The New-Zealander. AUCKLAND, WEDNESDAY, JULY 11, 1855

New Zealander, Volume 11, Issue 964, 11 July 1855, Page 3

The New-Zealander.

AUCKLAND, WEDNESDAY, JULY 11, 1855

Be just and fear not : Let all the ends tlioo aim'st at, he thy Country’s, Thy God’s, ami Truth’s.

The mails, both English and Australian, received by the William Denny , are more than commonly bulky; and although the latest European dates are but a few days subsequent to those previously received by the Duke of Portland, still, as we have now been pul in possession of varied and connected hies of London papers from the -4th of March to the 4th of April, we are enabled to place before our readers a variety of interesting facts relating to the tremendous drama which has so long been enacting in the Crimea. Sorties and reconnaisances conducted with a degree of martial ardour, and which have entailed nearly as much blood-shed as that which is the consequence of pitched battles still continued, lint, in the midst of these murderous collisions, the works of the besiegers and the defences of the besieged were being pushed towards each other with marvellous dispatch and unwavering resolution. Of the admirable and substantial character of the Russian works the loudest approbation is expressed. Advantage is taken of every practicable point. Fortifications spring up in all directions. Guns are placed in every available position. Line alter line, the defences have been multiplied. And, like the pits which gave shelter to the combatants in the native pahs of New Zealand, the lines of Sebastopol abound with Rifle burrows, from which the Russian skirmishers have been enabled to deliver a covered and deadly lire upon their assailants.

To clear lliosn Hide pits the French had made several exceedingly dashing attacks, especially on the 9.3rd 2ith of February, when a numerous body of Zouaves and French Marines made a furious onslaught upon a greatly superior Russian force. The attack, although nusucccessful, gave the French an opportunity of distinguishing themselves greatly ; and, although compelled to retire, it was only Jafler they had indicted a loss upon the Russians equal to, if not greater than that which they had themselves sustained. The Zouaves were the severest sufferers of the attacking parly, —nine officers, and a considerable number of non-com-missioned officers and soldiers being slain. The Zouaves had become infuriated against their marine supporters whom they accused of bolting :— ces sucre's matelou, growled they to their allies, —“had we only had a hundred or two of you English to lend ns a hand, weshould have done the trick in style.”

The English works are all mounted, and are pronounced to be not only admirably placed, but remarkably strong. The Sipounder gnus which had formerly been in battery have been replaced by ship’s 52’s, and, in addition to these, there are many others of prodigious calibre. The English guns amounted to iSO; those of the French, from 2)0 to 230. Those of Hie Russians appear to have been more numerous than both; but, if we may judge from circumstances, this superior force has been purchased at the expense of a commensurate weakness, namely, by disarming the Russian fleet, sinking the ships, and strengthening the chains and other obstructions, so as to prevent Hie entrance of the French and English Heels. According to the latest reports, but two Russian line-of-ballle ships had been loft alloat in the harbour of Sebastopol. Assuming that report to be correct, and coupling it with the extraordinarily reduced fire which lias latterly been delivered from the Russian batteries, it would almost appear that the efforts of the assailants wore approximating towards their final aim.

Perhaps the foal, which will be the most memorable in the siege of Sebastopol, lias been the construction—the rapid construction -of the Ralaklavu railway. A work of private enterprise, and unbanned by the blight of murderous routine., it has proved to be not only a valuable reinforcement to the camp, but a most influential agent in the reestablishment of order, cleanliness, and health, in the pestilential and chaotic precincts of lialaklavn. Hy means of the railway, order has been restored, filth removed, and the transport of food, clothing, lodgings, and warlike stores easily and abundantly transported into camp. With lighter

