CABLE TELEGRAMS.

Southland Times, Issue 1705, 21 February 1873, Page 3

CABLE TELEGRAMS.

London, Feb. 5. The vessel that ran down and sank the emigrant ship Northfleet off Dungeness was the steamer Murrils (P), and the owners of tbe Northfleet are suing the owners of the Bteamer for £14,000 da maces. Wallaroo copper is at £91. Arrived. — J. M. Joshua and Patriarch. Feb. 6. Parliament was opened to-day by commission. The Queen's speech, which was read, congratulates the country on the friendly relations existing with foreign powers. It refers to the mission despatched to Zanzibar having for its object the suppression of slavery on that coast. Acknowledgment is made of the services of the Emperor of Germany as arbitrator in tbe San Joan question, and the award is to be immediately executed by with j drawal from the island. Reference is made to tbe Alabama claims, and the award of the Geneva arbitrators, and Parliament is asked to provide'for the necessary payment of the damages awarded. Mention is also made of the services of tbe Geneva tribunal. A treaty has been executed with Belgium for tbe extradition of criminals, and a hope is expressed that the final result of the French commercial treaty negotiation will be shortly announced. The whole of tbe correspondence which has taken place with Russia on the Central Asian question, aiming at identity of views regarding the frontier lines, is promised. Tbe revenue of the country continues pro»perous, but no reduction will be made in the Estimates of the year, in consequence of the increased expenditure rendered necessary. The commercial condition of the country continues to be generally satisfac tory, and there had been no increase of pauperism or crime. Amongst the measures promised during the session are Irish University and Education Bills. The former will carefully regard tbe rights of conscience. A bill tor the reconstruction of the Supreme Courts of Appeal, and measures dealing with land transfer, local taxation, law reform, and the amendment of a cefrain clause in the Fducation Act of 1870, will also be introduced. When tbe House of Commons met, the address in reply to the speech was moved. Mr Disraeli and Mr Horsman attacked the Government on their foreign policy, and especially on the Alabama question, Mr Gladstone, in a long speech, defended the action of the Government. He also promised soon to present the whole of the correspondence having reference to the Central Asian question. There was no amendment moved, and the address in reply was agreed to. In the House of Lords, Earl Granville, Foreign Secretary, said that a recent sensational telegram having reference to the Central Asian question was unjustified, aud that there was no cause for alarm. Tbe negotiations with Russia referred to details and arrangements which had been pending since the Earl of Clarendon was Foreign Minister. After a short discussion, tbe address in reply to the Queen's speech was agreed to. The ships Edwin Fox, bound to Canterbury, New Zealand, and the Edwin .Basaitt, for Brisbane, tave put back to repair damages.