THE ENGLISH MAIL.

West Coast Times, Issue 161, 24 March 1866, Page 2

THE ENGLISH MAIL.

NEWS TO FEBRUARY 14.

By the arrival of the Rangitoto from Nelson we have Sydney papers to the 17th instant, containing full telegraphic summaries of English intelligence brought to Glenelg (South .Australia^ by the branch mail steamship Alexandra. The Madras with the inward Australian mails, left Galle on the 24th February » and King George's Sound oh the 11th instant. We publish from the " Sydney Morning Herald" the summary of intelligence, forwarded to it by its King George's Sound Special Telegraphic Correspondent, omitting unimportant items and those which appeared in our , issue of Friday last. PARTICULARS OF THE FOUNDERING OF STEAMSHIP LONDON IN BAY OF BISCAY..— TWO v HUNDRED AND TWENTY DROWNED ; ONLY NINETEEN SAVED. The London left Gravesenu on the 30th December, and put into St. Helen Roads, owing to a heavy gale, on Ist January; left there °nd January : arrived at Plymouth on the 4th, to receive passengers ; on the sth proceeded on her voyage to Melbourne. Moderate wind prevailing with increasing head sea on ; Bth, heavy gale ; 9th, furious gale— ship under easy steam, when jibboom, foretopmast, topgallantmast, &c, were carried away by the violence of the gale. All exertions were unavailing. The crew could not clear the wreck of spars, owing to the tremendous sea, which carried away the life-boats. 10th, Captain Martin, seeing the sea increasing to a dangerous extent, and the vessel laboring heavily, determined to run back to Plymouth under full head steam. After her course was altered, the London rolled heavily before the south-west gale, shipping tremendous seas in the waist, and sweeping away the engine-room hatch. The water then poured down in torrents, flooding the lower decks. The chief engineer and assistants stuck to their po9ts below until the water rose above their waists, when the fires were put out and the engines rendered useless. The Lon don was then hove to, and the donkey engine was cet to work to keep the ship clear, but without avail. Cross seas, which now broke over the vessel, rendered her bo low jn the water that she did not rise to the sea — in fact, waa settling down. 10th January, the ship was struck by a stern sea, bursting in the stern ports. Captain Martin, who throughout behaved energetically and bravely, then announced to the passengers the cessation of all earthly hope. Attempts were made to launch some boats, but they were all stove in but one. Captain Martin then instructed tho chief engineer and his asßis-

