ARRIVAL OF THE S.S. “WONGA WONGA,” WITH THE ENGLISH JULY MAIL.

Hawke's Bay Times, Volume IV, Issue 193, 23 September 1864, Page 2

A RRIVAL OF THE S.S. “WONGA WONGA,” WITH THE ENGLISH JULY MAIL.

Tin: s.s. Wong a 1 Vang a, arrived yesterday morning from Wellington, with the English Mail for this Province. The I.R.M. Co.’s s.s. Phcehe, Captain Wheeler, from Otago via Lyttelton at rived in Wellington harbor on Tuesday morning, with the July mails from Europe. NEW ZEALAND AFFAIRS. . That the mail has arrived on the IGth, five days before the full due date, is an astonishing fact, sufficient to distinguish it from all mails that have come before. Mr. Reader Wood has returned to New Zealand by the present mail. He has not chosen this route to Auckland. The tenders for the second portion (unguaranteed) of the loan were opened on the 12th July. Only AO,IOO were applied for out of the AT,000,000; and as the minim, m was fixed at 90, only A 3.400 was accepted at and above this figure. The rest of the loan being open at the minimum, it was calculated, at the departure of the mail, that A 30,000 had been placed. The Guarantee Bill passed the Commons against opposition in every stage. It went to the House of Lords on the 23rd, and passed its second reading there on the 2 .th. We have a copy of the Bill before us in tiiis stage ; all the objectionable conditions still remaining in it. It is idle to refer such conditions to the colony. Mr. Reader Wood's mission cannot he called a successful one. But lie had a difficult part to play. Our information goes to show that never, at any previous time, had New Zealand been in such disfavor with the English public. Every organ of infprmation took the opportunity to condemn the war and the colonist by reason of the disaster which befel the 43rd Regiment at the Gate Pah, Tauranga. This feeling had been stimulated to a great extent by violent letters written home by officers of the army and published in all the papers. In the unfavorable state of the money market and (he necessity for referring the guarantee to the colony, the Government will be bard pressed for money, oven submitting to an illegal discount, which compels the payment of interest at A 5 11s instead of A 5 per. cent. The offer of the Government of Canterbury to guarantee the Panama subsidy had reached home and had been of great service to the cause. The Company entertained the proposal most favorably, but preferred to look upon it is a pledge that the General Assembly feeling no difficulty about tiie subsidy, would certainly ratify the contract, at its next session. The Company were prepared to await such ratification, and would proceed for the present, in full faith, to build their boats and make their preparations, in spite of a conviction which the advice of Captain Vine Hall had helped to form that the service would be far more beneficial to New Zealand than to themselves. The value of the Panama service to the Company depending necessarily in a great measure upon its permanent extension to Sydney, or some oilier Australian port, the Company did not feel themselves in a (Kcition to accept the Canterbury proposition, taken alone, which merely related to the money to be paid on account of the service between Panama and New Zealand. They were very anxious that a session of the Assembly should be held before the close of the present year, and they had been led by the course of events, as well as by tlis language used by the colonial representative, to believe'

