EUROPEAN NEWS TO MARCH 10.

Poverty Bay Standard, Volume II, Issue 151, 24 March 1874, Page 2

EUROPEAN NEWS TO MARCH 10.

(JAVA CABLE.) BLUFF. March 18. The Otago, Captain McLean, arrived at 9 am. ; she left Melbourne on the 12th. She brings 506 tons cargo, 38 cabin, and 76 steerage passengers. LONDON. March 5. Parliament formally opens to-day. Mr. Brand’s re-election as Speaker is unopposed. March 6. A depatch from General Wolsely, dated February 2, describes the peaceful professions of King Coffee, with his offer of unconditional surrender, as solely intended to deceive, and the whole negotiation ns part of a treacherous plot. The Ashantees offered greater resistance than was believed possible. The Earl of Carnarvon received a letter from Goldsworthy on the Bfh February, announcing that the King of Ashantees was taken prisoner, and that General Wolsely had returned 10l tanbar. A despatch was received from General Wolsely, dated the 19th of February .announcing the capture and burning of Coomassie, with the flight of the King. The troops were withdrawn to the adjacent hills, awaiting the issue of the peace negotiations. The Ashantees did not attempt to interfere with the troops on their return march, f ‘ March 7. The Duke and Duchess of Edinburgh landed at Gravesend to-day ; they met with a hearty reception. A deputation of Aborigines interviewed the Secretary for the Colonies, and presented a memorial respecting the Polynesian slave trade. Earl Carnarvon assured the deputation of the sympathy of the Government, and stated that they were only waiting the report of the commission of enquiry at Fiji. The opening competition was well maintained in the wool market; the faulty descriptions slightly lower. Wheat is firmer, home deliveries are small, and foreign arrivals are inconsiderable; New Zealand flax has slightly advanced. March 9. At a meeting of the members of the late Cabffiet, Mr. Gladstone declined to undertake the leadership of the liberal party in the House of Commons. Heavy rains and tornados render the homeward march of General Wolsely’s army difficult. March 10. A heavy fall in the price of coal in the manufacturing districts has taken place, and a reduction in wages commence d. General Wolsely states in a despatch that the Ashantee king sent l.OOOozs. of gold as the first instalment of indemnity; all the white troops are on their way back to the coast. The last detachment embarked at the end of the month for Home. New Zealand Items : Three brass bells cast from captured guns were presented by the German Emperor to Christchurch, New Zealand. Messrs. Henderson and Co. have commenced to run a new line of clipper ships between London and Otago, with the William Davie, on the 15th February. A free passage and expenses are offered by the New Zealand Government to Mr Arch, provided that he visits the colony, and reports on its emigration capabilities. The exports to New Zealand amount to £319,100 for the month. Jean Luie is to be tried for bigamy at the next Criminal Sessions.

Another marriage in the royal family is now being talked of, the cousin of the Prince of Hesse aspires to the hand of the Princes* Beatrice.