tants to no in this boat, as it probably belonged to them, according to the ship's waybill, giving them the course and distance to Brest, and then . wishing . them ** God speed, as he was dttermintd to stick by the vessel. The Revs. Dr Woolley, Draper, and Kerr, although working at the pumps the same as the others, in their leisure time and before the awful event ' occurred, prayed constantly, surrounded by all the passengers. When the boat left the ship, containing nineteen persons, One thousand guineas was offered for a passage in her, although she was only built to carry twelve. Immediately after this, th 6 hfav« and courageous Captain Martin, passengers, crewj and ship 1 wetitjddwnj and the boat narrowly escaped sinking, owing to the suction. G. V. Brooke worked incessantly at the pumps ; his Bister was with him : his last words, spoken to the steward, were, " If you succeed in saving yourself, give my kind farewell to the people of Melbourne." The crew of the boat was fortunately rescued, next day, by an Italian barque, and landed at Falmoiith. It is jfeported the London had fifty tons of coal on deck, which, being washed about, stopped the 6cupper-holes, and also that she, was fearfully overloaded with railway iron and other heavy materials, causing n£r'>fldrb'aps< to spring a leak ; aud hence the fearful disaster, ( 4 The following list of passengers is from the Home News : — Ist class : ltev. Mr and Mrs Draper, Mrs Owen and child, Mr and Mrs G. F. P. Urquhart, J. Patrick, G. V. Brooke, Miss Brooke, J. Alderson, P. Benson, Mr and Mrs J. Penton and 2 children, G. M. Smith, Mr and Mrs Clarke and Son, T, Lewis } Mr and Mrs Beva'n, l)r. J. Woolley, Mr and Mrs Devenljatrt, Miss L. Maunder. 3 . Robertson, T.M. Tennant, Mrs 1 raill and child, G. Palmer, T. Brown, Air and Mrs Amosj I<s. BYpok, J. R\ Richardson, Rev. Ml* and Mrs Kerr, Mrs and Miss King, Mr and Mrs Thomas and two children, A. Sandelands,E. Youngman, 11. J. Denis, E. A. Marks, D. F. Depass, Master W. D. Burrell, D. S. Hunter, Miss Doboy, Miss C. M'Lauglilan, Miss Cuthiiig, Mr M'Millan. Second Cabin — Mr and Mrs White, Mrs Morland, Miss G. Graham, Messrs Kaye, Kistwood, F. jStonej J. L. William;, B, G. Rowe, B. E. JVilson (savpdj. J. IJuthie, C. Gough, A. BVuce, J. Wo'oiihduse, G. Cross, \V. Day, D. \V. Lennon, G. Chenfield Wood, Master a/id Miss Clayton, Thomas Wood, Godfrey Wood, Miss E. Wood, Miss S. Hroocker, Mr and Mrs J. Geffet, Miss 11. Price, Mr and Mrs ilickmanand 4 children, Mrs arid Miss Meg^s, Mr Davies,. T. O'lljagen, U. W.Harding, F. Treer, J. Munrri (saved); D. C. Mayne (saved), C Jihnson, P. Fenwick, G. 11. Campbell, G Trevenan, A. M'Lean, Mr Davies, Miss E. Marks, Mr and* Mrs Graham, and B. Bovan. Third cabin: W. Pnssiniore, 11. Miller, C. P. Chandler, B. Hay, Miss E. Jones, Mr and Miss Simpson, Mr and Alias Fausen, Mr and .Mis Graham and 3 children, David Graham, Mr M'Vittie, Mr and Mrs Seacomhe and three children, Mrs and Mr G. Flick and four children, G. Relwegan, R. Trevorrert, D. Block, J. Merkin, Messrs Form, Senliu, Barnett, S. Bolton, T. S. Ragg, Mrs D. Smith, A. Humphrey, Master Spring, A. Hoyem, J. Walls, W. Barron, Mrs Lfenip arid children, T. Lottery John Little, M'Covey, Miss F. Batchelor, J. Kirkwood, W. Clifton, 11. Reynolds. Our correspondent was informed by the officers of the Madras, that it is doubtful whether Mrs Trail and child were on board.

GENERAL SUMMARY. 12th January. The Royal Commission at Jamaica have commenced their enquiry. An English advocate is the representative of Mrs Gordon, Dr Underwood, and others. America agrees conditionally to concontinue the reciprocity treaty with Canada for another year. London, January 26th. The Australian November mails were delivered in London on the 18th and 19th January. • The Queen resides at Osborne in tho enjoyment of good health. Her Majesty distributed her usual Christmas gifts to the poof. The Princess Helena's marriage is fixed for June} £6jooo, independent of the Princess's annual income, is asked for the marriage expenses. Great dissensions in the Ministry about manhood suffrage, &c. Earl Russell declares that the Cabinet will stand or fall by the Reform Bill. Grave changes in the Ministry are expected. The Baptist and Negro party in Jamaica are using every exertion to damage Governor Eyre's reputation, especially in Gordon's case. The Commissioners' report on capital punishment recommends dividing murder into two degrees : First, should the jury find malice, penalty death ; second, without malice, penal servitude from seven years to life. Two hundred convicts left France for New Caledonia. Ratifications of the treaty of commerce between England and Austria were exchanged at Vienna. Major Gray has been appointed Aide-de-Camp to the Governor of Ne»v Zealand. A national decoration — called the Albert Medal — has been insituted by the Queen for gallantry in cases of shipwreck. New Zealand affairs occupy a prominent position. The war is considered a mistake, the question should have been settled by legislation, and the troops should not have been marched into the centre of Waikato. On the Ist February the British registration fee on letters will be reduced from 6d to 4d. Respecting the Ministerial crisis in Victoria, the Times observes, where one Chamber represents numbers, and the other property, collision is inevitable. It says the only remedy is in the reform of the Constitution and characterises the conduct of Sir C. Darling as being as gross a *■ case of public delinquency as baa for many years come under observation. The Daily News supports Governor Darling. It is reported that Sir Richard Macdonneil, Governor of Hongkong, is detained in London two months, in readiness to supersede Governor Darling. Mjiiy more Fenians have beeu sentenced to penal servitude^ The American Fenians are quarrelling furiously ; but the leaders are making money fast. Fletcher— charged on his ownconfes•ion, with robbing the Union Bank of Mel-

