[From the Liverpool European Times, May 19.]

New Zealander, Volume 3, Issue 142, 9 October 1847, Page 3

[From the Liverpool European Times, May 19.]

Duty on Copper Orb.— A deputation of merchants and others connected with the trade in foreign copper ores had an interview, on the 22nd ult., with Lord John Russell and the Chancellor of the Exchequer, at the official residence of the First Lord of the Treasury in Downing-street. The injury arising to the trade from the increase ot smelting abroad, and the necessity for tho immediate abolition of the duty, were strongly urged upon the Minister!, and after a disoussion of some duration, in which the Chancellor of the Exchequer took an active part, the deputation retired. Ireland.— The accounts from Ireland are very awful. — A Dublin correspondent of the Morning Chronicle lays, tl There have been further tumultuary proceedings and processions of the peasantry in various parti of the country, and the military and police have been in general requisition to keep this, spirit of insubordination in check. The report of the progress of pestilence are quite disheartening, and notwithstanding all the imports of food, and the immense extent of relief in food and money, great destitution-still prevails, and the markets are advancing. All accounts concur in showing that the mortality is still very considerable. According to 'tome calculations, the population has already beeu diminished to the extent of nearly one ttiillion, from deaths and emigration. But I should sup}iose that this estimate, for which there can be nothing ike certain or accurate data, it greatly exaggerated." The Kurry Examiner says. " The Catholic clergy of this county have been obliged to suspend their usual monthly conferences in consequence of their inability to attend, owing to the heavy duties that devolve on them in their respective parishes in these times of famine and death." The pestilenoe is nearly as destructive in ■ome parts of Ulster, as in any of the southern or western districts. In the northern county of Fermanagh, the mortality is frightful. The Cork Examiner contains details of the ravages of pesililence in various parti of that extensive county. In the famed district of Schull the extensive relief afforded has caused some alleviation, and the mortality is decreasing. In the Cork workhouse, the deaths, last week, were 95,— an encrease of 12 over the preceding week. The following account it more pleasing :— Prospects of the Harvest.— The weather has of late undergone a favorable change. Vegetation is

making rapid progress. The accounts of the wheat and oat crops are highly encouraging; and ev»n iqt regard to potatoes very favourable accounts are received. The smaller class of farmers who'liare suffered to terribly by the destructive failures of last year, are plucking up courage to try their favourite root once more. The early spring sowing of potatoes had been confined to the large farmers and gentry, who could afford to make experiments, but within the last week the small farmers are also venturing. The Nawry Telegraph says :— " The planting of potatoes is quite general in this part of the country, several of the more extensive 'fanners having large breadths of land laid down for that purpose. The early planted are exhibiting most gratifying promise of a large and abundant crop, the young plants comiug up strong and vigorous, as in the most favourable seasons. 1 ' The accounts from other districts are similar. Whether for good or evil, thera will be an extensive potato culture this year. Probably the amount sown will be about the fourth part of the ; crop of ordinary year*. Mr. Bmith OBrien has sent a letter to the Freeman's Journal, repeating his accusation of " a Whig Alliance,, between the O'Connellsand the Government. He asks Mr. J. O'Connell to deny that they solicited situationi from Government for themselves and friends. The Young Irelanders gave a banquet to Mr. Clarke, of the ship Victor, on the sth instant. In his own speeches, Mr. Clarke abstained from all political differences; but his hosts fell to violent diatribes against' England and the English Government, with allusions to •« American independence." Some persons objected, which caused a disturbance. After the chairman and Mr- Clarke had retired, the quarrel waxed furious ; and it was only terminated by the dissolution of the meeting. The old Repealers openly denounce this scandal. The Repeal proceedings, except as indicating the protracted existence of the association, are wholly unworthy of notice. The rent for the week ending May 10th was announced at £27 7s. Id., but the attendance was miserable beyond all precedent. The Liverpool subscription, of about £5, was sent in the early part of the month, whilst the town is burdened with 80,000 Irish paupers.

The Steam Ship Great Britain.— A recent communication from Dundrum Bay gives a favourable Recount of the condition in which the hull of the Great Britain is found, after enduring the merciless buffeting! of the late severe winter. The plan which Mr. Brunei adopted, for saving the vessel from the full force of the sea, by forming a breakwater of hurdles, has proved very successful, and the under portions of the vessel are discovered to be much less damaged from friction than might have been feared, especially considering the rugged nature of the beach in Dundrum Bay. Workmen are employed, under proper direction, lightening the bulk heads, and making things in readiness for th« measures which may soon be set on foot for floating the vessel. The intention of the director is to bring the vessel to Liverpool, where a good portion of her machinery has been received and ■ stored, and we hope in a month, to see this fine specimen of naval architecture rescued from her perilous position, and undergoing the needful repairs, to fit her once more to take'her place amongst that great fleet which carries to all lands the throphies of England's unbloody conquests. A bell weighing 4 tons 13 cwt. 2 qrs., being twice the size of the famous " Tom of Lincoln/ has just been completed at the foundry of Messrs. Mears, Whitechapel, London, for the Roman Catholic Cathedral, Montreal.