ENGLISH & FOREIGN.

Hawke's Bay Times, Volume 17, Issue 926, 25 January 1871, Page 2

ENGLISH & FOREIGN.

SPECIAL FOR NEW ZEALAND. London, Ist Dec. Further hideous discoveries have been made relative to baby-farming. Recruiting has not been successful; only two-thirds of the required 20,000 have been enlisted. The standard of height has been lowered. The total exports to all the colonies for the month have been £902,000. To New Zealand, they show an increase of £64,000 over last month. The wool sales closed finally on the 29th November, prices averaging one penny in advance on opening rates. Fifty thousand bales have been left over for next sales. Helmuth Schwartz says that the tone throughout the sales was un exception ally brisk. New Zealand fives, 1891, 98 ; half ditto sixes, March-September, 107. The following dividends have been declared :—Trust and Agency, Australasia, 10 • Gtago and Southland Investment 10. Mercantile failures have been numerous. Edmund Thompson pays only eighteen pence. The grain and corn trade is recovering from recent disturbances. Tallow fluctuated to the extent of 2s. 6d. Hides are inactive, with a farthing decline. Australian leather brisk ; 20,000 aides have

been sold at a farthing" advance. Petroleum steady, from Is. to Is. Sperm oil, 7ss.; South Sea whale oil, £36. The sales of New Zealand wool have been closed. Scoured, 13d to 16-^d; greasy, to Bd, greasy lambs, 7d. There is a good demand for New Zealand flax. Three thousand bales have been offered, and eleven hundred sold freely at previous rates. The remainder have been bought iu foe higher prices. Low and common, partly cleaned, £l3 to £ls 10s ; and superior, £32 10s to £35. 449 bales of New Zealand tow have gone lower, but there is no quotation. The Warrior Queen has sailed for Otago, with a collection for the Otago Acclimatisation Society. The Californian mails are to be despatched five days later in future. Lieut.-Colonel Morant, who held a command in New Zealand, has been appointed aide-de-camp to the Queen. Capt. Powell and Lieut. Walker, late stationed at Wanganui, arc dead. Capt. Jesser Cooper writes to the Standard, suggesting the possibility of raising a regiment of 1200 men in New Zealand, under the same conditions as the Koyal Canadians. Arrived—William Lindsay from Otago. Sailed—Charlotte Gladstone for Canterbury; Harvest Home and Warrior Queen for Otago. LATE TELEGRAMS. London, December 19. Gortchakoff, in replying to Granville's last note, regrets that England takes exception to the Russian circular, and is prepared to assist in any deliberations based on a united guarantee fur the consolidation of peace. On the 6th, Granville, in replying to Gortschakull, acknowledges the friendly tone of his note ; accepts the suggestion of a conference; but will maintain a firm adherence to the position assumed. A legal peaceful conclusion to the affair is contemplated. On the 9th, the proposed conference on the Black Sea question was unconditionally accepted by the French Government. The British Government have given a definite undertaking that the conference shall proceed to Russia, but decline a proposition made by France, to enlarge the scope of the discussion. It is feared that this will lead to further complications. 11th.—The interview between Ali Pasha ami Ignatius is reported as unsatisfactory. The conference is fixed for the first week in January. It is stated that the neutral powers are disposed again to ask for an armistice to facilitate the participation of the French Government in the conference. 13th. —There was a great battle yesterday to the east of Paris. The Germans attacked and recaptured the position the French had held since their sortie. Heavy losses are reported on both sides. The Duke of Mecklenburg defeated the 15th and 16th army corps near Soiguey and Artenay. He captured 11 cannon and several hundred men towards Fontainbleau. He was successful in his object, which was to effect a junction with the army of the Loire. German accounts admit a temporary success, but declare that no substantial advantage was gained. The German line investing Paris is still unbroken. Garibaldi repulsed the Germans at Autau. The French loss is very considerable in sorties from Paris. They are compelled to ask for an armistice to bury their dead. A fresh sortie from Paris is reported on the 2nd, when a severe engagement took place under a terrific fire from the forts Rosiny and Nogent. The French retired after several hours lighting, and great losses on both sides. On the 7th the French evacuated Orleans after a decisive victory by Prince Frederick Charles and the Duke of Mecklenburg. 1000 prisoners but no guns were taken. Gambetta narrowly escaped. The French retreated across the Loire. Rouen is occupied by Germans under Montenffel. The French army of the North has arrived at Lisle. General Ducrot has rallied back on Paris, after destroying the bridges across the Marne. 6th.—The French lost v in the three days' engagement last wcik, about 3000 prisoners and 70 guns. The German loss was very considerable. The German military position is deemed critical. General Mouteuffel has been ordered tu Pari;;,

