ARRIVAL OF THE S.S. RANGITOTO WITH THE ENGLISH MAIL FOR SEPTEMBER.

Westport Times, Volume III, Issue 575, 2 November 1869, Page 2

ARRIVAL OF THE S.S. RANGITOTO WITH THE ENGLISH MAIL FOR SEPTEMBER.

(BY ELECTRIC TELEGEAPE) (mon ouk ows CORRESPONDENT.) Hokitika, Hondas. The s.s. Bangitoto arrived in the roadstead at half-past nine last night. The mails were landed at six this morning. Melbourne, Oct. 25. The Eoyal Mail steamer Alexandra was signalled at Adelaide at 9 a.m. on Sunday, bringing the English September mails per s.s. Avoea. She had a fine passage, and arrived two days before her time. The following are the principal news items: London, Sept. 11. Consols, 92f and 92f ; discount, 22. The third auuual wool sales will conelude on the 21st. The quantity catalogued is 127,410 bales. New Zealand wools ruled a half-penny higher than the June sales. The general tone of the market is much firmer, and the competition more spirited, than for some time past. The question of holding monthly wool sales is much agitated among buyers. The July mails from Australia, via Marseilles, were delivered on September 7th, and via Southampton on the 13th. The Queen left Windsor for Bah moral on August 19th. The Queen and the Princesses Louisa and Beatrice, visited the Trossachs and the vicinity. The Prince of "Wales returned from Germany, joined the Queen, and was present at the Braemar gathering oh September 2nd. The Princess remains at "Wildbad, for the benefit of the waters, which have improved her health. Prince Arthur left England for Canada to join the Eifle Brigade, on August 14th, and arrived there on the 22nd. He was received with the greatest cordiality by all classes. The Oxford and Harvard University boat-race was rowed on August 27th*, aud created an immense amount of excitement. The Harvard crew won the toss for places, and took the Middlesex side. At the start they went away with the lead, which they retained to Hammersmith Bridpe, under which they passed half a length a-head. After leaving there the Oxford crew gradually drew on them, and by the time they reached Chiswich-Evot, Oxford put on a magnificent spurt and passed them. On reaching Barnes the Oxford boat had three clear boatlengths a-head, and finished the course in 22 minutes, 41| seconds. The crowd lining both banks of the river was enormous, and the course on the river was kept very clear, only two steamers being allowed to follow, containing the umpires aud other officials. Other steamers were kept at some distance in the rear. The defeat of the

Harvard crew caused much disapointment in America, but the American papers admit that the race was contested in a perfectly fair manner. The failure of the Albert Insurance Company, reported by last mail, caused great excitement among the policy-holders. The collapse of the company was caused by the reckless extension of business. The Emperor Napoleon has been seriously ill. The event caused the greatest excitement in Paris. Bents fell with alarming rapidity. The exchanges of Vienna, Frankfort, and Paris, were seriously disturbed for some days. The alarm is now subsiding. The Emperor is reported to be recovering. It is hoped he will visit the East on the occasion of opening the Suez canal. It is hoped that nothing will interfere with the grand ceremonials intended for that event. Cardinal Cullen issued a pastoral which threatened that the sacraments should be withheld from parents sending their children to the National Schools. The Cardinal also ordered a general thanksgiving in all Catholic churches, to last three days, to commemorate the disestablishment of the Irish Church. The Prince of "Wales is identifying himself with the English Freemasons. He has been made past Grand Master, and has announced bis intention of joining several of the highest lodges. Commissioners have been appointed to investigate election bribery. In the case of Bridgewater and JN orwich they discovered evidence of gross corruption, and it is supposed that a motion will be made to disfranchise both boroughs. The Bishop of Winchester has resigned. He retains one-third of the income. The Bishop of Oxford has been promoted to Winchester in consequence. The Bishop of Lichfield is seriously indisposed. His illness was occasioned by the shock he received by the death of his brother, Mr Justice Selwyn. The Eev. Charles Kingsley, the well-known novelist, has been appointed one of the canons of Chester cathedral.