that such would be the case. As regards the objectionable portions of the contract the company were prepared to proceed, m’ovided they saw their way (piite clear to thefliaintenance of the subsidy now received by them between Sydney and New Zealand, and some satisfactory arrangements were proposed relative to their present contract on the coast. The 0 per cent.- debentures -of New Zealand (18(31) which have hitherto stood at 110 to 112 in the official list of the Stock Exchange, are reported in the Homs A Tews as “ without quotation.” But in the Money Market Review of 23rd July sales at 100 to 102 are reported. This is too significant a fact to be misunderstood. GENERAL SUMMARY. London, July 26. The Australian mails were delivered in London on the 12th and IBth July. The Queen continues in good health. On the breaking up of the London Conference. the Government made a ministerial statement, declaring that although England’s sympathies are with Denmark, she is not bound alone to afford her aid, Russia and France having withdrawn. Notice of motion has been given in the House of Commons to the effect that in the event ot the New Zealand war not beino brought to a close shortly, the Imperial troops shall be withdrawn from the Colony. The Now Zealand Guarantee Loan Bill, after a long debate, was read a second time. Division 92 to 55. It was read a third time on the 3rd, though opposed at every stage. Lord Palmerston has stated that*the Prussian Ambassador totally repudiates the alleged holy alliance. Sir Robert Percy Douglas has been appointed Governor of the Cape of Good Hope. Earl Derby is still suffering from illness. The Duke of Newcastle’s health is much improved. Mr Lancaster, of the yacht Deerhound, lias received a letter from Mr Mason, thanking him for his noble conduct in saving the captain and crew of the Alabama. Mr Lancaster denies that the Deerhound acted as a tender to the Alabama, and declares that lie saved the crew from motives of humanity. It is expected that the proceedings in Dr. Culenso’s case will be quashed, owing to the jurisdiction of the Bishop of Cape Town being denied. Should this happen. Dr Colenso will bring an action against Bishop Gray. A destructive fire has taken place in London. The Chapel Royal, Savoy-house, and a number of bouses in the rear of the Strand, have been destroyed. A mutiny has occurred at the Portland convict establishment. The prisoners attacked the guards. Firearms were resorted to, and tiie mutineers were quelled. Several robberies on a large scale have been perpetrated in London. A frightful murder lias been committed in a first-class carriage on the North London Railway. The victim is Mr Briggs, of Robarts and Curtis's Bank. The murderer escaped. He left for New York by a sailing vessel. Detectives have been sent after him in a mail steamer. A reward of <£3oo is offered for the capture of I lie murderer. Statistics show that petitions for dissolution of marriage increase in number yearly. Dr Livingstone, the African traveller, has arrived in London in excellent health. The Great Eastern steam:hip is at Slieerness, wailing to ship the Atlantic cable. The international swimming match, between Captain Saunders, the English champion, and M. Herscliell, the French champion, has been won by Saunders. The distance, five miles; time, three minutes under two hours. Obituary. —General Vigors, the Rev. Dr. Whiteside, the Rev. Dr. Draitbwaite, Admiral O’Grady, Colonel Dumbar, Colonel Hailes, the Dowager Countess of Amherst, Lord Wood, Major-General Hardinge, Admiral Cator, Washington Wilks, Thomas Grattan, and Gem-ge Lance. The St rath alia n sailed from Gravesend for Hawke's Bay on the 21st July last. CANADA. A condition ministry has been formed in Canada, pledged to secure a federation of the North American Colonies, representatives from each colony to be sent to a central ParxiumcaL. IMPORTANT NEWS FROM AMERICA. New York, July 13. Gold has risen to 282 ! A financial crisis was expected. Mr Secretary Chase has resigned. The Western States express an intention of seceding from the Union. General Grant, after attacking Lee on the

Chickahominy, suddenly joined his forces with those of General Butler, and assaulted Petersburg city, 20 miles smith of Richmond. After attempts in. one day, with loss of 8000 men, Grant was obliged to abandon the position. Severe engagements have taken place in Georgia. The Federals. under General Slierman, were defeated with,the loss of four thousand five hundred men. The Confederates assuming the offensive invaded Maryland, defeating the Federal General Wallace, who sought to withstand their advance. The Federals retreated on Baltimore in disorder. Hn invading force, estimated at fifty thousand men, under General Lee, according to th.e latest reports, were within four miles of Baltimore and six of .Washington. They captured the private despatches of Secretary Stanton. General Grant, and others; cut the telegraph wires connecting Washington with Kew York ; broke up the railroads, and destroyed bridges to prevent communication with the North. The Baltimore Banks have removed their valuables on hoard steamers. Tiie Governor of Pennsylvania urges people to volunteer, as Government considers the case urgent. Governor Seymour has called out all the State militia in readiness for service. Those of New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, and Massachusetts, showed great indisposition to respond to the call for the defence of Washington. The Federal Government appealed to (he hanks for the loan of fifty million dollars for the immediate wants of Government. New York, July 15. The Confederates, after making demonstrations against Fort Stevens, retired on Thursday from before Washington, and recrossed the Potomoc with immense quantities of plunder. Telegraphic communication with Washington has been re-established. The invasion is considered at an end. New York, July IG. "I he Confederates made demonstrations against Grant's left, with the object of getting in bis rear. General Sherman is reported to have crossed the Chattakoocliie, and arrived before the defences of Atalanta. Gold, 254|. The Northerners no longer feel much enthusiasm for llie war. The war party declare publicly that the South cannot be conquered, and that the North ought not to strive any longer to accomplish a purpose so fatal to her own tyTHE WAR IN DENMARK. The Prussians have effected the passage of Alsen Sound in leO boats, conveying 3,000 men at a time, under a heavy fire of shells. Danes fought gallantly, hut without avail ; 2,400, including 100 officers, were taken prisoners. Between the several battalions on each side an animosity so great prevailed that no quarter was given or asked for. The Danes lost 3,000 men killed in the retreat from Alsen. Jutland has been placed under Prussian administration. The Danish officials have been ordered to obey Prussian authorities, to whom the revenues are to be handed over. King Christian, after this, requested Ids Ministry to resign, and formed a new Cabinet, whose first act was to send a flag of truce, to request a suspension of hostilities, preliminary to negotiations for peace. A conference to settle the terms was to be held at Vienna. The war is considered terminated. LATEST SPECIAL TELEGRAMS. London, Aug. 2. Suez. August 3. Preliminaries of peace have been arranged. An armistice was signed ut Vienna yesterday. Basis —Lauenberg and Schleswig-Holstein added to the German powers; also the islands in the North Seas go with Denmark. The Jutland frontier question to be re-considered. An estrangement iias taken place between Russia and tlie minor German States. In America the Confederates have re-cros-sed the Potomac with immense spoil. Negotiations for peace have miscarried. The Federals demand the restoration of the Union and the abolition of slavery. There is a movement in the North hi favor of separation. Juiinst me nas been superseded by Hood. President Lincoln demands half a irilium Volunteers. Stanton's removal is anticipated. The judgment of the House of Lords lias b6en given against Mrs. Long worth Yelvertoxs.

