Untitled

New Zealand Times, Volume XXX, Issue 4334, 9 February 1875, Page 2

Br way of Auckland —at which the Wouga Wonga and Hero arrived yesterday from Sydney—wo have some later news of interest. France, from tho lato voting in tho Assembly, would seem to be gradually advancing towards an important political change. By the narrowest possiblo majority (it must be admitted) the Assembly has refused to pledge itself to a republican form of government—a change of feeling for which the latest elections must have Homewhat prepared those who have watched

the political game now being played there, though what the next move will be it ia not easy to forecast. From South Australia we hear of the, death of Sir James H. Fisher, one of the oldest and best known and most-spirited among the public men of that colony. From Melbourne the unexpected news comes of the death of the Rev. Mr. Robertson, of the Scotch Presbyterian Church, who only a week or two ago withdrew from his connection with that body, after a remarkable scene in the Presbytery of Melbourne, and who immediately commenced a new journal to advocate broader views in religious matters. From Queensland there comes the equally unexpected intelligence of the appearance of Thompson, the third member of Hume's expedition to"recover Classau (of Leichardt'e party), who is said to have found his way to Borneo, and then to Brisbane, who states that he does not believe the body found was that of O'Hea, the second member of that party, and that he thinks both O'llea and Hume are still in the interior. This story, altogether, is a very curious one from first to last, and we shall be curious to learn whether Thompson has really turned up, or whether this ia another to be added to the many strange episodes, if they are not canards, in connection with the lost expedition. The defeat of the Parkes Ministry over the Gardiner affair appears to be particularly embarrassing. Sir Hercules Robinson is puzzled how to act, and has asked for time to consider. . Meanwhile Parliament has voted two month's supplies. .