(From the "Argus.")

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

(From the "Argus.")

It is reported that the cause of the ex~ plosion at the Staffordshire colliery was carelessness in the use of lamps ; and in -the Yorkshire colliery the rash use of blasting powder in drives. The Irish Reform League is agitating for manhood suffrage and the ballot. It is reported that the Queen intends visiting Ireland, and when the country is settled a Royal sojourn will- be distinctly fixed. A severe earthquake has been experienced in South Durham. Extensive fires have occurred in Aberdeen, Edinburgh, and Greenock. .The loss is estimated at .£75,000. Relics of Franklin's expedition and some documents have been discovered amongst the Esquimaux. The Great Eastern has been chartered by a French company to run between New York and Brest. There is an extensive strike in the iron trade in Liverpool. Plaudit is the favorite for the Derby. The P. and O. Company start a weekly service from Southampton to Bombay on the 20th January. A rupture between Turkey and Greece seems imminent. Russia is in favor of non-intervention. France urges concession on the part of the Porte. France has proposed to England an alliance on account of the Eastern complications. News has been received of Dr Livingstone. He is well, and making onward progress. The Queen of Spain has presented to the Catholic Cathedral at Sydney a gold chalice and communion service, of the value of over £2000, ' and the Spanish Consul General is the bearer of the gift. There was a dense fog in London on the 20th December. It was as dark as midnight. Obituary. — Mr William Miller (chief cashier of the Bank of England) : Sir George Everest, F.R.S. ; Lord Bellew, Countess Fortescue, Lady A. M. Dawson, and Dowager Lady Chesham.