The Lyttelton Times. Saturday, Dec. 30, 1854.

Lyttelton Times, Volume IV, Issue 226, 30 December 1854, Page 4

The Lyttelton Times. Saturday, Dec. 30, 1854.

*~ The " Shepherdess" has brought us European intelligence of a very important nature. S ebastopol has been taken by the allies after great loss on the part of the Russians. Such particulars as have reached us will be found in another column. The Russians have entirely evacuated the Principalities ; the Austrian army now occupies them. Prussia has declared against taking part with the allies in the war. It is said that this declaration of the king of Prussia is very badly received in Germany. It is reported that Sir Charles Napier is about to return from the Baltic. Spain is still in a very disturbed state;— The country is anxiously awaiting the meeting of the Cortez.

The Cholera is declining rapidly in England; indeed, some accounts state that it has almost disappeared. In the north of Ireland another disturbance has taken place, occasioned by the feuds of the Orange and Green. Some Roman Catholics, it appears, cheered the Pope on their way home from mass, whereupon a body of Orangemen rushed out of a neighbouring church in the

middle of the sermon to attack them. After driving the Green from the field they improved their victory by breaking windows. Thus the war began. Lord Ennfckill.e/i, with 900 Orangemen set off on the fotli '-<$$" September, to renew the memories, &c, at Londonderry, where all the usual fervid speeches were made about the Pope, and the speakers' determination to " rally round the Protestant throne." On their return, the train was arrested in its progress b}' six big stones that had been placed on the rails. The stoker was killed, and Lord Enniskillen hurt. The perpetrators of this outrage have not been discovered ; every means, however, has been adopted to secure their detection. Ribandmen are of course suspected. Lord Enniskillen has no reason to be proud of his share in the matter. How long will the Orange processions be allowed to excite such ill feelings as exist between the Orangemen and Ribandmen ? Both are shamefully to blame, but the best educated ought to be the most severely brought to account.

The news from Ballarat is of a very serious nature. A regularly organised outbreak appears to have taken place. The troops and the diggers have come into actual "collision. An account of the fray will be found elsewhere.

The Wellington Provincial Council was opened on the 21st inst. We are not able to publish His Honor the Superintendent's speech to-day, on account of its great length. Owing the press of English news, we must postpone much New Zealand intelligence.