LOCAL INTELLIGENCE.

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 7, Issue 358, 27 August 1863, Page 3

LOCAL INTELLIGENCE.

We beg to remind Volunteers that, notwithstanding their service as- such, they must enter their names on the Militia Roll, or be liable to a 51 fine. The time is very nearly expired. Wanganui Choral Society. The meeting for the formation of this Society was well attended, and was presided over by T. Powell, Esq. The above name was adopted as that of the Society, which will include both honorary and working members. There was a committee appointed to draw up rules, etc., and to report the same to the adjourned meeting, which will be held at the English Church Schoolroom at 7 p.m. on Tuesday evening next. We learn that above sixty members have already enrolled themselves. P resentation. —The children of the Mataraua Valley School have presented Mr. Hai'kness with the “ Select writings of Robert Chambers,” in 4 large vols, and two large vols. of “ Chambers’s Cyclopedia of English Literature,” all handsomely bound, as a parting memorial of esteem and affection. The annual meeting of the Town of Wanganui on Monday evening was thinly attended, and passed off perfectly quietly. An abstract of the Town Board’s accounts for the past year was submitted to the meeting, and Messrs. T. B. Tayloi-, H. Lyon, and G Beaven were unanimously elected as auditors. The Trustees of the General Cemetery are desirous of enclosing it with a substantial fence and live hedge, and sub-

scriptions for the purpose are urgently needed in order that the work may be done at once. The list is at Mr. IT. I. Jones’s, and we would suggest to our readers the desirability of contributing. We are sure that our fellow settlers will rejoice to see Colonel Logan once more among us. He arrived by the Storm Bird on Monday, and Major Butler left for Taranaki by the same vessel this morning. Colonel Logan will now command the garrison, and, Major Tlassard the detachment of H.M. 57th Regt. in this place. From Capt. Linklater, intelligence has. been received by this mail that the “Wanganui” Steamer would he ready for launching by the end of July, and for sea by about the present date. Will the new wharf be ready for her to lie alongside of when she arrives 1 Capt. Linklater’s friends will be glad to learn that helias successfully passedhis examination. We were both surprised and pleased yesterday morning to see at daylight a large stange steamer steering for our

harbour. She proved to be the Lady Bird , commanded by our old friend Captain Renner, and having on boai-d a number of "Volunteers, for Taranaki. She is a beatiful vessel of 220 tons register, and as this in the case of steamers does not include Engine space, must be really of over 300 tons burthen. She is fact considered quite a pattern vessel, her model having gained the prize for vessels of her class at the great exhibition of 1851. Her fitting up is also far superior to anything of the sort which we have hitherto seen in Wanganui. Last evening a number of the settlers in Wanganui and its neighbourhood dined on board by the invitation of the Captain and R. J. Duncan, Esq., Manager of the N.Z.S.N. Co., who was one of her passengers. The healths of Her Majesty, Mr. Duncan, and Capt. Reuuer were drunk with all the honours, and the former gentleman also gave “ the success and prosperity of Wanganui vnd its Settlers.” The several speakers expressed much cordial feeling, which we regret that our limited space prevents our reporting more fully ; but we must not omit to mention that the Company’s new steamer “ Wellington,” of 500 tons or more, was expected to arrive shortly, and that he hoped to see his then guests and others of the Wanganui people ai'ound her table on her entering our river. Pelii and his force left Waitotara last week ; and Topia and young Mori Patene with about GO men returned at the same date. It is variously leported that Topia will return to Taranaki shortly, and that he is desirous of submitting to British authority. The Waitotara natives have impounded six head of cattle for trespassing on the laud lately paid for, Some of our natives got letters last week announcing an outbreak at Wairarapa as certain, but we abstained from mentioning it till in some way confirmed. TURAKINA. An alarming report reached Turakina on Tuesday that 1700 armed natives from Taupo were making their wa3 r through the bush to attack the settlers there and at upper Rangitikei. Several families at once removed into the village ; and a letter from thence informs us that all hands were to commence the entrenchment or stockade on the Cemetery hill yesterday morning. RANGITIKEI. RESIDENT MAGISTRATE’S COURT. August 5, 1863. Before W. Buffer, Esq,, R-.M., and William Fox, Esq., J.P. Hutana v. James McDonell; claim 20/. Defendant pleaded statute of limitation. Judgment for defendant. Te Hira v. Daniel Stevens ; detinue. Plaintiff claimed a filly alleged to be unlawfully detained by defendant. Filly produced. Evidence as to ownership. Judgment for defendant with costs.

