ENGLISH NEWS. [From the Holart Town Courier, Augt. 15.]

New Zealand Spectator and Cook's Strait Guardian, Volume II, Issue 115, 5 September 1846, Page 4

ENGLISH NEWS. [From the Holart Town Courier, Augt. 15.]

Up to the 24th of April, the Irish Coercion Bill iwas under discussion. The Corn Bill had made no further progress. There was an impression abroad that a majority in the House of Peers had determined to resist the free-trade policy of Sir Robert Peel to the utmost of its power* Sir Robert £$el has declined to reduce the duties on teas. A Treasury order has been sent to the Cus- > tom-house to permit buck-wheat and Indian corn to be liberated on the 'payment of Is. per quarter, the parties to give bond to pay the

old. duty, provided the parliament finally reject the Ministerial project. Nothing has been done or determined in reference to the Oregon Question, beyond what we have already communicated* from our direct sources of intelligence.

Reduction in the Price of Bread. — On the 16th of April the price of bread fell, in various parts of the metropolis, from 7|d. to 7d., and some to 6f d. The highest price of bread is now 9d. , and the lowest 6|d. per 41b. loaf. A memorial has been addressed to the Directors of the London and Birmingham and Grand Junction, requesting them to run an express train daily between Liverpool and London, at six a.m. each way, for the convenience of merchants of both cities. Should such an express be run, it will, by starting from London at six a.m., arrive in Liverpool at twelve, or half-past, so that newspapers and despatches which now reach Liverpool at halfpast three, will find their destination at midday ; the journey and post deliveries being accelerated by from two and a half to three hours, over a distance of 208 miles. The Marquis of Northampton, as president of the Royal Society, gave the fourth and last of his lordship's conversaziones, this season, at the family residence on the Terrace, Piccadilly. At nine o'clock the saloons of the noble president were resorted to by a very numerous assemblage of the most distinguished literary and scientific members of the various institutions in the metropolis, and by half-past ten the several rooms were crowded to excess. All the apartments were admirably illuminated, and, as usual in the lower dining-room, refreshments were provided -in abundance. In the course of the evening much attention was excited by the introduction of Pomare, a New Zealand chief, who accompanied Mr. G. F. Angas to the soiree. The chieftain was attired in the full costume of his native country, and, what was more singular to the intellectual company around him, brought a spear, but a trifle less formidable than the halberts of our royal wardens. Mohun Lai was also present in the characteristic habiliments peculiar to his country. The Courrier Ft ancais announces, that after the accouchement of Queen Victoria, the Duke and Duchess De Nemours are to repair to London, and return to France with her Britannic Majesty. The preparations for the visit of her Majesty were proceeding without intermission at the Tuilleries, Neuilly, St. Cloud, and Versailles, and particularly at the Trianon. Sir George Clerk, it is stated, will proceed immediately to Calcutta. Major-General Sir George Pollock retires from the Council on account of his health. The sum allotted by the Commissioners of Woods and Forests to the Earl of Haddington for the loss of his interest in the park of Holyrood is £30,674 : 1 : 8. The Earl of Glasgow has given in his adhesion to the ministerial proposal for abolishing the corn-laws. — Glasgow Argus. Mr. Pym, second to Lieutenant Hawkey, in the fatal duel with Mr. Seton, has been tried at Winchester, charged with the wilful murder of the latter gentleman, and acquitted.