ARRIVAL OF THE O.S.N CO.’S S.S. ALBION, WITH ENGLISH NEWS TO 20th MARCH.

Hawke's Bay Times, Volume 5, Issue 264, 12 May 1865, Page 2

ARRIVAL OF THE O.S.N CO.’S S.S. ALBION, WITH ENGLISH NEWS TO 20th MARCH.

(From the New Zealand Advertiser.) Advertiser Office, Saturday, 7 p.m. The Otago Steamship .Company’s s.s. Albion arrived in-this port from Melbourne and tire South with the February English Mails this evening (Saturday), and will leave for Nelson and Hokitika on Monday next, at 10 a m. ; she will call at this port on her return, taking passengers and freight for Lyttelton, Dunedin, the Bluff, and Melbourne, Levin and Co. are her agents. The Lady Darling was to leave Lyttelton for this port at 3 p.m. to-day; The P. and O. s s. Madras broke her screw shaft on the Bth last month, within 118 miles off Cape Leuwin, causing loss of seven days. Mails and passengers were transhipped at the Sound, ex Wonga VVonga, which reached Melbourne on the 20th ult., bringing English News to 20th March, per Indian Telegraph. Tiie Federal steam frigate Iroquois sailed from Galle on the 25th of Feb. in search of the Shenandoah, The port for which she was bound in the first instance was not known. We understand that Dr. Featherston who Ims returned from Sydney and Melbourne by the Albion, has succeeded in arrunging with the Government of New South Wales, to bear half the cost of the Panama Contract entered into by the New Zealand Government. The Victorian Government have declined to contribute. LATEST TELEGRAM. Galle, March 25 ; London, March 20. A great fire in the East India Docks, and an immense amount of property has been dettroyed. The East India market is depressed. •Charleston and Wilmington are taken. There is a panic in Liverpool; cotton down to Is,; wool falling. General Beauregard is killed. Conferereuce of the Southern Commission with Lincoln and Seward to arrange the terms of peace. The North demanded the return of the South to the Union. The South was equally warm in demanding the recognition of the South. During the discussion reference was made to the probability of war between’England and America, and of combination of the North and South. War with America is looked for ultimately. '"Whe i the Conference ended, the Southerners denounced Lincoln’s arrogance, and held mass meetings, at which they resolved to prosecute the war with vigor, and, if necessary, to retire from the seaboard into the interior, and fight to the last. Kentucky refuses to ratify tie abolition of slavery. New and serious complications are expected from the altitude of the border States on this vital question. On the frontiers of Canada fortifications are being built at the joint expense of Home and Colonial Government. Duke do Morny and Cardinal Wiseman are dead. Dr. Clifford succeds Cardinal Wiseman. COMMERCIAL. New Zealand 6 per cents, 101 to IP6. Late private telegrams report failure# of a large Bank in Birmingfcun.

