ENGLISH AND FOREIGN.

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume X, Issue 39, 15 February 1875, Page 2

ENGLISH AND FOREIGN.

London, (undated.) Mr Forster has declined the leadership of the Liberals. At a meeting of Liberals to be held on Thursday, Mr John Bright will preside. England has declined tho invitation to take part in the Conference on the 21st, respecting the usages to be observed in war. The death is announced of SirW. Sterndale Bennett, composer and pianist. February 2. The balance of the South Australian loan has been negotiated at 90. The Municipal six per cent bonds of the City o£ Auckland, amounting to £100,000, J»t« been subscribed for fourfold. The New South Wales Four per Cents are admitted to the Stock Exchange and quoted.

February 3. There have been largo withdrawal of gold for Paris. Paris, February 3. The Assembly has voted that the President shall have the riant of disso ution with the concurrence of the Sena:e. Madrid, February 3. At the battle of Oltrgu yesterday, the Carlists were defeated, and Pampeluna was relieved. The national troops are advancing victoriously. London, February 4. At the meeting of Liberals to-day, the Marquis of Hartington was unanimously elected leader. Tne Win'sor Castle, after repairing at Bahia, returnei to Rio Janiero leaky, and is discharging her cargo for repairs. Arrived — Northumberland, Loch Tay, Seringapat^m, Highflyer, Essex, Ben Nevis, Cardigan Castle, Thomas Bell, City of Perth, from. Melbourne; Outarpa, Corinth, Collingrove, Abergeldie. from Adelaide; Countess of Kintore, from New Zealand. Paius, February 4 The Assembly by 321 to 171 passed the third reading of the Constitutional bills. Th>s reault was brought about by a coalition of the Centres. Madrid, February 4. The Pope recommsnds Don Carlos to put a atop to the civil war. I ondon, February 5, Parliament was opened to-day by commission with the ÜBual ceremonies Thespeech from the throne which was read by the Lord Chancellor, stated that the Government continued to receive aaßuraoces of friendship from the several powers, and trusted ihat peace would rerr am unbroken. Considering the importance ol the principles involved, and the •widely different views expressed at the Bmssels Conference, and the improbability of the reconciliation of these views and proposals further negotiations would be declined. The question ot the formal recognition of Alfonso as King of Spain wa* under consideration in concert with other powers, and an early decision was promised. Her Majesty trusted, thi ough the exertions of the naval and consular services that slavery would be completely extingushed on the East African Coast. The difference b tween China and Japan wes happily adjusted, and the English Mnister had been largely instrumental in bringing about this result. The past year bad been generally prosperous, and greit progrtss had been made in the colonial empire. Steady advance was made in the establishment of a Civil Government on the Gold Coast, and ehe trußted that henceforward freedom would exist The Langalabii c affair would neces?i'ate a review of the condition of the tribes at Natttl, and her Majesty's advistrs anticipated the concurrence ot Parliament in measures for dealing with the system of native administration. The King and chiefs of Fiji, having made a new oiler of the Islands, unfettered by conditions, it had been accepted. Independent of its large natural resources the terri'.ory offered important advantages ti a Pacifi: fle t, ample for i;s proteclion. The condition of the finances was satisfactory, nnd although the trade returns had ialleu somewh it short, the prosperity was general and had been tup ported by an excellent harvest A red iction of uxation was promised. The exceptional te Jft»a|ftry statutes affecting Ireland would be brought mqer no'ice with a view to the abolition. Btlla were announced relttive to the judicature and improvement of working men's dwellings; the amendment of the sanitary Jaws, and laws le atiug to friendly societies; the amendment of the Merchant Shipping Act; for better security against pereonal violence aud the establishment of public prosecutions. February 6 •Fiji i§ gazetted a separate coloDy. Very little is doing in wool, and the manufactures are dull. Private inquiries are insignificant pending the approachin? eaUs. Arrived: Collingwooil, irom Me bourne; Strathdon, and Patriarch, from Sydney; Atricanns, from Adelaide