hourne of £10,000 securities — has been discharged. Another tunnel under the Thames, a E>eptford, and one between England and Fraiice, from Dover to Cape Grisncz, are contemplated. The'r^ have been numerous accidents, as usual, irolll r'tfiltfrty, ftolliaions, colliery explosions, and ciinoiine. Brazil, 27th January. Business quiet. Bank ceased discounting paper money. Allies preparing to attack Paraguay, and demanding the expulsion of Lopez. A' serious fire occurred at St. Catherine's tyockj . Two . millions sterling worth of property destroyed. Crewhall in Cheshire, has been burnt, damage £10,000. Another consignment of salmon trout and ova for Australia is preparing. Mr Edward Wilson, of the Argus, is residing at Croydon, and still suffering from ophthalmia. Ternffic gales, commencing on the 28th December, swept along the English coast Until the 26fh January. Great snow storms and inundations. Four thousand (?) ships wrecked. Great loss of life. The Amelia, steamer, foundered on the 20th January,?*! the Bay of Biscay ; value of cargo, £250,000. The Hannah More, Black Ball liner,' lost. Six out of twenty-four saved • , :• 13th FeWuary. The American 2levepud Commission have submitted a proposition to Congress for raising a 5 per cent loan. Letters have been received from Mr .Cossain, announcing that the Abyssinian captives are still alive. Scholi sold into slavery b'ooo negroes. 14th February. O'Donohue'3 amendment on the Irish Disaffection Bill was rejected by a large niaforitv. The Government proceedings about; tlje cattle plague are severely criticised in both Houses. The promised Ministerial Reform Bill has been read a first time. The Houade foundered, after a collision with the Queen of Beauty • nil saved. The second Peabody gift of L 100,000 has been distributed. Consols, 87^. OBITUARY. Lieiiteriant- Colonel Mun'av, Captain Crawford, 11 N., .Lady Wilmot, Sir Joseph Malcolm, Jl C. Mellish, Dr. Ritchie, ViceAdmiral llcrringlmm, Sir Francis'Goderich, Mnjor-General Westward, Hon. Laurence Sullivan, Sir William Sylces, Rev. Henry, W.ellesley, Sir Astley Cooper, Major-General Cherretty. Sir James Love, sir John M'GrVgo'r, General Latour, Captain Moore. * AMERICA. January 11th. Money abundant, gold 139§. Cotton firmer. President Johnson intends reconstructing his Cabinet, and retaining two of the present members. Mr Staunton supersedes Mr Adams in London. Twenty colored regiments in Texas have been discharged. The aggregate strength of the Federal army is fixed at 60,000. The negroes in Louisiana rose in arms against their overseers. The insurrection was quelled by the militia. The planters are anxious to secure white labor for tho approaching crops.-. A band of outlaws captured the steamer Lily, with 1000 bales of cotton, on the Alabama River. The House of Representatives have introduced resolutions that the United States ought never to recognise any Government imposed on any nation on the American Continent by European arms. The diplomatic correspondence between France and the United States on the Mexican question, has been before Congress, and is exiciting much discussion. Intercepted letters show.that Napoleon strongly endeavored to secure Mexico. The United States urge the immediate withdrawal of the French troops, which the French Government agree to, provided the former gives a pledge not to interfere with Mexican affairs, but remain neutral. This is flatly refused, and an accredited Minister to the Mexican Republic has been appointed. Ex President Davis's trial is still deferred, — he is to be charged with treason. Resolutions have passed the Senate, declaring treason a punishable crime. Mr How introduced resolutions to provide a Provisional Government for the Southern States. An additional Cotton Tax Bill has been introduced. FRANCE. Count Walewski's election has been declared valid. The Budget for 1867 has been presented to the Chamber. The ordinary expenditure is calculated at 1524 million francs, ordinary revenue at 1622 millions. After appropriating eighty-eight millions for an ordinary budget, a surplus of ten millions and a half francs remain. The issue of Treasury bonds is limited to 150 ' million francs. The Emperor's speech, made on the 22nd, touched upon the 'prosperity of France owing to the continued development of trade, manufactures, the unity of Italy, the consolidation of the long subsisting friendship of England, and <he declaration that in German affairs France will remain neutral, unless for her own interests she be compelled to interfere ; and arrangements have been made with . the Emperor Maximilian for t'le with- ' drawal of French troops from Mexico, i without compromising French interests, 5 which they were sent to defend. J SPAIN. The military insurrections in provincial ■ towns are quelled. General Proni and i followers were closely pursued by General Zeabila. The Minister of Marine escaped - to Portugal, but was only allowed to reside c there as a Spaniard who unsuccessfully ate tempted the liberation of his country from t despotism. (f f ' it CHILI. '■• The Chilian steam corvette Esmer,nlcla. a commanded by an Englishman, attacked >r the Spanish corvette Virginia. After c twenty minutes desperate engagement the Spaniards hauled down their flag, '- The Chilians bad another naval success, J- giving them confidence of further victories. 33 Admiral Pareja, the commander of tlm Spanish blockading forces, has committed id suicide. Several vessels have been detained ai ig Callao, on suspicion of trading with tlu ig Spaniards. The Chilians have captured thj Spaniel 8- ship Covodonga. Spam very indignant 1- and i a a-uasinc; tho Pacific fleet.