general summary. __ London, February 27. Tim Australian December mails reached Lon* don off the.lßth and 21st February. The Qneen ia.at Windsor, in good health and personally holding courts at Buckingham Palace to reeeire the foreign ambassadors and staff Parliament ihet on the 7th February.’ The principal topics of the Queen’s speech are the consolidation of *ll *)’<* U*'«r r»rv., . • wa4«,.-» iii o«ie grana building, the revision ot the statues, the improvement of thepafent laws, the equitable jurisdiction ot tue couiity-courtaj improvenieiit'ot' ! he'Sjf tear of poor relief, and form in great schools. Parliament was expected to dissolve in July. - - Mr. Cardwell notifies that transporlatioU~to Australia will cease entirely in three years. Ho severely censures Western Australia for her angry reproaches, and her claims for compensation, which are disallowed. . Provision is made for retiring pensions to exgovemors of colonies. The total revenue of Great Britain for the last year was £70,135,000 j the expenditure is £67,163,000. The balance in the -Exchequer is £6,510,000. 4 The new treaty of commerce with Austria is being negotiated. The Suez Canal Company hare opened communication between the Red Sea and the Mediterranean, with daily service boats. Lord Enfield is appointed Secretary to the Poorlaw Board. The distress in manufacturing districts is abated. Trade in Ireland is rapidly improving. The strike in the building" trade is ended. The Surrey Theatre has been totally destroyed by fire. • v , T i] e Bothers Davenport’s performances hare totally failed. Townley, the murderer of Miss Goodwin, has committed suicide. Four shocks of earthquake have been felt in Lancahsbire. The ship Assayo, from Eotnbav, has been wrecked on the Irish Coast, with a loss of £300,000. A gunpowder explosion on board the P. and O. Co.’s steamer Rangoon, has caused a loss of lives aud damage. OBITUARY. Duke of Northumberland, Viscount Combermore, Dr. Hugh Falconer, Sir J. Briggs, General JVicholls, St. John Hare, General Cobh, Admiral Martin, Professor Ramsay, Dr. Balfour, the Dowager Countess of Dundonal, Lord Willoughby D’Eresby, and Air, Gregson, M.P. A M E R I C A. , . New York, 17fh Feb. Jhe South is making vigorous preparation to prosecute the war. The army of the Potomac has made a slight advance. Sherman is reported to have captured Branehville. Mobile, it is rumoured, bos surrender eel. The Confederate Senate almost unanimously rejected the bill to arm 200,000 slaves. General Lee is appointed Commander in-Chief. Lined a bus signed a joint resolution giving notice terminating the treaty of 1817, regulating het naval force on the lakes * ° The Federal Congress passed a consfitutional amendment abolishing slavery by 115 against 56 votes. ' ° Washington despatches state that the Federal Consul in London officially notified to the English Government that tin* iron-dad ram built at Bordeaux and purchased by Denmark, had been sokL by that power to the Confederates. The Danish ambassador at Washington denies the truth of the statement. Fessenden has addressed a letter to the Finance Committee, intimajing 4 that 1 lie public debt is 2,14-3,735,44-4- dollars, and asking Congress to authorise a now loan of 600 millions. ° Senator Morgan has been nominated by Lincoln to succeed Fessender iu the Treasury, but Las declined to act. Richmond papers of the 14th report that the Confederates evacuated Branchville retiring upon Columbia. ° 1 The Federa’a occupy Orangeburg. Three attacks in force were made by General Terry on the Confederate lines at Sugarloaf, Forth Cape, Fear River, on the 11th, Porter’s whole fleet co-opera-ting. They were repulsed, and a new attack on Wilmington was commenced On the 13th Jan., the Federal fleet opened a heavy bombardment, which lasted for fifty-four hours. An assault- was made on the loth under command of Gen Terry. The fighting was desperate for seven hours, when the Confederates, 2,50 u strong, retreated, and were followed and captured at the cxtreme’point of the peninsula. The casualties on each side were very great.

The Confederates captured and burnt two Federal supply ships on the Arkansas river. The Confederate General Winder is dead. Peace resolutions have again been introduced, requesting Lincoln to restore the Uhion upon the basis of the constitution and laws, with a guarantee to the South of protection of its rights. The resolution was defeated by seventy-three to fortythree votes. ■ 3 Tho South have passed an act making the paper duty 15 per cent. ° r r Duncan Banner, Chairman of the Committee of Ways and Mean' of tho Confederate Congress, has left for Europe. The subscription to the 7‘30 loan last week amounted to 10,000,090 dollars. The Missouri Convention has endorsed Lincoln’s action at the Peace Conference. Bounties for volunteers have been raised in New York. Captain Beal has been convicted of piracy on Lake Eri, and sentenced to be hung. A frightful accident has occurred at Philadelphia. 2000 barrels of petroleum oil took fire. Five squares of houses were on fire at one time. Men, women, and children were literally roasted alive in the streets by the oil pouring through in • lake of fire.

