The Stourbridge Observer, Cradley Heath, Halesowen & District Chronicle.
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1880-02-07 00:00:00

While engaged, however, in the exercise of
duty, he and those connected with the
einbassy were treacherously attacked by
overwhelming numbers, and, after an herioc
defence, were almost all massacred. An
outrage so intolerable called for condign
chastisement, and my troops, which ,pursuant
to the stipulations of the treaty, either had
withdrawn or were withdrawing from the I
territories governed by the Ameer, were ;
ordered to retrace their steps. The skill
exhibited in the rapid march upon Cabul ,
and in the advances upon the other lines of
action reflects the highest credit upon the
officers and men of my British
sand native
forces, whose bravery has shone with its
wonted lustre in every collision with the
enemy. The abdication of the Ameer and
the unsettled condition of the county render
the recall of my troops impossible for the
present, but the principle on which my
Government has hitherto acted remains un-
changed, and while determined to make the
frontiers of ray Indian Empire strong, I
desire to be in friendly relations alike with
those who may rule in Afghanistan and with
the people of that country.
My anticipations as to the early establish-
ment of peace in South Africa has been ful-
filled. The capture and deposition of the
Zulu King, and the breaking up of the
military organisation on which his dynasty
was based, have relieved my possessions in
that part of the world from a danger which
has seriously impeded their advancement
and consolidation. In Basutoland a native
outbreak of considerable importance has
been effectually quelled by my colonial
farces, while the Transvaal has been freed
from the depredations of a powerful chief,
who having successfully resisted the former
Government of the country, had persistently
rejected our attempts at conciliation. I
have reason to hope that the time is now
approaching when an important advance
may be made towards the establishment of a
union or confederation under which the
powers of self-government, already enjoyed
by the inhabitants of the Cape Colony, may
be extended to my subjects in other parts of
South Africa.
Papers on these and other matters will be
forthwith laid before you.
GENTLEMEN OF THE HOUSE OF COMMONS.—

I have directed the estimates of this year
to be yepared and presented to you without
delay.
MY LORDS AND GENTLEMEN ,the close of
The commission which, at
the session, I informed you I had issued to
inquire into the causes of agricultural de-
pression throughout the United Kingdom is
pursuing its labours. In the meantime the
serious deficiency in the usual crops in some
parts of Ireland has rendered necessary
special precautions on the part of my
Government to guard against the calamities
with which those districts were threatened.
With this view they have called upon the
authorities charged with the duty of admin-
istering relief to make ample preparations
for the distribution of food and fuel. should
such a step become necessary, and they have
also stimulated the employment of labour by
advances on terms more liberal - than those
prescribed by the existing law. I feel ,
assured that you will give your sanction to
the course which has been adopted, where it
may have exceeded the power entrusted by
-liament to the Executive Government.
A proposal -will be submitted to you for pro-
vidillg the funds required for these excep-
tional advances on the security of the pro-
perty administered by the Church Tem-
poralities Commissioners.
I trust you will be able to resume the
consideration of the criminal code, and the
improvement of the law of bankruptcy.
Bills will be laid . before you for enlarging
the powers relating to the settlement of
land, for consolidating and amending the
lunacy laws, and for simplifying the practice
of conveyancing.
I commend to you these and other
measures which may be submitted for your
consideration, and I trust that the blessing
of the Almighty will attend and direct., your
labours.