CAPE OF GOOD HOPE.

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 7, Issue 336, 26 March 1863, Page 4

CAPE OF GOOD HOPE.

There is news to 24th DeQember, Drought had at last broken up on the frontiers ; though it. continued to. be severely felt inland. The William from Singapore to London, had foundered olf Kei ; captain and 18 men lost. Expected deficiency of in tfie Revenue.

■ ' SYDNEY.;; The A ovelty Captain Jones arrived at Auckland on the 16th, bringing Sydney papers to the 4th instant.' A most destructive conflagration had taken place in the town of* F o rbes, by which nearly the whole of Ranken-street had been destroyed! The damage is estimated at £2 3,000. Great preparations are being made for the accommodation of the Volunteers who will ?go into camp during the coming Easter week.

The heavy floods which bad swollen the Hunter River at the breaking up of the dry season, have subsided, and the damage done has been tar less than was anticipated. An attempt has been made to rob the Western l-.scort with 2000 ounces of gold on the night of February the 24th betweenHartly and little Hartley. A lai ge log was laid across the load, and during the slight stoppage which took place in urging the horses over this impediment, seven or eight shots Avere fired' in rapid succession at the escort, one of the bullets grazing the sergeant’s cheek, and another shot, passing through the ociat o,f the driver. One of the horses was killed and another wonnded. Sergeant McClure and his tAvo companions then dismounted and stationing themselves under the shelter of two stumps of fallen trees, covered with their firearms the escort which they momentarily expected to see rushed by the .bushrangers. Strange tq say none made their appearance, and Avith the two remaining horses the escort was enabled to proceed to Hartley that uight, and reached Sydney on the second day. Mr. Wjeekes, the Minister of Finance is about to retire from that office, and Mr. Smart is mentioned'as his successor. Both the new apd Ex-Treasurer will proceed with the Premier to Melbourne, to be present at the inter-colonial tariff conference. Mr. Smart’s acceptance of office is said to have given the greatest satisfaction to the public. In Queensland the late floods had been very destructive, and in the Clarence River river so rapid had been the rising of the water that a party of draymen encamped half-way between TenerfieM and Grafton Avere overtaken by the flood, some of the men saved their lives by swimming, but four of them Avere drowned and the drays all lost. Later intelligence—up to the 9th—has been received in Otago. We take the following from the Times. Trial of escort robbers concluded. Maguire acquitted, others sentenced todeath. Gold found m Burnett district, Queens land Editor of Herald has commenced action against Dr. Lang for libel. Great flood at McLeay. At Belgrave nine persons have been drowned. Pottinger and body of police arrived at Lachlan to check bushranging. Golden City arrived at Brisbane with 400 emigrants. Jockey Club has issued programme for June o\ r er one thousand will be run for.

MELBOURNE. The Otago Times' Melbourne correspondent sends the following pews up to 10 h iust. In libel case, Hanify v. O’Earrel, defendant has been found guilty and fined d. 50. The leniency of the Judge has excited much surprise. The third count charging him with writing two anonymous letters was not proved. Burkitt, schoolmaster, sentenced to two years’ hard labour fcr pocket picking. Bridge over Saltwater river at Footscray opened by the Governor on February 20, with considerable -.eclat. Mcßean, squatter, has been sentenced to one year’s imprisonment, for perjury. Thompson, Chairman of Committees, has been awarded A. 2000, for injuries received in a railway collision. Jockey Club races well attended. Aruma won Produce Stakes ; Barwon, St Leger ; Flatcatchcr, Handicap ; Modesty, Steeplechase. Kinnqlly, Manager of Union Bank, Smythesdale, has embezzled A 5000. A company is being formed for the manufacture of tweeds. • larming floods have taken place in •'ipps Land. Eleven lives lost by last accounts Another attempt to introauoe salmon ova has failed. The Russian corvette, Bogatyr, 18 guns ( • ear Admiral Popoff, arrived on the 2nd, on her way to Europe. Volunteer field-day fixed for the 17th. Intercolonial Tariff Conference is to be held this month. Several Maories ha e settled at Queenscliff as fishermen.

Libel case of Macadam v Argus (charge of being drunk) amicably settled —Argus apologised paid costs. ADEL \ IDE. Parliamont was opened on 27th Febraary. The Governor in his speech, hinted at an increase in the Customs duties, but nothing would he done respecting the increase until after the intercolonial conference. Stuart’s explorations were honourably mentioned. A strong feeling of opposition to transportation will be conveyed to the Duke of Newcastle. Mr. Hawker elected Speaker. Government intend reducing the Volunteer force by one half MAURITIUS. The Governor died on the 9th of January fyom dysentery. Major General 'ohnstone, commanding the troops, is now Acting Governor. Of the present orop of sugar 8 ,000 i tons have been shipped, and 55,00 ) tons remain, of which 040 flalf is syr4p sugar. Crystals arc aciirce.

1 ' AMERICA. / Thirteen Days Later News. The Otago Daily Times; of the 18th Inst., has the/following summary of news sent by its Melbourne correspondent. It came via Califonla and Sydney. New York 30th December. At Charleston nineteen slaves were hanged in the street, for collecting and secreting in coffins .a quantity of . arms. Brown, Governor of Georgia,, remonstrated strongly against the Ayithdrawal of the soldiers from the State, at a time Avhen a slave: insurrection was anticipated. The report that General M’Clellan had reassumed the command of the Northern army lias not been confirmed. Knoxville, in Tennessee, has been captured by the Federals. There has been some fighting done in Arkansas, but without any decisive results ; victories having, been- obtained by both sides. A large fleet of gun-boats is on the Mississippi, preparing to attack the Confederate position; The Alabama haS not yet b e en taken. Ten ships are out searching fo r her. There are no rebel troops in Arkansas within 100 miles of Memphis. J efferson Davis and /General Jolmston are at Fort Jackson, in Missouri. On the 18tli: December, forty-two|men were hanged inSTexas, for plotting to surrender the State to the Federals. At New Orleans, General Butler has been superseded. General Banks - succeeds him in' the command of that town. The health of the troops is, good. The mail stea was captured ou her voyage fromj Aspinwall to "New York, by the Alabama, the captain gave bonds, and the mails were* allowed to remain intact. s ' A further issue of two hundred million dollars contemplated. JefFert.ou Davis has issued a proclamation declaring General Butler a “felon,” and ordering him to be hung by any officer capturing him.

Confederate steamer Florida has evaded the blockade.