ARRIVAL OF THE ENGLISH MAIL.

New Zealander, Volume XXIV, Issue 2615, 28 March 1866, Page 3

ARRIVAL OF THE ENGLISH MAIL.

LATEST DATE, FEBRUARY U. LATEST SPECIAL TELEGRAMS. London, February 3. Cotton Ims a tendency downwards. The Supreme Court Authorities repudiate the action of the British Admiralty for seizin" the steamer ‘ Meteor,’ on suspicion of being fitted out as a Chilian privateer. The Fenian Presidents, Roberts and Sweeney, are canvassing the States, advothe invasion of Canada, and the despatching privateers from Canadian ports. February 12. The Royal Commission at Jamacia have commenced their enquiry. An English advocate is engaged on behalf of Mrs. Gordon, Dr. Underhill, and others. America agrees conditionally to continue the reciprocity treaty with Canada for another year. Consols, 86$. February 14. The O'Donoghue’s amendment on the Irish Disaffection Bill was rejected by a large majority. The Government proceedings about the cattle plague are severely criticised in both Houses. The promised Ministerial Reform Bill has been read a first time. The ‘ Rouade 1 foundered, after a collission with the ‘Queen of Beauty;’ all saved. The second Peabody gift of £IOO,OOO has been distributed. Arrivals; —‘Star of Peace,’ Giant's Causeway,’ ‘ Pride of the Ocean.’ Victorian debentures, 109 ; New South Wales, 94 ; British Consols, 87J. Brazil, January 20. Business quiet. Bank ceased discounting paper money. Allies preparing to attack Paraguay, and demanding the expulsion of Lopez. GENERAL SUMMARY. London, January 26. The Australian November mails were delivered in London on the 13th and 19th January. Great dissentions in the Ministry about manhood suffrage, &c. Earl Bussell declares that the Cabinet will stand or fall by the Reform Bill. Grave changes in the Ministry are expected. The Baptist and negro party in Jamaica are using every exertion to damage Governor Eyre’s reputation, especially in Gordon’s case: The commissioners’ report on capital punishment recommends dividing murder into two degrees: First, should the jury find malice, penalty death ; second, without malice, penal servitude- from seven years to life. A national decoration—called the Albert medal —lias been instituted by the Queen for gallantry in ca»es of shipwreck. New Zealand affairs occupy a prominent position. The war is considered a mistake, the question should have been settled by fpgidaiion, and the troops should not have marched into the centre of Waikato. On the Ist February, the British registration fee on letters will be reduced from Gd. to 4d. Respecting the Ministerial crisis in Victoria, the Times observes, where one Chamber represents numbers, and the other property, collision is inevitable. It says the only remedy is in the reform of the Constitution, and characterises the conduct of Sir C. Darling as being as gross a case of public delinquency as has for many years come under observation. The Daily Xuws supports Governor Darling.

A serious fire occurred at St. Katharine's Dock. Two millions sterling worth of property was destroyed. Crew Hall, in Cheshire, has been burnt, damage £IO,OOO.

Terrific "ales, commencing on (lie 28th December, swept along the English coast until the 27th January. Great snow storms and inundations. Four hundred ships wrecked. Great loss of life. The ‘Amelia ’ steamer foundered on the 20th January, in the Bay of Biscay: value of cargo, £2 )0,000. The‘Hannah Moore,’ Black Ball Liner, lost.

Six out of twenty-four, saved. Another consignment of salmon trout and ova for Australia is preparing.

Mr. Edward Wilson, of the Argus, is residing at Croydon, and still suffering from opthalmia. Jefferson’s “ Rip Van Winkle" reached the ElGth night of performance to crowded houses.

A lifeboat institution is to bo formed in memory ofG. V. Brooke. Lord Napier has been appointed Governor of Madras. A royal proclamation authorises the circulation of Sydney sovereigns in Great Britain. It is stated that the British Government has resolved upon a very considerable decrease In the army, amounting in the aggregate to 850 officers, and 10,000 noncommissioned officers and men. The New Zealand Trust Loan Company's dividend was ten per cent, per annum. New Zealand securities—six per cent., 100 to 102. AMERICA. January 11. Money abundant, gold 1395. Cotton ffrirmr. President Johnson Intends reconstructing lii C. b’ ipt, and retaining two of tbe present members. Mr. .Stanton supersedes Mr. Adams in London. Twenty coloured regiments have been discharged in Texas. The aggregate strength of the Federal army is Jfixed at 00,000. The negroes in Louisiana rose in arms against their ovorreers. The insurrection was fjuelled by the militia. The diplomatic correspondence between France and the United States on the Moxican question has been before Congress, and is exciting much discussion. Intercepted letters show that Napoleon strongly endeavoured to secure Mexico. The United States urge the immediate withdrawal of the French troops, which the French Government agree to, provided the former gives a pledge not to interfere with Mexican affairs, but remain neutral. This is

