GENERAL SUMMARY.

West Coast Times, Issue 34, 22 August 1865, Page 2

GENERAL SUMMARY.

London, June 26.

The Australian April mails had not arrived in London on the 26th June. They were expected on the 6th July.

The Princess of Wales has safely recovered from her accouchement. The infant is to be named Prncc Albert Chriotian Emmanuel.

The dissolution of Parliament was expected on the 10th July. It is anticipated that the Palmerston Ministry will again be successful at the general elections.

Government has introduced o bill for the purpose of relieving conscientious persons from declaring their belief in tho plenary inspiration of the Prayer book. Notwithstanding the decision of the Privy Council, Bishop Colonso cannot get his salary. Large and influential subscriptions are being made on his behalf. L 20,000 have been subscribed in Manchester for Mr Cobden's family. Mrs Cobden has declined a pension of LISOO per annum offered by the Government. Tho Colonial Governors' Retiring Pension Bill has passed through committee, with a clause added enabling Mr La Trobo, ex-Governor of Victoria, to participate in the benefits of the measure.

It is reported that all the troops in New Zeoland ore ordered home as early as possible. The future policy of New Zealand is to be one of self defence, trusting to her own resources.

The United States Government have made another demand for compensation for tho losses sustained by the equipment of Confederate cruisers in British ports. An official letter, published by Earl Russell, formally withdraws belligerent rights from the ships of the Confederate States.

The end of the great cotton famine in England is officially notified, implying that relief for the manufacturing districts is no longer urgent.

A conference between the British Government and tho Canadian delegates has ended in the Government supporting the Confederation scheme, guaranteeing n loan for extensive fortifications, and endeavouring to procure the renewal of the reciprocity treat)'. The Atlantic tolegraph cable has been safely shipped on board the Great Eastern, which sails from Valencia on tho 6th July. Twelve days are reckoned as the timo required for the laying of tho cable, and communication is expected to be open in August. The charge will bp £2 per word.

The Fenian brotherhood organization in Ireland, encouraged by the United States, has thoroughly subsided.

Three fearful-* railway accidents have occurred. The first was to an excursion tra^n between Liverpool and Birmingham, drawn by two engines, and consisting of thirty-two carriages, containing 900 people. The engines dashed off the line in opposito directions, owing to the railway being newly relaid and not properly ballasted. Thirteen persons were killed and fifty seriously wounded. Tho second accident was to a mail train, between London and Plymouth, which came into collision with an up passenger train. Immediately afterwards, an excursion train ran into the mail train. Serious injuries occurred. Tho third happened on the Great Eastern line, at Staplehurst-bridgo, owing to tho fault of some platelayers ; tho locomotive was thrown off the rails, and the train broke into two parts. Eight carriages capsized over the bridge, nnd ton persona ivero killed and twenty wounded. Chas. Dickens had a narrow escape. Serious fires and riots have taken place at Nottingham.

A great fire occurred at Tyno Docks, at Newcastle.

Severe gnles have been experienced on the British coast, from the 27th to tho 30 th May, with much loss to shipping. Thirty houses have been destroyed at Ilolborn by a fire, which commenced at Meikin's upholstery warehouse. A fearful explosion of fire-damp in Wales has destroyed twenty-seven persons; 200 others escaped from tho pit with groat difficulty. Dr. Manning was consecrated Roman Catholic Archbishop of Westminster, with great splendour, on the Bth Juno. Gavan Duffy has been cordially received in London At Dublin ho delivered excellent speeches on Australian subjects. The British Government have granted L 20,000 for tho enlargement of the Nu.tional Gallery, L 700.000 for feY Courts of Justice, and L 67,000 on account of Greenm ich Hospital.

Latest advices state the great prevalence ! of cholera in Egypt. Ascot Races — Prince of Wales Stakes, Breaclalbane, 1 ; Omar, 2. Royal Hunt Cup— Gratitude, 1 ; Camball, 2. The Ascot Cvp — Dead heat between Ely and General Beell. The deciding heat was won by Ely. Alexandra Plate — Fille de lAir, 1; Strafford2. Paris Summer Meeting — Gladiateur, 1 ; Vertuga, Din, 2. The great scullers' race on the Tyne, between Chambers and Cooper, on the 13th June, was won by Chambers. Obituary. — General Kennedy, Sir C. E. Grey, General Truscott, Dr. Southey, Viscount Cranbonrne, Sir John Richardson, Sir John Maxwell, the Hon. Thomas Stonor, tho Hon. Gilbert Elliot, General Marshall, Mr Watcrton, the naturalist, Mr Stanficld, Mr Pennell, Sir Lascclles Wraxall, Dr. Graham, the Bishop of Chester, Lord Charles Fiizroy, Lord Kinsale, Mr Wingrove Cookc, the Hon. Lady Dashwood, and Sir Joseph Paxton.