THE SUEZ MAIL.

Tuapeka Times, Volume II, Issue 104, 5 February 1870, Page 6

THE SUEZ MAIL.

The Camilla, from Newcastle, which arrived at Wellington on the 31st January, brought the English news of this mail. The " Daily Times," from which we condense the telegraphic summary, referring to this unusual mode of transit, says: — "The news reached ns through the unexpected agency of a collier from Newcastle." London, Dec. 3rd. The Australian October mails were delivered in London a day late.

Prince Leopold is again ill The Princess of Wales was confined on November 20th of a daughter. Mother and child are both well.

The Royal visit to the city was a great success. The Queen expressed her great satisfaction at the warm reception given her by the myriads of spectators. Soon after the opening ceremony, fissures were discovered in the pillars supporting the Holborn viaduct. Great alarm was felt at first, but it subsided on the publication of the engineer's report. The King of Belgium has visited England. He stayed a week at WindBor and then visited London, where an address was presented to him. He was also entertained at a banquet.

The Colonial Question has been revived by a letter to the "Times" by Mr. Edward "Wilson, on the true bearing of Earl Granville's treatment of New Zealand. The letter is very clearly and forcibly, written. The "Times" replied to it two leaders, the first of which was temperate and respectful, the second abusive. Mr. Wilson contends that a change ol policy so momentous and far-reaching must be submitted to the decision of both Parliament and people, and that the colonists are entitled to a potential voice in the settlement of their own future status.

The first of the series of weekly conferences of colonial representatives has been held. Resolutions were passed condemning Earl Granville's disintegrating policy. Sir George Grey was one of the speakers. Some of the leading papers notice the meeting favourably. There was a large atteendance. Delegates are expected to be present at the Colonial Conference. In the letters which have recently passed between Sir George Grey and the Colonial Office on the subject of the recognition of the Maori King, Earl Granville has been convicted of ignorance. Earl Granville insists on British Columbia, Rupert's Land, and the North-west Territory joining Canada. The French residents at Red River oppose his mandate by an armed resistance.

The Brindisi mail route effects a saving of 30 hours. The Royal Standard was wrecked on the Brazilian coast on the 10th October. Eight ladies were drowned in the surf.

The first lot of live cattle from South America realised £17 each.

The vacant Garters have been conferred on Lords de Grey and Stratford de Eedcliffe.

Mr. Glyn, the banker, and Sir John Acton have been made peers.

Dr. Temple's election to the see of Exeter was carried by thirteen to six.

Earl Zetland is about to resign the Orandrnastership of the Freemasons. The Marquis of Salisbury has been elected Chancellor of the Oxford University. The Universities of Glasgow and Aberdeen have returned Mr. Gordon, the Conservative candidate.

Mr. Bernal Osborne was defeated at Waterford by Sir H. Barrow. Mr. W. H. Gladstone has been reflected.

O'Donovan Rossa, a Fenian /elon, was returned for Tipperary. The election was declared void, and Mr. Heron takes the seat instead.

- Mr. Disraeli is reported to be willing to accept the ballot. The return match between the London and Newcastle crews, for the championship and £400, resulted in the Tyne being again victorious. Saddler has been beaten by Brown, an American. Saddlsr and Kelly, for the Thames, beat Renforth and Taylor, for the Tyne. A colliery explosion has taken place at Swansea, resulting in the loss of six lives.

Captain Jones's certificate has been suspended for nine months, for the loss of the Carnatic. /

Metropolitan pauperism is increasing, and famine and fever are fatally prevalent. Hinson has been condemned to death for the murder of Maria Death and her paramour. The Government have agreed to the half-penny postage for newspapers. The turret ship Monarch has been appointed to convey Mr. Peabody's remains to America. She is awaiting the arrival of an American war ship to accompany her. The Queen had intended to visit Mr. Peabody before his death, but he was too ill. * The day of his funeral will be observed as one of general mourning in all the American cities.