flatly refused, and an accredited Minister to the Mexican Republic has been appointed. Ex-President Davis’s trial is still deferred—he is to be charged with treason. A resolution was moved in the American Senate, requesting the President to recal the United States’ ambassador from England, in consequence of the icfusal of Karl Russell to settle the ‘Alabama’ claims, 'fhe resolution was rejected by a majority of 13 CHILL The Chilian steam corvette ‘ Esmeralda’ commanded by an Englishman, attacked the Spanish corvette ‘Virginia.’ After twenty minutes’ desperate engagement, the Spaniard's hauled down their (lag. The Chilians had another naval success, giving them confidence of further victories, ROME. Victor Emmanuel intimated positively that he was not to interfere with the Papal States during the lifetime of Pins IX. On no pretext will he send troops thither. Should a revolution break out in Rome, and the Pope take flight, the Italian Government will hold aloof, but will prevent Roman insurrectionists from receiving any support from without. FRANCE. Count Walewski’s election lias been declared valid. The Budget for 1867 has been presented to the Chamber. The ordinary expendiis calculated at 1,524 million francs, ordinary revenue at 1,622 millions. After appropriating eighty-eight millions for an extraordinary budget, a surplus of ten millions and a half francs remain. SPAIN. The Queen of Spain gave birth to a prince on the 24th January The military insurrections in provincial towns arc quelled. General Proni and followers were closely pursued by General Zcabila. The Minister of Marine escaped to Portugal, but was only allowed to reside there as a Spaniard who unsuccessfully attempted the liberation of his country from despotism. PRUSSIA AND THE DUCHIES. _ Russia has definitely declared to Prussia that she will not permit the annexation of the Duchies by the latter Power under any circumstances. INDIA. The P. and O. Co.’s steamer 1 Jeddo * was stranded on the 3rd I ebruary, ten miles south of Bombay. Passengers, mail, and cargo, from China, were saved. Little hope is entertained of saving the vessel. The native crew, who refused duty after the ship struck, were sentenced to three months’ imprisonment. On the 10th, the war in Bhootan com- . menced. 500 troops marched to Dcwangeri without guides, to recover the Armstrong guns. CHINA. The ship ‘Pride of the Ganges’ left Whampoa for British Guiana on t lie Bth December, with -100 emigrants. On the 31st an outbreak occurred. The Chinese killed the captain and purser; the rest of the officers took refuge in flic rigging. After a parley, flic mate landed the Chinese on the const of I fains, ami then proceeded to Ilonkong. The Government is instituting searching inquiries. The rebels cause much anxiety in the north of China. Alarming news has been received from Hankow, A large rebel force within thirty miles of the city. 'Fhe leading Imperialist General has joined the rebels. 11. M. gunboat ‘Algerine’ has been sent to Hankow, to aid the Imperialists. Refugees are crowding in from all quarters. Piracy continued unabated. The French barque ‘ Jeannie Joseph ’ was attacked and plundered thirty miles from Hongkong. Two of the crew were murdered. The American brigantine ‘Alma was captured after a long engagement with the junks. The captain and crew, excepting two, escaped. The ‘Albert’ and ‘Juno’ were attacked within the limits of Hongkong harbour. They beat off the pirates. OBITUARY.

Lieutenant-Colonel Murray, Captain Crawford, R X., Lady Wilmot, Sir Joseph Malcolm, R. C. Mellish, Dr. Ritchie, ViceAdmiral Ilermingham, Sir Francis Goderich, Major-General Westward, lion. Laurence Sulivan, Sir William Sykes, Rev. Henry Wellesley, Sir Astley Cooper, Major-General Cherretty, Sir James Love, Sir John M’Gregor, General Latour, Captain Moore. FOUNDERING OF THE STEAMER ‘ LONDON’ IN THE BAY OF BISCAY. 220 PERSONS DROWNED, ONLY P.) SAVED. The s.s. ‘ London ’ left Gravesend on the 80th December, and put into St. Helen’s Roads, owing to a heavey gale, on Ist January ; left there 2nd January ; arrived at Plymouth on the 4th, to receive passengers ; on the sth proceeded on her voyage to Melbourne. Moderate prevailing wind with increasing head sea on ; Bth, heavy gale; 9th, furious gale—ship under easy steam, when jibboom, foretopmast, topgallantmast, &c., were carried away by the violence of the gale. All exertions were unavailing. The crow could not clear the wreck of spars, owing to the tremendous sea, which carried away the life-boats. 10th, Captain Martin, seeing the sea increasing to a dangerous extent, and the vessel labouring heavily, determined to run back to Plymouth under full head steam. After her course was altered, the ‘Condon ’ rolled heavily before the southwest gale, shipping tremendous seas in the waist, and sweeping away the engine-room hatch. The water then poured down in torrents, flooding the lower decks. The chief engineer and assistants stuck to their posts below until the water rose above their waists, when the fires were put out and the engines rendered useless. The ‘ London ’ was then hove-to, and the donkey-engine was set to work to keep the ship clear, but without avail. Cross seas, which now broke over the vessel, rendered her so low in the water, that she did not rise to the sea —in fact, was settling down. 10th January, the ship was struck by a stern sea, bursting in the stern ports. Captain Martin, who throughout behaved energetically and bravely, then announced to the passengers the cessation of all earthly hope. Attcmps were made to launch some boats, but they were all stove

