ARRIVAL OF THE ENGLISH MAIL AT HOKITIKA.

New Zealand Mail, Issue 18, 27 May 1871, Page 3

ARRIVAL OF THE ENGLISH MAIL AT HOKITIKA.

Hokitika, Saturday, 1 20 p.m. The Rangitoto left Hobson’s Bay at 2.30 p.m. on the 13th, and arrived at Hokitika at 8 p.m. on the 18th. The heavy sea prevented her being tendered till this morning. London, March 24. • ' Discount three per' cent. Consols, 92 to 92|. The next series of wool sales commence on the 13th April. Total number of bales arrived to date, 127,430, including 4891 from New Zealand. Business is brisk between Engl and and Germany. Prices show no tendency to improve in consequence of French political difficulties. In Parliament hard fighting is expected in committee on the new army scheme. It is doubtful if the Ministry will be victorious, A fierce debate is expected on the Black Sea conference. The conference is over, Russia having gained all she wanted. If England is declared humiliated as the result of the debate, it is expected that Mr Gladstone will retire from office. After the departure of the Germans gome National Guards from Belleville and the lowest quarters of Paris, dragged cannons belonging to their corps up to Montmartre, refusing to surrender them to the authorities. The Thiers Government delayed taking severe measures to secure guns, and the revolt became a great fact. Attempts are being made to put it down. The Nationals and Regulars who deserted fraternised with the insurgents. Generals Le Compte and Thomas were captured by the insurgents, and after little or no trial, murdered, one with his last breath denouncing his murderers as cowards. The insurgents have seized the Hotel de Ville, and erected barricades in all directions. The Thiers Government and Assembly are sitting at Versailles, being afraid to enter Paris. A mob of Nationals demanded the establishment. The Commune had ordered the Communal elections for Sunday, but a proclamation yesterday postponed these until energetic measures had been taken for crushing resistance. All the respectable Paris journals are against the Nationals. Numbers of the better classes made unarmed demonstrations against them, and were fired upon ; thirty persons were killed and wounded. The Germans in the forts round the city have announced that if events in Paris tend to hostilities the German armies will treat Paris as an enemy; also, if the enciente be armed, forts will open fire on Paris. The Hon. Julius Vogel, PostmasterGeneral of New Zealand, arrived on the 18th, after concluding arrangements for the establishment of steamers between San Francisco and New Zealand. Shipments low to all the colonies. The wheat trade is firm, with an up* ward tendency owing to the steady demand for France and Belgium. Good Adelaide is quoted at 59s to 60s ; fine samples, 60s to 61s 6d per quarter. The New Zealand flax trade is dull, and in favor of the buyers; 4000 bales sold at £25 15s to £36; good medium flax, £22 to £26. Arrived from New Zealand —Aboukir and Aleyne. New Zealand five per cents, 99J ; sixes, 108. ;> / LATE TELEGRAMS. ‘ * London, April 11. The Central Insurgent Paris Committee has ordered the hostile journals to be stopped. The revolution is spreading to the Provincial towns. The insurgents have taken possession of the Palace Louvre. A revolutionary proclamation has been issued justifying the insurrection.

Four redoubts were captured at Chantillon, and two thousand prisoners were taken.

The insurgents have elected Menotti Garibaldi their commander.

Blankqui, Flourens, and Felix Pyat have been elected members of the Commune.

The elections passed off quietly. The republicans had a majority. The Versailles Assembly refused to pass an urgent motion for annulling the Communal elections.

Thiers denied any intention to upset the Republic. The Bank of France has advanced 500,000 francs to the insurgents.

The Central Committee have condemned Fonveille to death.

The Versailles Government have prohibited the entry of horses and provisions into Paris.

Continued fighting has occurred since the Ist of April. M'Mahon has been appointed com-mander-in-chief of the army of Versailles.

Several sharp engagements took place on the 2nd near Courberoi, between the insurgents and troops, the latter consisting of eight divisions of infantry and three of cavalry. The former were shelled out of the village from Fort Valerien.

