LATEST ENGLISH NEWS.

New Zealand Spectator and Cook's Strait Guardian, Volume III, Issue 146, 23 December 1846, Page 3

LATEST ENGLISH NEWS.

The Russell Ministry carried their Sugar Bill through the House of Lords ; it was opposed by Lord Stanley on protectionist principles, and by Lords Brougham and Denman and the Bishop of Oxford on the ground that it would encourage slavery, but the House was not divided. An attempt was made by the new Ministry to carry through a Bill nearly of the same nature as that on which the Peel Ministry retired. It was called the Irish Arms Bill. The Ministry were subsequently obliged to abandon it. Lord John Russell stated in the House of Commons, that in future no soldier, whether tried by district or general court martial, was to receive more than fifty lashes. An agitation for the total abolition of flogging was commenced.

The China War. — The medals to be distributed to the fleet employed during the war with China, are valued at 7s. 6d. On one side is the bust of her Majesty, surrounded by the words " Victoria Regina ;" on the reverse is a palm tree hanging over a shield, with the arms of England ; on the right side, is a field of cannon, intermingled with various implements of war ; to the left of the shield is a capstan, anchor, and other paraphernalia of a man-of-war, beneath which is the word " China" and the year 1842, the whole being surmounted by the following words^ " Armis Exposcere Pacem." The edge is plain, with ihe person's name engraved. Instead of a hole for the ribbon, a loop is substituted on the top, through which is introduced a crimson edged with yellow. Captain Turner's company of the Royal Artillery, under orders for New Zealand, has been countermanded. — London Mail, Aug. 24. The American Tariff -Bill had passed the Senate by a Majority of one. The Vice President gave his casting vote in its favour. It commenced operation on the Ist December.

The principal opponent was Mr. Webster, who argued in favor of protective duties. In the Obituary we notice the names of Sir Charles Wetherell, (killed by being thrown from his gig,) Lord Bloomfield, the Bishop of Kildare, (whose see under Lord Stanley's Act is now appended to the diocese of Dublin,) General Boardman, the Marquis Thomond, and Mr. Ward, (autlfor of Tremaine.) Dr. Pbillimore is to be Judge of the Consistory Court of Glocestor vice Dr. Moddy, resigned. Mr. David Pollock (brother of the Lord Chief Barn) to be Chief Justice of Bombay, his post as Chief Insolvent Commissioner to be filled by Mr. Charles Phillips the Bankruptcy Commissioner, who is succeeded by Mr. H. J. Perry. Floating churches have been launched on the Clyde ; one is of iron, and will accommodate 700 persons. It is in connexion with the Free Church of Scotland. The lease of " Crockford's" has been sold by auction for £2900. The purchaser's name did not transpire. Apprehensions were entertained that the Asiatic cholera was again about to visit England. It had already entered Russia, and the extreme heat of the season was considered favourable to its propogation. The thermometer during June had risen to a higher degree than it was remembered to have reached — standing at 126 in the sun, and 90 in the shade. Sun strokes had been frequent, and the bodies of the sufferers were in a state of putridity within an hour. A board of health ; had been appointed at Liverpool, in which town a case or two of supposed cholera had occurred. Two boys, aged respectively 17 and 14, were committed at Manchester on the 22nd June, on suspicion of having deliberately murdered another boy aged 13. The merchants of London, Manchester, and Glasgow, have petitioned the Earl of Aberdeen to establish a British naval station at the Island of Labuan, which has been freely ceded to England by the Sultan of Borneo. Labuan is in a very central situation, being almost equi-distant from] Hongkong, Singapore, Siam, and Manila ; aud in the direct route of our Chinese shipping. It is said to abound in wood of various kinds, coal, and in the ores of gold, iron, tin, and antimony.