NEWS BY THE ENGLISH APRIL MAIL.

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume IX, Issue 140, 13 June 1874, Page 2

NEWS BY THE ENGLISH APRIL MAIL.

From the English journals of the 17th April, to hand by the Suez mail, wo make the following extracts: — ANGLO-AUSTRALIAN ITEMS. No official news his been received in Loudon from Fiji as to tho cession to England of that group of islands. It is stated that tha supplies of tin ore from Australia have so cheapened the article in the English market, that a number of the Cornish mines will be closed. The traffic receipts of the Fastern Extension, Aus.ralasin, and China Telegraph Company (Limited), for the month of March, amounted to £19,530, against £17,988 for the corresponding period of 1873. The severul emigration agents have been active in procuring emigrants. Dr Featherston (says the European Mail) finds the work increasing to Buch an extent, that he has beeu obliged to take extra rooms at Westminster Chambers, and employ a much larger staff. Since March 20, nine vessels have left the country for New Zealand, freighted with emigrants. Lady Barker, author of " Station Life in New Zealand," and other charming works, has been appointed Superintendent of the new National School of Cookery, South Kensington. She is tho wife of Mr Frederick Napier Broome, : one of the principal writers on the staff of the Times. One of Mr Broome's latest achievements was the graphic account of the wedding festivities at St. Petersburgh, telegraphed at length to the Times.. MISCELLANEOUS. With a wholesome fear of being denied intercourse with the traders of the coast before his eyes, King Koffee has at lust signed the treaty of peace which had been drawn up by Sir Garnet Wolseley. His ambassadors have carried it to Government House at Cape Coast Castle, where they affixed their signatures to if. Thus the last act of a war. whieh it is hoped may not be without some beneficial results to the tribes upon tbe coast, has at length been completed. The membars of the embassy were all leading chiefs. Two clasps will be given with the Ashantee War medal, one bearing the word '• Amoaful," and the other " Cooraassie." The medal riband will be black and yellow, striped. Mr M'Mahon has made application to Mr Justice Lush, in chambers, for an order on the prosecution to produce the roll of all the proceedings in the late Tichborne trial, with a view of I commencing proceedings on a writ of i error for a reversal of judgment. Tichborniana is rampant just now, and the friends of the Claimant bave had a meeting at Southampton. Among those present were Mr Guildford Onslow, Mr Skipworth, the person who went to prison for contempt of court, and Mr Councillor Purkess. Much sympathy was expressed for the wife and children of the late Claimant, who were also present. The total number of idiots or imbeciles in England and Wales is 29,452, tbe equality of the sexes being remarkable — namely, 14,728 males and 14,724 females. Compared with tbe entire population, the ratio is one idiot or imbecile in 761 persons, or 13 per 10,000 persons liviug. The number of the insane in England and Wales is 39,567 — 18,146 males and 21,421 females—being in the proportion of one iu every 574 of the general population. A handsome gift has been presented by the ladies of Christchurch to tho Prince Imperial. It is an inkstand in the shape of a beehive. The hive is of gold, and rests on a silver base, richly gilt and enamelled. Ten bees, most artistically constructed, are placed at suitable intervals on the hive or base. Valuable jewels add to the beauty of the object. It is currently reported that during the ensuing summer their Royal Highnesses the Duke and Duchess of Edinburg will visit Ireland, as the guests of the Duke and Duchess of Abercorn. Mr Thomas Garlylo has been reelected President of the Edinburgh Philosophical Institution, one of the very few public, if honorary, positions he takes pleasure in filling.