Before Walter Buffer, Esq., B.M,

Henry Burne v. John MclCelvie ; damages IOOh A claim for accumulated damages by the trespass of defendant’s cattle during a long .period. Number of witnesses examined as to the condition of fences, extent of damage, and ownership of cattle. Fences proved to have been insullicieuG ; damage to some extent proved, but no evidence w> fix the ownership or charge of cattle concerned in the trespass. Judgment for defendant with costs. Laurence Daniell v. Bernard O’Riley ; debt 51 ) claim for depasture of cattle. Defendant not in attendance. Case proceeded with ; judgment cx parte for amount and costs.

Disputes have for some months past been going on between the Ngatiraukawas, Rangitanis, and Ngatiapa ti’ibes relative to the ownership of the land between the Manawatu and Rangitikei rivers, and their respective right to receive the rents paid by the Europeans, who have formed stations there under agreements entered into in the lifetime of Nepal Taratoa, who died a few months since. Large meetings have been held during the last four months at which it has been attempted to adjust the dispute, but without success. We hear, however, that by the intervention of Mr. Buller, R.M., Mr. Fox, and Air. Tamihana te Bauparaha of Otaki, both, parties have at lust been induced to agree to leave the decision of the matter to his Excellency the Governor In the meantime, however, the Kgatiraukawas and Rangitanis insist on retaining armed possession of the district as against the Ngatiapas, and are planting potatoes on various parts of the Maori side of the Rangitikei river, for the purpose of keeping their claim

ITollovcmfs Pills. —Weakness ami debility.— No nice discrimination of the nature or seat of the disorder is necessary for the beneficial administration of these Pills, which by purifying the blood, and adjusting its circulation, regulate and refresh every organ throughout the body. These excellent Pills search out the roots of all disorders, and assuredly expel them from the system. Balsamic in their composition, and gentle in their operation, Holloway’s Pills will not have any real benefit unless the sufferer will eschew the use of all pies, puddings, and pastry. The diet should be substantial, plain, and simple ; by such an observance the lives of thousands may be preserved.

WELLINGTON. V/c are indebted to the Courtesy of the Editor of the Advertiser tor some printed slips containing the following later intelligence : THE EXODUS FROM THE WAIRARAPA. THREATENING ASPECT OF AFFAIRS. Not less than one hundred women and children have arrived at Wellington and the Hutt, from Wairarapa, principally from Grey town and its vicinity, within the last day or two. They afford evidence sufficient to convince the most sceptical that the opinions of the settlers of the Wairarapa do not accord with those of Superintendent—“ that there is not the slightest reason to apprehend an outbi’eak of the Natives in any part of the Province.” If they were of that opinion, or if they put any trust m the opinion of the Superintendent, we may be sure they woidd not have put themselves to the great trouble, inconvenience, and ex pence of removing tlieir families into town. Nor would they have done this had timely measures been taken to guard against the danger which they, at all events, deemed to be imminent. The present state of the Wairarapa will he gleaned from the perusal of the following communications received from our special correspondent : Greytown, August 20th, 7 p.m.

On my arrival here about noon this day I found several hundred persons, natives and settlers, standing in groups of a dozen or so each, discussing the state of affairs, and the means to be taken for

defence, previous to the expected arrival of Dr. Feathers ton and Major Gorton from the Lower Valley, where a meeting had been held yesterday.

