[VIA PANAMA.]

Hawke's Bay Herald, Volume 12, Issue 889, 2 November 1867, Page 3

[VIA PANAMA.]

The P.KZ. & A.R.M. Company's screw steamer Rakaia, S. Harry Wright, commander, arrived at Wellington at 8 o'clock on the morning of the 27th October, with the European mails, passengers, and cargo from Panama. She brings nineteen passengers, as per annexed list, and 293 packages cargo. The Rakaia left Wellington on the Bth August, and arrived at Panama on the 3rd September, one day before she' was due. From the time of leaving Wellington up to the 14th Aug., she encountered a severe gale from the westward ; during the remainder of the passage the weather, was moderately, fine with head winds. She left Panama on the 24th September (25th, Wellington time), and met with light fair breezes as far as Opara Island, which place she made on the 14th (15th) October, leaving the following morning at daylight, having taken in 150 tons of coal from the Company's coal ship Midas; since then heavy bead seas with contrary winds have prevailed. On the 10th. (11th) October communication was made with the natives of Pitcairn Island. The following is the passenger list : — Wellington — Mrs. Mr. Blackadder. Auckland — Mr. E. Glanville. Tara naki — Mr. Pitcairne. Melbourne — Rev. R. Webb, Mr. and Mrs. Palmer, Mr. E. Myers, Mr. J. Pry, Mr. JVffery, Mr. Hilliard, Mr. P. Young, Mr. Bigelow. Sydney — Mr. and Mrs. Russell, Mr. Brine, Capt. Wiekstrom, Mr. Griffin, Mr. R. Cameron. The Rakaia brings news from Eui'ope to the 11th September; New York, 11th September ; Panama, 24th September^ ' (FEOJI OUtt OWN CORRESPONDENT.) London, September 2. My letter of 26th ultimo concluded with a short notice of the murders &c. then rifle — since tlmt timewe have, not had any very " startling" circumstances . in . that " line." The law has put an end to two murderers. The convict Britten who pleaded that he never intended to kill his wife, has found that the sentence passed

3 upon him was intended, and justly enough b a halter has finished his career. The other ) criminal operated on by Calcraft was a young man who, conceiving his uncle to be t his arch enemy, dispatched him with a charge of shot. Of course both criminals died " very penitent," and of couuse the mobs assembled were highly edified by the sights presented to them. Every day brings us some account of a suicide, but as they do not present any remarkable "points," I shall not trouble you with any details of them — they are referable to one of three causes i.e., jealousy, drink or poverty. The Imperial meeting at Salzburg is over, but no direct results have accrued from it. If the two Emperors did really decide upon anything, they have managed to keep it closely veiled from the outside world. If it is. war, they are evidently going to " bide their time," for all objects likely to lead to any European quarrel have been carefully avoided in Louis Napoleon's recent speeches, in . prpof whereof I append the two last he has given utterance, to. The first was delivered at Arras, , on the occasion of the Emperor's journey to Lille, where certain fe"tes were held, in celebration of the union of Flanders with France. Of course the " irrepressible" and " inevitable" Mayor presented the address : — .Monsieur le Maire, — It is with pleasure I find myself among you after such a long period, and I have seized with avidity the oooaßion of a national fete to come and learn your desires, and assureyou that my solicitude for all the interests of the country shall never fail you. You are right to feel confidence in the future ; it is only feeble Governments which seefe in foreign complications a diversion from home embarrassments. But when force is derived from the mass of the nation we have only to do our duty, to satisfy the permanent interests of the country, and, while holding aloft the national banner, to 'guard ourselves from being led away by ilktirned impulses, however patriotic, they may be. I thank you for the sentiments you have expressed towards the Empress and my son. Rest assured that they share my devotion for France, and that their greatest happiness would be to put ah <isnd to all misery, and to alleviate all misfortune. Having stopped two weary hours at Arras, and received all kinds of deputations, &c, His Majesty at length arrived at Lille, where he delivered himself as follows : — When, some years ago, I came for the first time to visit tne department of the Nord, everything smiled upon my wishes, I had just espoused the Empress, and I may say I had also just wedded France before eight millions of witnesses. Order was restored, political passions were lulled to rest, and I foresaw for the country a new era of greatness and prosperity. At home the union existing among all good citizens presaged the peaceful dawn of liberty ; abroad I saw our glorious flag protecting every cause of civilising justice. During the last fourteen years many of my hopes have been realised, and great progress has been accomplished. Dark spots, however, "have darkened our horizon. But even as good fortune has not dazzled me, so transient reverses will not discourage me. How should I be discouraged when I see from one end of France to the other the people greeting the Empress and myself with acclamations, in which are unceasingly associated the name of our son ? To-day Ido not come here only to celebrate a glorious anniversary in the capital of ancient Flanders; I also come to learn your wants, to heighten the courage of some, to confirm the confidence of all, and to endeavour to increase the .prosperity of this great department, by still further developing it* agriculture, manufactures and commerce. You will aid me, gentlemen, in this noble task, but you will not forget that the first condition of the prosperity of a nation like ours ia to possess the consciousness of its own strength, and not allow itself to be depressed by imaginary fears, but to rely upon the wisdom and patriotism of the Government. The Empress, touched by the sentiments which you express, unites with me in thanking you for yonr warm and sympathetic welcome." So far, so good — but, you see, herein there is no definite word as to peace or war, hence Europe persists in remaining uneasy, and every nation is polishing up its arms. As usual, the authorities in Spain are busy, quelling an insurrection that they declared they had put an end to a fort- \ night ago. They can go on and prosper, so far as the manufacture of bulletins and proclamations are concerned — the only question being how long Spain will go on under Isabella's rule. From Crete we find that the insurrection is far from quelled, and it is asserted that Omar Pasha has been guilty of great excesses and atrocities. - If one is to believe -the Cretans, certainly the General to whose undying fame certain English quadrille makers inscribed numerous fourpage productions, has been guilty of great barbarity. Death, in the short space of a week, has removed from our midst a Duke, and one of our most eminent Professors. The Duke of Northumberland has passed away at the ripe age of 90 years. He had only enjoyed the title of " Your Grace" for 2! years. i