ENGLAND AND AUSTRALIA.

New Zealand Times, Volume XXX, Issue 4442, 15 June 1875, Page 2

ENGLAND AND AUSTRALIA.

ARRIVAL OF THE MACGREGOR AT AUCKLAND. LATER ENGLISH AND AUSTRALIAN TELEGRAMS. [The following was published by us in a Second Edition yesterday.] . Auckland, Monday. The Macgregor arrived after a protracted passage of eight and a half days. For three days encountered very severe gales. On the 11th there was rain, lightning, and a tremendous sea; engines going dead slow. Shipped a heavy sea, which washed sheep-pens and hencoops overboard. No other damage was done. ENGLISH NEWS BY CABLE. Paris, May 28. ■ A committee of thirty have entered upon an examination of the Constitutional laws. London, May 25. Mr. Eroude has returned from his South African tour in an official capacity. May 28.

The Oaks was run to-day. There were 136 subscribers. Lord Ealmouth's Spinaway, 1 ; Lord Ealmouth's Lady Love, by Blair Athol, 2 ; General Peel's Sister to Muscat, by Toxopholite, West Australia, 3. The newly organised Arctic Expedition sails to-morrow.

Captain Boynton again crossed the Channel in the dress intended for the preservation of life at sea. Left Calais, crossing Channel, and reached Dover in twenty-four hours. He was but slightly distressed. Mr. Vogel was created a Knight Commander of St. Michael and St. George. Commodore Goodenough and Consul Layard have received positions as companions of St. Michael and St. George. Messrs. Holland, Haekett, and Sergeant Havelock have been appointed members of the Legislative Council of Fiji. Mrs. Bladen Neil has rented a plantation at Vermont for the development of the Australian silkworks. Up to the present time the grain is doing well. They have passed the second stage. The strike of colliers in South "Wales has terminated by the men consenting to receive wages reduced by 12J- per cent. The wool sales are proceeding briskly. Prices firm.

The Howrah arrived from New Zealand on May 20, and the Auckland on May 2i. On May 30 the steamer Normanby, via Torres Strait, left Singapore two days before contract time.

The Dowlais and Aberdare Iron Company have suspended payment, which involves not only minor failures, but a large firm of discount brokers. Failures were anticipated, and therefore were quietly received. President Grant has refused to become a candidate for a third term of the Presidency of the United States. June 2. In the House of Lords, Earl Derby, Minister for Foreign Affairs, in reply to an inquiry from Lord John Russell, stated that Germany recently declared she might be compelled to strike the first blow in another war, in consequence of the extensive armaments the French nation was organising. Earl Derby further stated that through the intervention of England and Russia all danger of another outbreak of war had been averted.

AUSTRALIAN SUMMARY. Sydney, June 5. ' Negotiations for the Pacific Mail Service on permanent basis are being continued between New South Wales and New Zealand, and Sir Daniel Cooper and the Hon. Thos. Russell have arrived at an understanding with the New South Wales Government, as to the services for which tenders are to be called, and in respect of the amount each colony is to contribute. Nothing has come of previous attempt to obtain the contract for which tenders were invited up to sth May, in anticipation of the New South Wales Government concurring in their deliberations respecting services required and conditions to be attached. Sir Daniel Cooper and Mr. Russell advertised in London for fresh tenders, to be forwarded up to Ist June, in terms of the agreement made between them. The Government are inviting local tenders, to be sent in on or before 10th June. It is understood that the time for tendering in England will either be extended to that date, or the tenders will not be opened till the Australian tenders can be telegraphed to London.

The Robertson Ministry are devoting their attention to public works of a reproductive character.

Commercial affairs have been temporarily disturbed by the failure of four mercantile firms concerned in some joint mining speculations. Matters have since assumed their usual aspect, owing to the general soundness of trade.