ROME. Victor Emmanuel intimated positively that he wa3 not to interfere with tho Papal States during the lifetime of Pius IX. On no pretext will he send troops thither Should a revolution break out in Rome and the Pope take flight, the Italian Government will hold aloof, but will prevent Roman insurrectionists from receiving any support from without. ITALY. The Ministerial crisis has terminated. General La Marmora nas formed an Administration. The new Finance Minister declares against contracting lodfis for adjusting the balance between the revenue and expenditure ; an increase of taxes and a reduction are considered necessary. He recommends a reduction of fifty-five millions—thirty millions in tho military and naval departments.COMMERCIAL. London, January 26. The English Funds remain without alteration. The tone is still adverse. Consols 86J to 87 for delivery ; 87£ for account. Bank rate of discount, minimum 8 per cent. The supply of money on the Stock Exchange comparatively abundant. Exchange, 60 days^— New York on London, 108} to 100 per cent,; foreign slightly' diminished. The Board of Trade returns just issued are most satisfactory, showing an increase in exports last year over 1864 0f £2,40 1, 479; anfl in 1863, £1,896,976. The Bank of Otago, limited^ declared a premium and dividend of 6 per cent, for the halfyear. The Scottish Australian Investment Company's dividend was 10 per cent per annum. The Union Bank of Australia's dividend on 15th January was £2 2s. 6d per share, free of income tax. The New Zealand Trust Loan Company's dividend was 10 percent per annum. j Affairs are brighter. , Tonnage is conaiderabry decreased. Numerous engagements at advanced rates. Colonial . Government Securities. — New Ssuth Wales 5 per cents., 1871 to 1876, 92 to 94 ; New Zealand 6 per cent., • 100 to 102 ; South Australian 6 per cent., 1878 and upwards, 104 to 106. Victorian 6 per cent.. April and October, 105 to 106. Queensland? per cent., January and July, 99* to 100 i LONDON WOOL REPORT. Since the opening of the year there has been a steady business in all descriptions of wool. From second hands the demand was so great, latterly, that the markets be came exceedingly bare of ull sorts. The advance p. iid ranged from Id to lgdon Fovember rates.