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Hawke's Bay Times, Volume III, Issue 150, 27 November 1863, Page 3

Much discussion has taken place of late respecting two vessels building in English ship-yards for the presumed use of the Confederates. The Emancipation Society addressed Earl Russell on the matter, and appealed to him to enforce the provisions of the Foreign Enlistment Act in this particular instance. His lordship replied by reminding the society that prosecutions iu British courts of law must be founded on the aliidavits of credible witnesses, and that, although they had pointed out what they supposed to be an infringement of the law, they had failed to furnish him with evidence of that fact. It was quite evident from tliis answer that Earl Eussell was perfectly willing to take steps for the prevention of a violation of the Foreign Enlistment Act, if he were furnished with sufficient testimony to justify him in such a proceeding. That some materials of that nature have since been laid before him may lie inferred from the fact that it has been subsequently determined by Government to detain the vessels, and to throw upon the builders the onus of proof. The defence anticipated is somewhat roundabout The builders are understood to allege that they were employed by a French house, which house was employed by the late Pacha of Egypt, and that the present Pacha having repudiated the contract, the rams, for such they are said to be, were left on the hands of the French house. The story does not hang well together, and has been circumstantially denied by the Conslitutionnel, but the courts will not have much difficulty in determining its value. OniTUAiiy. —Mr. E. Stanley, of Ponsonby Hull, aged 73 ; Earl Beauchamp, aged 79 ; Marquis Townsend aged GO ; Vice-Admiral Henry Dundas; Samuel Bead, Esq.; the Marquis of Huntley, aged 77; the Right Hon. Edward Ellice, M.P., aged 81 ; Count Alfred de Vigny; Air. W. Tooke, F. 8.5.; and Air. Jacob Grimm.