Northern Times.
Liverpool, Merseyside, England, 1857-08-14 00:00:00

AUSTRALIAN PJSTAL SERVICF.

Answering Mr. Macartney,
Mr. Labouchere said communications bad been received
as to the manner in which the postal service bad been Ty r-
formed between Su: z and Melbourne since January last,
and if they were moved for, there would be no objection to
their production.

INDIAN STEAM TRANSPORTS.
In ar.swer to Mr. Stafford, who inquired as to the pro-
visions made for coaling the steam vessels conveying
troops to India,
Mr. H. Baring said that the European and American
Steam Shipping Company, of whom four ships bad been
engaged, had provided such a supply of coal at St.
Vincent as would take their ships to Calcutta without anv
further stoppages, and he had no doubt that other
companies would take similar precautions. In addition to
this there were large supplies at the Government stations,
particularly at the Cape, which could be obtained on appli-
cation to the storekeepers at a reasonable rate.
The Appropriation Bill was brought in, and read a first

me.
The House then went into committee upon

VIE DIVORCE AND MATRIMONIAL CAUSES BILL,
And the discussion upon clause 25 was resumed, at the
point at which it was interrupted in the morning.
The Attorney-General proposed to insert the words,
",bigamy with adultery."
A lengthened conversation again took place, and a mu'-
titude of suggestions were offered for the amendment of
the Attorney-General's amendment to the clause. Oa the
motion of Mr. Gladstone, the words "or rape." were
added to the Attorney-General's amendment, and, ulti-
mately, with the addition of some further explanatory
words, the amendment originally proposed was inserted in
the clause.
An amendment proposed by Mr. I. Butt, to give to the
women divorce for adultery, attended with aggravated ill-
treatment, was opposed by the Attorney-General, Mr.
Malins, and Mr. Napier, and supported by Mr. Lygon, Sir
. Heathc3te, and Mr. Newdegaie. The discussion
terminated in a divi,ion, the result of which was that the
amendment was negatived by 137 to 44—majority, 93.
Toe Chairman then reported progress, and obtained
leave to sit again at twelve o'clock this day (Friday.)
Tne Lord's Amendment to the Fradulent Trustees Bill
was considered and agreed to.
The Smoke Nuisance (Scotland) Abatement Bill was
read a third time and passed.
The Probate and Letters of Administration (Ireland)
Bill passed through committee.
The Revising Barristers (Dublin) Bill was read a third
time and passed.
The Militia Pay Bill was road a second time.
The House adjourned at twenty minutes to two o'clock.

MELANCHOLY OCCURRENCE'.-SUPPOSED LOSS

OF TWO LIVES OFF BRIGHTON.

We have to record the occurrence of a catastrophe, the
but too probable result of which is the loss of the lives of
two young gentlemen, visitors at Brighton. The name of
one is Edward Donaldson, aged 19, who has for the past
month been living with his relations in lodgings, at 4,
Cannon-place. The other is named Jones, and was living
also in lodgings, at 7, Bedford-square. A short time ago,
it appears that the two young gentlemen made a joint
purchase of a small boat, and were in the habit of going
out sailing, sometimes alone, but more frequently accom-
panied by some of their acquaintances or friends. It was
remarked, however, by the watermen, that the quantity of
rigging they carried was too heavy for a boat of such
scanty beam, it being only about 14 feet long, and more
than one ancient mariner might have been seen to shake,
his head and express fears for the fate of a craft so
oppressed with canvas, and in the control of such com-
paratively inexperienced hands. About three o'clock on
Monday afternoon the two missing youths started for a
sail from opposite the bottom of Preston-street, taking
with them only a small quantity of biscuits and cheese
and a bottle of wine, their intention being to remain out
only a few hours, as Donaldson, had made arrangements
to 'take his sisters out for a drive about seven. o'clock.
Seven o'clock came ; but Edward did not make his
appearance. Half-past seven—eight o'clock—arrived, and
ho did not come. His sisters. however, thought the
missing ones had put in at Shoreham, and were detained
there ; so that for the moment they did not feel much
uneasiness, theia supposition being perfectly reasonable.
But while they were thus satisfying themselves of the
safety of their friends, the servants in the house
had received, and with kindly deception had concealed,
evidence of a very different state of affairs. A coat
and hat had been picked up about two miles out
at sea, which were ascertained to belong to one of the
youths, Donaldson ; and the paddles of the boat had also
been picked up and identified. The night wore on, and
still no tidings came of the fate of the unfortunate young
men; ankwe dare not attempt to describe the agony of
the sisters, when the servants-.concealment being no
longer possible—were constrained to reveal their melan-
choly suspicions and the indisputable grounds upon. wKich
they were founded. Beyond the above no further tidings
have yet been received of the fate of the missing ; but
there is not the shadow of a hope entertained of their
safety. During the greater part of Tuesday a nw:ober of
boats were engaged grappling in the Chanr,el near to
where it is supposed the boat foundered, trat their efforts
had not been successful. Both the Yo`ang gentlemen are
said to have been exceedingly anli-°.;ie and well conducted,
and to, have won the affeotior _ and esteem of all with
whom they came In gontr!..