CHINA.

Otago Witness, Issue 296, 1 August 1857, Page 6

CHINA.

The following intelligence from China to the 25th of April, is copied from the Melbourne papers: —

GENERAL SUMMARY.

At 1.30 p.m. of the 14th April, H.M.S. Raleigh struck on an unknown sunken rock about three miles N.W. of Chukwan. The damage sustained was so great that it was found necessary to beach the ship on the east side of Coco Island, where she still remains. Our latest from the Raleigh is last evening April 24. The armament had all been discharged, likewise anchors and chains. The vessel had settled considerably in the mud, but since relieved of so much weight she has sunk no further. The main deck is out of water at low tide. Divers have been in the hold and report the deposit of mud to be quite trifling. Commodore Keppel has most wisely determined 'to contract with Chinese' to raise her, and as several are anxious to undertake the job, 'a satisfactory bargain will doubtless soon be struck.' v - > '"*..'

> -Active-i operations on^the Canton='river > have" v b«en' retarded owing we' believe to -the^accident to the Raleigh, and we have not a single passage of amis to relate on the part of our Naval forces, r Rumours havebeen afloafrthat Yeh is desirous to ■ treat, but we have not-been'able to trace them toany authentic source. - ThVfollowing , is a transcript of our native reporter's last communication.' News from Canton by "Reporter." — "The steamer Queen that' was lost going from Hongkong to Macoa was taken by men sent out by the gentry of the ninety-six villages to plunder. They navigated her to a village called Chek-ha in the neighbourhood of Fatsan. There they divided out the valuables found in the vessel : but then began to wrangle about who was most meritorious in their schemes for capturing the vessel and came near fighting, but ultimately to settle the matter they burnt up the vessel.

Again it is reported that the rebel Chak in the eastern 1 part of Kwang-tung province is at the head of more than one hundred thousand rebels, and has taken the district capitals of Hoguen, and Sungchuen, and is close upon Y-chow about one hundred miles from Canton. Another army of about as many more under the leaders Lo and Hue are taking other villages and district towns, making sad work for the common people.

Our men of war allow the boats aiid junks to ply on the Canton river at their usual occupations in the day time, of which they avail themselves in large numbers. The Junks in Fatshan Creek appear to have dwindled down to about '2o, which it is said are only half manned. A fort near these Junks has been manned and an occasional gun fired thence. The Chinese have got tir-ed of annoying the Tee-to-tum fort. We have had heavy rains and bad weather, but thanks to the vigilant and master eye of Sir Michael Seymour, the sanatory state of the force is satisfactory.

The trade of the colony continues in a depressed state. Emigration to Australia and California still continues. For the latter no less than 10 large ships are on the berth ; for the former, the rush is over, on account of the monsoon changing.

Rice continues high. We have had large arrivals which are most remunerative to those concerned. Our supply of shipping is small and seeking vessels find good employment.

H. M. steamer Barracouta arrived from the Canton River on Saturday. Nothing has been done in the river lately, and the junks have gradually disappeared, leaving both creeks and main river a desert. It is said that the pay of the sailors and soldiers was so far behind hand that several serious mutinies took place ; they were suppressed, and a great number of those engaged in them were beheaded as a warning to the rest. Friend or foe, it is all the same to this merciless savage, Yeh. — Register, 7th April.

The H.E.I. Co.'s steamer Auckland, while on a cruise near the west end of Lantao, observed a mandarin junk anchored in Toong Chun, the place where she had, in company with the Eaglet, destroyed five junks a short time ago. As there was only one, it was not thought necessary to run the steamer into very shoal water, and therefore her boats were got out.

Ist cutter, in command of Mr. Davis, first lieutenant : 2nd cutter, Mr. Phelbrick, third lieutenant ; with the pinnace and gig. The junk opened fire, and was replied to by the boats. When within a few yards of the junk, a battery on the right opened fire on the boats with grape and canister. The 2nd cutter and gig were ordered to take the junk, while the other boats pulled for the shore to capture the battery. The junk was taken possession of almost immediately without resistance, the crew making to the shore. On seeing that the junk was abandoned by its crew, the battery opened fire on it, wounding Mr. Lewis, midshipman, and a seaman. The boats under Lieutenant Davis pulled for shore, and were received, while wading to shore, with a hearty fire from cannons and gingals. A bullet from one of the latter wounded Mr. Williams, paymaster, in the face ; and almost at the same time three seamen were severely wounded. A volley of musketry sent the Chinese out of the battery in double-quick time, which was taken possession of, and the guns destroyed. It was then held until the junk was got under weight when the two boats from the shore pulled off to assist in towing her out. The junk had hardly been got well under weigh before a battery to the left opened fire on them ; this was replied to by the junk's guns and the boats. The junk wa s eventually got "out to the Auckland, which took her in tow, and brought her to Hong Kong the. same day.

The casualties were — wounded, 2 officers, Mr Williams, paymaster (volunteer) ; Mr. Lewis, midshipman, and five seamen wounded — Charles Brown, William Murrie, and Thomas Welch, A.B.s; Edward Queen and Edward Yeomans, O.S.— lbid.