SAN FRANCISCO MAIL.

Lyttelton Times, Volume XXXV, Issue 3201, 18 April 1871, Page 3

SAN FRANCISCO MAIL.

PEACE DEFINITELY ARRANGED. PACIFIC MAIL CONTRACT SIGNED. LATEST DATES. LONDON, MARCH 17. SAN FRANCISCO, MARCH 18. Auckland, April 16, via Nelson, April 17. The City of Melbourne arrived at 3 p.m. to-day, having left Honolulu on March 28. She brings 12 passengers for Auckland, and 11 for Sydney, and a large cargo for both places. Mr Kaye is mail agent. The East Lothian has sailed from New York for Auckland with a cargo of kerosene, Ac. London, Feb. 24. A crowded meeting was held last evening in London in favour of the disestablishment of the English Church. In tbe House of Commons Mr Disraeli made a powerful speech against the policy of the Government in relation to the Russian question. Mr Gladstone replied, denouncing his interference, and assuring tbe House that the Conference would hear Russia’s case in all fairness. Mr Grant Duff laid before the House the Budget for India. The statement was highly favourable to the finances of the country. Washington, Fob. 27. The joint High Commission on the Canadian Fisheries and Alabama questions, met this day at tbe State department for the first time. Versailles, Feb. 27. King William has telegraphed as follows to the Queen: —“ With deeply moved heart and with gratitude to God, I inform you that the preliminaries of peace have been signed. The Bordeaux Assembly must yet ratify.” Berlin, Feb. 27. There is iinmense excitement, Paris, Feb. 27. Sunday being the anniversary of the Proclamation of the Republic m 1848, the “ Reds ” held a noisy demonstration. A police agent who attempted to interfere for the preservation of peace was seized by the crowd, tied to a plank and thrown into tbe Seine where he was drowned. Bordeaux, Feb. 28. The Assembly ratified the conditions of peace, and voted a denunciation of Napoleon and the Empire. . Paris, March 1. The German troops entered Paris to-day at 10 a.tn. Excited crowds had gathered at Montmartre and Belleville last night, listening to incendiary speeches and shouting defiance to the enemy. Tbe authorities had deemed it safer to throw up barricades at the cross streets on the line of march. At an early hour in the morning the preparations were complete, and the streets nearly deserted, being occupied only by strong bodies of French troops to keep the peace. At the appointed hour the first representatives of the victorious army entered within the enceinte, under the eyes of his Imperial Majesty. The French troops vacated the streets as the Germans approached. The Eleventh Corps advanced in two columns, one by Porte de Neuilly, the other by Pont de Jour. As .the troops proceeded along the line, the artillery took possession from Porte de Neuilly and from Pont de Jour to the Place de la Concorde. German hussars galloped down every avenue leading to Champs Elysees, to search the streets branching therefrom. The staff rode down the Champs Elysees to the house of Queen Christina, where their headquarters were established. Behind the staff came a battalion of the 88th, the Blue Dragoons, detachments of Bavarians, and a corps of artillery. There was no disturbance, and the people behaved admirably. London, March 1. There was much agitation in several quarters of Paris last night. The Emperor William refuses to enter Paris. Paris, March 2. A New York Herald despatch says that some of the troops entering Paris were mobbed. There were cries of “ Wait till we enter Berlin.” The war indemnity is made payable in three instalments —one milliard franca in 1871, double that amount in 1872, and the same in 1873. Tbe preliminaries of peace provided that the above payments shall be made; that tbe evacuation should commence on the ratification of the treaty by the Assembly ; that the Germans make no more requisitions; and that the prisoners be immediately liberated on ratification of the treaty. The Germans will hold the departments of Marne, Ardennes, Meuse, and Belfort, until after the payment of two milliards of francs. Berlin, March 3. The Emperor William, in a despatch to the Empress Augusta, announces that the peace was definitely arranged. Berlin is mad with excitement. London, March 3. Paris was completely evacuated to* day.

In the House of Commons Mr Gladstone retired early owing to illness. Sir Charles Dilke gave notice of a resolution regarding the Government’s assent to a conference on conditions dictated by Gortschakoff. Sir Eobert Peel stigmatised the course pursued'by Lord Lyons in deserting the British’residents in Paris as cowardly, and extolled the courageous behaviour of Mr Washburne, the American Minister. The Times , referring to Mr Childers’ health, says it will be impossible for him to resume bis seat at the Admiralty Board within twelve months. The University boat race comes off on April 1. Washington, March 3. Correspondents aver that counterclaims by Great Britain for damages to property of Englishmen resident in the country during the civil war, and to Canada for injuries received by citizens of the dominion during Fenian raids, will probably be insisted upon and pressed by the British members of the High Commission on the Alabama question. Bordeaux, March 3. In the Assembly, Jules Favre proposed the abrogation of all laws restricting the right of people to hold meetings and form associations. Paris, March 4. The German forces have received orders to retire behind the line of the Seine. Paris has resumed its ordinary appearance. The barricades have been removed, and the Boulevards are filled with promenaders, A restaurant on the Champs Elysees has been gutted by the people for receiving and entertaining the Prussians. Washington, March 6. All the members of the joint High Commission dined together at the residence of the British Commissioners on the evening of March 4. London, March 6.

