CHINA.

Taranaki Herald, Volume VII, Issue 316, 21 August 1858, Page 1 (Supplement)

CHINA.

We have received Hong Kong papers to the 23rd April. The Register of that date reports the trial of Yorrick Jones Murrow for publishing a libel against Sir John Bowring in the Daily Press. In the paragraph containing the alleged libel it was stated that the Governor had a near relative in an eminent mercantile house, and that the steamer _Ava, which conveyed General Ashburnham to India, had been detained to enable a steamer belonging to the firm to reach Calcutta first, with important advices upon the opium market. There were some other charges also, but they were disproved by the evidence of the Hon. Joseph Jardine, a partner in the firm alluded to. The defendant was found guilty, and was sentenced to pay a fine of £100 to the Queen, to six months imprisonment, and to be further imprisoned till the fine was paid. The defendant was the editor ot the Daily Mail. The out-going mail, says the Register, other than local, takes with it no striking tales. The Earl of Elgin, witli Baron Gros, having as it were in their suite the American and Russian Ambassadors, are doing what they can to have an audience with the Emperor of China. That these attempts will be found to be futile we verily believe. It is for us however contentedly to wait and learn what comes of the diplomacy of the noble Earl at the North, having our eyes skinned as to what is going on at the South. That the present state of affairs in Canton is far from one of security is shown by the following extract from the same paper: — " An attack was lately made upon a European policeman, a Chinese striking him with a knife on the back of his head and laying the brain open. The ease has been enquired into, and it turns out to be a case somewhat similar to a Malay amok — the man will likely be hanged. Although we do not believe one tenth of the rumours which we hear from Canton, still discretion is a virtue, and it will be as well to be prepared for the worst. No man need flatter himself that the war is finished and matters arranged. There is much to be done before the conclusion of this struggle." The Register reports that the Taoutae at Amoy permits the free importation of opium on the payment of 48 dollars per chest. This is a great point gained, but it unfoitunately happens that each mandarin stands on his own acls and does what he thinks light or expedient. His brother officials at other ports may not choose to follow his example, and his master, the emperor, may shew his appreciation of the act by cutting off his servant's head. As to the progress of the insuirection, the North China Herald of the 10th April, states that — " On the 18th ultimo— the 4th day of the 2nd moon— Hu Kwan-yuen, one of his Majesty's generals, attacked the insurgents in their strongholds, called the Mahling Pass, near Nankin. He had not, it would seem, counted well the cost. He fell ; and with him about two thousand of the Imperialists were lost, either killed or wounded. Having put their assailants to iiight the long-haired men advanced and re-occupied the city of Khan- shun, fifteen or twenty miles south of Nankin j and it was expected that the cities of Lisswui and Kin-tan would soon again be in their possession."

Steam Postal Communication wiiii New Zealand. — Great interast has recently been taken in this subject by the commercial and trading classes of Victoria. The Melbourne Chamber 01' Commerce have addressed a memorial to his Excellency the Governor, of which the following is a copy : — "This memorial of the Melbourne Chamber of Commerce respectfully sheweth, that your memorialists represent the interest of a large section of the community who are engaged in trade and commerce. That your memorialists regret to observe the absence of any arrangements for the speedy conveyance by steam of the mails between this colony and New Zealand. That your memorialists have reason -to believe that arrangements have recently been made in England to subsidise a company for the conveyance of the mails from the trunk line of steam postal communication to and from New Zealand, and to which the Governments of England aDd New Zealand are con • tributors. That your memorialists are strongly impressed with the great advantages which would accrue to every interest, both in Victoria and New Zealand by moie direct, frequent, and reliable steam communication between the said colonies. That, as> in the branch line referred to, the point of departure from Austialia is not definitely fixed, your memorialists are of opinion that, being the first port of arrival and last of departure for the steamers now carrying on the mail service between England and Australia, and considering its geographical position and its important and incieasing commerce, Melbourne is the port where and to which direct mail steam communication with the valuable Colonies of New Zealand should be established. Your memorialists, therefore, respectfully request that (he Government of Victoria will grant a subsidy of £0000 per annum towards the establishment of regular mail steam communication between this colony and New Zealand. And after due consideration, your memorialists aie satisfied that this service would be most efficiently performed by steamers direct to and fiom Wellington and Port Philip, leaving the other provincial Governments of New Zealand to make arrangements with the authorities of Wellington for the advantages to be derived from improved postal communication." The matter is one of great importance, and as the present Government are favorable to the object of the memorialists, it is probable that steps will be taken as soon as Parliament reassembles to secure to Melbourne the advantages accruing from the position of being one of the termini to the proposed line. Mountain or gold. — The yield of gold from the rich claims in Table Mountain near Shaw's Flat, has again commenced. We were shown a beautiful pile of dust, at Sleeper & Cos. banking house, which was taken out of the " Side- Wiper " claim, owned by Russell & Co., last week. The heap contained 250 ounces valued at 4,500 dols. The Aiken, Sonora Co., Invincible, Caldwell, and other claims adjoining, are known to be equally rich. These parties, have large piles of dirt out, and they only wait for water to enable them to extract the dust. This will probably be fully supplied by next week, when the flume now being constructed from Union Hill, will be completed. Rich gravel was struck in the Reed & Tinkum claim adjoining Aiken's, last week, and it is expected to prove as rich as the richest. Tuolnmne Courier.

[Printed by G. W. Woon.]