LATEST TELEGRAMS.

Southland Times, Issue 1230, 29 March 1870, Page 3

LATEST TELEGRAMS.

*-■ -- London, Feb, 16. The Times of February 2 publishes a letter from Captain Cochrane, of the war tsteamer Petrel, dated January 9, stating that Dr Livingstone has been killed. The report says that the inhabitants of a native town, 90 days' journey from the Congo River, accused the doctor of bewitching their king, who died three days after: Livingstone had passed on from the town, but they pursued him, captured him, and. burned him. The news was "brought by some Portugese to the Congo. ' The day after the publication of the letter; Sir . Roderick _ Murchison wrote to. the Tmes,^discrediting the report:. "A 'Al „\ b r- Disturbances have in Paris, where preparations were made to rescue „M..,R ochefort from prison, JBamcades r^ere^^^ed7Xg"M^™ith!s shop was pil~lagßcl, and many persons were injured:

Two hundred arrests were made, and 35 persons have since been arrested on the charge of plotting against the G-overn-ment. . . Mr Peabody's remains have arrived in America. The rock obstructions in the Suez Canal are now entirely removed, and the largest ships can pass through. The depth of water in the canal is about 25 feet, available throughout. In the collection of transit dues on steamers they will be charged only official tonnage, excluding engine-room. A conspiracy has been discovered in Paris to assassinate the Emperor. Parliament was opened on February 8. The Queen, in her speech, regretted that she was prevented by indisposition from opening Parliament in person. The present period, the speech said, was regarded as one of remarkable public interest, j Friendly relations were every where entertained towards England, and cordially reciprocated. There was a growing disposition to resort to mediation in cases of international difference, and the conciliatory spirit, displayed in recent cases encouraged confidence in the maintenance of general tranquility. The revenue had answered the expectations which had been j formed of it, and. diminished charges would be imposed. It was hoped that the enquiry into the mode of conducting Parliamentary, and municipal elections would provide useful materials for early legislation. Parliament would be invited to consider a law relative to the occupation and acquisition of land in Ireland. This would be a matter calculated to produce good relations between the different classes, and tend to the further consolidation of the empire. Bills would be intro duced for the enlargement of the- system of national education, for the naturalisation of foreigners, for dealing with the University tests at Oxford, and in relation to transfer of land, and other subjects demanding legislation. The extension of agrarian crime in Ireland had filled the Queen with painful concern. Her Majesty mainly relies on the operation of wise and necessary chahges in the law, but does not hesitate to recommend special provisions, if requisite, for the maintenance of order. In the House of Lords, Lord Cairns criticised the Royal speech and condemned the G-overnment policy towards Ireland, on the ground that it was calculated to excite discontent and disorder. Earl Granville replied,, and in the House of Commons Mr Gladstone announced that an Irish Land Bill would be introduced; ;Mr Disraeli affirmed that' the Government were responsible for the : agitations and excesses in Ireland. Mr Gladstone defended the policy of the Government. He believed the real remedy for the discontent existing in Ireland was to be sought in devising remedial laws. Addresses in reply to the speech were adopted in both Houses of Parliament. Mr Gladstone, in introducing the Irish Land Bill in the House of Commons, explained the basis upon which the Government proposed to legislate. He denounced the perpetuity tenure of land, and proposed to facilitate prompt sales between landlord and tenant, by giving landlords the power of selling land in fee simple, and of advancing money to tenants repayable by annual instalments. He proposed the establishment of two courts, one for arbitration iand the other for the settlement of differences between landlord and tenant. When landlords evict tenants without justification they are to be compelled to pay compensation in the amount of from two to seven years' rent. Tenants are to be entitled ;to claim compensation for . improvements. Landlords granting leases to tenants for 31 years, at rents approved by the court, will be exempted from claims for compensation. The ; second reading of the bill was fixed for March 7. Mr Gathorne , Hardy, in the absence of Mr Disraeli through indisposition, promised to deal with the measure in a candid and conciliatory spirit. Mr Cardwell introduced a • bill for the partM reorganisation of the War Office, file took occasion to deny that the army was under, a. dual government, stating that no one acknowledged more explicitly ; than the Duke of Cambridge that the Horse Guards were subordinate to the \ War Office: \; # j Mr Bright has been seriously ill, but has recovered. Mr Gladstone has announced that he will introduce a separate bill regarding the acquisition of land in Ireland, yvhich will also be applicable to England and Scotland. On the motion of Mr Gladstone in the House of Commons, the election of the convict O'Donovan Rossa was annulled. Mr Maguire proposed to refer the matter to a committee. Mr Gladstone's motion, however, was carried by 301 votes against eight. Lord Napier, of Magdala, has been finally appointed as Commander-in-Chief in India. The cold in England has been intense, and destructive gales have occurred. The prospectus has been issued of the; company formed for the purpose of laying a submarine cable between Hong. Kong and Manilla. Sir Charles Darling, the late Governor of Victoria, is dead. The French Legislature, by 211 votes against 32, declared against giving notice of the abrogation of the commercial treaty pending Parliamentary ' inquiry. The Government affirmed that they desired peace, and they considered the present friendly relations with England the best guarantee of peace. * It has been proposed to reconstruct the Albert Assurance Company, and compromise the claims against it. The American Senate has 'authorised the issue of 45,000j600 additional currency. Congress has "adopted the report of the foreign committee on the. expediency of "recognising the - belligerent rights of Cuba.,

The Marquis of Hartington has stated in the House of Commons that he had no control over the rates of telegrams to the East, but would urge on the companies that every facility should be.,gj.ven to the public. The Queen has appointed the Duke of Edinburgh an extra Knight Grand Commander of the Star of India. ' The Red River rebellion is becoming settled. M. Rochefort has refused to surrender to the judgment of the Court. The Government ordered bis arrest, the Legislature rejecting a motion deferring his arrest till the end of the session. M. Rochefort was quietly arrested while going to a public meeting, which was dispersed. In the House of Commons, Mr Forster has introduced the Education Bill. It divides England into districts, and will not interfere where the education already provided- is sufficient. Government grants are to be made to the schools of all denominations, on condition of their attaining a certain standard of efficiency. The Bill admits the conscience clause. Districts are to be supplied with schools by local compulsory taxation under local management, supplemented by Government grants and central supervision and inspection. Free admission to be given to destitute children. School boards will be empowered to frame bye -laws compelling the attendance of all children between 11 (?) and 12-years. The second reading of the measure has been fixed for March 14. Mr Gladstone has received a deputation from the Emigration League, who urged upon him.the desirability of granting state aid to emigration. Mr Gladstone promised that the Government should give the scheme its most careful consideration. Mr Otway, the Under Secretary for Foreign Affairs, in replying to a question in last night's Parliament, said that the Government was desirous to have the opinion of merchants before ratifying Sir Rutherford Alcock's supplementary convention of the revised treaty of Tientsin.