In the House of Lords this evening the Marquis of Salisbury attacked the foreign policy of the Government, shewing that foreign powers wore all contemptuous in their manner towards England. Prussia had declined England’s aid in the re-establishment of peace with Erance, and Eussia bad repudiated the obligations which she solemnly agreed to at the end of the Crimean war. He urged the reorganisation of the army. Earl Granville protested against the attack, and the discussion ended by the adoption of an order for reprinting the text of the guarantee given by England on Continental matters. Mr Gladstone made a communication to the House of Commons on the unsettled condition of the county of Westmeath. Bordeaux, March 6. In the Assembly, Louis Blanc, Victor Hugo, and Quinet demanded that the Provisional Government should return an account of their acts up to the capitulation of Paris. Lileseuse demanded their arrest 'on a charge of high treason. Hew York, March 7. A contract has just been signed by Julius Vogel, W. H. Webb, and Ben. Holladay at New York for the establishment of a four weekly mail line between San Francisco, New Zealand, and Australia. The pioneer vessel will leave San Francisco on April 8. The speed is to be such that the mails shall be delivered in London from Sydney, and vice versa, in forty-eight days. London, March 7.

The Times announces that Mr Gosehen succeeds Mr Childers as First Lord of the Admiralty. Mr Stansfield succeeds Mr Goschen as Presi - dent of the Poor Law Board. Mr Baxter succeeds Ittr Stansfield as one of the Secretaries of the Treasury, and Mr Shaw Lefevre succeeds Mr Baxter as Secretary of the Admiralty. March 9. Napoleon has addressed a communication to the President of the French Assembly, protesting against the vote by which that body declared that his dynasty had forfeited the throne. Paris, March 13. Versailles has been evacuated by the Germans. London', March 13. In the House of Lords, Earl Granville announced that the Conference on the Eastern question bad closed, and that a Treaty had been signed at the Foreign Office, abrogating the restriction on the admission of foreign men-of-war into the Dardanelles and the Bosphorus. Paris, March 15. The Assembly has granted Thiers three million francs for the immediate expenses of the Government. The Czar has sent a deputation of distinguished officers of the Russian army to salute the Emperor of Germany on his way toßerlin. Washington, March 15. The removal of Mr Sumner from the Committee on Foreign Relations is the topic of the hour. London, March 16. It is rumoured that the Princess Beatrice will marry the Marquis of Ely. A violent storm has prevailed throughout Great Britain for many weeks. The French press is very bitter and insulting to England. Washington, March 16. The sessions of the joint High Commission on the Alabama question, &c., are held daily. As yet there is nothing but rumours as to the result. London, March 17. In a discussion on the Army Bill last night, in the House of Commons, a vigorous onslaught was made by members on the purchase system. Mr Disraeli violently opposed, and Mr Gladstone defended the abolition of the purchase system. The Empress and Prince Imperial are at Dover, waiting the arrival of the Emperor. Robert Chambers, of Edinburgh, publisher, died to day. In the House of Lords the Earl of Carnarvon related that of 300,000 barrels of powder in the Government arsenals, all but 800 had been found as worthless as pebble powder.

New York, March 17. The reported Spanish proposition to sell Cuba and Porto Rico to the United States is confirmed. Paris, March 17, The Montmartre insurgents remain in possession of a number of Govern* ment cannon. Berlin, March 17. The Emperor William has arrived amid great rejoicings. San Francisco, March 18. The Nevada is announced to leave this port on April 8 for Honolulu, Auckland, Wellington, Lyttelton, and Port Chalmers, connecting with steamers for Sydney and Melbourne. The following vessel, the Nebraska, will proceed to Sydney direct, via Auckland.

Neilson has gone to England to lecture on the new steam service

LATEST COMMERCIAL.

Flax is very firm. Wool is in good demand throughout. In colonial securities, New Zealand sixes, March-September, have advanced.

SHIPPING

Arrived. ——Excelsior, Argyleshire, and Mary Shepherd, from Auckland.

Sailed. Alexandrine, for Auckland ; Roslin Castle, for Otago; Bashaw for Nelson; Norma, for Canterbury-, Loading. —Garrick Castle and Wild Deer, for Otago ; Excelsior, for Auckland ; and Coronilla, for Canterbury.