NEWS BY THE MAIL.

New Zealand Tablet, Volume III, Issue 133, 19 November 1875, Page 14

NEWS BY THE MAIL.

Wb take the following telegram from the daily press: — London, November 2. President Grant has sent a note to Midrid, urging the settlement of the Cuban question, and recommending Cuban independence. America and Spain are strengthening their fleets. A memorial to the late Commodore Goodenough is proposed. The Prince of Wales landed in Bombay amid thundering salutes from the squadron and shore batteries. He was brilliantly received on landing by the Governor-General and highest officials, and upwards of seventy Native princes and chiefs. After addresses by the Municipality, a grand procession was formed to the Government House. The inhabitants received the Prince loyally and enthusiastically. There was intense excitement the whole route. There were immense crowds of all castes, and splendid decorations' throughout the city. There are to be general illuminations tomorrow. Melbourne, November 11. Sir James M'Culloch enunciated the policy of his Ministry, at vVarrnambool, last Saturday week. He estimates the deficiency in revenue to be .£340,000, and proposes to meet this by the imposition of a land-tax, and to tax bank stock, shares, and other property. Small landholders to Toe exempted. Duties of Customs to the extent of .£IO,OOO to be swept away, but those imposed for protective purposes to remain untouched. Only such duties to be removed as are vexatious and injurious to trade. To meet the deficiency thus caused an income-tax is to be levied, which, however, is not to touch moderate incomes. The Government propose to borrow a million and a-half to carry out existing engagements, and introduce aa amending land bill to extend the period of license and increase assessment on stock. The Opposition, led by members of the late Government, organised an opposition to four of the Ministers. Mr. M f Culloch ■was opposed by Mr. B. Douglas; Mr. Madden, Minister of Justice, by Mr. M. L. King ; Mr. Ramsay, Minister of Education, by Mr. Miramsj and Mr. Jones, Minister of Railways, by Mr. Finehan. At Ballarat the feeling was very strong on both sides, and the greatest excitement prevailed in the contested districts. The elections for Warmambool and Ballarat toot place last Saturday, ■when M'Culloch was returned by over 200 of a majority ; and Jones was defeated by 971 of a majority on Monday. Madden was also rejected by over 200 of a majority ; and Ramsay was returned by 811 of a majority. Two of the Ministers out of nine have thus been deprived of their seats in Parliament, and the Opposition have gained two votes. Berry, who was in Warmambool previous to and during the elections, repeated the threat that the Opposition ■would not permit public business to be proceeded with until a dissolution was granted. What the intentions of the Government are has not yet been made known. The racing has divided public interest with the elections. TV'C city never -was so full of strangers ; every hotel is crowded, and tlie places of public entertainment are well patronised. The weather, for the season of the ye vr, has been most unfavourable, and in the middle of spring cold winter weather, with rain-storms, has been experienced. Mr. William M'Culloch's shorthorn stock and brood mares were sold on Monday, and the total sum realised was .£19,0 1-1. The j stock brought very low prices, ,£660 being the highest price for a I hull, and £775 for a cow. The agricultural show now on is the best, as regards cattle, ever been in the Colonies. Mr. A. X. Smith was formally installed as Mayor yesterday. He gave un in lugural banquet, 4000 persons being present, including the Ministry. There was a very large attendance at the races. The Aveath r was very unfavourable ; heavy rain on both Derby and Cup days. Twenty horses started for thi Cup. For the Derby 11 started. THE DERBY. Mr. De Mestre's Sylvia colt ... ... ... 1 Richmond ... ... ... ... 2 Sour Grapes ... ... ... . . , 3 Time, 2min. 4Ssec, Melbourne Cup. A sweepstake of 20 soys. each, 10ft., or 5 if declared, with 330 soys. added. The winner of any handicap race of the value of 200 soys. after the declaration of the weights to carry 51b. extra ; of two or more such races, 81b extra ; of any such race of the value of 100 soys., 31b extra ; of two or more such races, 511? extra. The second horse to receive 50 soys., and the third 20 soys. out of the stake. Two miles. Wollomai ... ... ... ... 1 Richmond ... ... ... ... 2 Goldsbrough ... ... ... ... 3 The all-absorbing topic is of course the Melbourne Cup, which, for 1875, is now lo^t and won. Over 70,000 people took " the ro vl "to the course, while 37,000 went by rail, The former route exhibited hundreds of stylish equipages, and eight " f our-in-handd," in lading that of Sir Hercules Robinson. Sir Hercules, in good old 13 •! il-lishi Ilish style, drove his own hxrouche, drawn by four cream-coloured ponies. The toilettes of the lulies were of the most gorgeous and extravagant character, and the costumes on the course presented a scene of unparalleled luxury and ma^niiicun<e. Tho Em farooma, with the supplorrvntxry mail from Now Zealand, just caught the Pera at the Heads as she was leaving. The mail steamer awaited her arrival. The scarlet fever epidemic continues, and an increasing number of deaths is reported, principally among children.