CHINESE INTELLIGENCE.

New Zealander, Volume 3, Issue 199, 26 April 1848, Page 2

CHINESE INTELLIGENCE.

TIIRRE is small doubt that we are on the eve of another skirmish with the Chinese, for we learn by the January papers from Hongkong, th.it the British Consul at Canton had officially intimated that he was expecting his recal, and that the safety of British subjects would thereby be doubtful. Preparations were being made by the Governor of Hongkong to act on the offensive, lo compel the Celestials to bend to the will of Great Britain. At Canton, the excitement among foreigners gene- [ rally, caused by the killing of the six British subjects, I and the alarm of the Chinese traders lest ictHliatory measures should be taken by the British authorities, had caused an almost complete paralysis of trade, so far as impoits were concerned, prior to the arrival of the overland mail. The advices then received of the disastrous condition of commercial matters in England, added to the previous state of things, had mtill further depressed prices, and it was very difficult to effect any but forced sales, and these on*ly at a reduction on the former low quotations. N o satisfactory evidence had been adduced how die catastrophe of the sth December originated. Every thing, says the China Mail, rests on rumours, brought or concocted by the Chinese. About twenty different versions are given of the affray, and all by " credible informants." (?) The revenue of the year last past, collected at Hongkong, had been published, when there appeared— Receipts, £31,078, and Expenditure, £50,959, being £19,881 more than the revenue. The Revenue of 1847, as compared with IS'iG, had increased £4,031 ; and the Expenditure of 1847, as compared with 1846, had decreased £9,391, thus exhibiting an improvement j of £13,4:23 and upwards. J The Chief Justice had been presented by the At- j torneys of Hongkong with a handsome gold snuff-box, bearing the following inscription :— " Indignitante invidia florebit Justus." At the Races, to have come off on the Ist February last, at Hongkong, the final race was for the " Sidney Stakes." New fortifications had been erected at Covrloon. The Pekin Gasette, in reference thereto, states that—

" The order and despatch with which tins was done must ceitainly have appeared surprising to any one who took the trouble to pay attention to the ant-like industry of the Chinese. The tot.il uselcssncss of the structure is apparent at the fuht glance. Keying however, has recommended all the individuals who contributed the nioncj lor these walls, to the impel ml favour, and honouis will be showered upon ilmse patriots, who of their substance thus assisted in reiulri . ing the imperial tenitory secure from invasion.'"