REUTER'S EXPRESS.

Southland Times, Issue 634, 20 February 1867, Page 3

REUTER'S EXPRESS.

London, 26th December. The last series of the wool sales for the year closed on the 10th inst., the quantity catalogued being 77,272 bales. This number was 15,000 bales in excess of arrivals, thus showing that a large quantity had been held over, and in second hands. The manufacturers throughout bid freely, and bought heavily. Prices averaged about last August rates, except for Cape wool, which went down about one half-penny. The Australian October mails were delivered via Gralle on the 19th, the Panama mails having arrived on the 2nd. The Queen is at Osborne. . The Prince and Princess of "Wales are at Sandringham. The Prince has recovered from his recent indisposition. After Christmas Prince Arthur goes to Woolwich as a cadet The Eev. Charles Alford Long, principal of the training institution at Highbury, has been appointed Bishop of Victoria. The Eev. "W. Sawyer, M.A., of Oriel College, .Oxford, has been appointed to the vacant see of Grafton and Armidale.

A commission, consisting of Sir Edward Sugars (?), Lord "William Powlett, Sir Henry Storks, and the Under Secretary of the Colonies, Mr Edward Vernon Lushington, have been appointed to consider the application of martial law under certain circumstances, and to define the duties of the civil and military authorities when disturbances arise.

A great Reform demonstration took place on the 3rd December. The weather was very unfavorable, it was raining the whole day. The number of working men taking part in the procession was estimated at 25,000. Everything passed off in perfect order and quiet. A sequel to the monster meeting was held on the following evening in St. James's-hall, when Mr Bright made a long speech advocating reform, and announced that another and larger working men's meeting would be held in Hyde Park on the Monday before the assembling of Parliament.

Three yachts, the property of American owners, left New York on the. l3th Deo. for a race across the Atlantic to Cowes ; the first arriving to take the stakes, amounting to 90,000d015. The winning yacht, the Henrietta, owned by Mr J. G. Bennett, jun., arrived at Cowes on Christmas Day. The two others, the Vesta and theFleetwing, arrived this morning (26th). During the voyage the Vesta shipped a heavy sea, carrying away her jibboom and six men. A terrible explosion of fire damp occurred at the Oaks Colliery, near Barklesly, causing a loss of life of upwards of 350 men and boys, who were then at work in the pit. Parties of volunteers were formed, who descended and rescued the survivors, and brought the dead to the surface. They continued to work, and labored hard to rescue the unfortunates during the night, and on the next day, while they were still engaged, a second explosion took place, destroying a large body of the volunteers, including one of the partners ? several of the managers and viewers, as well as others not connected with the mine who had volunteered to assist. The pit subsequently took fire. Numbers of other explosions happened, but without destroying life. . On the 20th, another bad explosion of fire damp occurred at the Talk Colliery, in Staffordshire, by which nearly 100 lives were lost.

Subscriptions were at once originated for the sufferers, and the relief of the deceaseds' relations depending on them. They already amount to several thousand pounds. Her Majesty the Queen sent L2OO, H.E.H. the Prince of Wales LIOO, and H.R.H. the Princess of Wales LSO.

Arrests on suspicion of being connected with the Fenian, movement continue to be made in Ireland, although any apprehension of an outbreak is dying out. Arms are frequently discovered and the possessors are immediately arrested. The police and the troops are prepared instantly to meet and put down any disturbance. - ;