ARRIVAL OF THE APRIL MAIL.

Hawke's Bay Herald, Volume 2, Issue 92, 25 June 1859, Page 3

ARRIVAL OF THE APRIL MAIL.

By the "White Swan" we have received an extra sheet of the Advertiser, containing a summary of news by the April mail, received in Wellington on Sunday morning by the " Prince Alfred" — which steamer, now under the command of Capt. Bovvden, had made the run from Sydney to Nelson in five days. We append the principal items of intelligence. We regret to observe that rumours of war were still in the ascendant. Great preparations for a campaign were being made.^by France, Austria, and Piedmont. Through friendly mediation a congress of the great powers had been held with a view to the settlement of the Italian question, hut apparently without good result, — the latest intelligence (April 19,) containing the following : — '' The proposed Congress had met. A variety of difficulties having intervened, the position of affairs is most critical and threatening. France and Sardinia appear resolved to attack Austria, and many impediments are thrown in the way of the Congress meeting. . The attitude of France and Sardinia is so portentous that Austria insists as the first step, on the two former powers disarming with herself. Sardinia consents to disarm, provided she Be allowted to appear at the Congress as one of the great powers. France replies she cannot disarm, because she never has armed. This is a mere subterfuge, for it is known that France has been arming for a long while. Troops, munitions of war, and provisions of every kind are being and have long been in preparation. The English Government has been most assiduous in its endeavors to effect a reconciliation, and the Ministry, at the urgent desire of the country and the Opposition, will this evening make a statement to Parliament on the actual state of affairs on the Continent. The general belief is that war is inevitable. France appears to be resorting to a ruse, namely, delaying the last extremity until slie has completed all her arrangements and impoverished Austria. Sardinia, being backed by France and the popular feeling of Italy, has resolved on war at all hazards. The wool sales were to commence on 28th April. 2543 bales of Sydney, 26,173 bales of Victorian, and 11,500 bales of Adelaide, were to be brought forward. The Home News says the dulness since the close of the last sales has continued. Scarcely any contracts have been made in our market. The few lots of wool held in second hands could have been quitted at last rates, but the expected descriptions being required for immediate con'surnpticm, buyers were indisposed to give any^advaricS; i, ... , , The^ I>erby^Go.venime)nt haviflg beetiTdel ' feated on the J^eforih bill by a 'majority 1 of &9 r would dissolve Parliament p.n.the, 2lst of April; and appeal.to the-country. >,'••.', ' ' ,A >: vote; 6f thanks' hkd been passed* in - hgjth houses of Parliament, to the Governor .General,,, Commander- in-ChieF,^ and! .otliesr : officers an d< ci vilians: > who were : ins trum.eii.t2- v si ; in ! quelling the Indian rebellion. . - ■■'■*- ' '?

Austria having failed to negociate a loan, has seized ' 6n : the bullion in the Bank of Vienna, and ther^is a talk of a forced lq|anV ; Indian finance,^'&l in abadstate r iri^C>n^?^ J s6<juence of 'which the Government had desr pat6h'ed one million of Silver to India* was; sending a second million, and would have to send a third-. : The King of Prussia intended abdicating the throne. ' The Marquis of Waterford was killed •vfhiist hunting. The notorious Yeh, formerly Governor of Canton, died at Calcutta. Sir Jamsetgee Jeegeehboy, the Parsee | baronet, died at Bombay. Tantia Toopee has been captured and hung. 700 butts of sherry wine were sunk on board the Thalia, run down off the Eddystone. Trade and commerce are much depressed by political difficulties, and the prospect of a European war. The Governor-General of India is to be elevated to an earldom. Lord Elphinstone has been created a baron of the United Kingbom. A public thanksgiving was to take place on the Ist of May, on the pacification of India. The reduction of the income-tax will involve a decrease of revenue amounting t o two millions and a half. Smith O'Brien had arrived in the United States, and had created a great sensation among the Irish residents. ' '