West Coast Times. FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 23, 1866.

West Coast Times, Issue 136, 23 February 1866, Page 2

West Coast Times.

FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 23, 1866.

The telegraph placed us yesterday morning in possession of our summary of English news, brought by the December mail steamer. The files of papers being supplemented by the special Anglo-Indian telegrams, the date of our intelligence from the old world comes down to bo late as the Cth January. By the publication of a "Time* Extraordinary," the publio we/c supplied with a general resume of mail intelligence several days in anticipation of the arrival of the steamer in Hokitika.

The news is important in a negative sense. But the resume to hand is evidently imperfect. It contuintf some unexpected items, but its omissions are uotable. An insurrectionary movement in Spain was unlookcd for. The political affairs of that country have for a considerable time ceased to hold any large share in public attention, but the generally prevailing impression has been that the Peninsula was gradually recovering its position, escaping from the consequences of a disastrous civil war, and laying anew the foundations of commercial and industrial prosperity. It was from the d rection of Italy that the peace of Europe seemed menaced, and our last accounts contained ominous intimations of the determination of Victor Emmanuel and his Parliament to strike a blow for the acquisition of Rome and Vcnetia. It is not likely t<at the Spanish embroglio will spread beyond the Peninsula itself, No European power, however ambitious, ha,s any direct interest in Spanish politics. The dynastic pretensions that inspired the most questionable parts of the foreign policy of Louis Philippe, belonged to a condition of things, the very traces of which the tide of revolution has swept away. Since the accession of Louis Napoleon, France has had moio to do with Italy than with Spain, and it is in the Italian question that the main interest of European politics presently centres. On this question, however, our budget of news is silent. It may at least be inferred from this fact, that the Italian question had not assumed a phase that rendered it at the motrent one of the sensational topics of the day. The entente cordiale between France aud England seems to be firmly consolida ting ; and, it is not difficult to understand the causes. The facilities of intercourse between the two countries have been enormously increased since the days of Waterloo, and especially since the dates of the Spanish marriages and the Tahiti embroilment. The two people understand each other better ; and simultaneously there has been a radical change in the foreign policy of the two states which has served effectually to maintain the accord between them. France has ceased to be directly aggressive and revolutionary, and England has steadily adhered to the principle of non-intervention, and of the recognition of "de facto" governments. The refusal of the French government to give up the Fenian chief Stephens under the provisions of the extradition treaty, is not likely to lead to any breach of friendly relations between tho two countries. Much as it may have been a matter of form on the part of the Queen's Government to demand tho surrender of an arch .traitor, a compliance With the demand would have been altogether at variance with the cherished traditions of England herself Stephens' crime was only a political one. He comes very much within the category of a large class of political offenders, whom British protection shelters. He is in his own miserable way al# refugee." It is not for Lord John Russell to dispute the grounds on which Louis Nupoleon has decided not to givo up the offender to political justice. It must be admitted that in Ireland that justice has not been over rigorous with the offenders it has been able to reach Never, perhaps, was deliberate and organised treason more leniently dealt with. One culprit has been sentenced to penal servitude for life, and the remaining sentences have ranged from five to ten years' imprisonment. .Practically Fenianisin may bo pronounced extinct. In America it has degenerated into burlesque, and something worse, '1 he leaders of the movement are quarrelling over the spoils of tho poor dupes they have deluded, and large sums of money appear to havo been misappropriated by the chiefs who enjoyed the highest confidence of the party. In and around Ireland the most effective measures are taken to prevent any of the threatened hostile movements. The Channel Fleet are wintering in its pleasant harbors, and we have no doubt will find more agreeable work to do in receiving and reciprocating the hospitalities of the loyal people of the Kmei raid Isle thq.n in fighting Fenian squadrons.

W« hay« & f«w ittms of Court n«ws fwm Horn*. Th<* Quwt was to op»n

Parliament in person, and her third daughter, the Princess Helena, was to be given in marriage. The death of the agod King Leopold is a European loss, and will bo folt far beyond the narrow limits of tlio kingdom ho had so Jong ruled iv peace and happiness. His name will always bo held in affectionate remembrance by tho English people as the husband of a princess who during her brief time was a popular idol, and as the wise and sagacious counsellor who enjoyed to a larger extent than any other man beyond the immediate sphere of her own responsible advisers, tho confidence of the Queen.

The political results predicted to follow the death of Lord Palmerston are likely to be rapidly realised The removal from the politioal sceno of the great conservative power that so long maintained the constitutional settlement effected by the "Reform Bill," has already let loose political forces that have been slumbering. It is now that the strong proclivity to reform displayed by Mr Gladstone is beginning to evoke a responso from the people, and all things appear to indicate that the nation is on tho evo of new and momentous organic changes. • In the meantime tho commercial condition of tho empire is satisfactory, the only drawback to its material prosperity bein^ the continued extension of the cattle plague.

From America, the intelligence is important in proportion as it is devoid of exciting items. The policy of conciliation seems to be steadily persisted in by the President. We have already received by way of California, and published, Mr Johnston's inaugural address to Congress. The relations of England and America continue pacific, notwithstanding the existence of a score of causes of dispute. The fact is, the present temper of England is decidedly anti- warlike ; and America his.for the moment had her bellyful of fighting, and has too much serious work to do at home in the reconstruction of the Union, and the settlement of tho embarrassing problems arising out of the abolition of slavery, to be very prone to hostilities with a great maritime power. Two errors appeared in our report of the Resident Magistrate's Court yesterday. For " Bladder v. Bonnor" and for •• Griffin v. Gonnor," read '• Connor, 1 ' a person of that name being the defendant in both cases. His Honor Mr Justico Grcssou hold his first sitting in Christohurch since his return from tho Wost Coast, on Tuesday tho 13th iust. Only Chamber business was transacted. Mr James Edward FitzGerald, has been returned without opposiiion as a membor of the House of Representatives or tho district of Ohristohurch. At the lato inter provincal cricket lnnteh between Otago and Canterbury, the former proved vio'orious with two wickets to go down. Mr Snlo returned from town yestorday afternoon from Chris I church. ' Ho was aecompnnied by Mr Roohforr. Wo remind tho doctors of Mr Prosser's invitation to them to meet him at the Shakespoaro Hotel this evening. By tho overland mail, which arrived yestorday afternoon, we havo Christchuroh papors to tho 17th hist. Owing to the continued stoppngo of telegraphic communication they contain no lato Dunedin or Invorcargill news. Nino aorcs two roods of land at Hokitika, near tho intersection of the Beaoh and Bucklaud roads, aro set apart by a Gazotto notice as a lito for a public abattoir. It was currently reported in town last night that the snlo of township lands in Westland will not^tako place uu'il April next. Wo have hither<o understood that tho sale was to come off in March, and lately havo congratulated curselves that tho term of our probation was drawing to a close It appears howevor, that tho present anomalous state of things is (o contiuuo a little longer, and thai it is considered of no moment that su6h a community as ours should be compelled to remain without the palo of the law for six weeks or two months longer, no provision having yet been made for the adjudication of tho djsputea constantly arising, which before HokUikn aud tho Grey wero proclaimed townships, were set led in tho Warden's court Mr Sale, however, has doubtless received instructions from the Government how to act, and we certainly think he should make known its intontions upon a subject which so vitally effects the interests of this community. Wo trust he will decide upon an early day for so doing, and would suggest tho propriety of a deputation from ihe Improvement Committee waiting upon him to hear tho reason of this unaccountable delay, and how the Government purposes aotiug on this and other important matters.