work, the magazines in the trenches have been rapidly stored; wilh better and more abundant food, the army has become rapidly convalescent; and, with an improvement in the weather from the death-dealing frosts of dreary winter to the mildness of genial spring, it is but reasonable to expect lliat the allies would not much longer be withheld from the assault, for which they have long been impatient. The 231h of March, it is said, would be the day on which the bombardment would commence. If so, we may expect to learn fearful tidings by our next arrivals. Strong reinforcements were pushing vigronsly forward on every side. The steppes of the Crimea being practicable, Russian infantry, cavalry and artillery were making forced marches upon Sebastopol. From France ami Algeria numerous levies had sailed. The same also from England; with the wise precaution that no soldier under 18 years of age was to be sent on service. The Wiltshire and the Lancashire Regiments of Militia had embarked for foreign garrison duly; and the line in Gibraltar, Malta, and the lonian islands, were under orders to hold themselves in readiness for the Crimea. Eupatoria had been greatly strengthened in its fortifications; so much so, that the army of Omer Pasha, was considered equal to an encounter with five limes its own numbers. The army of Omer Pasha, would be eventually augmented to 36,000 bajonels. Arrangements were on fool, should occasion require to transport Ihe Turkish army (40,000 to 30,000 men) from the Bosphorus to the Crimea. Selim Pacha, the Egyptian Commander, who was slain in re* ulsing the Russians at Eupatoria, was a man of memorable reputation. He was a Mameluke, and the only one who escaped the massacre of that corps by Meheniel AM. When his comrades were being shot down, as the only chance for Mis life, he mounted his horse, rode him at and forced him over the walls of the fortress. The horse was killed; the rider escaped with a few bruises. Touched wilh his courage and his fortuneMehemet AM, spared and protected him, and he subsequently rose in the service of that extraordinary man. Great confidence is expressed of the Anglo-Turkish Army, in course of formation. Of the superior, soldierly qualities of the Turkish private, the most glowing enloginms have been pronounced —bis patience docility, courage, and endurance are lauded to the echo; and under English Officers, it is predicted that a Turkish legion will surpass in efficiency that which English Officers rendered a Portugese one. Of the latest some of the Russians, before Sebastopol on the 22nd 25rd March, ihe details are extremely meagre. They were repulsed, according to the French account, wilh a loss of GUI) killed and wounded on the part of the allies, and of 2000 on the part of the Russians. Lord Dundonald had presenled a petition to Parliament praying that he might Me permuted to employ his secret means of destruction against Sebastopol, hj would be the means, he insisted, of sparing an immense amount of human life, and ol saving an incalculable amount of treasure. Parliament was requested lo lest ihevalneof its agency : and his Lordship had written in tiie , Fmperor of the French “ to communicate lo ; the wise and energetic ally of her most gra- ; cions Majesty the means not only to spare , the remnant of the British army, but lo in-! sure that of France, bv the speedy destruction of the defences of Sebastopol.” Those of Gronstadl could be similarly and summarily crushed ; but the affairs of the Baltic i were not quite so urgent as those of the j Black Sea. In the face ofso many expectations the Times and, indeed, almost all the influential London journals were impatient for action. On i the IGlh of March the batteries were com-1 plele; but on the 24th they had not opened I lire ; and in the meanwhile Parliament had adjourned; the Peace Conference was quibbling; the Russians were concentrating their forces; and the country was in apprehension that a base and humiliating' peace , might be patched up. In the temper that j England and Frame were manifesting, this we can hardly consider as a probable result; and wit hj Russia excited into astale of religious ; fanaticism, such concessions as the disman- 1 llemenl of Sebastopol or the curtailment of: the Russian navy were hardly to be anlici- j paled; although it is alleged that the Czar, j on his death bed, had counselled peace to his successor, staling that his grand error had been bis belief in the absolute impossibility of a French and English alliance; and urging that English wealth and French arms j might be made instrumental to the great humiliation of Russia. It was, therefore, a matter of the last imp nance to Russia to | bide her lime, and, if possible, losowdissenlion in the Councils of France and England. Notwithstanding that the people of both i countries continue to be strongly united in j feeling; and notwithstanding that the sovereigns of both are about to exchange visits, expressive of national cordialily and esteem, there are still amid the oozings of diplomacy , some trifling indicacalions of diverging feelings and opinions. It is to be hoped that a speedy and successful assault upon Sebastopol may have dispelled all these suspicions, and bind the two countries by the strongest ties of mutual and triumphant sympathy. The funeral of the Emperor Nicholas look place on the 11 th of March. The details appear to have been somewhat similar to those observed in the obsequies of the Duke of Wellington. Nicholas was interred vis-d-vis to Peter the Great. The Baltic fleet had sailed. It is one of the most stupendous armaments that ever w r asequipped by any country. It numbered close upon 100 pennants, and comprised about 1,200 guns of the greatest calibre and range.

