NEWS BY THE MAIL VIA SUEZ.

Southland Times, Issue 1656, 1 November 1872, Page 3

NEWS BY THE MAIL VIA SUEZ.

«- — ! (Prom GAlea per Albion.) Londou, Sept. 7 to 20 This mail conveys to the Colonial Governments Treasury minutes relative to the future postal service. The Imperial Government undertakes, after the expiry of the present contract, to convey mails free by the China steamers as far as Galle. The service from thence to Melbourne is tobe conducted at the discretion of tbe colonies, Great Britain contributing £40,000 towards the cost. Should a fortnightly service be proposed, the Treasury will consider the question of additional subsidy. If the Eastern colonies insist on the Torres Straits service, they must defray the cost from Singapore. The Emigration Commission's Beport for 1871 shows that fewer emigrants left for Australia and New Zealand than in any previous year since 184*7. A Dorsetshire colony of 200 emigrants is being planted on the line of the Northern Pacific Railway. A large body of laborers, who lately struck on the London and North- Western Bailway, have left for America. It is reported that Father Hyacinthe and the Abbe Mtchaud are going to New Caledonia to found churches among the political convicts. The builders' strike terminated in a compromise, both sides having become weary of the struggle. The men are to work 52^ hours per week, and get B ad per hour. 20,000 persons attended the funeral of Bryan Dillon, at Cork Colonel Burke pronounced a eulogy over the grave. Mr Lowe has been presented with the freedom of Wick. Mr Bessemer is constructing a steamer for the Channel service, having a large suspended saloon warranted to maintaia the horizontal position. Johnson failed in his attempt to swim across the Channel. After swimming seven miles, numbness of ihe legs compelled him to desist. The Channel fleet has accomplished a successful cruise round the island. Chaffers has renewed his persecution of Lady Twiss by applying for a summons against her fcr perjury. Mr Benson refused the application. Grave troubles are anticipated in tbe agricultural districts after the harvest. There is a bitter antagonism springing up between farmers and laborers. Canterbury Cathedral narrowly escaped destruction by fire. . A plumber's pot was carelessly upset on the roof, and an alarming conflagration ensued. A number of soldiers and citizens' ultimately extinguished the flames. The roof of the eastern end was totally destroyed. Damage was dune to the extent of £5000. The Italian Government have taken possession of the house of the chief director of Jesuits for military purposes. The Ministry have prepared a bill for the suppression of religious orders in Italy. Breech-loading bronze seven poanders have been selected for future use in the French army. Pau has been prepared as a residence for the Pope. The Jesuits urge his removal thither. The accession of Prince Milan, aged 177 to the throne of Servia, has been celebrated with great festivity. Disastrous floods have taken place in Ceylon and India. Two planters and several natives were drowned in the former, and thousands rendered homeless. Tea cultivation in Northern India is spreading. The old companies are payiog splendid dividends. The river Brahmapootra, within a hundred years, has shifted its course 200 miles, and the same process is going on with the Ganges. One hundred and fifty East African slaves have been released from Arab slavery by H.M.S. Vulture, and brought to Bombay. .The Grand Duke Alexis of Bnssia is to visit Batavia and Singapore. Patent laws have been introduced into Japan, and 55,000 schools are to be established. A new coal-field has been discovered at Waterford. A material fall in iron has taken place at Wolverhampton in consequence of active foreign competition. At the London wool sales on 12th September there was some spirited competition. The number of bales offered was 95,750, and the prices were £d to Id higher. The agricultural bureau at Washington estimates the American cotton crop at 10 per cent, below the average, though an actual increase over 1871 is still probable. •The rate of discount at the Bank of England was raised to -4 per cent, on the 18 th September, *

