ARRIVAL OF THE ENGLISH MAIL VIA SUEZ.

Dunstan Times, Issue 462, 24 February 1871, Page 2

ARRIVAL OF THE ENGLISH MAIL VIA SUEZ.

THE SIEGE OF PARIS.

THE BOMBARDMENT, CAPTURE OF GARIBALDI. SEVERE FIGHTING, It[BY ELECTRIC TELEGRAI^fIH (PKOH OUR OWN CORRESPONDENT.) Dunedin, Thursday, 5 p.m. The s.B. Rangitoto, with the English mail ou board, arrived oti'..Hokitika yesterday morning. The following (a portion ot which appeared- in our Extra of yesterday) is a summary' of the news : The French army, commanded by Faidhcrlie, were attacked on the 23rd December, at North Amiens, by the Germans under Manteufel. Both shies claim the victory —night ending tho tight. The Queen will open Parliament in person. A scheme for the fortilication’of London is being considered. On the 20th December the Prussians seized six ■English vesaelsKat Duclar, on tho Seine, and sunk them to impede navigation. The Prussians tired upon the crews and robbed the vessels, because they lauded coal without a permit. The capture of Fort A vron is a great discouragement to the Parisians.

It is reported that the sufferings of the populace of Paris are excessive. Beyond the bombardment the forts have sustained little damage Official journals say the Government reject all idea of capitulation. Ihe bombardment of the forts continues lively. . V Noisay, foinVes, Issy, Montrouge, andl\of haveneertsilenced. Paris was iiMre'in several places on the 10th January. ' On the 15th January ten thousand incendiary sheila were tired into Paris.

Belfort is vigorously beseiged. A valiant defence is being offered. Bebrogiue aud Bcchaume were burnt on the Bth January. Leroy has capitulated with 300 prisoners. The German batteries reached St. Michael, across the Seine. The French unmasked additional batteries on the south of the river.

On the 22nd the Germans attacked Bijou in great force. The French maintained their position.

German batteries Lave been placed within 300 yards of the forts. A grand sortie from Mont Valeriea on the 20th, was repulsed. On the 23rd Bourbaki’s army was in full retreat, having been beaten before St. Quentin, after several hours fighting. F.rty thousand prisoners and twenty cannon were captured. Werder took Villiers with 600 prisoners. The French attempted to retake it but were repulsed. They claim tho victory, however. Bourbaki and Garibaldi are marching on Belfort. Garibaldi has surrendered, with three hundred prisoners. Tho French report the repulse of the Germans, on the 30th, and the capture of their position before Vendome. The French vacated Boruiey on tho 31st, fading back on Gien. The King of Prussia made a speech to his army. He says the work is not yet over, but must be completed by fighting, to bring about a lasting and honorable peace. On the 14th, General Trochu issued a proclamation that Paris would never capitulate. A conspiracy has becu discovered between tho French prisoners at Mayence, Coblenz, and Cologne, to tho number of fifty thousand, to fight their way back to France. Mezzieros capitulated, with largo stores of provisions, one hundred and eighteen guns, and two thousand men. •Severe fighting took place on the 2nd and 3rd of February between Erras and Bcanchamo. Tho French claim a victory. ■ Tho Saxons occupied Fort Avron, ing great quantios of artillery, . Vitry was destroyed. Tho Germans evacuated Dijon, uuder General Roy, T I the Gtnqpu position on the h(J*i! '* °S Labouallo.