LATEST ENGLISH NEWS.

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume XVI, Issue 18, 21 January 1881, Page 2

LATEST ENGLISH NEWS.

LbNDbN, January 19. The severe weather which, has prevailed, thrfaughdut England during the past few, days has abated, and it is now much finer and milder generally. A luncheon was held on board the steamer Metikara to day to celebrate the opening of the new line of direct steamers between England and Queensland. There was a large company present, including Mr A. Macaliater. (Agent General for Queensland) Mr Slauton, and other leading colonists. Both the. gentlemen named made speeches on the occasion and expressed their full confidence that the line of steamers, in addition to other benefits, would materially assist the development of the trade in fresh meat between the colonies and England, The measures taken by the Government to suppress the exciting agitation in Ireland hnve led to summonses being issued for the arrest of eixty Land Leaguers, all of whom will be placed oil their trial for sedition.

(Special to Melbourne Argus.) London, Jan. 7. At Birmingham some clockmakers who have asked for police protection, have revealed a plot on the part of Russian Nihilists who are having infernal machines corstructed in England, to be used in furtherance of their project against the Emperor of Russia. January Bth. In the debate on the Address in Reply to the Queen's speech, and amendments thereon by Mr. Parnell in the House" of Commons, the Irish members who have spoken have condemned the stoppage of public meetings iv Ireland. Mr. Parnell declared that the Coercion Bill, which it is proposed to introduce, will have the effect of increasing the outrages rather thau diminishing them, and would cause conspiracies. Mr, Forster, Chief Secretary for Ireland, in a long and able speech, pointed out that the outrages followed the inflammatory and seditious speeches delivered by the members of the Land League. The Canadian fishing question is now being debated by Congress at Washington in a friendly tone towards Eng'and. The town of Kimberly is being fortified against an expected attack by the Boers, who are now desperate They have a large number of men in the field, and, emboldened by previous successes, are advancing further into Natal. A disastrous fire has taken place at Havana, and, with the exception of the large cigar factories, the principal buildings have been destroyed.