All insurgent prisoners are shot as rebels.

One hundred thousand insurgents, with three hundred guns, under Durgerett and Flourens, marched to Versailles on the 3rd. Severe engagements ensued.

Fort Valerien opened a cannonade, cutting off the insurgents, who afterwards effected a disorderly retreat towards Chantillon. Flourens and General Duval were killed. Heavy fighting and cannonading is still continued in front of Vanvres. The Fourth and Fifth insurgents are being everywhere repulsed. There was fighting round Valerein on the Bth. The Versailles army is bombarding Forts Maillot and Neuilly. The troops are gaining ground near Bicetre and Montrouge. The insurgents’ batteries on lamparts are silenced. Levies at Paris are extended to married men. A Communal decree is issued ordering the arrest of all persons accused of complicity in the Versailles Government. Those found guilty will be kept as hostages, and for every execution at Versailles three hostages will be executed. The German batteries arrived again before Paris, their troops being concentrated. Dilke attacked Gladstone for agreeing to Black Sea Conference. The proposition to censure the Government was withdrawn. Telegraphic communication between London, Hong Kong, and Shanghai is established via Galle. London, April 17. Serious disturbances occurred at Odessa, where Christians attacked the Jews. Thousands of the former are arrested. The German battery established at Saint Denis is pointing towards Paris. There has been obstinate fighting between the Versailles army and insurgents ; it still continues, and both sides claim a victory.

LATEST SPECIAL TELEGRAMS. April 14tli. Colonial wool animated ; washed, unchanged ; greasy has advanced |-d.

London, April 16. Copper, £74, and advancing ; wheat, 2s higher since last mail. Arrivals —Punjaub, George Thompson, Wave of Life, Wm. Duthie, John Duthie, and Jason. April 18 th.

A decree has been issued by the Versailles Government fixing the municipal elections for the 30th April. It has been asserted that after a brilliant encounter on the 17th the Versailles troops occupied the Chateau de Con, overlooking Asuives. General Clusiret has announced a severe battle fought near Neuilly on the night of the 16th, when the Pontificial Zouaves surrendered, and the flag of the Commune was hoisted on the hostile church. Dumbrouski, on

the other hand declares he occupied the whole of the new quarter of Neuilly, carried three barricades, and made many prisoners. The bridge at Neuilly is still warmly contested.

A rumor is current in England that Italy and America are trying to bring about a truce. -f. Menotti Garibaldi has been elected a member of the Commune. The elections generally were a failure, owing to so being ablle to vote. ADDITIONAL TELEGRAMS. London, March 24. The Australian February mail, via Brindisi, was delivered on the 18th. The Tichborne baronetcy proceedings were postponed till June 12. Disraeli is confident that he is able to produce the terms of the secret treaty between Russia and Prussia. The Glatton, a coast ■ defence turret ship, carrying two six hundred pounders, was successfully launched at Chatham. A grand review of the whole navy is to take place in the summer. Prince Meisena, and eleven Japanese nobles, are visiting England on amission of observation. Emperor Napoleon arrived at Dover on the 20th ; and was met by the Empress and his friends. He was cheered on landing. The Prince Imperial’s birthday was celebrated on the loth at C-hizlehurst. Edward Wilson is endeavoring to promote a Colonial reunion. N. Chevalier is preparing pictures of the scenes of the Duke of Edinburgh’s tour. Anthony Trollope visits Australia shortly. The Marquis of Normandy presided at a meeting of the Colonial Institute on the 20th, and read a paper on Australian food exportation. The London School Board decided to allow scriptural instruction, but refused to sanction the use of the Douay version. The Duke of Devonshire’s seat at Holder Hall was very nearly destroyed by fire. More agrarian murders are reported in Ireland. Extensive strikes have taken place amongst the colliers. The Mansion House relief fund now amounts to £123,000. The distress is still great. The Budget is expected to show a deficit of three millions. The Marquis of Salisbury made an important speech on England’s Continental policy, and argued that she should either withdraw altogether from Continental interference or augment her military power and regain her prestige. Correspondence has been published showing that Granville interposed to reduce German demands for the war indemnity. Myall’s disestablishment motion comes on after Easter. The Lectionary Bill has passed the House of Lords. The Anathema Creed is retained, notwithstanding strong condemnation. The Ecclesiastical Titles Bill is referred to a select ©ommittee. The Trades Union Bill was read a second time, despite unionist protests against the penal clauses. FRANCE. General Vinoy marched loyal troops out of the city. The members of the Government escaped to Versailles. The insurgents have occupied the whole city and erected barricades armed with mitrailleurs. The hostile newspapers have been all suppressed. The “ Journal Officiel” has adopted an extreme republican tone. The insurgents occupied the Bank of France, and compelled the payment of a million francs on treasury bills, and requisitioned Rothschilds for five millions. General Chanzy was captured, but was afterwards released.