With reference to interventing events, has favoured us with the following : “ During last night (Tuesday) Greytown lias presented one of those scenes of panic that are indescribable. Old Ngatuere told the people that an attack would be made upon them during tlie night, and In consequence women and children all crowded to the “ Rising Sun.” From twenty to thirty panic struck heroes, armed with guns, worked themselves up to a frenzy. Some scoured the bush, others stood sentry either over the grog, or over poor half-terrified women and children, and this morning all the conveyances were in demand for an exodus, not less than 20 families talking of leaving for Wellington.” The writer then proceeds to pass a severe censure upon those who either by bluster or by flight should should inspire the disaifected native with what confidence in their powers which they would not otherwise feel. August 23. This settlement is going the way of Taranaki, through the criminal negligence of the authorities. Single men, having no stake in the district, are preparing to leave, and women and children are getting ready to go to Wellington for safety. The unanimous opinion is that if Governor Browne had been allowed to remain all these troubles would have been avoided, as the natives two years ago were not half so prepared, or so united as they are now, while the settlers are less prepared now than then—the leading men believing in the possibility of “ the peaceful solution of the diflivuly,” or persuading others to thus believe. Several settlers asked me whether they may expect assistance from Wellington in case of au outbreak, and for the first time they think that troops ought to be sent to their aid. This is certain if the Province is not to be ruined, this district must not be deserted. August 23rd, 4 p.m. A messongei* has just arrived from Mohika. The King flag was hoisted there yesterday. This is their reply to the speeches the Superintendent made to them at Turangunui and at Greytown. I hear also, that the King flag was hoisted yes terday at Papawai. Ac Mohika they have several hundred manuka spears, abou fifty double barrel guns and fowling pieces, and a number of pistols, pikes, <fcc. They are anxious to commence an aggressive movement before i; is too late, while others are repoorted to be actually sliakingwith fear or rage— “ the beneficial effects” of Dr. Featherston’s “soothing syrups.” Hartwell lias returned successfully from liis secret mission to Wellington and lias brought up the Wellington papers. From what we hear up here of the iutentions of the King natives the “ no news ’ from the West Coast, will not prove the good news wliish it is generally said to be.

10 p.m. I have just returned from Greytown. The Superintendent and Major Gorton arrived fthere about half-past G o’clock and shortly after the latter commenced to swenr in the Yoluuteers. Those of Carterton had been sworn in the afternoon, and those of Mastersou last night. The Carterton corps will be distinct from that of Greytown. Tlie Masterton corps have chosen Mr. Y. Smith for Captain, and Mr. Donald for Lieut A stockade is to be erected at Masterton, and another on the Taratabi plain near Cartertonr The Greytown Volunteers, have been busy oil day making ball cartridges.

PAPAKUEA. Thursday, July 30th The experience of active service convinced many one tiling at least. As soon as the present war is over (if not before) the Volunteer force of the Province of Auckland will cease to exist. Nor wiil this, at ieast to those who jwitnessed the manner in which the force has been treated, be matter of wonder. The Volunteers are not disposed to grumble,—they do not complain of the fact that they were decoyed from their homes, under a solemn promise that they should be relieved in a week, —they do not complain of the fact that ne warning was given to authorities at Otahuhu that they were coming, and that in consequenoe they were housed and fed like pigs,—they do not complain that their march to the front in heavy marching order was made six miles longer than it should have been throuh the bungling of those in authority—these, and a thousand other matters of complaint, they have endeavoured to forget iu their earnest desire to render assistance to the Governor in the present crisis. But affairs continue the same ; bungle stil follows bungle, and insults are heaped upon insults until they become unbearable. The crowning insult—the snub of snubs, —was reserved for to-day.—l will en deavour, as calmly as the indignation which I feel in common with every one of my comrades to relate the circumstances. Throughout the day a rumour had been going round that we were to attack the Natives to-morrow. Every one was iu good spirits at the prospect of really active service. About 1 o’clock, Colonel Wyatt, of the Goth, arrived from Drury. All hands were called from the tents and trenches and ordered to fall iu. This order was obeyed cheerfully, as all expected that the Colonel was about to address the men about the talked of attack. Your readers may imagine the universal surprise which was felt when the gallant Colonel proceeded Jo deliver himself as follows : . “ I have come here in eouseqveueo of