The Archbishop of Canterbury is slightly paralysed, but hopes of his recovery are entertained. Lord Chelmsford and Mr. Spurgeon have also been ill, the latter of small pox. The Dutch Government have granted a concession t^ an Amsterdam firm to lay a telegraph cable from Ceylon to Java.

• Two letters from Dr. Livingstone have been read before the Royal Geographical Society. December 4th. The single letter postage between Great Britain and America has been reduced to six cents by the new convention. In the Corps Legislating M. Rochefort demanded that the guardianship of the Assembly should be entrusted > to the National Guard. He said that he ridiculed the idea of protection spreading in France. The Spanish Cortes are instituting an enquiry relative to the disposal of the Crown jewels. Sir S. Baker and his wife have loft Cairo for Suez, intending to cross the desert to Khartoum, andproceed thence to the White Nile. The postal rates between France and England have been -reduced. December 10. The French Ministry has resigned. President Grant's message is satisfactory in tone. The Oecumenical Council opened with great pomp on the Bth. The Empress of Austria was present. At the meeting of colonists, Mr. Westgarth proposed that a deputation should wait upon Earl Granville. The wool sales closed firm. The Peninsular and Oriental Steam Navigation Co. have declared a dividend at the rate of 6 per cent. ; and the London Chartered Bank at the rate of 8 per cent. M. Emile Ollivier, the French deputy, has submitted a programme of reform, including the amelioration of the laws relating to the public safety, the'revision of the electoral laws, and the abolition of the immunity of Government officers from prosecution. 15 deputies support this programme, but the constitutional party command a majority. The Suez portion of the British-India Telegraph cable will be sent through the canal. The excavation of the Mont Cenis tunnel from the Italian side has reached French territory. The Government prohibited Fenian processions at Cork and Limerick. The Irish Land Bill will embody two leading principles, viz., full compensation to the tenant for improvements, and the inability of the landlord to evict without the intervention of a legal tribunal. Fenian demonstrations and outrages are multiplying in the South of Ireland. A man named Callaghan has been murdered at Cork by Fenians, who suspected his fidelity. Eight thousand men with flags and tar barrels marched through Cork, shouting for Rossa. The house of a clergyman, who supported Mr. Heron at Tipperary, was totally destroyed. Cardinal Cullen has issued a pastoral strongly condemning Fenianism. Seizures of arms and agrarian murders are on the increase. At a meeting of Welsh Liberals it was resolved to raise £20,000 to compensate the victims of the landlords' tyranny. Obituary. — Mr. Justice Rayes ; Mr. Barclay, the well-known brewer ; Madame Grisi ; Grace Darling's brother ; Lord Foley ; Admiral Deacon ; Mr. Warden ; Mr. Burcham, the London police magistrate ; Sir S. Dacres. India. The Galle telegraph is almost broken down, the telegrams are in consequence often anticipated by the mail. Two French steamers have arrived at Galle, having passed through the Suez canal. They had to be lightened, and even then grounded. At present vessels of only 16 feet draught are allowed to enter the canal. The Galatea arrived at Calcutta on the 22nd December. Her reception was magnificent. The Duke is to receive the Star of India. He was met by the Governor-General and the Governors of Madras and Bombay. The Governor of the Gaol at Rangoon has been killed by convicts, eleven of whom have been shot. Heavy floods have taken place at Madias. Fever is prevalent in the Punjab. China. The ship Enarime, from Foo-Chow-Foo, has been lost. The French Minister, with a naval force, is going to Nankin to investigate the late outrages on the missionaries. American agencies for Chinese emigration to the United States have been established, and are working well. America. Spanish gun boats have been seized in New York harbour when building. The Courts have been appealed to for their release. A Cuban conspiracy to burn them has been detected. A serious schism has taken place among the Mormons. The President's message recommends a gradual return to specie payments. It also expresses sympathy with the Cuban insurrectionists, but says that they are not yet entitled to recognition. It advocates the reduction of the taxation and the replacement of existing bonds whish have become due by others bearing not more than 5£ per cent, interest. Gold is at 122|, and flour at 5 dollars 50 cents.