The insurgent ringleaders are obscure men or criminals.

The Paris deputies disavow the revolutionary movement, Admiral Taisset has been appointed Commandant of the National Guards.

The Central Committee deny complicity in the murder of the Generals. The Committee offered an amnesty to the insurgents on the following terms: —The election of the Commune

of Paris by the people ; the reorganisation of the National Guards on a popular basis; the suppression of the Parisian army; the abolition of Prefecture of Police, the Commune discharging its duties. These terms were refused. Assy, the promoter of the great strike at Creuzoto, presided at the tribunal which condemned the Generals.

Thiers desires to subdue Paris, but is afraid to trust the troops. Canrobert and other loyal officers have offered their swords to re-establish order.

The first sitting of the National Assembly was held at Versailles on the 20th. The assassination of the Generals was severely reprobated. General Le Compte’s six children have been adopted by the 6tate.

General Thomas’ death was declared a cause of public, mourning at the second sitting. * Jules Favre said he repented retaining the armies of the National Guards after the capitulation to the Prussians. Thiers expressed his confidence that the passive attitude of the Assembly would pacify Paris, but the English papers condemn that view. GERMANY. Great preparations are proceeding for public rejoicings for victory and peace. An enthusiastic reception was given to the Emperor Imperial, Princes, Von Moltke, and Bismarck on their return. SWITZERLAND. There have been serious disturbances between the French and German residents at Zurich on account of the coming peace celebration. The Federal troops restored order. AUSTRIA. The Government are prohibiting peace celebrations, alleging the interests of neutrality, and denys that Russia prevented Austria from helping France. ITALY. The revenue of Italy shows a heavy deficit. The commercial treaty with America has been finally arranged. The Pope repudiates the Papal guarantee Bull. Clerical agitation continues at Rome. Attacks were made on English visitors, but the troops gave them protection. The Pope threatens to excommunicate Professor Dollinger unless he accepts the dogma of infallibility. SPAIN. The election for the Cortes resulted in favor of the Ministerialists. The Duke De Montpensier refused the oath. The King is a prisoner at Gravoli. GREECE. Granville has decided on a renewed investigation respecting the Marathon murders. TURKEY. It is reported that Turkey is about to constitute Sinope and Batoum firstclass fortresses. AMERICA. Sumner has been dismissed from the Chairmanship of the Foreign Committee. Cameron succeeds him. Sumner insisted on obtaining Canada to satisfy the Alabama claims. Congress met on the 4th March. In the House of Representatives, which contains 131 representatives, there are 96 democrats. Gallf, April 9. Several new companies are entering into the Suez Canal trade, and special steamers are building for the purpose. Seward arrived at Bombay after his grand tour through India. He was everywhere well received. Cholera rages in Persia. The New Zealand loan of £1,200,000 was negotiated at an average of £9B 15s 6d. Arrived—Halcione, from Wellington. Sailed—From Glasgow, March 21st, the Wild Deer, for Otago.