NEW LINE OF STEAMERS.

Thames Star, Volume XII, Issue 3766, 22 January 1881, Page 2

NEW LINE OF STEAMERS.

London, January 19. Luncheon was held on board the steamer Metikara to day to celebrate the opening of the now line of direct steamers between England and Queensland. There was a large company present, including Mr A. MacAlister (Agent-General for Queensland), Mr Stanton, and other leading colonists. Both gentlemen named made speeches on the occasion, and expressed their full confidence that the line of steamers, in addition to other benefits, would materially assist the development of trade in fresh meat between the Colonies and England.

London, January 19. The steamer Protos, which left Melbourne on November 28, with a cargo of fresh meat, has arrived here. The meat is reported to be in excellent condition, but there is doubt as te whether a quantity of butter, which is on board, arrived in a sound state.

London, January 22 The trial of the Land Leaguers at Dublin is still proceeding. The case for the defence has closed, and the Judge's summing up will now be gone on with. In the House of Commons to-day, the Hon. Charles Dilke*, Under Secretary for Foreign Affairs, announced that the Powers had decided to abandon the proposal to arbitrate for the settlement of the Greek frontier question, but would still strive to bring about a complete and peaceful settlement of the difficulty.

The debate on the Address ie-Reply was resumed" in the House of Commons today,and theofcher amendments proposed by Irish members were rejected by overwhelming majorities. The address was finally carried by an almost unanimous vote of the House.

The homeward Australian mails, via Suez and Brindisi, were delivered here to-day.