ARRIVAL OF THE ENGLISH MAIL AT HOKITIKA.

Wellington Independent, Volume XXVI, Issue 3179, 21 April 1871, Page 2

ARRIVAL OF THE ENGLISH MAIL AT HOKITIKA.

Hokitika, Thursday. The s.s. Rangitoto, Mackie commander, arrived at 9 p.m., having left Melbourne on the evening of the 15th. Passengers — C. G. Hawdon,T. Ackland, for Christchurch : Capt. Edwin for Wellington, and 30 steerage for all ports. Late telegrams to London are to the 21st of March. The preliminaries.'of peace were signed onthe2oih February. The conditions are — France cedes Alsace and Metz, | but Bel fort will be restored. The war indemnity is five milliards of francs, which is to be paid in three instalments. The French fortress and the whole of the Champagne are to remain in the possession of the Germans until the conditions of the peace are fulfilled. On the 28th the National Assembly ratified the treaty of peace by five to one. The Germans entered on the morning of the 2nd, thirty thousand strong, occupying the Champs Elysees from Arch De Toile to the Place de la Con- j corde. The population was calm and quiet. The Bourse theatres are closed, the aspect of the city being mournful. The Germans evacuated Paris on the morning of the 4th. It is stated that the complete occupation of Paris was prevented by the intervention of England. The German headquarters, with the Emperor William, Bismarck, and Moltke, was removed from Versailles on the 7th. The second German army has received orders to march. The forts on the left of the Seine were surrendered by the German forces on the Bth. Bismarck has returned to Berlin, whiLher the Emperor is proceeding. The German Parliament meets on the 2 1st March. There was great agitation in Paris for several days. The insurgents established a regular encampment with artillery and small arms, and the outposts had abundance of ammunition. Forty thousand of the army of the Loire have since entered Paris forming a new garrison. A meeting held by a battalion Mobiles was quelled, and the iMational Guards delivered up its arms. The Official Journal declared that the Government ! undertakes to constitute France into a Republic, and appeals to the people to maintain order, and to obey the laws. Foreigu Ministers were to return to Paris on the eleventh. j Henry Rochfort is dead. i General Trochu is reported to be insane. Napoleon is expected at Chiselhurst immediately. The " Morning Post " publishes a secret treaty between Russia and Prussia (which was concluded at the commencement of the war) to the effect that if France, in case of success, threatened Poland, Russia would interfere ; and if Austria made armed demonstrations against Prussia, Russia would make a demonstration on the Austrian frontier; if European Powers assisted France, Russia assisted Prussia. In the House of Commons on the 7th, Gladstone said he was ignorant of any treaty between Russia and Prussia when he instructed Odo Russell, last year, to consult with Bismarck. Prince Charles of Roumania has re solved to abdicate. The Queen of Spain has recovered. The Committee of Enquiry into th« state of the county of Westmeath has been appointed. Rothschild has issued a Prussian loan of twelve millions. Cardwell's Army Reorganization 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 300 men, on the heights of Montmaetrar. On the question of issuing a loan at five per cent, the Government have decided to issue a loan for two and a half millions at two per cent, rent March 21st, evening. — Great agitation prevails in Paris. Mont Martre, Belleville, Fauberg and Antoine, have all been barricaded, and three generals shot by the insurgents. The troops captured forty cannon, but five were retaken by the insurgents. The Government issued a proclamation calling on the Nuiional Government to save Paris from pillage by declaring, or France would otherwise be ruined. The marriage of the Marquis of Lorn to Princess Louise took place to-day. SPECIAL TELEGIUM NOT YET PUBLISHED HERE. [Rf.UTKR TO GKIiVILLIi.] March 18. Consols, ninety- two one eighth. Wool linn, with active demand Copper, 0 t.f-. Tallow dull and heavy. Wheat, since the mail left, Is to 2s dearer. Arrivals — Lincolnshire, City of Adelaide, Dnrra, L»«ih Lrvi'ii, Mikado, City of Vienna, Marpesiu, B» j n Nevis, La Hogue, Martha Hium'e, Juliet, Glen Osmond, Great Britain, 20th. All the regular troops have gone to Versailles. The National Guards is now the only nrmod force in Puris. The barricading continues. General Chancey has been arrested. March 21st. — Evening Paris journals write strongly against the assassination

of Generals Le Compto and Thomas, and recognise the National Assembly as the only authority. If the insurrection continues the Prussians will occupy their former positions in Paris. The barricading continues everywhere. The National Guards are occupying the forts. The Committee released General Chancey, who was illtreated, and has gone into Hospital. M. Rouvur has been arrested at Boulogne. SPECIAL FOft NEW ZEALAND. February 24th. — Efforts are making to obtain a quantity of rooks for NewZealand. The New Zealand Loan and Mercantile Agency paid a dividend of ten per cent. New Zealand wheat is quoted at Rotterdam at forty-five to fifty-six shillings. Barley twenty-five to thirty- three. Oats eleven to twenty-two. Preserved meat is in more demand. The corvette Challenger arrived at home on February 20th. The Marquis of Normandy has been appointed Governor of Queensland. The Nevi Zealand flax market is quiet, but a fair trade has been done during the month at a shade lower rates. Tt is stated that the flax is not thoroughly prepared. 2600 bales were offered, and 1200 sold at a decline of £2 per ton on the average. New Zealand six per cents are unchanged ; fives, a half lower.