THE SUEZ MAIL.

Tuapeka Times, Volume III, Issue 116, 28 April 1870, Page 6

THE SUEZ MAIL.

(Condensed from the " Daily Times.") Bluff, April 22nd. The Omeo, G. Calder commander, with the mails from England, arrived ut the wharf at 6.30 this morning. She left Melbourne on the 10th. London, Feb. 25 th. The Mordaunt divorce trial has attracted considerable attention during the past fortnight. The issue put to the jury was to determine whether Lady Mordaunt was in a fit state of mind to instruct her solicitors at the time the citation was delivered. There is no doubt she is insane at present. A charge of adultery was brought against Viscount Cole, Sir Frederick Johustone, Bart., Colonel Farquhar, and the Prince of Wales. The Prince and Sir F. Johnstone were examined on oath as witnesses. Both denied any improprieties. The learned judge left the case to the jury, who found that the respondent (Lady Mordaunt) was insane at the time the citation was delivered. A number of private measures have been introduced to Parliament. Among them are bills relating to the Disestablishment of the Welsh Church ; Clerical Disabilities for Women ; the Ballot; Marriage with a Deceased Wife's Sister ; Payment of Members ; the Release of Bishops from attendance in the House of Lords. The Government intend to prosecute the father of the Welsh fasting girl. Broadhead, of Sheffield notority, has returned from America. He could obtain no employment in the States owing to the infamous celebrity attaching to his name in connection with Trades' Unions. Dr. Jenner has re-entered on his clerical duties in his old living of Preston, Kent. The Order of Merit has been conferred upon Aclelina Patti by the Emperor of Russia. A duel has taken place at Madrid between Prince Henry of Bourbon, and the Due de Montpensier. The Prince was shot dead. The Irish Land Bill was read a second time without opposition. Parliament was opened by Commission on the Bth. The Queen's Speech stated that a Bill for the Amendment of the Land Laws in Ireland would be introduced on a comprehensive scale ; that the Naturalisation question would be dealt with ; also the abolition of religious tests in the Universities. On the 15th, Mr. Gladstone introduced the Irish Land Bill in a speech of three hours. The second reading was fixed for 7th March. On the 12th, Sir C. J. Lawrence gave notice that on an early date he would ask the Colonial Secretary whether free emigration to Western Australia had been revived, and whether, with a view to prevent the wide-spread distress, the Government determined to send out free emigrants. On the 14th, Mr. Leatham moved for leave to bring in a Bill legislating vote by ballot, which was granted. On the 20th, Mr. Monsell, in replying to Mr. Maguire, said that as yet the Government had received no news respecting New Zealand, but that the last accounts were satisfactory. Papers were in the hands of the printers, and would shortly be published. In the House of Lords, on the 14th, the Earl of Carnarvon called attention to the unsatisfactory relations existing between England and her Colonies. He deplored their present condition — reviewed the various proposals for effecting a closer union — refused to accept the conclusion that n) improvement was possible — declared that we were drifting into disunion — regretted that Lord Granville's usual courtesy should have deserted him in his recent colonial despatchs — and urojed the Government to come to an understanding on the subject. He believed the question was one chiefly of military organisation, and strongly condemned the policy of withdrawing the troops. They were not only a nucleus around which the colonial forces might form, but symbols of the unity of the Empire. Earl Granville replied, defending the Government, and denying that any jealousy existed between the colonies and the mother country. He pointed out that a select committee of the House had recommended leaving the colonies to selfgovernmeiit, and that they had provided for their own defence. The true policy was to keep the troops at home, relying on the navy for the defence of the colonies. The Earl of Derby, who spoke for the first time in the House of Lords, said that, however satisfactory the present relations might be, it would be necessary to provide against emergencies. In the estimates for the Army and Navy, the total amount required for service in the latter is £9,250,530, showing a decrease of £746,111, principally effected iv the victualling and clothing departments, dockyards, steam machinery, and ships built by contract. The total estimate for the army is £12,775,000. A reduction of 12,308 men has been made for the present year. Referring to the Colonial debate, the " Tiniec " says that Lord Carnarvon did the public good service by calling attention to the existing relations between the mother country and her colonies. The chief good effected by the discussion was eliciting the fact that the Colonial Office ,had no serious intention of returning

an offensive answer. It asserts that the matter is still a subject for discussion and conference of opinions, and that the pi-esent system, by its very pliancy, produces a feeling of mutual friendliness which more rigid political bonds would perhaps be likely to stifle. , The Blue Book containing Earl Granville's correspondence with the colonies on the subject of the Conference proposed to be held in London, has been published. The " Times" strongly disapproves of the project. The released Fenian prisoners have been entertained at a dinner in Dublin. Among the company were sons of O'Donovan, Eossa, and Luby. Mr. Bernal Osborne has been returned for Waterford. Disturbances took place at the election. A great billiard match took place between John Roberts, the champion, and Cook, and was won by»the latter. The National Emigration League sent a deputation to urge Government to grant assistance for the object aimed at by that body. Mr. Gladstone declined to commit the Government to any steps. The British Colonial Emigration Society have collected nearly £6600. They think that the people will not voluntarily subscribe until it is dear that the Government will not grant aid. Dr. Temple, Bishop of Exeter, has announced that bis essay in the Essays and Reviews will not appear again with his consent.