LATER NEWS FROM EUROPE AND AMERICA.

Hawke's Bay Times, Volume III, Issue 158, 22 January 1864, Page 3

LATER NEWS FROM EUROPE AND AMERICA.

We take the following from the Southern. Cross of the 18th instant:— The arrival of the Novelty from Sydney yesterday has put us in possession of English news to the 4th November, which was brought by the I.G.R.M. new steamer Otago to Melbourne, that vessel having made the

passage to Australia in fifty-one days! the quickest, with oue exception, on record. This is certainly a fact upon which the settlers may congratulate themselves, seeing that the Otago is carry the mails between Auckland and Sydnev." Provided the English mail steamer arrived, the Otago would leave Sydney for this port on the 15th inst, and in that case she may be expected to arrive here a day or two before her time.

The English news is interesting, particularly that portion of it which refers to the impending departure of more troops for service in New Zealand. These include the fourth battalion of the Military Train Corps, and they were to leave Woolwich in three transport vessels, fitted up for the purpose, a few days after the Otago sailed. A large amount of war stores, packed and in readiness, were to be forwarded from the royal arsenal.

The American news is decidedly in favour the Confederates. A body of Federal cavalry had been attacked by Lee’s forces, and were beaten with heavy loss. Lee, instead of retreating, as was rumoured, was advancing, had crossed the Piappahannock, and meditated, it was said, in advance upon Washington. The Confederate forces also attacked a considerable body of Federal infantry, and compelled them to beat a retreat. The state of Europe does not appear to be much altered. As it regards Poland, the insurgents have gained advantages over their tyrants where they have had the opportunity of meeting them in conflict. The Russian Police had discovered in Warsaw the print-ing-oflice of the National Government; and as the documents obtained thereby are said to have compromised a great many persons it will be no mean triumph on the one hand, and discomfiture on the other. Lord Ptussell is said to have sent a “ mild and conciliatory” despatch to St. Petersburg. Passing from things political, we must note one of the most astounding items of news—viz., the circumstances of Lord Palmerston having been made co-respondent in a divorce suit, in which the damages claimed are A 20,000. The lady against whom the suit is instituted is a Mrs. O’Kief, the wife of a clergyman. This is about, one of the most unexpected and sensational occurrences that could be well imagined. It may be said that, as the heir to the throne did not escape calumny a short time ago, the venerable Premier may have been also unjustly assailed. It may be so ; and if, after reading what will be found elsewhere on the subject, our readers can give the noble Lord “ the benefit of the doubt,” we are sure they will do so. Iron-clad war-ships will not be very popular with those who value their lives, if we are to judge by the experimental trip of the Prince Consort , which vessel nearly foundered in the Channel.

The Great Eastern is to be put in the Indian or Australian trade, and the shareholders have authorised the raising of a sum of <£60,000 for that purpose. The Otago having called at the Cape of Good Hope, we have news from there, to the 10th December. The Vanderbilt had put in there, it was presumed in pursuit of the Alabama. Great excitement had been caused by the former vessel having seized the barque Saxon, on suspicion of her being a privateer in the service of the Confederates. It is reported, but there seems to be a doubt on tnis point, that the mate of the Saxon was shot by an officer of the Vanderbilt. If so, it bears a serious political aspect.