LATE ENGLISH NEWS.

New Zealand Spectator and Cook's Strait Guardian, Volume VIII, Issue 742, 11 September 1852, Page 3

LATE ENGLISH NEWS.

A magnificent ball was given by the Duke of Wellington May 14th, at Apsley House in compliment to Her Royal Highness Princess Mary of Cambridge, on that princess making her debut in society. With the exception of the Duke's memorable ball at her Majesty's coronation, the fete is described as having been the most splendid reunion his Grace has given since he became the occupant of Apsley House. Upwards of 1,200 membeis of the aristocracy were present. The Scotch newspapers describe continued disasters from the burning of heath at this season : the long drought has so dried up the heath that the flames applied to it have spread far and wide beyond the limits intended. The extraordinary rapidity with which they ran over wide ranges of country is likened to that of the prairie fires in America. Grain crops, meadows, and peat- stacks were burnt, while game was destroyed by wholesale — birds were roasted on their nests. The anniversary of the death of the Emperor Napoleon, on Wednesday, was distinguished by imposing solemnities at the Chapel of the Invalides. All the " constituted bodies of the state" were present, in duly-arranged subordination to the President ; who "himself went to the church and returned thence in a small open carriage and pair, which he drove slowly through an immense mass of Parisians." By a Parliamentary return respecting the Court of Chancery, it appears that since 1845, when the sth and 6th Victoria, cap. 103, came into force, £294,901 : 11 : 6 has been paid for j salaries and office expenses up to the 26th November last, and the enormous sum of £364,355 : 19 :8 as compensation for loss of j offices. To the late four sworn clerk 3, appointed taxing-masters, no less than £236,296 : 11 : 3 has been paid since 1845 to the 25th November last, as salaiy and compensation ; and they are to have considerable annuities if they cease to hold the office, and after their death .compensations for seven years are to be granted. The members of the British and Foreign Society met at Exeter Hall, under Lord Shaftesbury, on Wednesday ; and were urged forward by encouraging accounts of the results of labours past, and by stimulating pictures of the great work still to be done. ' The Archbishop of Canterbury and the Chevalier Bunsen were speakers. The Society had scattered 25,402,309 copies of the Bible in 1 75 languages — of which 121 were never before printed — among the peoples of the earth. But the condition of the world in these times, especially that of the des-potically-governed countries of Eastern Europe, whose refers have a notion that the Bible is fatal to their system — called for redoubled efforts. The receipts of the year had been £108,449 ; being more than £5000 beyond those of last year, and £16,000 beyond those of 1850 : the expenses had been £103,930, and there were £52,341 of "present engagements" to the further debit of the Society. — Spectator, May 8.

Submarine and Continental Telegraphic Extension. — On Thursday communications were effected for the first time between London and Boulogne. The wires to be shortly submerged between Dover and Ostend, opening communication with the whole of Belgium and that part of the continent, are now being constructed. — Weekly Chronicly, May 15. .Court-Martial on the Loss op the " Birkenhead." — A second court-martial, in reference to the loss of the Birkenhead, was held on board the Victory, at Portsmeutb. yesterday (Friday). There were put on trial — Mr. William Culhane, assistant-surgeon ; Mr. C. R. Renwick, assistant- engineer of the first class ; Mr. Benjamine Barber, assistant-engineer of the

third class ; Mr. W. S, Hire, clerk ; Mr. John Archbold gunner ; and the whole of the surviving portion of the crew, comprising fortyfour men, four boys, and five privates of marines. Several witnesses having been examined for the defence, the Judge Advocate leadthe following finding :—": — " That the court is of opinion that no blame is attributable to Mi\ John Archbold, or the other surviviug officers and crew of the Birkenhead, tried for the wreck of the said ship or for their conduct subsequently thereto ; but, on the contrary, the court sees reason to admire and applaud the steadiness shown by all in the most trying circumstances, and the conduct of those who were first in the boats, and who, to the best of their judgment, made every exertion for the rescue of the portion of the crew and . passengers who remained upon the wreckt In this expression of praise theydesira to include those who have been acquitted on the present and previous courts-martial, and the court doth fully acquit the said John Archbold and the other surviving officers and crew of the said ship Birkenhead, and they are hereby acquitted accordingly." This terminates the inquiry.— Weekly Chronicle, May 15.