Following the example of Sebastopol, many of the Russian ships had been sunk to block up the channels to Cronsladt immense corps d’armee were concentrated upon cverv vulnerable point, and cannon bristled upon every commanding position. The re-construction of the kingdom of Poland lias been hinted at, in a speech delivered by Lord Palmerston ; but, in the meanwhile, Russia lias made a nocturnal levy, and forced a large number of the illf a loci Polos into her despotic ranks.

Persia seemed disposed to withdraw from the interest of Russia, the English envoy having been received with marked distinction.

A terrible earthquake occurred at Constantinople on the 28th of February. The first shock look place at 3 o’clock and lasted about half a minute. There were several other shocks, and although no very great amount of damage was done, much alarm was expressed. Groat as have been the privations and sufferings of the English army, the miseries and (he casualties of the Russians are affirmed to have been much greater. The loss of life is reported to have been immense; and at the latest dale, there were not sufficient men to occupy the extensive works of Sebastopol, the garrison -the marine force included—having been reduced to 00,000 men. Some steamers only were still manned. Every effort had been made to keep the British army amply supplied with bread. The ship “ Bruiser” had been converted info a Flour Mill capable of grinding from 700 to 800 bushels of wheat per diem ; and the “ Abundance” a similar ship had been filled out as a Bakery capable of dispensing 20,000 lbs. of bread daily, The intelligence from the neighbouring colonies is comparatively uninteresting. The most important matter is the intimation given by the “Sydney Herald” of the early re-establishment of steam communication with England. By what route or with what company is not slated. We observe that a company is ready to occupy the line, via Panama, in connection wilh ihe Royal West India Mail packets. Their prospectus had not been made public, but everything was said to be in train for an early start. When this takes place, New Zealand will go ahead with rapid strides. The Sydney Council was in languid session ; measures wore brought forward with great indifference, and withdrawn with little concern At Melbourne, the Council had closed its labours, alter a session of expedients--the Executive being shy of the Legislature, and the Legislature distrusting the Executive. The Revenue was scant and Public Works were at a stand still. The Governor was received coldly at the prorogation, and listened to in silence. Sir Charles Ilolham, says the “Sydney Herald,” is afflicted with a Chinese Puzzle—Sir William Denison with a Riddle. In Victoria, crime, crises, and destitution were prevalent. The “ Argus” enters into details which exhibit a large amount of suffering and privation Trade was very dull; lailnrcs rife; and the money market depressingly light. The “Sydney Herald,” however, look; upon the worst as past, and dwells confidently and cheerfully upon the early restoration of Victoria to a greater pilch of prosperity than ever. Gold, l is slated, was being gathered with a facility equal to that of the palmiest days. Cultivation was extending rapidly in every dircc lion, and a very large breadth of grain had been sown. Seed wheat and agricultural implements were in aclive demand.

There had been an entente of rather a threatening character at Maryborough, arising from a contested claim amongst the diggers. Certain Tipperary lads had infringed upon the rights of an Irish Canadian, and in the struggle that ensued blood was shed. An armed force of upwards of 2000 men had enrolled themselves for the preservation of order; but it was feared that they were far more likely to embarrass than lo assist the government. The details of robberies and murders in Van Diemen s Land are still on the increase. The grants of land made by Sir William Denison to the Odd Fellows of Hobart Town when they elected him a member of their order, and marched him out of that city, have been rescinded by Sir 11. Young, having been pronounced to be illegal “null and void.” The Sydney Provision Market is in a slate of such disorganization that the Herald is loth to quote prices. On the 30th ult. 30/, per t n was the nominal figure for fine flour. Tae last wheat received from Auckland was Inld at 275. per bushel. At the Auckland Mills fine flour has since advanced lo 43/. per ton; and wheal is quoted at from 13s. Gd. lo IGs. per bushel.