' The Richmond Examiner says if the North toflognisss Southefu independence w»rh sn and defensive treaty, a customs’ union, free trade, and-the navigation of the Mississippi, it wbukl give the people the advantages of the old Union without its evils. The poliuj of botll nations, to be tho. Monroe policy. ‘ r Gold 203| per cent. , i , TbnCatmdian Govern ps out have given up Lieutenant Burley {? Baily), the Confederate partisan who seized the steamer on Lake Brie, for trial in the Federal States. T- f , - The Alien Bill was almost unanimously passed. The bill provides that on complaints by the President, the Governor-General may order alliens to quit the provinces after giving them notice through the official gazette of their intended expulsion. The conductof the Southern refugees in Canada is denounced by the Canadian Parliament. A commission has been appointed to inquire about the release of the St, Alban’s raiders, and the conduct of Judge Coursal. who is suspended. CONTINENTAL. FBANCE. The Emperor opened the French Chambers in a speech of a pacific character. He spoke with a complacency of foreign affaire, and of the state of prosperity in France. From the contents of the speech favorable conclusions may be drawn, but its omissions awaken apprehension—no allusion being made to retrenchment, the laws against the freedom of the press, and the rights of public meetings, or to America. It is reported that the Government have sent a despatch to Pome, intimating to the Pope that he must shift for himself, as he refuses to come to terms with Italy. France confines herself henceforth to carrying out the convention. The Bishops and Archbishops sent protests 10 the Minister of Public Worship against the prohibition to publish certain portions of the lute Lillis reported from New York that the Emperor Maximilian has made over to France a large portion of the Northern provinces of Mexico. This statement is contradicted by the Moniteuf. The statement is generally believed, notwithstanding this reply. ITALY. There were popular demonstrations against the Government at Turin. A crowd assembled in front of the Royal Palace, whore a Court ball was being held. The national guard were called out, and several arrests made. The King left Turin on February 3rd, for Florence, where he was received with the utmost enthusiasm. Great excitement was occasioned ■in Turin by hie sudden departure. Subsequently on influential address was sent to Florence, signed by - some thousands of merchants and others disclaiming any connection with the late riots. Victor Emmanuel then returned to Turin, and was then recived enthusiastically. THE DUCHIES. Negotiations have taken place between Franc" and England, on the subject of the Duchies of the Elbe, the two powers opposing the annexation Prussia medidates. Intervention is withheld until Berlin distinctly make known its desires. PRUSSIA. The Chamber of Deputies systematically opposes the financial projects of the Ministry. A motion lias been tabled that the Chamber shall refuse any new loans until the Government recognise the rights of the Chamber in matters of supply. The Ministerial journals announced that if the budget were rejected, the Government would carry on the Administration without it. AUSTRIA. A proposition to reduce the army, especially in Italy, has been submitted to the Emperor for approval. The Minister of State proclaims that no Government represtative will attend meetings of Financial Committee until the understanding with the Government with regard to the vote on the budget is arranged. The Financial Committee, in reply, have issued a declaration sustaining the rights of their representative to free di cussion. . In the budget, the Government conceded the extradition of General Langiewicz to Switzerland. RUSSIA. An address of the Moscow nobles to the Emperor in favor of increased reforms caused great excitement. The Emperor declares that no subject has a right to anticipate his resolutions, and warns the nobles that such violations of law as sending him addresses only retard his plans. MEXICO. The revolutionary feeling is increasing daily. The general state of the country is very discouraging. The guerillas swarm in great numbers, and are committing fearful devastation in most parts along the Pacfic. Acapulco, Manzinilla, &c., are in their hands, the Government only holding Vera Cruz and three more ports on the Atlantic. The first detachment of Austrian troops had arrived at Vera Cruz. GREECE. Brigandage is greatly on the increase. Count Sponnek has lem dismissed without the King’s knowledge by Prince John of Glucksberg, the uncle of the king. Prince John was ordered to leave in a few days. Telegraphic communication had been opened between Diarbekin and Sardis*SPAIN AND PERU. The Queen resigns four millions and a half sterling of Royal property to extricate her country from its financial embarrassments. ’The difficulty between Spain and. Peru is settled. Peru pays Spain 400,000,000 of reals as an indemnity.

The Peruvian loan of £10,003,000 has been brought out in Loudon^ “TURKEY. Turkey h a adopted a compulsory syatem of education f youth, and attempts subordinating the religious element in the structure of. Governmust to the civil and military exigencies of theday. JAPAN. - No polities! change has occurred with relation to this country, -"’Two regiments andTaen-of-war flow'oh the station will remain* i CHINA. The Tieping rebellion is yet uncrushed. Anxiety is felt for the' future. The Mohamedan rebels are pursuing'tlie same course as the Taepings, and committing frightful atrocities. The Central Bank of Hongkong has been robbed of a lac of dollars and a number of gold bars, by’ means of a mine driven under the ground to. a considerable distance. Several mercantile houses in London have been weakened thereby. Thirty Chinamen have been arrested on suspicion. 5755 dollars, and two gold bars bearing the bank’s mark, were found in their'possession. One of them confessed his guilt, giving the names of eight accomplices. Freights dull for Europe. Tonnage for Coolies for the gold ports in demand. Numerous failures had occurred in Shanghai, owing to severe losses during the past year in tea and silks. Exchange.—Bank drafts at six months, 4s 6Jd j on India paper at three month, 215 rupees for 100 dollars. INDIA The Russians are rapidly advancing in Central Asia. It is believed they wish to become masters of Hindostan. The Duke de Brabant left Calcutta on the 22nd of February for China. A telegram has since been received of the dangerous illness of his father the King of the Belgians, and urging his immemediate return. Every effort Js ,being made to convey the nows to him. H.M.S. FeroOze will sail to Galle to wait his arrival. Exchange.—Bombay—Rates are below last quotations. London Banks, 2s 11-I6d credit 2s |d. Exchange for Calcutta—The rate is moderate owing to the littla export business doing. Credit —Loudon, at six months, 2s 15-16 d to 2s fd. CEYLON, The bank’s purchase rate on England at six tnonlhs is per cent; at three mouths, 4 per ojiit; at thirty days, 3 per cent. OPENING OF IMPERIAL PARLIAMENT. THE QUEEN’S SPEECH. Her Majesty opened Parliament by Commission on the 7th February last and the speech from the Throne was read by the Lord Chancellor, as follows: Mr Lords and Genxi.emf.jv: We are commanded to assure you that her Majesty has great satisfaction in recurring again to the advice and assistance of her Parliament. The negotiations in which the Emperor of Austria and the King of Prussia were engaged with the King of Denmark, were brought to u conclusion by a treaty of peace ; and the communications which her Majesty receives from foreign Powers, lead her to entertain a well-founded hope that no renewed disturbance of the peace of Europe is to be apprehended. The civil war in North America still unhappily continues. Her Majesty remains stedfastly neutral between the contending parties, and would rejoice at n friendly reconciliation between them. A J apanese Daimio in rebellion against his Sovereign infringed the rightsaceordedby treaty toGreat Britain and to certain other Powers ; and the Japanese Government having failed to compel him to desist from his lawless proceedings, the diplomatic agents and naval commanders of Great Britain, France, the Netherlands, and the United Stales of North America, undertook a combined operation for the purpose of asserting the rights which those Governments obtained by treaty. That operation has been attended with complete success ; and the result has afforded sscurity for foreign commerce and additional strength to the Government of Japan, with which the relations of Her Majesty are friendly. Papers on this subject will be laid before you.

