GENERAL SUMMARY.

Southland Times, Volume I, Issue 46, 15 September 1864, Page 3

GENERAL SUMMARY.

London, 26th August. The Australian May Mails were delivered in London on the 12th and ISth July. The Queen continues in good health. On the breaking up of the London Conference, the Government made a ministerial statement, declaring that although England's. sympathies are ■with Denmark, she is not bound alone to afford her aid — Eussia and France having withdrawn. Notice of motion has been given in the House . of Commons to the effect that., in the event of the New Zealand war not being brought to a close shortly, the Imperial troops shall be withdrawn from the- colony. The New Zealand Guarantee Loan Bill, after a long debate, was read a second time. Lord Palmerston has stated that the Prussian ambassador totally repudiated the alleged " Holy Alliance." On the 4th of July, Mr. Disraeli moved a vote of censure on the Government, for their DanoGerraan policy. Thedebate whichfollowed occupied four days. The general opinion expressed was, that England should not again plunge into ivar in respect to our foreign relations. The motion was lost by 18 ; but a counter vote was carried in the House of Lords by a majority of 9. A large deputation of Australian gentlemen has •waited upon Lord Stanley on the subject of the increased rates of postage to the Colonies. It is anticipated that the former charges will be reestablished after communication has taken place with the Colonies about the desirability of a bi-monthly mail. The "Wimbledon meeting was very successful. The match between the Lords and Commons was won by the former. The public schools match was won by Harrow. The Elcho challenge shield, by Scotland, and the Queen's prize by Private Wyatt, of the London Bine Brigade. A dreadful railway accident has occurred near Montreal. A train consisting of eleven carriages, containing 358 German emigrants, went over Beloia bridge. Thirty-four of the bodies hare been recovered. Mr. Lancaster, of the yacht Deerhound, has received a letter from Mr. Mason, thanking him for hia noble conduct in saving the captain and crew of the Alabama. Mr. Lancaster denies that the Deerhound acted as a tender to the Alabama, and declares that he saved the crew from motives of humanity. Sir Robert Percy Douglas ha 3 been appointed Governor of the Cape of Good Hope. Earl Derby is still suffering from illness. The Duke of Newcastle's health is much improved. It is expected that the proceedings on Dr. Colenso's ca3e will be quashed, owing to the jurisdiction of the Bishop of Cape Town being denied. Should this happen, Dr. Colenso will bring an action against Bishop Gray. A destructive fire has occurred in London. The Chapel Royal Savoy and a number of houses in the rear of the Strand have been destroyed. A mutiny has occurred at the Portland Convict Establishment. The prisoners attacked the <mards Fire-arms were resortod to and the ° ii j mutineers were quelled. Several robberies on a large scale have been perpetrated in London. A frightful murder lias been committed in a first-class carriage on the North London Railway. The victim is Mr. Briggs, of Roberts and Curtis' Bank. The murderer escaped. Franz Muller, a German, is suspected. He left for New York by a sailing vessel. Detectives have been sent after him in a mail steamer. A reward of £300 is offered for the capture of the murderer. Statistics show that petitions for dissolution of marriage increase in number yearly. Dr. Livingstone, the African traveller, has arrived in London in excellent health. The Great Eastern steamship is at bheerness, waiting to ship the Atlantic cable. The International Swimming Match between Captain Saunder3, the English Champion, and Mr. Herschell,- the French Champion, has been won by Saunders. The distance was five milea. Time, threo minutes under two hours.