MISCELLANEOUS EXTRACTS

Wellington Independent, Volume XVIII, Issue 1889, 2 July 1863, Page 3

MISCELLANEOUS EXTRACTS

The Abohbishop of Yobk and Dr Colenso — The Archbishop of York is the latest contributor to the literature of .the Colenso.controversy. 1 In reply to an address from the clergy of the rural deanery of Sheffield, he points out the difficulties which stand iv the way of a legal deposition of the heretical Bishop ; and he is obliged to resort to the very precarious hope that Dr Colenso will be brought to see the evil of his ways, and make a formal recantation. The Archbishop, like the Bishop of Durham, has so much confidence in the soundness of his clergy, that he declines to take the precautionary step to which the Primate and other prelates have had recourse, — an inhibition, — closing the pulpits of his diocese against the Bishop of Natal.

Expenditure of the Colonies. — In a paper read before tbs Statistical Society, on the 21st, Mr F. Purdy stated that the population of oar colonies was 9,110,000 persons, that the military expenditure for tbem was £3,342,245, and the civil £167,222, making a total of £3,509,465. He then went on to remark that the colonies might be^divided into two classes — colonies properly so called, and dependencies which were cbieflv maintained "for objects of Imperial policy." The military expenditure for the first, class was £1,715,000, and for the second £1,510,000. I» the navy estimates for the present session, £100,411 w.is put down for tier Majesty's establishments, so that £3,609,000 was the entire direct burden on the mother country. In 1861, the revenue of the United Kingdom was £71,000,000 ; the direct expenditure for colonial purposes was therefore one shilling in the pound on the taxation of the mother countrj. In the discussion which followed, Mr Arthur Mills, M.P., Mr Moleswortb, Mr Kenrick, and others took part The Seizube of the Axexandba, — The Home News of the 26th April, has the following particulars, relative to this vessel, the seizure of which was the occassiun olfa dsbate in the House of Commons: — "Considerable excitement has been caused in Liverpool by the seizure of a gunboat intended for the Confederates. It had been well known for some weeks past that one gunboat, if not more, was being fitted out in some of the minor docks, and the people employed about them made no secret of the destination for which they were intended. On the facts coming to the knowledge of the United States consul at Liverpool, he communicated with the American minister in London, and official inquiries were consequently instituted into the whole of the proceedings bearing npon the building of the vessel seized. The result of these inquiries may be in/erred from the fact that the British Government sent down orders to seize the vessel, and one of the Customs surveyors went on board the. Alexandra and placed " broad anovv " on the vessel, and took possession of her. The Alexandra is a wooden screw steamer of about 120 tons and a very fine model. The vessel has now been exchequered, and it is understood that Messrs. Fawcett, Preston, and Co., her owners, and Messrs, Millar, her builders, will probably be summoned before the magistrates on the charge of designing to infringe the Foreign Enlistment Act. Tba solicitors for the defendants applied to the Mayor of Liverpool for an inspection of the depositions, but were informed that the law officers of the Crown had advised that the application ought not to be complied with. It is nnderstood that the Government intend holding an inquiry as to the ownership and destination of two gunboats now heing constructed by Messrs Laird, of Birkenhead, information having been forwarded to the effect that they are being built for the Confederate government. A splendid steamer, called the Japan — otherwise the Virginia — sailed from the Clyde on April 4, heavily armed, for a Confederate port. The crew of the Virginia, consisting of upwards of 100 men, were shipped from Liverpool, having been engaged at high wages, with a promise of a bounty for every run she makes in and out of a Confederate port; and also a good share of prize-money for every Federal vessel captured or destroyed/ Surviving Officers and Cbew of the Obpheus. — The surviving officers and part of the crew of Her Majesty's ship Orpheus, wrecked on the coast of New Zealand, were mustered on board the Victory, flag-ship, at Portsmouth, yesterday afternoon, having come from Southampton, where they arrived this morning per mail steamer Ellora. Their presence created an intense degree of interest, and a uumber of persons went on board the Victory to make iaI quiries as to the fate of relatives who were on board the ill-fated ship, and some distressing j scenes were witnessed.— Daily Neivs, April 18. j England and America. — The Daily News says it is impossible to deny that the feeling of irritation between this couutry and the United States is gradually increasing. There aie unquestionably, faults on both sides ; but, excepting the single case of the Alabama, it is impossible to point to any one act which offers any just ground of complaint to the American government. Earl Russell is no doubt determined to do all he can to prevent another Alabama affair, but unless his efforts are supported by public opinion they will be uaavailing, and certainly, unless the temper of the country alters, it is difficult to see how it can be avoided.

The detachment of surveyors, draughtsmen, aud photographers selected from the companies of Roy a] Engineers at headquarters, Chatham, foe service in New Zealand, took their departure from Brompton-barracks, Chatham, on April 11. Prior to leaving Chatham the non-com-missioned officers and men were inspected by Colonel H. D. Harness, C.8., director of the Royal Engineer establishment, who afterwards addressed them. He reminded them of the important and highly responsible nature of the duties they would be called on to perform, and enjoined them to maintain a consistent course of conduct aud undeviuting attention to their duty. The von commissioned officers and Suppers composing the detachment have been specially selected for this service from the coin* panics now at the home stations, and the whole have gone through the complete course of instruction at the vaiious schools at Chatham. They will be absent from England for several years, and during the time they are employed in New Zealand they will receive a high rate of pay. The nature of the duties on which they will be employed will be chiefly on the Government survey of the islands composing the colony, and the designing and superintending the erection of various public buildings, as well as the formation of public roads, bridges, &c, and, generally, on the various descriptions of engineering works. Should their services be required they will also be employed in the colonial Mint They embarked at Portsmouth on board the Australian ship Norwood, which sailed for New Zealand on April 16. , ..:.-:...