BY ELECTRIC TELEGRAPH.

Evening Star, Volume VIII, Issue 2478, 25 January 1871, Page 2

BY ELECTRIC TELEGRAPH.

(I’KO.M O«KVIt,LK ? rt TELLURAM COMI’AXV, KEUTEII’s AGENTS.) Auckland via Thames, January 21. A private letter received here states that Bishop Yiard, of Wellington, while travelling on the Continent, was taken a prisoner by the Prussians as a spy. At the time of the departure of the San Francisco mail he was in prison. The Coldcn Crown Company has declared a dividend of LlO. The Native meeting at Te Kuiti is still proceeding. Tapihani and Whitora are present. llewi says :—“ If the Waikatos desire fighting, they should attack Pohihipi andTaupo.” Belief is being distributed to the unemployed. They have sent a petition to the Victorian Government, praying for their removal to that Colony ; .also, a statement of the labor market to the London Times, the Scotsman, and the Irishman. Sailed—Kate, for Sydney. January 2 I. Mr Header Wood defeated Mr T. M. King at Parnell. Mr OTtorke has been elected for Onehunga without opposition, and Messrs W. Buckland and A. Clark have been elected for Frankly u. Mr Binncy sold to-ilay : —barley, 2s Gd to 3s Id ; oats, 2s Gd to 2s lUd. Lnvjehcaugill, January 21. The polling of a member to represent Invercargill in the Assembly took phuie to-day, with the following result : Calder ... ... 142 Lumsdeu ... ... 00 Marjority for Calder 52 The sealing expedition has returned from the Auckland Islands with 73 skins for two weeks cruise. January 25. Mr Beid’s meeting, - last night, was largely attended. He had an impartial hearing and seemed to make a favor-

able impression. A vote in favor of the candidate and an amendment to delay expressing any opinion until Mr Macandrew was heard were proposed. The former was carried.

Timaku, January 25. Mr R. H. Rhodes has been returned for Banks Peninsula.

Hokitika, January 25. The Rangitoto arrived here at midnight. Melbourne, January U).

The Hon. Dillon Bell arrived by the Avoca, and sails for New Zealand in the Tararua.

Morrison for an unnatural offence, was again flogged, and suffered horribly. The Queen of the Thames arrived in 54 days, calling twice for coals. Breadstuff's firm. Plour LI 4 10s to LI 5 ; Adelaide wheat, (is 4d. Sydney. The James Patterson is laid on for Fiji, calling at Auckland. New Warrior, the racehorse, is dead. The deficit on the year’s revenue amounts to LBO.OOO. Holders of breadstuff's are more anxious to sell since the receipt of the mail news. Wool is firmer. Adelaide. The mail news is considered satisfactory. The Governor's despatches state all fear of further complications is allayed. Prices for Breadstuff's are likely to fall. Sales are made at 4s 7d. Hobart Town. Mount Wellington was covered with snow yesterday. Weather finer to-day.

London, December 19. Prince (lortscliakoff, in replying to Earl Granville's last note, regrets that England takes exception to his circular. Russia, he says, is prepared to assist in any deliberations based on a united guarantee for the consolidation of peace. * On the 6th, Earl Granville's reply to Prince Gortschakoff’s last note was published. It was of a friendly character, and states that England will accent the Conference, but will maintain a linn adherence to the position she has assumed. A peaceful conclusion of the difficulty is contemplated. On the 9th, the proposed Conference on the Black Sc i question was unconditionally accepted by the French GoVeriime it. The British Government has given a’ definite undertaking that the Conference shall proceed. Russia and England decline the proposition made by France to enlarge the scope of the discussion at the Conference, and it is feared this determination will lead to further-Euro-pean complications. , . On the 11th, an interview took.place be* tween Ali Pasha and General Ignatius, but the result is reported to have been unsatisfactory. The Conference has been fixed for the first week in January, On the 7th it is stated the neutral powers proposed again to ask for an armistice to facilitate the participation of the French Government in the conference. THE WAR. A third great battle was fought yesterday east of Paris. The Germans recaptured the positions the French had held since their sorties. The Duke of Mecklenburg defeated the fifteenth and sixteenth army corps, near Soigny and Artenay on the ‘Jed. The French accounts declare General Ducrot’s sortie with 1.50,000 men towards Fontainblcau successful. The Germans admit it was a temporary success. Garibaldi repulsed the Germans at Autun, The French loss was very considerable in sorties from Paris, and they have been compelled to ask for an armistice to bury their dead. On the 7th the French evacuated Orleans, after a decisive victory by Pfince Frederic Charles and the Duke of Mecklenburg. Gambetta narrowly escaped. The French retreated across the Loire. • Rouen is occupied by the Germans under General Manteuffel. The German military position is deemed critical. Manteuffel is ordered to Paris. The Duke of Mecklenburg fought a victorious battle near Beaugency, which he afterwards occupied, against three French army corps. On the 11th the Germans held a council of war, winch decided in favor of the bombardment of Paris.

Tbe Germans are threatening Cherbourg. Havre has been occupied by the Germans. Garibaldi resigned his command.

The Germans evacuated Dieppe after three days severe engagement between the army of the Duke of Mecklenburg and General Chauncey. On the 15th Dlois was occupied by the enemy.

The Prussians arc concentrating near Havre.

The French have blockaded Havre, Dieppe, and Fecamp. The population of Paris is still determined to resist. Complete tranquility prevails.

*14,000 Prussians occupied Tours on the night of the 18th, after a severe battle. The French Government have gone: to Bordeaux.

Montmedy has capitulated. The Prussian note, declaring it will no longer recognise the neutrality of Luxembourg, was communicated simultaneously at Brussels, Luxembourg, the Hague, and London, on the 14th. A Cabinet council was held in London on the 15th, when Ministers declined to discuss theaccusation against Luxembourg in the absence of the accused, when its guilt or innocence provided that an impartial judgment will be given, it is stated that explanations have been given by Luxembourg which remove alj danger of conflict, Londox, December 25.

Bordeaux journals report an insurrectionary movement inside Paris, which the French Government officially deny. The Paris forts commenced heavy firing op the night pf the 20th. The next morning

the garrison made an attack with three divisions, which repulsed five divisions of German artillery. The inhabitants of Luxembourg presented an address to the Grand Duke, begging him to save the country, and never allow its transfer without the free vote of the Chamber. LATEST SPECIAL TO GREVILLE, London, December 25. Consols, 00 l-7th to 90Wool—fair enquiry, but without any quotable changes. Australian oppe-r, 73. Tallow active and advancing. Wheat firm. Arrived—Ernsteine, Silverage. Berlin, December 27, 0.14 p.m. The bombardment of Par s commenced today. Fort Avion (Vanvres ?) is the first object of attack. London, December 27. The Saxons commenced the'bombardment of Fort Avron (Vanvres '!) this morning.