reports which have been forward to the General commanding and to myself of the laxity and dilatoriness ef the militia force (sic) stationed at this cam]'). I will read a letter written to me bv direction of the General. (Here the letter was read ; it stated that the General had received various reports of the conduct of the men at the camp, and that unless we improved he would be obliged to place the volunteer force in General Orders.) The gallant Colonel then continued—You hear what the General says, audj I will just explain what General Orders mean in this case, it means that the corps so placed has acted in some disgraceful manner, or carried itself in an unsold ierlike way. (This was sad in a way which made it clear that the spear ev considered wa had acted in a disgraceful and vvsoldierlike way.) I need notremiudyou are under the Mutiny Act and the Articles of War, and that all offences committed in sight of the enemy are punished with da a h ” (a marked emphasis on the last word). There is the enemy in front of you (here the speaker sweept his fhand across the liorizob from East to West). The. General is a strict disciplinarian ; he will not hesitate to make an example of one of you. TTc lias told you that this Redoubt .should be finished for your own protection and for the protection of Drury (the speaker evidently ment Papakura). When I was at Tuakau the detachment of the Gsth there, 250 strong, built a Redoubt ea] able of holding themselves, in four -working days. You have the same number liere and ought to do it in a week. ( i his shows what Colonel Wyatt knows of our cauip, as we have only 100 men here ) I am a rigid disciplinarian, I have seen thirty-seven years service, and (the logic is not of the best) if I hear any more complaints of you I will forward them to the General. Yon will then be put in General Orders and your disgrace made public by the newspapers.” (Here some hisses were heard). The Colonel asked who had hissed, and a spirited young fellow named Maude stepped" to Hie front and avowed himself to be one of them lie was fit once'sent to the guardroom. After a few more words the Colonel walked off.

Will the citizen soldiers of Auckland stand this ! Nearly half those to whom this speech was addressed had been up for two nights before on duty in all the rain and mud of the camp. Only about 20 men coukl be spared from the duties to work in the trenches Since Mafor Campbell came out the work has gone on well. xAll are thoroughly disgusted. Is it any wonder, after nearly a fortnight’s cotin mil and harassing work to be told that they had acted in a disgraceful and uusoldierlike manner ? The general impression is that Colonel Wyatt exceeded his duty ou this occasion. ’i here is no other news of importance. New Zva'andcr, August 1.

OTAGO. The papers are full of lerrihloyircount of loss of life and labour through flood and snow. The Dailg limes correspond enfc writes from the Vrrrow township July 27 :—This district has again been visited by a most destructive flood, which has proved more fatal and disastrous in its consequences than either of the preceding ones } a loss of more than twenty lives is at present certified, and it is to be feared that the extent of the calamity is by no means ascertained. The weather was unseasonably mild all last week, and after threatening for two days broke into heavy rain. On the morning of the 24th it seemed to pom* down in a solid sheet of water for twenty-four hours. When seen now and then between the clouds the loffy ranges appeared nearly bare of snow giving every reason to apprehend a more than ordinary rise of. the rivers ; by Saturday evening these were up to the level of the former floods, which it was hoped they would not exceed, and by midnight were rolling down in impetuous Torrents sixteen feet or more above their ordinary hanks, sweeping everything before them in promiscuous destruction, and filling the stoutest hearts with dismay. The lower Vrrow township, built on the flat, narrowly escaped demolition. The water rapidly encroached and undermined one side of the street ■ the inhabitants in dismay fled to the Upper Town, and about three on Sunday morning the Shamrock hotel and the adjacent stores were flushed, and soon entirely destroyed. Nothing whatever exists of the extensive mining operations which had been resumed, and were being carried on with spirit during the last week. Gordon and Co.’s large overshot wheel was taken off entirely, not a splinter remaining on the ground. The Hit or Miss and Enterprise Companies are again great losers, having just completed a large flood-race for diverting the river, which of course is altogether filled up aud all their work rendered nugatory. The Drainage Committee fortunately had not commenced their work upon the flat ; they expected to be ii. a position to begin next week.

