English and Foreign.

Lyttelton Times, Volume XI, Issue 686, 4 June 1859, Page 3

English and Foreign.

CHINA

The ' Sydney Morning Herald' acknowledges news from Hongkong to the lOfcli of March. From a file of the <' Friend of China' the following extracts are taken ;—

We learn that Lord' Elgin has taken his final leave of us. He left yesterday -(March- 4thV for Canton, accompanied by the Sites Committee forth c purpose of determining- the possession of the future factories* His Lordship's stay at Canton will, however, be of the shortest, as it is said- that he leaves in two days for Singapore in the Furious to meet his brother. It is therefore probable that the English and American Plenipotentiaries will arrive about the same tifnei The U.S.S. Powhattan which had been destined for Japan, goes to Singapore to fetch Mr. Ward, while the Germantqwn takes her place, for the Japan voyage: In all our experience of China springs we never knew one so hot at such an early period before. The maximum range of the thermometer since we first registered one here in 1842 lias never been beyond 70 degrees in February; yet for the past week that has been the average minimum, while down in the: town we hear that it has been fluctuating between 70 and 80 degrees even all night long.. What can be the cause of this? Is there another comet in our vicinity P As : might be expected, citizens of weakened frame are suffering severely, and, amongst others, our contemporary of the Daily Press labours under another attack of ophthalmia. So bad is he, that he is quite unable to read a letter sent to him from this office on Monday, containing, as an aid to his adjustment of the truth average in the matter referred to in our paper of Satuarday last, a full and particular account of circumstances which cannot fail in leading him to a right conclusion. Joking apart.—lf our contemporary is content to let the matter rest at its present point, and say no more about it, we think that, without much risk to our personal character, we can afford to lie under the impugnment of which we complained. Most seriously, we hope that the eye adjustment to the old average may be speedy, for the morning's meal is wanting in its usual gusto whilst the harp of our contemporary hangs mournfully on the walls. It is understood that orders for Mr. Chiaholm Anstey's re-instatement as Attorney-General were received by the last mail; so that we may look for that gentleman's return in a short time; if, indeed, he will return without the home government accede to his avowed determination to punish the reckless miscreants who did all they could to ruin him. Foremost in the list of removals from office we expect will be Mr. D. R. Caldwell, the RegistrarGeneral.

Eespecting the occupation of Cochin China, the ' Hongkong Register states:—-" Something decided seems at last to have happened in Cochin China. The French, who lip to.the present time have been mainly occupied in establishing themselves and securing their position at Touran itself, sent off almost the whole of their forces to Segon. The garrison left in the forts at Touran consisted only of about 200 men. The Cochin Chinese seem to have become acquainted with this fact and to have constructed masked batteries commanding the French position. It became necessary therefore that they should be dislodged. A small party of the French and Spanish troops seem to have turned the enemy's position and attacked and carried the batteries in the rear. The Cochin Chinese left about 340 dead on the field, most of them dispatched with the bayonet, while the casualties on the side of the allied troops is reported at thirteen French soldiers wounded and three or four Spaniards. The return of H. E. Admiral Rigault de Genouilly may be shortly looked for to Touran, upon wMch it is expected that an expedition against Hue will immediately be made. •