The opening of the Queensland Exhibition is fixed for the Bth July. Exhibits will subsequently be forwarded to Philadelphia. Heavy gold was struck yesterday in the Prince of Wales Claim, Carcoar. A ton of stone brought up is estimated to yield 500 ounces. The stone in shaft looks even richer. Great excitement prevails. Mr. Daniel Macquarie, the well-known ship-builder at Sydney and Newcastle, has been sentenced to two months' imprisonment, for attempting to destroy a vessel, thereby endangering the life of Mr. George Mason, a clerk in the Bank of New South Wales, who was. in possession of Macquarie's Steam Yacht, which was mortgaged .to the bank. Defendant told the engineer to turn full speed ahead and jump ashore; he then cast her adrift, leaving no one aboard but Mason, who knew nothing about machinery, and was in great danger until rescued by the engineer of a steamer lying at anchor in the harbor, George Budge, fireman of Macquarie's, also assisted in the offence, and was similarly punished. Melbourne, June 5. The new Juries Bill introduced abolishei) the present qualification ; persons who cannot read or write are disqualified. In the action Lockhart v. Royal Insurance, the company recover. £2OOO on insurance policy. The jury found that plaintiff set fire to goods on premises. The Judge ordered him to be tried for arson.

Applications have been received for 10,000 shares in Sargood's Clothing Company. Later Cape papers state that the aspect of affairs is more pacific. The inquest on James Sainsbur, late shipping clerk, showed that death' was accelerated by want of the necessaries of life. The family were found in a state of utter destitution.

The,Government are having a handbook prepared for distributional the Home country. The Attorney-General has been authorised to prosecute J. 0. Kay for appropriating £IOOO trust money. It is believed that he went to Sydney. In the Legislative Assembly a motion to open the museums on Sundays was negatived on a division by 25 to 23. Wheat and flour are lower ; former sold at ss. ; there is a great demand for case brandy ; Hennessy's, 325. ; MarteU's, 275. The following are the entries for the Melbourne Gup :—Diver, Saunterer, Templeton, Scan. Mag., Moddo, Dante, Professor, St. Albans, Break o' Day, Sunlight, Light of Day, Castaway, Ivanhoe, King Philip, May Flower, Kamarooka", Calumny, Marquis of Lorne, Echo, Triton, Emulation, Loquacity, Polidore, Pam, Coquette, Andover, Benjiroo, Imperial, Dagworth, Libertine, Fugleman, Haricot, Nimrod, Mummy, Bisk, Irish Stew, Leakore, Kingsborough, Sylvia Colt, Sour Grapes Colt, Sentinel, Ringwood, Goldsbrough, Gloom, Politician, Dignity, Lord Lytton, Southern Cross, The Hook, Bichmond, Don Giovanni, Improver, Canterbury, Painter, Naughty Boy, Mohican, Wenberriman, Knicrachnie, Newbold, Camden, Wollamai, Feu De Joie, Artificer, Battler, Ella, Gasfiraiy,.V«tnra.Ti.. Deer, Balliou, Lurline, Sunbeam, Matterton, l„na» n iv;jo, Spark, Maid of Allwork, Neotsfield, Calaba, Kingfisher, Playboy, Barmaid, Lord Lyon, Bose d'Amour, Melbourne, Lord John, Stirling, West Australian, Ladybird, and Sultan. Adelaide, June 4. 20,000 tons of breadstuffs have been exported. 35,000 acres were selected in May. The New Ministry have been sworn in ; Boucaut, Premier; Morgan, Chief Secretary ; Way, Attorney-General; Cotton, Treasurer ; Ward, Minister of Education ; West, Agriculture ; Erskiue, Minister for Public Works. A cargo of wheat afloat has been sold at 4s. Hobaktox, June 4.

Smith, found guilty of rape, has been executed, declaring his innocence, yet virtually acknowledging guilt. The body of Thomas Cassidy, an old resident, missing since May 3, has been found in the bush. He lost himself. Baunceston, June 4. A prosecution has been commenced against James Peters, of the firm of Peters and Barnard, under the Bankruptcy Act.