It is reported that a mutiny has broken out among the National Guards at Madrid. The negociations for the sale of €uba has been suspended. It is reported from Washington that the American Government have determined to recognise the beligerency of the Cuban insurgents. Speculation is indulged in as to the effect this step will produce in the Spanish Cortes. A sharp contest is expected for the Mayoralty of London between Sir James C. Lawrence and Mr Aid. Besley. Mr Bright, President of the Board 01 Trade, has published a letter on the trade prospects of'the United Kingdom. He declares that more cotton mil be wanted than is capable of being now supplied. The great Ebor Handicap was won by Fortune; Laird, second : War, third. Ketrenchment still proceeds in the dockyards. Sheerness is to be abandoned as si naval yard. The British Association is holding its annual gathering at Exeter; Professor Stokes presiding. On August 24th Sir Archibald Hamilton, Bart, read a paper on the relations of New Zealand with the Mother Country, in which he strongly advocated the maintenance of cordial union between the Colonies and Great Britain. This paper caused considerable discussion. From New York the latest cable news reports gold 135^. General Eawlings, War Secretary, is dead. General Sherman has been appointed his temporary successor. Obituary.— Charles Moore, M.P., Tipperary County; Capt. Samuel T. Dickens ; Commodore Thomas Podgkins ; Sir Boger Palmer; General J. S. Fraser ; Hon. and Eev. E. Pellew ; E. C. Egerton, P. M.; Sir Charles George Touug, Garter King of Arms, and Admiral R. L. Baynes, K.C.B. The circular of the Colonial Committee, London, has been i-sued. The question, formally raised, excites earnest discussion. The course taken by the Colonial representatives is generally commended. The Times says the circular marks an epoch, and that separation and independence are the only correct solution of the question. The Pall Mall Gazette and Nonconformist agree with the Times, and think that the Conference will never meet, or that, if it did meet, it would fail.

The Spectator and Saturday Revieic would prefer the Australias, Canada, and the Cape being allied, with envoys representing them at the Court. The Economist discusses the price the Colonies must pay for the Imperial connection. There is nothing moving in the political world. Almost all the Ministers are away on the moors. Gladstone is staying at Walmer Castle. His health has derived benefit from the change. Lord Clarendon is staying in Belgium. It is believed that the object of his visit is to encourage Belgium to maintain a firm front against foreign dictation. He was enthusiastically received by the Belgians. Lord Palmerston's private diary, edited by Sir Henry Balmer, will be published by Bentley. The Irish Land Question is the only subject of political discussion at Present. Great excitement prevails * Ireland on the question.

The Times has sent a Commissioner to Ireland, who has contributed a series of valuable letters to that journal. The National Eeform Union have announced their programme for the winter campaign. It comprises vote by ballot, a larger reduction of the National expenditure, an improvement of land tenure in Ireland, and an assimilation of the country and borough franchise.

" Formosa," a new drama, pourtraying the career of a captivating member of the demi-monde, by Boucicault. and performing at Drury Lane, has created an animated controversy between the Press, the author, and the lessee. The latter takes his stand on theground that it is a business speculation—that plays of this kind pay better than others of a higher class. Mrs Beecher Stowe, in Macmillan, purports to give a true story of Lady Byron's Life. Mrs Stow was instigated to write it by the recent publication of Countess Guiccioli's Mrs Stowe states, on the authority of Lady Byron, that the real cause of the separation was the discovery that Byron was living in incestuous intercourse with his half-sister Augusta. Dr Lushington is referred to as the depositary of the secret. The solicitors ot Byron's family protest against the publication of the statement, but without denying its truth. A strong feeling prevails that Mrs Stowe was wrong in publishing this ghastly story. The papers are full of correspondence, but Dr Lushington gives no sign. Hepworth Dixon is making a Eussian tour, and Charles Dilke is roaming in the northern regions. Day and Martin's blacking manufactory, High Holborn, has been destroyed by fire. Three highly placed officials in Woolwich arsenal, have been committed for trial on a charge of stealing Government stores. Clement Harwood, son of a partner in the firm of Allen, Knight, and Co., has been committed for stealing bills amounting to £15,000. He was captured in American, and brought back. Craig, the late Governor of Pentonville prison, has been arrested on a charge of embezzling £690 belonging to the gaol.