Tenders have been invited for the San Francisco Mail Service. The wool sales opened spiritedly, the attendance of both home snd foreign buyers being large. Prices show an average advance of about Hd, the com petition being vigorous, Merino, scoured ctothing is in moderate request j combing sorts were keenly eomp'eted for, aod brought an advance of from 2d to 3d. The sales of greasy were less favorable. ! The Geneva arbitrators finished their sittings on the 7th September. Count Sclopis read the verdict on the 14th, sentencing England to pay 15,500,000 dol. The American claims under the revised statement amounted to 45,500,000 dol. Details regarding the decision show that tbe arbitrators unanimously find Great Britain liable for the acts committed by the Alabama. In the case of the. Florida^ the Italian, $wiss, Brazilian; and' American arbitrators find Great Britain j liable. The Italian, Swiss, and Amerieian j arbitrators against those of England and ■ Brazil find Great Britain liable for the J acts of the Shenandoah. The arbitrators have unanimously decided that Great Britain is liable for the tenders attached to cruisers, but not responsible for the acts of the Georgia, and other cruisers. The arbitrators altogether reject the claim of America for compensation for expenditure incurred in pursuing and capturing cruisers. The award has given satisfaction, and is considered aa a final settlement of all claims, including interest. Lord Chief Justice Cockburn refused to sign the verdict, and his separate statement of the English case has not yet been published. President Grant has openly expressed his satisfaction at the result of the arbitration, ! because the quarrel was adjusted in the interests of peace. The autumn military manoeuvres were concluded on the 12th. After some active fighting, the umpires decided the first battle in favor of the Southern Army, but ultimately the Northern Army defeated the enemy. A grand banquet was given by Mr Cardwell to the officers of the foreign armies who were present. The St. Leger Stakes were won by Wenlock. Prince Charlie was second, and Vanderdecken third. The two favorites were Prince Charlie and Drnmmond. The betting was 7 to 2 against tbem. The threatened strike of the bakers has been averted, and the dispute has been settled. The money-order system between England and India will be introduced on ist October. The English eleven have been everywhere successful in Canada. Large quantities of coal are being imported from the Continent. A number of English firms have contracted for the supply of 250,000 tons French coal. A fresh outbreak of rinderpest has occurred in England. The report of the Livingstone Search Committee censures Lieutenant Dawson for having abandoned the expedition, but exonerates the Reverend Mr New. Lieutenant Dawson has written a long letter to the press, vindicating hia conduct. A federal congress of the International Society held in London has passed a resolution declaring that the general council has gravely compromised the society and caused disunion. Cardinal Cullen has written a pastoral letter regretting the bad weather, and urging the clergy to recommend economy. It is feared that the wheat harvest in England will be deficient in quantity and inferior in quality. Colonel .'uppugehas committed suicide at the Ulster Railway Station. Sept. 23. A partial strike amongst the bakers is expected. The price of coal at the Sheffield collieries is 3s lower. It is' reported that diplomatic efforts are bein? made to settle the dispute between Egypt and Abyssinnia. The statement that a common conference of the three Emperors at Berlin was held on the 9th September, has been semi-officially denied. The official journals give an assurance that the interview of tbe Emperors was simply on account of the military fete, and was without any political meaning. Prince Bismarck, at a reception of a municipal deputation, confirmed this opinion, adding that the meeting implies only the full acknowledgment of the new German empire, and is only an act of friendship. An article in a Ministerial journal states that the demonstration at Berlin is of a pacific character, and that the meeting of the three Emperors gives unmistakeable evidence that Austria and Russia accept the new order of things. Negotiations relative to the AngloFrench commercial treaty are progressing favorably. The arrest of Communists in Franc© has been discontinued. The French Minister of the Interior has announced that the reported decrease in the revenue derived from indirect taxes has been greatly exaggerated. Several arrests have been made in Spain of persons suspected of participating in a fresh dynastic conspiracy. The Republicans in America have carried the Maine elections. President l Grant's prospects of re-election are improving. The International Society congress at the Hague has ended, and the general council has removed to New York. The secession of a considerable party is imminent. i The steamer Metis, of the New York and Providence line, has been wrecked, and 80 lives lost. A terrible hurricane has occurred at the Windward Islands, and several Uvea have been lost. The Spanish Cortes was opened on the 17th September. The Royal speech mentions that foreign relations are satisfactory, that the insurrection in Spain haa nearly terminated, and that the present arrangements of the Government' will insure the regular payment of the ' 1 interest on tbe national debt.

Bishop Selwyn's son succeeds Bishop Patteson as Bishop of Polynesia. Eight detachments of railway laborers have been despatched to New Zealand in the Chili for Mr Brogden's railways. Eight hundred and eighty Communists have left Brest for New Caledonia. The -steamer. Atrato narrowly escaped being Wrecked after leaving Plyniouth, fronfthe loss of her propeller. The emigrants who sailed in her are lodging at the dep6t. The vessel is docked at Keyhatn for repairs, and has been visited by Mr Childers and Mr Hoey. She is expected to resume her voyage next week. Messrs John Fox and Co , in the Australian and American trade, have failed. The award of the Geneva arbitrators condemns England for allowing ihe Shenandoah to be refitted at Melbourne. * Obituary.— Sir Thomas Hesketh^ihe Duke of Leeds, Sir Andrew Smith, Mr F. C. Skey, surgeon ; Alderman Hale, Mr Polland, surgeon; Mr James Blenkinsop, solicitor ; Mr Benjamin Land, trainer, by suicide ; Rev. James Mann, Birkenhead; Dr Robert Bernard, General Thomas Foster, Alex. Edwards, deputy-commissioner-general; Rev. Geo. Fisk, of Malvern ; Colonel W. Jones, Sir Wm. Harrison Walker.