THE OCTOBER MAIL.

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 7, Issue 376, 31 December 1863, Page 3

THE OCTOBER MAIL.

The s.s. Lord Ashley, reached Wellington at about 5 o’clock on Sunday afternoon, bringing the English Mail and European News to October 26. The mail arrived at Melbourne on the 16th iust., and was brought on to Otago by the s.s. Alhambra which arrived at Port Chalmers on the 24-th. The Lord Ashley had on board Volunteers from Otago for Auckland, and sailed on Saturday evening at 11 o’clock. The s.s. Wanganui, Captain Linklater, sailed from Dundee for Wellington direct on the 17th of October. The s.s. Wellington had been launched. The Great Brittain, after a passage of 61 days had arrived at Melbourne with the All England Eleven on board. The American whaler Mercury left King George’s sound on the 23rd of ?November, for New Zealand. It is reported that she had a large supply of gunpowder on board, for traffic with the rebels. The Times has an able article on the war in this Colony, in which it advocates the confiscation of the lands of the rebels and the infliction of such retribution on the Maoris, as is $ consistent with humanity, for the sake and safety of the white inhabitants of New Zealand. The views of the ruling classes in England, and the aid afforded by the Imperial Government, will prevent Sir George Grey and his Minister from coming to any terms with the rebels except ou those of unconditional submission. The speech of his Excellency on opening the General Assembly had been received in England and the native policy there laid down was universally approved of. This simultaneous publication of the speech in England and Auckland shows

how long and fully the Governor’s policy has been determined on.

The obituary of the month includes the distinguished names of'Lord Lyndhurst, Archbishop Whately, and'Mrs. Trollope. England was visited by au earthquake at about half past 3 o’eloch on the tnornof the 6th October. The noise iu some places, is described as like thunder, and the vibi'ations continued for nearly a minute. Fortunately no damage was done.

Another great battle had takou place in America between the two armies under Genera] Rosecrans and Bragg, when the formexf(the Fedei’al General) was worsted owing, as he asserts to disobedience of orders. His estimated loss in killed, wounded, and missing was not less than 10,000. The total losses of both armies are put down at 30,000. The political news from the Northern States is important. A re-action had taken place in favor of the present party in power at Washington. The Republican candidate for Governor of Peusylvania had been elected by a large majority, while the Democratic candidate for the Govevnoi’ship of Ohio—Mr. V anandighani —had been ignominously rejected. At Charlestown, nowithstanding the fiery engines prepared for its destruction, the siege lingers on. An attack was to be made on the 11th inst, by the combined land and naval foi’ces Great preparation were being made by the Federals for the removal of obstructions in the harbor, which was campletely closed against the iron-clads. The Confederates attacked the enemy’s fleet with rafts, having torpedos attached, but did little damage. Ihe Confedei’ates are irate at the detention of the steam rams at Liverpool, and declare that if England Svould stop the Irish emigration to the Northern States, the war would end in thx*ee monts.

'I hree Russian steam frigates have arrived at hew York, and been received with great enthusiasm. Sixteen Russian war vessels were expected there.

The insurrection in Poland has not yet been suppressed. The Home i\etv.i says “ The struggle continues to be prosecuted with a spirit of heroic devotion that reci’uits with the increasing difficulties of the unequal contest. Russia has now openly Jresolved to give no quarter to the insurgents and butchers them in cold blood.

In a public speech Eai’l Russell said that, as Russia had failed to fulfil the conditions of the Treaty of "Vienna she had forfeited her title to Poland. This declai’ution has caused immense sensation.

The three Powers, it is said, intend addressing circulars to their diplomatic agents abroad, intimating that Russia’s forfeitui’e of Poland is au iri’evocably accepted fact. If they felt disposed, England, France, and Austria could lend no effective assistance to Poland until the spring, and before that time the insurrection wiii be suppressed, and the nationality of Poland blotted out for ever It is stated that there is a proposition made for the annexation of Mexico to France, which the Home News treats seriously. Her Majesty made her first appearance in public since'the death of the Prince Consort, at the inauguration of a statue in Aberdeen iu that Prince’s honor. It is said on authority that the Princess of W ales expects to be confined about the last week of March next. The King of Greece visited London previously to entering oh his duties at AAh ens. Loi’d Elgin, Governor-General of India, died on the 20th Nov., at DhurumSalla, aged 52 ; Sir W. Denison is ActingGov er u or-Ge n e nil. Captain Kennedy, lately a Governor of Western Australia, has been appointed Governor of Vancouver’s Island. Wool has advanced. The firmness with which both importers and dealers hold their wool has caused au average advance of to be asked, and the offer of Id and 1 to be refused. The tenders for the first instalment of £IOO,OOO of the New Zealand Loan of the Auckland Provincial Govevnmen', were opened on October Ist at the Bank of New Zealand, and the applications amounted to £144,51)0. The minimum was 105 (or 8 102 reckoning A. 3 accrued interest), and £71,750 was taken at terms ranging from 105 to 115; and the balance unaccepted (£72,780) was at prices varying from par to minium. The unalofcted portion, £28,250, has since been taken up at prices ranging at A 5 11s. premium. No tendeis at the minium (I<'s) were accepted, and the total applications were much beyond the amount required. The Great Eastern is placed in the Indian and \ ustralian tmdes. The offer made by the P. and O. Company to undertake a fortnightly mail service for an additional subsidy of £25,000 per annum, has been referred by the Duke of Newcastle to the Colonies for their consideration and decision. Mr. Crosbic Ward and Mr. Hamilton, ou behalf of New Zealand and New South Wales, have opposed the project, not only because they want to establish the Panama Route, but because tiny want to break up the monopoly at present enjoyed by that company.