V most terrible and fatal accident occurred on Saturday night, or rather early on Sunday morning the 26th instant, whereby three unfortunate men lost their lives, and a fourth escaped with serious personal injury. The four, who wen; sawyers, lived together in a hut, some half a mile up a narrow gully which leads up out of the Push creek, some two mi'es from the township. George Pullen the only survivor, thus described the catastrophe when examined this day at the. inquest. ;—“ I was in bed,” ho said, “ with my throe mates, when, in the middle of the night we wore awoke by a tremendous crash ; we leapt out and rushed out of the hut ; I found myself immediately struggling in the water and among i>gs of wood, and was an hour before crawling up into a place of safety. .[ oould'not

sec anything of my mates, but after a time I heard groans. ‘ When, daylight came I went npthe«gully and found John Brown, one of the deceased, lying on his side, his legs covered witli logs and stones. I could not extricate him. I went down to two men who live some way below, and they went to his assistance. He died on his way to the township.” The body of John Brons, another of the deceased, was found some distance from the site of the hut much disfigured ; the third man, known by the name of Frank, was only found this afternoon—having 1 een completely buried in sand and debris. It appeared from an examination of the localities that a landslip had occurred some 1000 feet above the hut in the gully, forming a natural dam to the swollen ci'eek—which, rising to the top, suddenly burst through, hurling every obstacle before its impetuous force. The inquest upon two of the bodies was held to-day before B. Beetham, Esq., coroner, when the following verdict was recorded,-** “ That the deceased were accidentally drowned by a sudden rush of water down the Bush creek.”

Intelligence has reached us this afternoon of another fatal accident on theUpper Sliotover, resulting from causes precisely similar to the preceding casualty, no less than twelve men having fallen victims to the raging waters.. The first creek below the Sandhills runs down a steep gullv into the river, and is under ordinary circumstances a mere rivulet ; about 2 a.m. on Sunday morning the ground slipped suddenly on both sides, filling up the bed of the gully entirely ; this natural dam, as in the Bush creek, gave way at last, under the great force of water, which dashed down in a bore calculated to have been thirty feet high. The huts built on the sides of the ravine were swept down in the general wreck, and the unfortunate occupants, with few exceptions, drowned. Ten bodies have been recovered in a mutilated state ; four were identified as those of Davie Angus, James Graham, Sam, and Jim, two wellknown packet's. An inquest was held here on Saturday, the 25th, on the body of William Burke, drowned opposite the Arrow township, in the flood of the 9th inst. The body ■was found on tbe beach near the junction of the Kawarau. The jury returned a verdict of accidental death. A man was killed on the 24th, in a tunnel claim, about two miles from the township ; the ground fell in, and it was impossible to= extricate tlie poor fellow, who continued alive for some hours ; some stones at last fell, and terminated his suffering ; the body has not yet been recovered.. Seven lives are reported lost by a land slip near Moke creek on the Sliotover, and three by drowning near Arthur’s point. Hear Kawarau a man was crushed by two large rocks falling on him. The body of a man. had also been found at Coal creek, and the skeleton of another at the Swinebnru,

From the Hogburn we learn, “ the road is much cut up, and impassable when the snow is lying, and on the hills it is in places dangerous to. travel in frosty weather.” From the Upper Sliotover, under date July 25, the following is reported,— “ Mining in the river and creek has been interrupted for tbe past month by the disastrous floods; Two men were killed in Skipper’s gully by a slip falling on them during the night. Another man slipped from tlie temporary bridge erected at Packe.i’s Point, and was drowned. Sickness, particularly scurvy, prevails to a serious extent in the outlying parts of this district.”

Several cases are reported of men and horses lost in. tile snow, and of others being missing -who are'feared to have met a similar fate. Other men only saved their lives by’thro wing away their packs. In one case this happened to two men returning from a store, to which they had gone to buy food ; so that it is evident the snow must either have fallen very rapidly and in great quantities, or have drifted in an extraordinary degree. Jn other localities, where the snow and floods had not been so severe, the miners during tne past month had done nothing but shepherd their claims, being unable to woi'k them for the water. 'i lie weather at the latest dates seemed improving, and the last escort brought down 6585 oz. 10 dwts.

