two ironclads, purchesed for the Government of Peru, to be used against the Spaniards, has been forbidden. A Fenian assemblage is expected to meet at St. Albans, and Malone, in June. The war in Brazil continues. The allied troops captured Chacao, and routed the Paraguayan army. President Lopez has armed 3,000 women. COMMERCIAL. Londox, June 19. Stock markets firm. The recent rise induced numerous transactions. On the 18th June discount was £ per cent, on short bills. Australian securities are in demand. Victorian Government Six per cents., January and July £ll4 to £116; April to October, £lll to £ll3. New South Wales Five per cents,, 1871 to 1876, January and July, £IOO to £102; ditto, Five per cents., 1878 to 1895, January and July, £9O 10s. to £100; New Zealand Five per cents., 1891, £9B to £IOO ; S x per cents., March and September, £llO to £ll2. Queensland Five per cents., January and July, £lO9 to £llO Bank of Australia, £53 to £55 ; Victorian, £35 to £37 ; English, Scottish, and Australian quote £l7 10s. to £lB 10s. A decline has taken place for all kinds of wool. Prices are considered to be equal to those in March. The Trade Circular for the month show the total exports to be as follows: New Zealand, an increase of £52,990; Victoria, a decrease of £81,695.