Her Majesty regrets that the conflict, with some of the native tribes in New Zealand has not yet been brought to a close, but the successful efibrts of her Majesty’s regular forces, supported by those raised in the colony, have led to f lie submission of some of the insurgents; and those who are stil 1 in arms h ive been informed of the equitable conditions on which their submission would be accepted. Her Majesty has had great satisfaction in giving her sanction to the meeting of a Conference of Delegates from the several North American Provinces, who, on ivitation from her Majesty’s Governor-General, assembled at Quebec. Those delegates adopted resolutions, having for their object a closer union of those provinces under a General Government. If those resolutions shall be approved by the Provincial Legislatures, a bill will be laid before you for carrying this important measure into effect.

Her Majesty rejoices at the general tranquilly of her Indian dominion, out her Majesty regrets that long-continued outrages on the person and property of subjects of her Majesty, and for which no redress could be had, have rendered it necessary to employ a force to obtain satisfaction for the past and security for the future. Her Majesty deeply laments the calamity which has recent ly occasioned great loss of life and property nt Calcutta and at other places in India. Prompt assistance was rendered by the officers of the Government, and generous contributions have been made in various parts of India to relieve the sufferings which have thus been occasioned.

Gentlemen of the House of Commons. Her Majesty, has directed the Estimates for the , ensuing year to be kid before you. They have beau prepared with every attention jQ.economy, and due regard to the effiei(mcy t of the public service. ,Hf Lords and Gentlemen. Her Majesty commands us to inform you that the general condition of the country is satisfactory, and that the revenue realises its amount. The distress which prevailed in some of the manufacturing districts has greatly abated ; and the Actpassed for the encouragement of public works in those districts has been attended with useful results. Ireland during the past year has had its share in the advantage of a good harvest, and trade and manufactures are gradually extending in that part of the kingdom. Various measures of usefulness will be submitted for your consideration. Bills will be laid before you for the concentration of all the Courts of l.aw and Equity with their attendant offices, in a convenient site ; a measure which her Majesty trusts will promote economy mid despatch in the administration ofjustice. The important work for the revision of the Statute Law, already carried ton considerable extent by recent acts of Parliament, will be completed by o bill that will be laid before you. Her Majesty hopes that this work may be a step towards the formation of a digest of (he law. Bills will also be submitted for your consideration for the amendment of the laws relating to patents for inventions, and conferring on the county courts an equitable jurisdiction in causes of small amount. Your assistance will also be invited to give effect to certain recommendations made to the House of Commons, after inquiry directed by that House into the operation of the laws regulating the relief of the poor. A bill will be laid before you founded on the report of the commission for inquiry into public schools; and her Majesty has directed that a commission shall be issued to inquire into endowed and other schools in England, which have not been included in the recent inquiries relating to popular education.

Her Majesty commits with confidence the great interests of the country to jour wisdom and caro ; and she fervently prays that the blessing of Almighty God may attend your councils and may guide your deliberations to the attainment of the object of her constant solicitude—the welfare and happiness of her people.