9.—The German officer Bau was despatched to Paris to announce the taking of Orleans and the entire defeat of the Army of the Loire, with the loss of 77 guns and 10,000 prisoners. The Duke of Mecklenburg fought a victorious battle on the Bth, hear Beugency, which was afterwards occupied against three French army corps, capturing six guns and 1000 prisoners. The losses were considerable. It is reported that the French lost fifteGn thousand prisoners before Orleans. The Germans have occupied Vierson. Great defensive preparations have been made at Havre. On the 11th the Germans held a council of war, at which they decided on the bombardment of Paris. The Germans are threatening Cherbourg. Havre has been occupied by the Germans. It is reported that Garibaldi has resigned his command. The Germans have evacuated Dieppe. The French have been repulsed near Blois, after three days' hard fighting between the army of the Duke of Mecklenburgh and General Chancey, who was heavily reinforced from Tours. On the 15th General Chancey retreated on Tours and Blois, being unable to maintain his position on the right bank of the Loire. Blois has been occupied by the enemy. Phalsburg has surrendered unconditionally. Sixty-five guns and 1,900 prisoners were captured. The Prussians are concentrating considerable forces near Havre. Beaumont has been occupied by the Germans after a short light, in which fifteen' guns and 3,000 prisoners were captured. An energetic defence was maintained. 17th. i—The French have evacuated Vendome. The forts around Paris are quiet. Havre, Fecamp, and Dieppe arc blockaded by the French. General Chancey's army was attacked on the 15th by the Germans, who also attacked the French in a strong position near Langriep, driving them into their forts. The Duke of Mecklenburg attacked and occupied Freterar on the 14th. The town was afterwards re-taken by the French. 19th. — Balloon news from Paris states that there has been no (ijiiijing since the 2nd. The populace are still determined to resist. Complete tranquillity prevails. Twenty-four thousand Prussians occupied Tours on the night of the 18th, after a severe battle. The French seat of Government has been removed to Bordeaux. The King of Prussia has accepted the title of Emperor. Gambetta remains with the army, which lias abandoned forward movements, and is retreating. Montniedy has capitulated. The Prussian Government has issued a note declining any longer to recognize the neutrality of Luxemburg. This note was communicated simultaneously to Brussels, Luxemburg, Hague, and London on the 14th. A cabinet council was held in London on the loth, to discuss the Luxemburg question, which had assumed a prominent character. The ministers declined to discuss the accusation against the Duchy of Luxemburg in the absence of the accused. When its guilt or innocence is proved, an impartial judgment will be given. A Berlin telegram dated the 17th, states that a satisfactory explanation has been given by Luxembourg, which removes all danger of a conflict. President Grant's message to Congress recommends the Government of the United States to assume the leadership in the settlement of the Alabama claims. He says he desires a conclusion consistent with the honor and dignity of both nations. He expresses a wish for the restoration of peace in Europe. Referring to the fisheries question, he declares that the course adopted by Canada, if persisted in, will compel America to adopt measures for the protection of the rights of her citizens. 25th.—Bordeaux journals report an attempted insurrectionary movement within Paris, of which nothing is officially known. Hard lighting is shortly expected. The Paris forts commenced heavy firing on the night of the 20th. The following morniug an attack was made by the garrison with three divisions, which, however, was repulsed, chiefly by artillery. The French officially deny the rumoured disturbances in Paris,

Upwards of 6000. French wounded were left between Bois and Orleans, without medical assistance. The Germans are calling out their reserves and augmenting their artillery before Paris. A popular address from Luxemburg has been presented to the Grand Duke, begging him to save the country, and not allow the transfer without a free vote of the chamber. The Italian chamber have approved the ministerial project for the transfer of the capital next month. Prince Amadous has left Italy for Spain. The piercing of the Mont Cenis tunnel Las terminated. The latest battle took place between Kredscherles and Mount Cuff el, in the North. Both sides claim the victory. LATEST SPECIAL TELEGRAMS, to Greville and Co. London, December 24. Consols, 91 J. Wool is in fair enquiry, but without any quotable change. Tallow is active and advancing. Arrivals —Ernestine and Silvernge. Berlin, December 27, (>l4 p.m. The bombardment of Paris commenced to-day. Fort Avron was the first object of attack. London, December 27. The Saxons commenced the bombardment of F»>rt Avron this morning.