in bnt one. Captain Martin then instructed tlie chief engineer and Ids assistants to go in tills boat, as it properly belonged to them according to the ship’s waybill, giving them the course and distance to Brest, and wishing them God speed, as he was determined to stick by the vessel. The Rev Messrs. Woolley, Draper, and Kerr, although working at the pumps the same as the others, in their leisure time, and before the awful event, prayed constantly, surrounded by all the passengers. When the boat left the ship, containing ID persons, 1,000 guineas were offered for a passage in her, although she was only built to carry 12. Immediately after this, the brave and courageous Captain Martin, passengers, crew, and ship went down, and the boat narrowly escaped sinking, owing to the suction. G. V. Brooke worked incessantly at the pumps ; his sister was with him ; his Inst words, spoken to the steward, were, “ If you succeed in saving yourself, give my kind farewell to the people of Melbourne.’’ The crew of the boat was fortunately rescued next day by an Italian barque, and landed at Falmouth. It is reported the ‘ London' had .50 tons of coal on deck, which, being washed about, stopped the scupper-boles, and also that she was fearfully overloaded with railway iron and other heavy materials, causing her, perhaps, to spring a leak; and hence the fearful disaster.

The following list of passengers is from the Home News :

First Class ; Rev. Mr. and Mrs. Draper, Mrs. Owen and child, Mr. Mrs. G. F. P. Urquhart, J. Patrick, G. V. Brooke, Miss Brooke, J. Alderson, P. Benson, Mr. and Mrs. J. Fenton and two children, G. M. Smith, Mr. and Mrs. Clarke and son, T. Lewis, Mr. and Mrs. Be van, Dr. J. Woolley, Mr. and Mrs. Devenham, Miss L. Maunder, J. Robertson, T. M. Tennant, Mrs. Traill and child, G. Palmer, T. Brown, Mr. and Mrs. Amns, K. Brook, J. R. Richardson, Rev. Mr. and Mrs. Kerr, Mrs. and Miss King, Mr. and Mrs. 'I homas and 2 children, A. Sar.delands, E. Voungman, H. J. Denis, E. A. Marks, D. F. Depass, Master W. D. Burrell, I). S. Hunter, Miss Doboy, MissC. McLaughlan, Miss Ciit.hing, and Mr. McMillan. Second Cabin: Mr. and Mrs. White, Mrs. Morland, Miss G. Graham, Messrs. Kaye, Eastwood, P. Stone, J. L. Williams, B. G. Rowe, B. E. Wilson (saved), J. Duthie, C. Gough, A. Bruce, I. Woodhouse, G. Cross, W. Day, D. W. Lonmin, G. Chenlleld Wood, Master and Miss Clayson, Thomas Wood, Godfrey Wood, Miss E. Wood, Miss S. Broocker, Mr. and Mrs. J. Ceffelt, Miss H. Price, Mr. and Mrs. Hickman, and four children, Mr. and Miss Meggs, Mr. Davies, P. O’Hagon, 11. W. Harding, F. Treer, J. Monroe (saved), D. C. Maynes (saved), C. Johnson, P. Fenwick, G. 11. Campbell, G. Trevenan, A. M’Lean, Mr. Davies, Miss E. Marks, Mr. and Mrs. Graham, and B. Bevan.

Third Cabin : AV. Passimore, 11. Miller, C. P. Chandler, B. liny, Miss K Jones, Air. and Miss Simpson, Air. and Miss Pansen, Mr. and Mrs. Graham and three children, David Graham, Air. AlcVitte, Air. and Airs. Seacombe and three children, Air. and Mrs. G. Flick and four children, G. Relwegan, R Trevorron, D. Block, J. Merkin; Messrs. Senile, Barnett, S. Bolton, T. S. Ilagg, Airs. D. Smith, A. Humphrey, Alaster Spring, A. Hoyem, J. Walls, AA r . Barron, Airs. Lamp and children, T. Hotter, John Little, McCovey, Aliss F. Batchelor, J. Kirkwood, AV, Clifton, and R. Reynolds. Our correspondent (says the Sydney Hcrdd. , from which we quote) was informed by the officers of the ‘Madras’ that it is doubtful whether Airs. Traill and child were on board, A telegram from Melbourne says: “ The news by the English mail of the loss of the steamship ‘London’ has caused a fearful gloom in the city. The streets are thronged with knots of persons, and many well-known families in A'ictoria are sufferers by this dreadful calamity.”