SUEZ MAIL NEWS.

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume XIII, Issue 103, 1 May 1878, Page 2

SUEZ MAIL NEWS.

[Per Aba wat a. "j London, March 15. The Queen is at Windsor, and. will shortly proceed to Osborne. The Duke of Connaught has resumed his military duties at Dublin. The Duke of Edinburgh has left Malta for England, where he will shortly receive the flag rank. Two steamera have left Malta with telegraph cables to lay down in various parts of the Levant for the British Government. Notwithstanding the signature of the terms of peace, preparations for coutingeucies still continue, and vessels already in commission are fitting out, including the Thunderer, Dieadnought,lS!orthampton,Monarch, Superb and Bellisle, the two new ironclads purchased from the Turkish Government, the Independence purchased from Brazil, the Euryalus, \ Agamemnon, Iron Duke, Lord Warden, / Triumph, Hercules, Thunderbolt, Northumberland, Prince Albert, Glatton, Cyclops, Hydra, Hecate, Philomel, and Cormorant, The Inflexible is being pushed on, and her 81-ton guns are nearly ready. Large quantities of war material are being shipped to the Mediterranean fleet and fortresses. Great preparations are being taken by the fleet in the Dardanelles and Sea of Marmora against attack. Each vessel is protected by hawsers and spars; steam and torpedo launches are used, extra sentries are posted, and the heavy guns are kept constantly loaded, while electric lights from the top of the Alexandra and Teremaire render all objects visible for two miles round. A number of commissions in the Ordnance and Transport Departments are being given to non-commissioned officers of the Artillery. Lieut.-General Sir Patrick McDougall, head of the Intelligence Department at the Horse Guards will assume the command in Canada in May, and Major-General Hamley succeeds him. Baker Pasha was entertained at a grand banquet at Stafford House by the Duke of Sutherland, when a large party of general officers and noblemen, etc., assembled to meet bim, including the Duke of Teck, Prince of Saxe Weimar, Eield Marshal Lord Strathnairn, Sir Garnet Wolsley, Midhat Pasha, and many others. The guest of the evening received a perfect ovation, and warmly returned thanks. Startling revelations have been made before the Stock Exchange Commissioner, and strict measures will be proposed to abolish certain practices which have been the cause of the heavy losses sustained by private individuals during the last. five years. The Admiralty Court fixed the Cleopatra Needle salvage at £25,000. Earl Cadogan has succeeded Mr Lowther as Under-Secretary for the Colonies, and Viscount Bury takes his place at the War Office. Mr Vincent Howard, barrister at law, has been appointed director of criminal investigations in the Metropolitan Police, with control over the detective force. The Bill for the abolition of capital punishment was defeated on the 13th of March in the House of Commons by 263 to 64. Mr Morgan's motion in favor of interments in church yards without any religious service, if desired, was lost by 242 to 227An annual grant of £3000 is proposed for Hansard to improve the system of reporting debates, with special reference to the late debates and discussions in Committee and ou Private Bills. Colonel Henderson, Chief of the Metropolitan Police, has been knighted. General Sir Arthur Borton succeeds Sir C. Von Stanberzie as Governor at Malta. The Londou Salvage Company have commenced operations to raise the Vanguard. Colonel Arbuthnot, Conservative, has been returned for Hereford by 1110 votes against 1066 given to the Liberal candidate. Exploring expeditions for Africa are being fitted out both in Erance and Germany, and both Governments are aiding. The Indo-European Company have introduced the telephone into Persia, and 300 miles have been spoken over. The intended marriage of the Duke of Genoa with a sister of the Queen of Spain is announced. Oliver Pain, who escaped with Rochefort from New Caledonia, is stated to have beeu captured and shot by the Russians. The Depritis Ministry has been broken up through a domestic scandal in connection with Signor Crispo, who repudiated his first wife on the grounds that the marriage had not been thoroughly legal, although she had been presented at Court and married again. In consequence of the great outcry he resigned his seat in the Ministry. Signor Cairoli was elected President of the Chamber, and on the resignation of the Ministry was called upon to form a Government, and has succeeded. Scandals have come to light in connection with the management of theErench militaryprisons. The Shah of Persia starts for Europe on the sth of April. During the last sittings of the Turkish Parliament public affairs were discussed with great freedom, both Christians and Mussulmen joining in exposing the faults of the Administration. On the prorogation several of the prominent members were expelled to Asia Minor. Fifty thousand Russians are to remain in the new Principality of Bulgaria for two years, until a National Militia is organised. Communication with Russia will be maintained by sea from Varau and Bougesa. The f I

obstructions at the Sulina mouth of the Danube are being cleared away till the Mnasulmen who have quitted Bulgaria can return to occupy their homes.