ARRIVAL OF THE ENGLISH MAIL VIA SUEZ.

Westport Times, Volume V, Issue 804, 22 April 1871, Page 2

ARRIVAL OF THE ENGLISH MAIL VIA SUEZ.

(BY ELECTRIC TELEGRAPH.) (pee greville's telegram company, REUTER'S AGENTS.) Hokitika, April 21. The s.s. Rangitoto, Captain Mackie, arrived at nine, p.m., last night. Passengers: C. G. llawdon, T. Acldand, for Christchurch; Captain Edwin, for Wellington ; and thirty steerage passengers for all the ports. The latest telegrams are dated London, March 21st. The preliminaries of peace were signed on February 25. The conditions are that France cedes Alsace and Metz, but Belfort is to be restored. The war indemnity of iive milliards is to be paid in three instalments. A portion of the French fortresses and the whole of the Champagne remain in tho possession of the Germans until the conditions of peace have been fulfilled. On Februaay 28th, the National Assembly ratified the treaty of peace by five to one. The Germans entered Paris on the morning of the 2nd, thirty thousand strong, occupying the Champs Elysees, from Arehede Toile to Place Concorde, The population was calm and quiet. The Bourse and the theatres were closed, and the aspect of the city was mournful. The journals suspended operations The. Germans evacuated Paris on the morning of the 4th. It is stated that the complete occupation of Paris was averted by the intervention of England. The German head-quarters, with the German Emperor, Bismarck, and Von Moltke, removod from Versailles on the 7th. The Second German Army has also received orders to march. The forts on the left of the Seine were surrendered by the Germans on the Bth. Bismarck has returned to Berlin, whither the Emperor of Germany is proceeding. The German Parliament meets on March 21st. There was agitation iu Paris for several days, and the insurgents esstablished a regular encampment with artillery aud small arms. They also had an abundance of ammunition. Forty thousand of the army of the Loire have since entered Paris forming a new garrison. A mutiny among the Mobiles was quelled. The National Garde has delivered up its arms. The official journals have declared that the Government undertakes to constitute France a Republic, aud appealed to the people to maintain order and obey the law. The foreign ambassadors were to return to Paris on the 11 th. Henri Rochefort is dead. General Trochu is reported to be insane. Napoleoii is hourly expected at Chiselhurst. The " Morning Post" publishes a secret treaty between Russia and Prussia, concluded at £the commencement of the war. It is in effect that if French successes threatened Poland. Russia was to interfere. If Austria made an armed demonsti'ation against Prussia, Russia was to make a demonstration oij the Austrian frontier. If the European Powers assisted France, Russia was to assist Prussia. Gladstone stated in the House of Commons that the Government was ignorant of the existence of any treaty I

between Prussia and Russia when it instructed Odo Russell to consult with Bismarck. Prince Charles of Roumania has resolved to abdicate. A Committee of Enquiry has been appointed to report on the state of West Meath. Rothschild has issued a Prussian loan for £12,000,000. Cardvvell's army reorganisation bill has been read a second time. The deputies of Paris exhort the population to quietness and obedience, to the laws. It is believed that the authorities will take vigorous measures against the insurgents. General Faron is blockaded with three hundred men on the heights of Monttnatre. It is asserted that the question of raising a five per £ent. loan was considered. The Government has decided to issue a loan for two and a half milliards, two per cent, rentes. Great agitation prevailed in Paris on tbe evening of March 21st. Montmatre, Belville, and the Faubourg Antoine were barricaded. Three generals were shot by the insurgents ; the troops captured forty cannon, five of which were re-taken by the insurgents.

The Government issued a proclamation calling on the National Government to save Paris from pillage, declaring France otherwise ruined. The marriage of the Princess Louise to the Marquis of Lome took place to-day.

The special telegrams are not yet published here (? where).

Eeuter to Greville. March 18. Consols are 92£. Wool is firm and in active demand. Copper, Tallow dull. "Wheat has advanced one to two shillings since the last mail left. Arrivals: Lincolnshire, City of Adelaide, Darra, Loch Leven, Mikado, City of Vienna, Marpesia, Ben Nevis, La Hague, Martha Birnie, Juliet, Galen, Osmond and the s.s. Great Britain. March 20. All the regular troops have left for Versailles and the National Garde is now the only armed force in Paris. The barricading continues ; General Chanzy has been arrested. March 21. The Paris journals strongly condemn the assassination of Geuerals Lecomte and Thomas, and recognise the National Assembly as the only authority. If the insurection continues, the Prusians will re-occupy their former positions in Paris. Barricading everywhere continues, the National Garde occupying the forts. A committee relieved General Chanzy who was maltreated and has gone into hospital.

Monsieur Bouher has been arrested at Boulogne.

SPECIAL FOE NEW ZEALAND. A quantity of rooks are being obtained for New Zealand. The New Zealand Loan and Mercantile Agency has declared a dividend of ten per cent. New Zealand wheat is quoted at Rotterdam at 45s to 46s per quarter; oats, lis to 225. Preserved meat is in increased demand. The corvette Challenger arrived on February 20th. The Marquis of Normanby is appointed Governor of Queensland. The New Zealand flax market is quiet, but a fair trade has been done during the month, at a shade lower rates. It ia stated that the flax is not thoroughly prepared; out of 2600 bales recently offered, 1200 were sold at an average decline of £2 per ton.

New Zealand Sixes remain unchanged ; Fives are a-half per cent, lower.