TELEGRAPHIC SUMMARY.

Southland Times, Issue 886, 22 January 1868, Page 3

TELEGRAPHIC SUMMARY.

FROM NOVEMBER 26 TO DECEMBER 7. The Duke of Montrose explained the terms of the new postal contract with the Peninsular aud Oriental Company. He says the Brindisi route has not beerr adopted, because the present railway communication is inefficient. The steamers are to call at Messina instead of Malta, thus saving twenty ifoiir hours.. The postal is increased 3d per halt-ounce. The House of Commons has approved the contract with the Peninsular and Oriental Company for the conveyance of the mails to India and China. The House of Commons has voted two millions sterling for the Abyssinian expedition. The vote was passed after a protracted discussion. Lord' Stanle y's speech in July last was held to have induced the, belief that no expedition was immediately intended,.and it was now found that the preliminary steps had been taken. Lord Stanley vindicated the course pursued by the Government, and stated that the expedition was not finally resolved upon till after the close of the last session. The £2,000,000 required is provided as follows : — From the surplus of next budget, £200,000; an additional penny on the income tax, £840,000; and the remainder from the balances of the Exchequer. Mr Gladstone cordially approved of the means proposed. Sir Stafford Northcote's resolution, that the ordinary pay of the troops forming the Abyssinian expedition should be borne by the Indian revenues, was carried by 193 to 23. The Times and Daily JVews opposed the motion. : . Earl Russell's education resolutions were avoided by moving the previous question. . .- . . ■ The Fenian executions are generally approved. The moral effect is good Jacob Bright (John Bright's brother) has been returned for Manchester. The Archdeacon of Chester is dead. "Wool is selling better.. It is considered doubtful whether the proposed conference on jjhe Eoman question will be held. . The telegrams state that a Mazzinian conspiracy basjjbeen discovered in Italy. The French debate on the Boman question is concluded. Boucher, the French Minister, stated that Italy would never possess Borne. Jules I'avre attacked the Government vigorously. The Italian Parliament has been opened. Menabrea explained the Italian policy, on the Boman question, and declared it not solvable by violence. The Pope would find Italy his strongest support. Garibaldi has been transferred to Caprera on account of illness. The French troops are leaving Borne. The American Congress has met. The

I Judical Committee has presented a re* port in favour of the impeachment of the l President. f Thd American Congress has passed a bill repealing the cotton tax. s Advices report the occurrences of another earthquake at St. Thomas. The i news is considered doubtful. The Australian Panama mail had not arrived on the 3rd December There is no London telegram of later date thau Dec. 7.