ARRIVAL OF THE ENGLISH MAIL VIA SAN FRANCISCO.

Wellington Independent, Volume XXVI, Issue 3124, 15 February 1871, Page 2

A RRIVAL OF THE ENGLISH MAIL VIA SAN FRANCISCO.

___ + [A portion of the following appeared in an Inbepbndent Extra, issued yesterday.] Tatjrakga, Feb. 14, 12 noon. The following message has just been received by special messenger from Thames, forwarded by Greville's agents, per special overland express : — The City of Melbourne arrived in Auckland at 1 a.m. this morning. Her dates are London, Jon. 33 ; San Francisco, Jan. 15 ; Honolulu, Jan. 27. Passengers for New Zealand : saloon —Mrs B, Bell, Messrs W. James, A. Stevensou (mail agent), Henderson ; second cabin — J. W. Atkinson ; five steerage. The bombardment of Paris progresses. The Germans have captured several forts. Shells have been thrown into the city, and houses set on fire. General Chanzy has been defeated under the walls of Le Mars. Reinforcements swell the German army to a million. The Pope has been offered ai residence in Ireland. The Germans have been repulsed near Malmaison. Victories were claimed by both sides. There has been no serious damage after ten days' bombardment. The garrison at Paris are clamoring for a decisive attempt. Austria is likely to initiate a movement for peace. The Committee of Post Offices at Washington recommended an annual subsidy to the San Francisco Steam Service of a half million dollars. Thirteen trips to be made in the year. The " News of the World" says that the enterprise of New Zealand is much appreciated. America approves of the action of Neilson in concluding the contract, . London, January 14. Flax was quiet early in the month, but later it met with a good demand and high prices. Sales — 2870 bales New Zealand flax from £14 to £36 10s. Kauri gum is quiet. Wool, active. The Agent- General of South Australia negotiated the 1 sale of the whole of the bonds., The New Zealand Consolidated, 100 to 100*. The bombardment of the north-east of Paris is heavy, from the newlyerected batteries. The Prussians bombarded Forts Boissy, Vaures, Montrogue, entrenchments of of Ville, Juif, and Pointjour, A Brussels despatch says that no serious damage was done by een days' bombardment. Mount Avron was captured by the Prussians. It was afterwards swept by the French fire, and abandoned. The guns of Clairmont reached the Invalides. Baron Von Beust's despatch to Bismarck says that Austria has received satisfaction in the restoration of the German empire. General Prim has been shot at when in his carriage at Madrid. The assasins escaped. Prim died on December 31. The Cortes passed a vote to repel the Duke of Aosta. It was enthusiastically received at Carthage na. Chichester Fortescue is to succeed Bright as President of the Board of Trade. The Eastern Conference has been postponed, awaiting the arrival of Jules Favre. The Prussians have sunk British vessels on the Seine. Bismarck apologises, pleading the necessity, and is offering indemnity. The Champ de Mars has been shelled. The shells fell on Luxembourg gat dens, Montmarr.' Church, St. Surplice, killing several people. January 12. A great fire raged in Paris on the north side. Fort Dissy scaled. The case-mates of forts Dissy and Vanres were battered. None of the large forts have been reached ; their capture involves an open advance. Paris may fall through hunger and weariness, but never by urtillery. The Greeks concerned in the masnscrc of Englishmen at Marathon have been surrendered. French reserves have joined Chanzy, who is raising his force to 150,000 men. The Prussians have retired to Vendome. The French defeated 10,000 Germans at Jumize, and occupied Bourgachard and Bourg Theronzea. There is a delay in the Eastern Conference, owing to the hesitation of France to send representatives. The " Observer" says they will meet before the end of January. The rei ased Fenian Generals Rosa, O'Connell. Devey, M'Clure, and Mulloy have left for New York. Bourbaki is believed to be planning to raise a seige before invading Germany. He marches on Nancy and Belfort. The Prussians have occupied Auxonne. The French entered Salonas, the Germans withdrawing to the northern department. The German residents in Marseilles have sent a letter to King William protesting against the barbarous character of the war. &k General Faid Herhe claims a victory over the Germans. The Reds in Paris are creating disunion. In a battle at Capaume, the Germans lost 9000 ; French, 4000. The Prussians were repulsed twice in an attack on Bolbeck. Bismarck expresses his reluctance to accept Granville's denial of the, viola,' tions of neutrality,

The Germans occupied Azay. Montoille attacked Ville Chune vill Portcher St. Cyr Gault, and afterwards forced his lines to Nuille. The French right assumed offensive, and reoccupied their former positions, and entered St Armand. The Prussians have been repulsed beyond Sainte Komaine. The advauced column of Geimans in the Valley of the Loire reached Nogent Favigny la Charte. Mr Monsee, of Limerick, M.P., has offered a residence to the Pope on his estate in Ireland. An immense meeting at Greenwich has demanded Earl Granville's resignation. German telegrams report the defeat ofthe French by Von Werder, and the capture of 200 men and two eagles. At a battle fought at Borgemont, department of Doube, the French cluim a victory. German accounts report the defeat of General Chanzy. The Duke of Mecklenburg reports a victorious battle at Comgen, La Chapelle, and the capture of 10,000 French. The Berlin correspondent of the London "Times" says the Prussians have abandoned the idea of a general occupation of France ; portions only will be held. The general batile of La Maus was fought on the llth. The Germans attacked the French Army of the Loire along the whole line. The French j maintained their position. The Prussian loss was 18,000 men. The French loss was serious. The Germans claim the capture of 5,000 French. London telegrams state that Chanzy was completely defeated. Von Werder is following up his victory. The bombardment on the 13th was very heavy. There were several fires within the French lines. The French are erecting new batteries. A German telegram reports thp supply of ammunition iv Paris to be 18 days. The surrender of Paris is certain before then. General Chanzy had two corps engaged, and 60,000 men of a reserve. A Vienna despatch of the 12th, says that Austria willinitiate peace proposals. Tbe preliminaries are that France shall surrender and pay one thousand million thai ers; strip the country four miles broad from the left bank of the Rhine, and destroy all forts for twenty miles from the Rhine : also surrender twenty war vessels. Prussia is to guarantee two millions of rations for Paris daily. The are mines and counter-mines on Mount Valerian in close proximity. A collision is imminent. Bourbaki telegraphed that he was driving the Germans from Ville Leirexel and Lille. The army of the North is advancing. The news is very contradictory. Shipping. — At New York (loading) Annie, for Dunedin and Adelaide. At London (sailed), December sth, Crusader, for Canterbury. Loading for Nelson — Bish Shan ; for Wellington — Ship Chile and Edinburgh Castle ; for Canterbury — Norma ; for Otago — Roslyn Castle. From Glasgow (sailed) Dec. 11 — Agues Muir.