ENGLISH NEWS.

Lyttelton Times, Volume I, Issue 21, 31 May 1851, Page 2

ENGLISH NEWS.

We rfind that home intelligence later than that given in our last number, has been received at Wellington by the " Beturn," from California, and is given in the public prints of that place. We must not omit (says the Spectator) to direct attention to the fact that this has occurred on every arrival from San Francisco to New Zealand. If the Australian colonies are to be connected by steam with the mother country, the route by way of the Isthmus of Panama, seems on-every consideration to be the preferable one. Latest News of Sir John Franklix.— (Translated from Le Cerneen, February 18.) The last mail has brought to Mauritius news, which obtained a momentary belief in England, that Sir John Franklin had been discovered. The announcement had been made publicly in two theatres in London. But this intelligence had not been confirmed. A letter from Singapore, addressed to the Observer, of Colombo, and of subsequent date to the last news received by the Admiralty of England, gives us almost the sad certainty that there is no hope of his bein°found alive. Sir,—News from the most distant regions should always be received with pleasure, and especially when they relate to those unfortunate men who have risked their all, and whom we have great reason to fear have lost their lives, in the devotion of science. " I am enabled this month to acquaint you of the result of the expedition in search of Sir John Franklin and his companions, and to put you in possession of news even later than that possessed by the Admiralty. "The "Herald" has arrived here (Singapore) from the Arctic regions, having touched at the Sandwich Islands and at Hong Kong last week, and she brings the most recent intelligence from the northern regions. Near the last station of the Russian Fur Company they learned from the natives, that a party of white men had encamped three or four hundred miles in the interior; that the Russians had endeavoured to furnish them -with the necessaries of life, but that the natives, who are enemies to the Russians, had opposed all their efforts, so that it was not possible for them to approach the encampment, or to find the unfortunate sufferers. A tribe of Esquimaux which arrived at the time, confirmed in the most explicit manner this vague report; and added that the whites (supposed to ,be Franklin's party) aud the natives having quarrelled, the former had been massacred. "As to the probability that this unfortunate party is that of Sir John, is a question that I will not take upon me to'decide, but will leave to yourself and your readers, who have attentively read all that has been published on this subject."

The revenue returns for the quarter ending January 5, 1851, have just been published, and they are most satisfactory, as, notwithstanding the repeal of the brick duty, the modification of the stamp duties, and the further reduction of the sugar duties in October last, the falling off is only 109,428£, as compared with the corresponding period of last year. The returns for the year show an increased receipt of 164,922^., in spite of all reductions; and, as the expenditure will, it is expected, will be able to show in April next, a^surplus equal to that of last year. The last monthly return of the Board of Trade, also exhibits a very healthy sign.