ARRIVAL OF THE SUEZ MAIL.

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXIII, Issue 5401, 19 July 1878, Page 4

ARRIVAL OF THE SUEZ MAIL.

(PER ALHAMBRA AT HOKITIKA.) London, June 7.

The great constitutional debate was resumed in the House of Commons on. 23rd May, and after the debate the division took place, which showed a majority for the Government of 121 votes. Mr. Newdegate was the only Conservative who voted for the resolution, though several abstained from voting altogether. Nineteen Liberals voted for the Government, and eight Irish Home Rulers who so voted may bo ranked with that party. Several Liberals absented themselves.

A Blue-book has been issued containing the official correspondence respecting the insurrection in Thessaly and Epirus. The despatches, 233 in number, show that the insurgents were induced to withdraw on the assurance of the British Government that the cause of Greece should not thereby suffer, A compromise has been arranged with regard to the obstinately-resisted Irish Sunday Closing Bill. On condition that its operation is limited to four years, it will be allowed to pass. A general impression prevails that if the Berlin Congress prove successful, the Government will appeal to the ceuutry, taking credit for their foreign policy, and so trill obtain another lease of power. The heat in ■ Calcutta has been unprecedented, and many deaths have occurred among the European population- from heat and apoplexy. . A serious outbreak has occurred at Burresal gaol. Eighteen long-term convicts escaped ; three were shot dead by the guard, and three mortally wounded. The latest famine reports from Mysore state that no cause for fresh anxiety exists, heavy rains having fallen there. The monsoon has set in down the coast, but not yet fairly burst. In the Bombay district there is an utter stagnation of business, owing to the unsettled slate of politics and the near approach of the rains. The Australian Eleven commenced their first cricket match in England at Nottingham on the 20th May. They lost the match by one innings and 6 runs, -Their next match was at Lords on the 27th with the Maryleboue Club. This match, which created an immense sensation, was the most extraordinary event seen. The Australians had shown in their contest with Nottingham, when quite out of practice and on a wicket most unfavorable to their style ®f playing, that they were fully justified in comiug to England, and that they ■ would do themselves no discredit as the representatives of cricket at the antipodes. Still, no one anticipated that they would defeat such a powerful team as that brought against them by nine wickets. Erom first to last they took full advantage of their good fortune, and allowed no chance to slip by. Special praise was also bestowed on the excellent fielding of the Australians, which was quick, active, and really very smart in the return. The Marylebone players in the second innings cut a deplorable fio-ure ; Mr. Grace was perhaps a little unlucky in the first innings, but in the second he had only 2 balls, neither of which did ho touch, and the'last took his bails. Mr. Hornby alone, in the first; innings, seemed to have any idea of how to play .to the bowling of Messrs. Boyle and Spofforth. The rest wont in and but one after the other, as if there was something too terrible in the. bowling to face. - In the second innings, on a good though dead wicket, 0 out of 10 of-the Marylebone side

were clean bowled, and they got altogether only 19 runs to add to the almost equally insignificant score of 33 which they had previously obtained. Six men contributed nothing at their first effort, and seven followed suit the second time. Spofforth, whose action and change of pace seemed to-* puzzle the batsmen, bowled in all 49 balls for 20 runs and 10 wickets ; Boyle, 89 balls for 17 runs and 9 wickets ; the former getting 6 wickets for i runs iu the first, and the latter 6 wickets for 3 ' runs in the second. As to the Australian batting, Midwinter showed good form in both innings, and Murdoch and Horan likewise did better than any of the English side except Hornby and Browers. The game began at twelve, and notwithstanding the interval for lunch ended a little after five. At a subsequent match on the 30th of May, with the Yorkshire County team of eleven, the Australians won by 6 wickets. They were next victorious in the great match- with the Surrey Eleven at Kennington Oval, which they won by 5 wickets. This contest, owing to the interest excited by the extraordinary success of the Australians, brought the largest crowd to Kennington' Oval -ever seen on a cricket field. The victory was welcomed with overwhelming enthusiasm.