ENGLISH NEWS.

Oamaru Mail, Volume IV, Issue 1232, 30 March 1880, Page 2

ENGLISH NEWS.

(SPECIAXi TO THE MELBOURNE ARGUS.) London, March lfik^ The Agents-General," and especMl£|p^-., Arthur Blyth, of South Site urging upon;the' Government 1 the desirableness of a reduction in the -wine duties, but the general election,is delaying a settlement of the matter. ' A number of leading colonists will entertain Sir. M'Hwraith, the Premier of Queensland, on the 7th April. i March 20. General Lewis MelikofF and the Czarewitch are co-operating in putting "down the Nihilist conspiracy in St. Many-prisoners have been released. The Nihilists disclaim any attempt, on the life of General MelikofF, but are watching his actions. _ . The Czar is yielding under the guise of firmness. ; The Liverpool Grand National was run to-day, with the following result:—The Grand National Steeplechase of 800 sovs, added to a handicap sweepstakes of 20 sovs each ; distance, four miles and a half : Empress, 1 j - The Liberator, 2 ; Downpatrick, 3. ' .. The Orient steamer Aconcagua takes 74 Sisters of Mercy for Brisbane and Sydney. March 22. ; Prince Orloff, the Russian Ambassador at Paris, was recalled on Saturday, in consequence of the French Government refusing, at the invitation of Russia, to extradite the self-confessed Nihilist Hartmann. At a banquet given to Mr. Parnell, M.P., at Cork, Mr. Biggar, M.P., said if the course their party was pursuing in Parliament failed in its object, Ireland might produce another Hartmann, and with better results.. H. M. S. Raleigh, which qonveying reliefs for the Australian station-, will search Amsterdam Island for any traces of survivors; from the missing ship Knowsley Hall. Most of the election speeches contain long allusions to the advantage of the connection bptweplV the Mother Country and the Colonies, ; Persia is professing to decline to occupy Herat. General Skobeloff, the Russian Com-mander-in-Chief of the expedition against the Tekke Turcomans, will avoid Merv, as it is believed its occupation would pror voke the British to advance on Herat. It is sugpepted that Abdul Rahman has designs on Herat. (SPECIAL TO THE MELBOURNE AGE.) London, March 18. Lord Hartington, leader of the Liberal party in the House of Commons, is seriously indisposed, and unable to attend to his Parliamentary duties. The warning given by Germany to Italyrelative to the alleged intrigues of the latter with Russia against. Austria, has led to a diplomatic correspondence, the result of whjch is that the Italian Government have given a distinct , denial to the charge, and have expressed a desire to cooperate with the Great Powers in maintaining the peace of Europe. The laws promulgated by the German Parliament for the suppression of Socialism have been further extended for a period of seven years. March 19.

Political affairs in Greece create anxiety. The Government have of late become unpopular, and have lost the confidence of the Legislature. Their Budget was received with much disfavor by the Chambers, and after an. animated debate was rejected by a large majority. The fanaticism of the Turks in Smyrna, an important sea-port town in Asia Minor, has of late given rise for much alarm to the more peaceful portion of the population. Great bitterness of religious feeling has been manifested, resulting in some instances in serious riots. As a precautionary measure the European- Consuls have appealed to their respective Governments to send war ships to the Gulf of Smyrna for the protection of life and property. His Excellency Mr. Weld, Governor of Tasmania, lias been gazetted Governor of the Straits Settlements. The French Chambers have voted 55,000 francs for the purpose of enabling the manufactures and products of France to be suitably represented at the approaching Melbourne International Exhibition.' The health of the Czarina becomes daily more precarious, and by latest accounts serious doubts are entertained of her recovery. The P. and O. Company's steamer Hydaspes, with the Indian and Australian mails from England, has put into Bombay disabled, the blades of her propeller having been broken during rough weather after leaving Aden. Some few days delay will probably occur if the delivery of the mails in Australia. Several trading vessels carrying the Italian flag have been seized by the Customs officers of Austria, having on board a large quantity of arms, including breechloaders and ammunition, believed to be intended for the Albanian insurgents, who are known to have the sympathy of the " Italia Irridente " party. Great preparations are being made in Ireland for the reception of their Royal Highnesses the Duke and Duchess of Connaught, who are about to visit that country. Amongst other features of the intended ovation will be the lighting of signal bonfires on the hill-tops announcing their arrival. At a meeting of the Royal Commission in London, appointed to act in connection with the Melbourne International Exhibition, it was resolved that, inasmuch as the Lords of the: Treasury have refused to grant . additional funds, all business matters be referred to the Exhibition Commissioners in Melbourne. The Committee selected by the American Congress to consider the question of the influx of Chinese, and the measures, to be adopted in reference thereto, have presented their report. They recommend that the Congress shall pass strong antiChinese laws. There has been an advance in malt of . Is per quarter. March 22. Mr. Parnell has returned from his tour in America, and was accorded a most en* thusiastic reception at Cork, where he landed. The people turned out : in thousands to welcome him, and the city was illuminated. In the evening Mr. Parnell attended a banquet given in his honor. Many prominent M.P's. and leading citizens were present. In response to the toast of his health, Mr. Parnell detailed the result of his recent appeal to America on behalf of the people of " ould Erin go Bragh." ■,* _■