Great indignation was expressed by the miners and others at the manner in which the Molyneux and Mannbherikia ferries had been let by the Government. For some time past these ferries had been worked by boatmen, who charged 3d a head for putting people across ; at this rate the. ferrying was regarded as one of the most paying speculations in the pro vince, as several men had retired after realising fortunes at it; and in the case of the Molyneux the sum expended at 3d a head was estimated at at least 501 per day. The only notice of the letting of the ferries by the Government seems to have been given in the Gazette, which no one on the spot ever saw ; and the result was, that the monopoly of the Molyneux ferry for a year, with the right to charge a shilling a head for, lerryage, was sold for 500 Z, and that at the Mauuherikia at a similar absurdly low figure. Memorials were being sent to the Government on the subject, and it was proposed bv the storekeepers and others to put boats on the rivers, to put their customers and f’ iends across free of charge. In reply to a deputation the Superintendent declined to cancel Hill’s contract, but expressed a hope to be able to get tlie ferry charges readjusted.

The New Great Britain had arrived at Dunedin, and placed in quarantine on account of several cases of small-pox on

board. The bones of a Moa had been fonnd at Switzer’s gtdloy, nine feet below the surface, among blackened clay and charcoal.

THE. JUNE MAIL. Daily Times Office, Dunedin, August 17. 12, Noon, The s.s. Aldinga arrived at Port Chalmors at 8 a.m. Captain Stewart reports that the Wonga Wonga was telegraphed as having arrived at Glenelgat 6 p.m. on Sunday, 19th instant., expecting arrival of the Nortliam with the mail. The Aldinga waited until 6 p.m. on the 11th inst., and from Queeuscliff telegraphed Cape Otway, which is seventy miles distant, but up to that time there was. no appearance of the mail steamer. As a strong head wind prevailed and continued ta£ blow for three days afterwards, it was not expected that the Nortliam would arive before noon on Wednesday and if then arrived, the Alhambra was to be despatched with the New Zealand Mail on the 14th.

We append a summary of the news as telegraphed from Adelaide.

GENERAL SUMMARY. Don don, 26 th June. The Australian April mails were delivered in London on the 12th and I7tli June. Her Majesty continues in good health and now appeal's often in public. On 10th June, the inauguration of a statue of the late Prince Consort took place with the greatest ecl'at. The Prince and Princess of Wales are everywhere received with unbounded enthusiasm. On the 24th June, a banquet was given’at Willis’ Booms, by Australian gentlemen in London to the new Governor of Victoria, who could not be present owing to-illness. Notwithstanding his indisposition, he intended leaving in the Suffolk on the 26th June. The House of Commons declined, to discuss the Polish question until Bussia had answered distinctly the notes of the Three Powers. Fortnightly postal communications with Australia via Galle still engages public attention, and will likely be cari'ied out in about six months. The Peninsular and Oriental Company are making the necessary preparation at King George’s Sound, A. deputation waited on the Chancellor of the Excliequor, on the subject of a mail service via Panama. The answer was, that the Government were bound to reduce the public expenditure, but the Australian Colonies could have the service provided they paid the entire cost themselves. Projects of immigration to Queensland and Albertland on a large scale have been made. They are inaugurated by tbe National Colonial Emigration Society. Great distress still exists in the manufacturing district. A grand national celcbi'ation of the three hundredth birthday of Shakespeare is to be held in London on the 23rd April next,,and a statue erected. The Crown prosecution of the builders of the alleged confederate gunboat Alexandra, has ended in a verdict for the defendants. The great cricket match between tbe United Eleven and the All England was won by the former club. At Ascot Baces the gold vase was won by Adventurer; the Derby by Queen Bertha.; and the gold cup by Voltigeur, Tim Whiffler second after a deacTheat.. The grand prize Paris race, value L’sooo, was won by Mr. Saville’s Banger. AUSTRALIA v ENGLAND.

GREAT ROWING MATCH BETWEEN GREEN AND CHAMBERS. This race was contested on Tuesday the 16th June. The course was from Putney-Bridge {to Mortlake. Twenty steamers were in attendance, loaded with the friends and backers of the competitors and thousands of spectator’s lined the shores. Many of the latter had gone to Putney by railway. Such a concourse of people never before assembled on the banks of the Thames to witness a boat race. Betting tor days before was 2 and 3to 1 against Green. At five minutes past two o’clock, Green having won the toss for the inside place, a start was effected. Tremendous excitement ensued as by”a clearboat’s length. For the first mile and a quarter the speed was something wonderful;, Green rowing three strokes to Chambers two. After that distance, Chambers 4 gained ground, passed and won with perfect ease. Time— Twenty-five minutes; Gi’een’s time, twenty-nine minutes. Green was seized with spasms during the race. Two doctors had to attend on him on reaching the umpire’s steamer. He feels confident that had it not been for the sudden attack he would have won, and has since challenged Chambers to pull in August for i.‘2UO. Chambers has deelined to row on the Thames, but is willing ;to pull on the Clyde. The race is come off.

