The Sun.
London, England, 1868-02-21 00:00:00

ABYSSINIA.

Mr. OTIVAY asked the Secretary of State for Foreign
Affairs whether he woald lay upon the table of the house
copies of any communications which had passed between
her Majesty's Government and our Consul Goneral in.
Egypt on the subject of the Abyssinian expedition ?
Lord STANLEY said the papers had been already pre-
sented to the house, and would ba in the hands of hon.
members on Monday next.
NEW MEMBER.

The SOLICITOR-GENERAL (Mr. Bret, Q.C.) bank tho oaths
and his seat for Holston.
THE WEST INDIES.
Mr. E. MILLS asked the Under-Secretary of State for
the Colonies if he intendod on an early day to introduce a
bill to relieve the Consolidated ]fuud from the charge of
£20,300 for the ecclesiastical establishments in the West
Indies.
Mr. ADDERLEY said it was the intention of the Go-
vernment to introduce a bill on the subject as soon as the
information which had boeu sent for arrived.
THE POLICE FORCE.

Viscount ENFIELD asked the Secretary of State for the
Home Department what permanent addition had been
made to the numbers of the metropolitan police force; and
whether there was any intention to make any further al-
teration in the numbers, pay, duties, or organisation of the
said force.
Mr. HARDY said he had, in order that the constables
in the force might have the proper rest that was essential
to a duo performance of duty, directed that the police force
should be increased by the addition of 1,000 constables to
the present number. That would occasion the appoint-
ment of 20 inspectors and 100 sergeants, so the number
actually added to the force would be 1,120. The total
number would not, when the addition was made, exceed
the number appointed at the time the force was first estab-
lished. There was a full inquiry being made at the pre-
sent time into the whole of the Police arrangements, and
until that was completed he could not say what he pro-
posed to do to increase the efficiency of that body.
ABYSSINIA.

Colonel SYKES asked the Secretary of S tate for Foreign
Affairs whether Dr. Blane's letter to Colonel Merewether,
from Magdala, of the 2d December, 1867, Mr. Rassam's of
the same date, and the Rev. Mr. Flad's to Mr. Rassam
dated respectively the Bth and 23d November, 1867, from
King Theodore's camp, and Colonel Merewether's des-
patches to the Bombay Government, dated 25th December,
had been received at the Foreign-office, and will be laid
upon the table.
Lord STANLEY said the papers referred to had not
arrived at the Foreign-office ; they might have reached
the India-office.
Sir S. NORTHCOTE said he would make inquiries on
the subject.

FEVER AT THE MAURITIUS.
Mr. WHALLEY asked the Secretary of State for War
whether it was the fact that the 86th Regiment had been
detained on its way to the Mauritius and Algoa Bay owing
to the prevalence of fever in that island, was ordered on
with instructions not to land unless the fever had abated.
That on its arrival there in her Majesty's ship Tamar, on the
27th of December last, tho authorities of the island met
and decided that the fever being then on the
increase the regiment ought not to be landed; that the
regiment was landed on the 28th of December, and that
fever was now spreading amongst the troops ; what were
the circumstances that justified the landing of the said re-
giment at the Mauritius, or that demanded the presence of
European troops in that island during the prevalence of fever
there; and whether it was the fact that by reason of this

fever, of .two companies of Engineers lately stationed
there but 60 then remained, and of the entire force of
Artillery, but 100, and that the 13th Regiment also suffered
most severely from the same cause.
Sir J. PAKINCiTON said he was sorry to say that the
statement of the hon. gentleman was substantially cor-
rect. The regiment was originaily despatched from the
Mauritius, but it having been found that the fever
was raging there, the regiment was ordered to be
detained at the Cape until information was received that
it would be safe for them to proceed. That information
came and the regiment left and arrived at Port Louis,when
it was found that there had been a fresh outbreak of the epi-
demic at that place. A. consultation was held amongst the
medical staff, when it was the general opinion that the troops
ought to land, but to re:urn to some more healthy place.
The colonel remonstrated on what he thought a hard-
ship which such a proceeding would entail on his
men, and in this he appeared to have acted solely for the
comfort and convenience of his men. The General in
command at this time after this changed his mind
about not allowing the troops to leave the vessel,
and they eventually disembarked and were dispersed
in small companies to a number of out or suburban
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(Hear, hear.) Information had been sent for from the
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general for an account of the matter, that induced Lira to
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change his mind after he had given his first order.

MEXICO.

In reply to Mr. T. BARING,

Lord S TANLEY said—lt having been determined by the
Mexican Republic not to hold relations with those who had
recognised the Mexican Empire, the Government had given
directions to withdraw the British Legation from the
country, so at present no diplomatic relations existed bc-
tween the two countries. It was entirely owing to the
Mexican Government that such a step had been rendered
necessary. With respect to the latter part of the hon.
gentleman's question, it was important nothing of a hasty
or precipitate nature should transpire. (Hear, hear.)
BANDA AND KIRWEE PRIZE MONEY.

In reply to Mr. NEVILLE-GRENVILLE,
Sir S. NORTIICOTE said it arose simply because the
prize list of the artillery had not yet arrived from India,
without which the money could not be paid. The list
had been twice asked for, but it had not yet arrived.