ENGLISH NEWS VIA SUEZ.

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume VII, Issue 93, 18 April 1872, Page 2

ENGLISH NEWS VIA SUEZ.

The following appeared in the Colonist Extra of yesterday : — GENERAL SUMMARY. London-. February 23. The Australian mail via Briudisi was delivered in London on the 19 th. A complimentary dinner was given by the leading colonists in London to the Hon. G. Verdon, as an expression of respect and admiration. Lord Kitnberly spoke of the growing difficulties of maintaining so vast an empire, but deprecated any policy calculated to produce an unfriendly severance. A few days later the Queen distributed a shower of honors on representative colonists which have already been announced. The Knatchbull Hugessen bill to constitute kidnapping Pacific islanders a felony, has passed. The Australian Courts are empowered to try the cases, and the Australian squadron is to be strengthened. The monstrous claims for inferential damages in the Alabama case have arous*d the strong indignation of all classes in England, everybody, including the Ministers and Commissioners, believing that the American negotiators had distinctly waived the indirect claims ; their revival was at first regarded as sharp attorney practice. A further scrutiny of the treaty and protocol shows that they are nowhere expressly excluded, and the Americans profited by the ambiguity, and refuse to withdraw these claims from their case Jbr arbitration. England is taunted with cowardice before an impartial tribunal, lest she should find herself mulcted in a few hundred millions damages. England maintains no treaty can be ratified under a wrong understanding, and the natural resolve is absolutely to refuse t<> recognise the indirect claims. The indignation at Yankee cunning is qualified by mortification at the obtuseness of English lawyers and officials. The Government is reproached with dihuoririess, A large balance of European opinion is on the British side. The German L'nss particularly pronounce the claims outrageous, and declare their right to claim similar reparation from America for assistance to France. A legislator indeed has moved for inquiry into this breach of neutrality. Pour of the sharpest American lawyers have arrived in Paris ready for general pleadings, owing to a false report circulated that the separation of Canada from Great Britain had been decided upon, to be declared immediately, should any disturbance take place with the United States. A letter has been published from Sir S. Baker, who is forcing his way thiough almost insuperable difficulties into the African interior. Diamonds continue to arrive from the Cape of Good Hope, Lynch law prevails at the diggings, and canteeD-keepers have bei-n burnt out for buying stolen diamonds from the natives. There is great disorder. A dreadful murder took place at Lambeth by an American surgeon, at two o'clock in the morning. The cause of the crime is incomprehensible. A memorial fund, devoted to mission purposes, is proposed by the propogation of ihe Gospel Socieiy. The British Government has not yet formally recognised the Fiji Government. Upwards of a month was occupied by ihe Attorney-General in presenting an historical resumi of the frauds of the Tichborne claimant. All his Australian career has been clearly traced, except six months of 1859, when he disappeared as Arthur Orton, and reappeared as Castro. General surprise is expressed that Sergeant Ballantyne did not follow Kose and Soa, and throw up the case. There is great activity at Woolwich Arsenal in the manufacturing of heavy cannon for naval and coast services. The Colonies are also being supplied with the newest designs. Torpedo experiments are carried on nightly. London, February 29. The national thanksgiving celebration was an unqualified success, and the weather was favorable. There was a general holiday, and the crowds ■were unprecedented. Numerous casualties occurred. The Prince of Wales was present with the Queen, and bore the fatigue well. The manifestations of loyalty were indescribable. St. Paul's Cathedral was occupied by thirteen thousand persons and presented a magnificent spectacle. The illuminations were very effective, and the festival decorations covered miles. The French Imperial family breaklasted with the Queen, witnessing the departure of the cortege Irom Buckingham Palace. The Queen presented £1000 and the Prince of Wales £500 towards the Cathedral restoration fund. The London Coporation's address was presented at Marl borough House yesterday. The Prince of Wales, with emotion, returned his sincere thanks for the national sympathy expressed and his gratitude to God for his recovery. He suitably acknowledged his public reception accorded to the Queen and Hoyal family. The American Government assert its determination to have the indirect claims submitted to the Geneva Commission. Two thousand cans of condemned Australian meats have been seized.