AMERICA. INVASION OP THE NORTH. New York, June 13. Affairs are going on more decisivelyfin favour of peace. Meetings have been held in the Northern States, and resolutions passed condemning the Government for prosecuting the war, urging peace at any price, and demanding that the wishes of the people be respected. The accounts of the last month’s proceedings, as reported by the Federal Government, are not relied on by the Northerners themselves Authentic reports say that General Lee’s army numbering 100,000 men, supported by an immence cavalry force under General Stuart is on the move towards Win-

Chester and Harper’s Ferry. Great alarm prevails in Washingon. Preliminary arrangements for the enforcement of the Consoi'iption Act had lead to a breach of the peace, and then to murder. It is thought Government will not be able to carry out the measure. The voluntary enlistment of the black population is now the grand idea, as Lincolnf and his principal advisers despair of much further white aid for the conquest of the Southerners. Meanwhile Lincoln says that as the nation elected him President, he will act as such. Vicksburg has been attacked by the Federals, under General Grant, who was victorious in a series of attacks, but was finally repulsed. General Pemberton declared he could holdout until reinforced by Johnston, who, it was expected would attack Grant in the rear, and cut him up. Fort Hudson was invested by the Federal army and fleet. After several engagements the Northerners were repulsed, General Banks lost an arm, and General Sherman died of his. wounds. Admiral Wilkes has been superseded on the representation of the British Government. The arrest and condemnation of Mr. Vallandigham, for a speech made against the war, produced a tremendous sensation in the North, Application for a writ of habeas corpus was refused, and the refusal excited wild indignation. The Democratic party have nominated Vallandigham for the Governorship of Ohio. At a monster meeting, at which 25,000 people were present, the military despotism of the North, was severely censured. The people are crying out for the freedom of discussion. The French Emperor had reopened negociations with England on the subject of meditation between the Federals and Confederates. Should England decline he will have recourse to Bussia and Spain as it is now thought utterly impossible for the seceding States to return to the Union. Lord Palmerston is in favour' of submitting the American quarrel to the arbitration of the King of the Belgians. Provided the contending American factions agree to this arrangement, a suspension of liostilites, : pending the decision and award of Leopold, will be imposed. The new element of negro soldiers employed by the Federals increases the fury of the Confederates, who give no quarter to blacks, and thus add greatly go the horrors of war. General Banks reports the conduct of the black troops in the attack on Fort Hudson as being most lierois. When ordered to tlie front to storm tlve Confederates’ position, they rushed in a body over the parapets and and siege guns, and reached the interior of the fort. A hand to hand conflict ensued, unprecedented for feiocity. No quarter was given. Out of 800 negroes of the storming party, 600 were killed ; the remaining 200 escaped by jumping headlong over the walls of the fort. The Federal loss in the late Vicksburg fight is given at 40,000. Ad-

miral Porter on the Yazoo River, had done considerable harm to the Confederates, and wantonly destroyed a large amount of public and private property. The report of the evacuation of Fredericksburg by General Lee, and its occupation by Hooker, is wholly unfounded. The Editors of the New York journals have passed a resolution asserting their rights to criticise *acts of administration and deny the right of the military to suppress papers published far from the seat of war. The steamer Norwegian, sister ship to the ill-fated Anglo-Saxon, has been wrecked off St. Paul’s, in the St. Lawrence, steaming “in a fog. No lives were lost. CANADA. The Parliamentry elections are creating a great deal of excitement. The Government candidates have mostly been defeated. FRANCE. The Paris elections resulted in the entire defeat of the several Government candidates, and a complete change of Ministry lias ensued, M. Billault replacing Count Walewski as Minister of State. The following is the new list : Baroche, Minister of Justice : Boudet, Minister of the interior ; Dueny, Minister of Education ; and Beliie, Minister Commerce, &o. This Cabinet secures the confidence of the French people, as it is believed be the first step towards Ministerial responsibility. The French Government are preparing for war, and it is asserted that France wishes to join with England in creating a free Poland.

