CHINA.

Lyttelton Times, Volume IX, Issue 586, 16 June 1858, Page 5

CHINA.

The "Hong Kong Register" of the 23rd and 30th March, give the following items of Chinese intelligence. The opium market was on the decline. Before the arrival of the Bombay on the 27th, it was nominally quoted at 615 dollars. But she having brought forward 1,400 chests and advices that above 1,000 chests would shortly be on in the new steamer Bombay Castle, buyers at present show no demand to purchase. No sales had been made since the arrival ofthe Bombay, but it was thought the opening rate will not be much above 585 dollars.

" The ' Heather Bell,' a small schooner belonging to Messrs. Jardine, Matheson, and Co., occasionally employed as a despatch boat, was on her return from Macao passing Tounkoo Bay, on the night of the 15th instant, when she was attacked by seven piratical boats. This was noticed by the schooner Zouave, which on her arrival here reported the circumstance. The information having been immediately laid before the admiral, he quickly despatched the gunboat Starling, with a cutter and gig from his own ship in pursuit. Leaving the harbor early on Wednesday morning, they were fortunate enough to hear from some fishermen of the " whereabouts" of the schooner. She had been run up a small creek behind Urrason's Peak, where she was found surrounded by five or six boats, and out of which she was taken and brought back to Hong Kong, not however without some fighting, along with eighteen prisoners. In the attack the master of the schooner was killed and had his head cut off. Two of the *rew (Portuguese) were also killed and two severely wounded. Great credit is given to Lieutenant Villiers eommandmg the Starling and the other officers under him, for the dexterous and gallant manner in which the expedition was carried out and the recapture effected."

The American Commissioner (Mr. Reed) had issued a manifesto on the subject of the Coolie Traffic, m largely engaged in by American ships. The minister holds that the shipping in American vessels of coolies held under contract for labor, is a breach of the laws of the United States.

The " North China Herald" of February 27, publishes the translation of an Imperial edict, dated the "12th moon, 14th day," (28th Jan., 1858) appointing a new High Commissioner, and degrading Yeh, whose conduct as Governor of Canton is said to have been " obstinate, perverse, and reckless." Hwang Tsunghan is the chosen successor of Yeh.