ENGLISH EXTRACTS.

Otago Witness, Issue 53, 22 May 1852, Page 4

ENGLISH EXTRACTS.

The Australian merchants have addressed a stirring letter to the " London Times" of the 19th December, on the subject of postal comniunication between these colonies and England. They strongly animadvert on the apathy of the British Government, and express their determination to look elsewhere for indispensable aid, denied at home.

The " Mining Journal" of the 25th December mentions an attempt to form a company in London for working the gold mines in Australia; but states that the project was abandoned, as no share or stock broker of high standing would allow his name to be used in the formation of any company where there was not a bona fide grant of land.

The " Times" of the 24th Dec, in a leadiug article, endeavours to account for the British apathy on the matter of Australian emigration, in consequence of the high prise of Crown Land.

Lieutenant Silemens, inventor of the electromagnetic telegraph apparatus employed in Germany, has set out for St. Petersburgh by desire of the Czar. He is ordered to suspend a line, in the first instance, between the capital and Moscow, and afterwards another connecting both with Warsaw and Odessa. Other lines will extend* to the Caucasus, to the Ural, and thf! principal seaports.

New Penal Colonies. — The anticipations we expressed in a recent article or. the subject of transportation, that steps would be taken with a view to the formation of penal settlements and coaling stations for steamers in the Southern Pacific, are, it appears, about to be speedily realised. We now understand that the Lords of the Admiralty have given directions for the immediate equipment of two vessels to proceed on an exploratory expedition among the South Sea Islands, including New Caledonia and the Fejees, with a view to ascertain the capabilities they respectively present for the purpose in question. We also understand that her Majesty's ships "Herald"' and "Arrow" are destined for this service, and that the Board of Admiralty, with a laudable appreciation of the professional talents and public services of Captain Mangles Benham, have appointed him to command the intended expedition. In this instance, at least, it is admitted that their lordships, by the selection of such an officer, have exercised n sound discrimination, and performed an act of justice to a meritorious public servant. It is likewise stated, upon the best authority, that H..M. steamer "Pluto"' is about to be despatched to the coast of Africa to commence the survey on the Bight of Biafra, from the point at which Captain Dei. ham concluded his operations in H.M.S. " Avon" a few years ago. The present period is considered most propitious for resuming this survey, as the many obstacles which have heretofore opposed its progress from the hostile attitude of the native chiefs engaged in the slave trade are now removed by the almost total cessation of that nefarious traffic. It becomes therefore necessary, with a view to the encouragement of mercantile enterprise and the safety of our shipping, that the navigation of a portion of the African coast, now so little understood, should be defined as early as possible, more particularly as it seems that those who up to a late period were engaged in a lawless pursuit are, in its paralysis, now anxious to embrace the opportunity* of establishing mercantile intercourse with this country upon a friendly footing. — Liverpool Albion.

The AItMY. — Orders have been received by the depot of the 67th regiment, stationed at the Isle of Wight, to hold themselves in readiness to proceed on the Ist of January to Dover to relieve the Ist battalion of the rifles, ordered to the Cape of Good Hope. The depot of the 67th comprises 12 officers, 440 rank and file, with about 100 women and children. In addition to the rifle brigade, now under orders for the Cape of Good Hope, it is said that the 85th Foot will also be sent. At present there are, exclusive of the local force, eight regiments of the line and one of Lancers in that colony, and the 43rd was shortly expected. The Cape Corps will, in all probability, be converted into a white regiment. Rumour adds that Lord Harris will shortly proceed to the Cape to supersede Sir Harry Smith in the civil government. The choice of such a man as Lord Harris would, it is believed be popular in the colony. It is related, that in consequence of the recent augmentations to the forces of the Cape, an increase of not less than 5000 men ■will be required early next year, to enable the military authorities to carry out the system of j reliefs. The only appointment va rated by the brevet which has just been decided, and that prospectively, is the inspector-generalship of cavalry. Major-General the Duke of Cambridge succeeds Lieut.-General Brotherton, hut 1 will not assume the appointment until next spring.

The " Illustrated London News" was stopped at the Paris post office on the 20th December, much to the inconvenience of the English subscribers.

Troops for Australia. — The " Times" of 4th December reports, that the 71st regiment, Ist battalion, stationed at Newry (North of Ireland), and the 89th, at Clonmel, are under orders for Australia.

New Zealand Company.— On Friday, an adjourned and annual meeting of the shareholders of this Company took place at the Company's house, Old Broad-street, for the transaction of general business. The chair was occupied by Mr. Agiionby, M.P., Chairman of the Board of Directors. The Chairman stated that an arrangement had been come to by which they expected shortly to be able to pay off Baron Gold.smid's claim of £10,000. The Union Bank of Australia was willing to let its claim of £15,000 stand over for a year, upon receiving collateral security. The Canterbury Association had not yet sold sufficient land to enable them to liquidate the £25,000 which this Company had advanced. It was not due till the end of December. The Association would pay from time to time the sums they had agreed towards its liquidation ; and the other sums mentioned in the act, arising from the sales of land, would be paid to the Government, and by them paid to the Company. As yet, they had no official statement from the Government of the quantity of land sold. Application had been made to the Company by the Government to deliver up their seal and charter ; but the application was not pressed. Acting on counsel's opinion they had refused to deliver them up. With reference to the Government propositions the chairman said they were aware that, under the recent Act of Parliament, their principal of £268,000, with 3k per cent, interest thereon, was secured upon the proceeds of the land sales ; and he had always been sanguine that those sales would go on, so as to enable them to pay all expenses, and that by and by, as the colony progressed, there would be money coming in. The chairman, in answer to questions, said they were trying to let the house now held by the Company, and they had reduced their establishment to two clerks and a messenger. The directors were unanimously re-elected. — Globe, Dec. 1.

Steam with England.— The following extract from a private letter received per Joseph Somes from Mr. De Salis, will inform our readers of the present position of the steam question, which, so far as the Colonial Office and the Chancellor of the Exchequer are concerned, is about as far advanced as ever it was. "We learn from a source on which we can rely, that the directors of the Screw Steam Ship Company will be ready to despatch their new ship, the " Harbinger," 920 tons, in all January, for Sydney; and that they will be prepared to commence a two monthly communication early in 1852. Government, independent of a Cape route, are determined to have one via Singapore, probably on alternate months." In the letter above referred to, the writer says, — " Viewing the Cape route merely as an instalment of what is due to the Colonies I shall not rest till a direct communication via India is accorded them, and on this view I recently adch'essed Sir Charles Wood, in whose hands the matter exclusively lies. I know his intention to give a two monthly communication via India, as well as via the Cape : but I believe, unless be is urged by ' pressure from without,' his project will not be carried into effect for an indefinite period. I therefore propose, with the aid of such colonial and other assistance as I can muster, to press the matter constantly upon him. * * "" — (From the " Sydney Morning Herald.")