The French troops have taken Puebla, General Ortega having surrendered with 16,000 men. BRAZIL. The King of the Belgians has given his award in the dispute between England and Brazil, in favour of the latter country. POLAND. The Polish question causes great an* xiety in England and on the Continent’ The Poles are still fighting victoriously* Russia would consent to an armistice} but the Polish National Government insists on the following three conditions : First, the armistice must extend throughout the whole kingdom of Poland as it existed previous to the first division in 1772. Secondly, a phenipotentiary on the part of the National Government must be admitted to. defend the interests of Poland at the conference ; and thirdly, a national diet, composed of delegates from the provinces, as well as from the kingdom of Poland, must meet under the guarantee, not merely of Europe, but also of the national army, which occupies all the provinces. Should these conditions not be complied with, “ freedom or death” is to be the watchword. Extensive warlike preparations are being made in Russia.

PRUSSIA. Affairs in Prussia are getting from bad to worse. The Crown Prince, having publicly expressed himself very clearly on late affairs, regretting the turn they had taken, the King his father, sent him a sharp letter, demanding a retraction. This the Prince, refused, and requested that he might be permitted to lay down his dignities, and retire with his wife and family to where he coxxld not be accused of interfering with affairs of state. Deputations from all parts of the country are arriving at Berlin xn defence of the conduct of the representatives of the people, and urging an abrogation of the recent order gagging the voice of the Prussian pi’ess. AUSTRIA. In the Council nearly all the members, in discussing an address to the Emperoi-, expressed sympathy for Poland, advocating its complete independence. GREECE. Prince William of Denmark has formally accepted the throne of Greece,, under the title of King George I. The lonian Islands have been ceded to Greece. ITALT. France has made fresh remonstrances ut Rome, to obtain the withdrawal of Francis 11. from that city. Garibaldi’s health is still very poor. The Italian Chamber of Deputies has passed a vote of confidence in the Ministry by 202 votes to 52. Out of the debate a chisel arose, between M. Ratazzi' and Mi. Mainghitti, the Premier. Ratazzi was wounded. MEXICO.. The Mexicans are preparing- for a desperate defence of the city of Mexico. INDIA. Bombay advices state that Nana Sahib has been captured at last, beyond all doubt. Ae was- taken at Ajaniere, m, a Hindo temple, by Major Davidson and three officers. A wide-spread conspiracy is indicated by his papers. An impostor, calling himself Tantia Topee, is at Salamba, with 5000 Bengal sepoys. The long protracted siege of Herat is ended, Dost Malxomined’s troops having, taken the city by storm LATEST INTELLIGENCE. (LATEST TELEGRAPH VIA MALTA.)' London, June 29. The Northern States have been invaded by the Confederate army. Washington, Philadelphia, and Baltimore are menanced. Stuart’s cavalry at Chambersburgh. There is great consternation. The S tates militia have been called out; but there is a reluctant response. The gari’ison of Vicksburgh has been reinforced by Johnson. It is rumoured that the French Emperor proposes a joint recognition of the Southern Confederacy. Russia has accepted propositions made to hei*, and a good arrangement is expected on the Polish question. The funds are rising. Sir Joshua Jebb has died suddenly. Lord Palmerston is suffering very severely from venomous gout. LONDON WOOL REPORT. Sales opened on the 30tli April, and closed on the 3rd June. Total bales catalogued 928,112. A decline of Id to l|d was established at the opening sales, but was soon recovered, and the sales continued to the end at advanced prices. Foreign buyers took the lead throughout. Had they only made their usual purchases, and competition been left to the home trade, a serious decline in prices would have been the result. It is anticipated that good prices will be realised at the July sales ; hut it is thought that buyers of wool in Australia pay absurd prices, leaving no margin for risk or pi*ofit. Next sales commence on the 16th July.