The wool sales continue at the opening prices. ° _ The pressure on the money market is subsiding. Consols flat—B9|. ■ Parliament is. prorogued. The Queen’s Speech declares that strict neutrality is to be observed in American affairs. London, -July 26. The Australian May Maiis were .delivered on the 18th via Southampton; on the 14th via Marseilles. The Queen is at Osborne, Her health is good. The revenue returns for the quarter ended June 30 show a decrease of if 690,902 on the year, and a decrease of £916,004 on the quarter. The Ministerial whitebait dinner was held on Saturday last at Greenwich. The session will close on the 28th. On the 7th a fire broke out in the Savoy Church, in the Strand, resulting in the total destruction of that edifice. The walls are only left standing. The Queen has declared her intention to restore the building at her own expeme. A great deputation waited on the Postmaster General on the 14th, to protest against the increased rates of postage to Australia. Another deputation went to Mr. Gladstone on the same subject on the ISth. It is understood that, in consequence, uojncrease will be made. AMERICA. President Lincoln visited Grant in head quarters at City Point on the 21st. In Georgia, the Confederate accounts state that Hunter, with two columns of Sherman's army, had been defeated, with heavy loss; but tiie latest intelligence reports Sherman to have, crossed the Chattakoocliie and airived before Atalanta. Secretary Chase has resigned, and is succeeded by Senator Fessenden. The Senate have repealed the Gold Bill and Fugitive Slave Law. J. F. Scoville, the correspondent “ Manhattan,” of the London Standard died suddenly in New York, on tiie 2511 i alt. General Polk and Bishop of Louisiana were killed in battle, in Georgia, on the 14th nit. The (lactations in gold ffir the past month have been enormous. At date of last mail the quotation was 197;\ it is imw 2041, and lias been up to 280. SPECIAL TELEGRAM. (from REUTERS MALTA STATION.) London, July 29th. Parliament was prorogued to-dav. 4 he Queen s speech expresses regret at the failure ot the Conference and the resumption of hostilities in Denmark, hut trusts that present negotiations may restore peace. Iler .Majesty laments the c utinuance of the American war, ami declares her intention to maintain strict neutrality. The revolt in New Zealand had not been quelled, but it is satisfactory to know that a large portion of the natives remained quiet. Much gratification was expressed at the rapid development of the resources of the East India possessions, and the Royal speech concluded that there was every satisfaction with the condition and progress of the country. Alexandria Station, July 31. The Danish peace has been arranged. The dates from New York are to 21st. The Federals were driven from James Island. The situation at Petersburg wasunclianged. The Confederates were retiring from Maryland. Sherman repulsed the Confederates attack. There was u rumour of peace negotiations. On the 23rd, Sherman defeated the Confederates and occupied Atalanta. The Confederates have been unsuccessful in attempting peace negotiations President Lincoln called for 500,000 additional troops.