LATER ENGLISH NEWS.

Westport Times, Volume VII, Issue 1052, 7 March 1873, Page 2

LATER ENGLISH NEWS.

VIA CAlllfi, [Anglo Australian Press Telegraph. Agency] LONDON DATES TO THE 18th FEBEUAEY. The s.s. Tararua arrived at 4 p.m. on Saturday, with the New Zealand portion of the Suez mail. She brings dates, London, the 18th Feb., and Melbourne, 22nd Feb. LONDON. Feb. 18. The manufacturers are closing their works in many parts of the country, owing to the high price of coal. The iron masters will only accept orders at prices concurrent with the execution of orders. The expected rise in iron is 365. The December wail, via Brindisi, was delivered on the 16th inst. A bill to reduce juries to seven, except in cases of murder and treason was read a second time.

The Bill to legalise marriage with a deceased wife's sister, passed through a second reading in the House of: Commons by a large majority. A Bill haa-been introduced, forming a High Court of Appeal, and removing jurisdiction from the House of Lords. Gladstone's Irish University scheme is unpopular with the Irish Press. The Fitzroy Iron Company has started with a capital of £200,000. The increase in the January exports is in value merely, the quantities having decreased. Thome sent a letter to the Journal of the Society of Arts, referring to the phormium tenax. He combats the idea that it is not suitable for fine cloth fabrics. A large meeting of the clergy and laity was held at Wolverhampton, to bid farewell to Bishop Selwyn and the Eev. Mr Still. The Bishop of Lichfield presided. Purses were presented. The death of Captain Gray of the Great Britain is involved in obscurity. A man has given himself up at Newcastle as the Eltham murderer The Pope's nuncio loses large sums of Peter's pence by the failure of a bank in Belgium. There have been terrific storms in Britain, and immense destruction of shipping and other property. The storms extended to different parts of the Continent. Prayers were offered up in the English Churches for a cessation of the stormy weather. There is a dispute as to tha disposal of Greeley's property, he having left two wills. The combination of the Agricultural laborers is strengthening. A recent strike among the gas stokers nearly put London in darkness. It is feared that Jefferson will never re-appear on the stage owing to the failure of a late operation for cataract. The 'Nord Deutsche' (North German,) St. Petersburgh correspondent states that the magnitude of the Khivan expedition has been exaggerated, and the force will not number more than 7000 men. SPAIN. The King of Spain has abdicated, and a Republic is declared. The army and navy were disaffected, and the country dissatisfied with the King's rule. The Carlists are active, but the Republicans are in the majority. There are to be large reforms in the Spanish colonies, including the abolition of slavery. FRANCE. The Parliamentary affairs in Prance indicate difficulties, under which there is a possibility of Thiers resigning. France pays the fifth milliard to Germany at the end of July. COMMERCIAL. The February wool sales opened at a decline of Id to l|d on all Australian sorts but Sydney, which is unchanged. One hundred and thirty-three thousand bales were catalogued. The months exports to New Zealand show an increase of £7,600. There were 6767 bales of New Zealand wool catalogued in .November and December. Five hundred and fifty bales of hemp sold at very fair prices. There are considerable stocks of tow in hand. Kauri gum, without change; stock about the same as last year. Two thousand bales of hemp have just arrived, and a. good demand is expected at the beginning of the year. Up to the 25th December, 1500 bales of wool had arrived for the February sales. Money 3£. SHIPPING. Arrived from New Zealand—The William Davie, the Excelsior, and Wild Duck. Departures—Enterprise for Otago ; John Bull for Canterbury ; Echo for Nelson. New Zealand vessels spoken to, Gladiator and Taranaki from New York. The St. Andrew's Castle, for Wellington, put back, having lost mizen mast and bulwarks in a collison. The Edinburgh Castle was also slightly damaged, but proceeds on her voyage.