The Great Eastern sails with the Indian cable on November 10th. News has been received that British subjects have been detained captives in Paraguay. They are well treated, and in safety. Miss Glynne, the celebrated tragedienne, is about to make a professional tour through the United States, and will then proceed to California and Australia. Two steamers, the Germania and Cleopatra, have been lost off Newfoundland in a heavy fog. The Germania lost all her specie and cargo. The island of Juan Fernandez has been ceded to a society of German colonists. News from the Cape states that Twells, Bishop of Orange Free State, has been charged with committing an indescribable offence. John Webster, merchant, has been sent to prison for fraudulently obtaining quantities of valuable goods under the pretext of sending them to New Zealand. Williain Dixon, a private soldier, has been executed for Bhooting Corporal Brett at Aldershott. A great demonstration is to be held on the 20th inst., at Charing Cross, with a view to induce the Government to release political prisoners. Twelve English cricketers sail for Australia on the 24th. A company has been formed in London, to make a railway from Dunedin to Port Chalmers and Deborah Bay. Three telegraphic companies have been formed to connect Australia with the Indo-European system. Tallow is firm. Australian is sold at an advance of 6d to Is; better sorts, Is 6d ; middling, fully 2s ; lower qualities sold freely. Australian hides —improved assortment—advanced, Is 4d per lb. Total exports to Australia for the month show £274,632 of a decrease. Exports to New Zealand £115,479; decrease £32,056. Obituary.—John B.Payne, Colonel Terry, Edward Barrow {Morning Herald staff), W. M. StevenseD, Great Western Bailway, Dr Spiers, Behan, editor of the London Gazette, General Perronett Thompson, and Baron Leys (Belgian painter).

LATER SPECIAL TELEG-EAMS. London, Sept. 23. The American Minister has withdrawn from Cuba. The Common Council of the City of London purposes to vote 300 guineas in aid of the British and Colonial Emigration Fund. Wool sales continue firm and prices Id to lfd better than June rates. 80,000 bales taken for contingent demand. Trade improving. Stormy weather has been experienced round the English coast. The Maid of Judas put back after collision with another vessel. Having repaired damages, she sailed again. The Matona is oveidue, and insurance premiums are as high as 60 guineas.

The Viceroy of Egypt has raised difficulties regarding the acceptance of conditions imposed by the Grand Yizier, preventing him from raising loans without the leave of the Sultan. The Czar of Russia has been seriously ill. It is now officially reported that his health is completely restored.

Lady Palmerston and the Bishop of Exeter are dead. Eleven horses ran for the St Leger. Pero Gomez, 1; Martyrdom, 2; George Osbaldistone, 3. The Spanish Government are sending 21,000 troops to Cuba. Policy holders of the Albert Life Assurance Company have rejected the scheme of re-constructiou recommended by the official liquidators. The European Assurance Company has suspended payment. A petition for winding-up the company has been presented to the Court of Chancery. Galle, Oct. 5. The P. and O. steamer Carnatie, from Suez to Bombay, was totally wrecked off the island of Shadwiu in the Eed Sea. The ship lay 36 hours on the reef, broke up, and went down into deep water, carrying with her the whole of her cargo, with specie and mails. Nothing was saved. Five passengers, the ship's surgeon (Dr Eansford), the purser (Mr Gardner), the purser's clerk, chief engineer, another engineer, three stewards, and fifteen Natives, perished. Those of the passengers and crew who were saved were taken back to Suez in the Sumatra. It is stated at Bombay that trustworthy information has been received of Dr Livingston having reached Ngira, on Lake Tanganyika, in last May. He was to leave for the coast of Zanzibar. Supplies were sent to Ngira three years ago. JAPAN. The Duke of Edinburgh arrived at Yokohamo on August 29th and held a levee. He was well received by the Nicado, and proceeded to Yeddo. Prince Arthur arrived at Halifax, where lie had a public reception. An accident occurred in a coalmine at Plymouth, Pennsylvania. The timbers caught fire, and 200 men and boys were suffocated. A heavy gale at Boston destroyed property of the value of a million dollars. English wheat, new 44s ; old 50s.