CHINA.

Lyttelton Times, Volume IV, Issue 180, 17 June 1854, Page 5

CHINA.

We have China news to the 25th of February. The only article of moment is one from the Friend of China, and is a general summary of news. The most important item of news by this opportunity is that brought to Shanghae by the war steamer Vostock—the Russian Ambassador's interview with the Japanese authorities ; the latter conceding to the Russians a promise to open Japan to trade with the rest of the world within a year. Large orders for Manchester and other goods, for the Japan market, go home we hear by this mail. The American squadron had not reached Japan the Russian steamer left. " We are still in uncertainty about, the fate of JPekin. That Tientsin is in the hands of the northern division of the patriot army may not "be doubted. Opium traders report an impossibility to do business with the party in, possession, which is sufficient satisfaction on the point for reasonable people. The opinion of a correspondent, not prone to take wild views on such subjects, will be found in another column. The only ylace in China " subject," as the Emperor Hienfung would say, uto the demoniacal influences of the rebels,'' of which we have any stirring intelligence, is Shanghae— where a fierce fight was going on when the last mail packet left. A clerk in the British consulate has vacated his residence in the foreigner's district of Shanghae (about two hundred yards from the Consular offices) to permit its occupation by the establishmeut of the Imperialist Superintendent of Maritime Customs ; and English, American, and French Consular authorities have joined in a note to the Taoutae, expressive of their willingness to enforce the payment of duties as heretofore—stipulation being made for payment also by vessels of all nations whether treaty holders or not. The P. and O. S. N. Co's steamship Lady Mary Wood was the first to pay customs on her cargo of silk for shipment by the outgoing mail steamer. Exchange has fallen again. Latest quota-? tions are as follows.: — In Shanghae j(llth instant), six months' sight bills were quoted ss. 6d. to ss. Bd. In Canton ,(23rd instant), 4s. 9d. On India, in Shanghae,'26s to 27Q rupees per 1,00 dollars ; 'in Canton 230. Freights in Shanghae—£B. for tea, £9 for silk, per ton to London : in Canton, £6 to £7. Opium, Patna, Shanghae, nominally 336 dollars ; Canton, 387 dollars; Malwa," Shanghae, nominal 395 dollars; Canton, 500 dollars. In our paper for the mail of the 27th ultimo, we stated that great fears were entertained for the party in possession of Shanghae, and speculated on the course it would be advisable to pursue should the imperialists succeed in causing the place to be evacuated. In our last overland summary we said that these fears were apparently subsiding, which subsequent informajtjon tends to confirm. ''