GENERAL SUMMARY.

Southland Times, Volume III, Issue 263, 21 May 1866, Page 2

GENERAL SUMMARY.

LONDON, Makch26. The Australian January mails were delivered in London on 16th March. The Queen held her first court on 9th March, the second on the 15th, and" the third on the 23rd, in Buckingham Palace. ThePrinceand Princess of "Wales continue to reside at' Marlborough House. Prince Alfred has been installed a master of Trinity House. The Timiee of 28th February caused great sensation hy announcing the retriement of Earl Eussell from the Cabinet, and the Duke of Soinersetas his successor. The statement was withdrawn next day. Should the [Reform Bill pass, Earl Eussell and Sir G. Grey will retire upon superannuation privileges. The principles of the bill are the manipulation of the franchise. The county franchise, formerly j £50, is to be reduced to £15 ; borough ditto, now £10, to be reduced to £7 ; leaseholders to have the same county rights as freeholders ; £50 in sayings bank for two years to command a vote ; ratepaying clauses abolished ; £10 lodgers to be entitled to vote. The present constituencies are estimated at 900,000 working men's votes, now averaging twenty -six per cent. It is proposed to increase votes by 40,000, half of which to belong to the working classes. Public opinion is in favour of a readjustment of seats, should the franchise be altered. Sixty-two petitions are before the House ' affecting seats, on grounds of bribery and treating. The Government pledges itself to stand or fall by the Eeform Bill. Large meetings in its favor have been held in various parts. The second reading of the Oxford Tests Abolition Bill was earned in the Commons by 217 votes against 103. The University of London intend petitioning Parliament for the right of being represented in Parliament by two members. The ex-Queen of the French died on the 24th March, and the Bishop of London is seriously ill. The 20th March was observed as a day of humiliation in London in reference to the cattle plague. The Jamaica Commissioners return in May. The evidence proves unnecessary cruelty on the part of the authorities, unknown. The Governor and AttorneyGeneral of Jamaica said, in evidence, that general discontent had prevailed for the last five years ; the dissatisfaction being to the Government and not to the Crown, the universal discontent having been fomented by Gordon and others. There has been a debate in the House of Commons on Governor Darling's recall. The speakers agreed that the conduct of Mr Cardwell in the Victorian crisis was moderate, wise, and prudent. A public' entertainment has been givet] to Mr Gladstone at Liverpool. Further accounts confirm the rumor that the Fenians in America resolve to invade Canada. Stevens the head centre, has escaped to Paris. The Fenian terror in Ireland, since the passing of the Habeas Corpus Suspenion Act is sinking into oblivion. Bishop Colenso was formally excommunicated on 7th March, and another bishop appointed in his stead. Bishop Colenso has no legal appeal. A man has been arrested in Brussels, who states that he murdered Mr 'Eriggs, for which crime Mueller suffered death. A libel action for £50,000 has been raised by the parents of Constance Kent against the JUdinlorough Daily Review. The ex- Confederate cruiser Shenandoah has been sold for £15,750. The Great Northamptonshire Stakes was won by John Davis, Mail Train second. The election of Mazzini for Messina has been annulled by a vote of the Italian Parliament by 191 against 107. The conference on the Danubian Principalities is still sitting in Paris. The French Corps Legislatif carried the address by a large majority, but rejected the motion to deal with the press by ordinance of court instead of -by the Oovernment. A bill has been adopted by the Belgian Chamber of Deputies enlarging the representatives of both Houses.