The Sun. — London, England, 1865-12-21 00:00:00

MONEY MARKET AND COMMERCIAL IN TELLIGENCE, TWELVE O'CLOCK. No alteration has been made by the Bank of England directors in the rate of discount, and the market presents an appearance of inactivity. The expectations that an advance would take place have induced the commercial classes-to obtain more ac commodation than their immediate wants required, and there is consequently very little business now in progress. . A withdrawal of £22,000 in gold took place yes terday afternoon at the Bank. The Committee of the Stock Exchange have de cided upon closing the House on Saturday next. The last week's railway receipts ascertained up to this day are in round figures as under : 1865. 1864. Great Western ... .£70,429 £67,613 North Western ... 115,257 108,007 South Western ... ... 22,056 21,301 Brighton ... 17,858 16,530 Midland ... 49,674 46,420 South Eastern ... ... 20,830 19,932 Great Northern ... 37,989 34,037 Lancashire and Yorkshire ... ... 39,846 34,240 Bristol and Exeter ... ... 6,419 6,386 North Eastern ... ... 69,176 63,695 Manchester, Sheffield, and Lincoln ... 20,114 17,047 Great Eastern ... 33,780 31,363 London, Chatham, and Dover ... ... 7,859 6,472 These returns, when compared with those of the corresponding period of last year, are generally very satisfactory. On the Great Western there is an increase of £2,816 ; on the North Western of £7,250 ; on the South-Western, of £755 ; on the Brighton of £1,358 ; on the Midland of £3,254 ; on the South-Eastern of £B9B ; on the Great Northern of 3.::;,952 nn the Lancashire and York shire of £5,606 ; on the Bristol and Exeter of £33 ; on the North Eastern of £5,481 ; on the Man chester, Sheffield, and Lincoln of £3,067 ; on the Great Eastern of ,-(.22,417 ; and on the London, Chatham; and Dover, of £1,387. Two O'CLOCK. A ceordi g mter's telegram the 3 per Cent. French Rentes were quoted at 68f. 27c. The de bland held firm. The English Stock Market has been dull, but quotations have remained steady. At one time there was a tendency to a rise, but the paucity of business has prevented any important change. Consols for money are 87+ I, and for the account 8 7i . The New Threes and Reduced Annuities are 878 87+ ; Exchequer Bills, 6s. to 2s. dis. ; Bank Stock, 246 ; India 5 per Cents., 1028 4 ; ditto Enf aced Paper Bonds, 14s. prem. Foreign Stocks have generally been firm. Turkish 5 per Cents. are 43* 4 ; Mexican, cx all Bonds, 25 * 1; the New Loan, 221 23 ; Greek, 154 161 ; Spanish Passive, 28 1 ; the Certificates, 151 j. ; Confederate Loan, 7 8 ; and Brazilian Scrip, 1f Prem. In American Securities the dealings have not been numerous, nor have quotations shown any material alteration. United States 5-20 Bonds are 661 i ; Erie Shares, 591 f ; and Illinois, 821 i. Business in the Railway Share Market has been rather dull. Prices, however, exhibit more firmness. Great Northern A Stock, Great Western, and Me tropolitan have each improved 10s., Midland 155., and Lancashire and Yorkshire ss. The Foreign and Colonial lines are dull at about former quotations. Bank and Miscellaneous Shares remain steady. Alliance are dealt in at 294 ; English Joint Stock at 114 ; London Joint-stock at 511; London Fi nancial at 20/ ; and Overend, Gurney, and CO. at 214 221 ; London Steam Towing Com pany, Shares are quoted 11 2 prem. ; British Con vention Bonds of Mexico 65 70 ; English and American Bank, 21 24 prem.; Colonial Company, par 1 prem. ; Atlantic and Great Western Rail- Way Consolidated Mortgage Bonds, 1 1. prem. BRITISH FUNDS—CLOSING PRICES. GOVERNMENT FUNDS. 8 Per Cent. Consols 4 , Do. Account, Jan. 9 874 87 1 1 i °,,Per Cent. Reduced New 3 per Cent B7l 7 4 7 New 24 per Cent. Jan. 1894 — Do. 5 per Cent. Jan. 1873 — Annuities, 30 yrs, expire sth Jan., 1880 Do, for 30 yrs, expire sth April,lBBs — Do (Red Sea Telegraph), Aug., 1908 — Exchequer Bills, £1,000,3 per Cent. 6 2 dis Do. £5OO — dis Do £lOO and £200 Bank of England Stock, 5 per Cent Do Account , INDIAN GOVERNMENT SECURITIES. 'Wiwi Stock, 104 per Cent., AprillB74 — Do Account Do. 5 per Cent. July, 1870 Do. 4 per Cent., Oct. 1888 Do. Certificates — Do. Enfaced Paper 4 per Cent — Do. 5 per Cent., Jan. 1872 Do. 54 per Cent., May 1879 — Do. 4 per Cent., Aug. 1866 — Do. Bonds, £l,OOO l4 pm Do. under £l,OOO FOREIGN FUNDS—CLOSING PRICES. Austrian Bonds, 5 per Cent, 1859 — B razilian 5 per Cent 92 Do. 44 per Cent., 1852-58-60 Do. - 1863 Do. 1865 Do. Scrip, £25 paid Buenos Ayres 6 per Cent — Do. Account Do 1 p er C en t. (D e f erre d 3 p er Cent ) 37 4 r, 'llilian 6 per Cent Do. 3 per Cent Colombian 6 per Cent. B2 Cuba, 6 per Cent. D anish 3 per Cent., 1825 — Do. 4 per Cent., 1863 p anub an no. 5 pe Princi r Cent.,a lities 1773-77, £25 paid — `l — no Account "juador New Consolidated, 1 per Cent — ,„ Do., P rov i s i ona l L an d W arran t — ''Ltiptian 7 per Cent 93 Vo. Second Issue 924 DO ~ £lOO Bonds — Do. 1864 — no £lOO Bonds r,eek per Cents., 1824-5, ex Coupons u,o. A s ccount ",0. Coupons — , uo. Account 'llatemala 5 per Cent. — Do£B6paid — , Do. 1839 an d 1850 — 4talian 5 per Cent, 1865 Do. Account D 0• Maremmana Railway — "o Scrip, £674 paid — M exican 5 p er C en t., 1864 — " j ' e xican 3 per Cent uo. Account Dn 1864 224 3 1, ,,0 6 per Cent. Anglo-French e-'0 French Scrip, Ex. 25f 20c — kontevidean 6;per Cent., £3O paid Neallmperial 5 per Cent ',Nr Granada _ ,u 0 2 per Cent _ ". h o Deferred b r '" o Land Warrants (Hectares) D * 6 per Cent, 1864 — (3: 0 Guarantee 4 p Cent D;rnvian 44 per Cent er — 0 . Account rO Scrip, £45 p a id, p a id in Bonds D° 3 per Cent. (Uribarren) — P o H ° 44 per Cent., 1862 irtgne 3 er Cent., 1853 D 0• 3 p er C en t. 1856, '7, 0 9, '6O, '62, '3, 4 4. ' 0 . Account r ° an 5 per Cent., 1822, £ St B9 b 4 1 per Cent. 1850 D ° 4 i- per Cent., 1860 D o pox Cent. 1859 — D ° 5 per Cent. 1862 BBl 1 / i f 34 ~,r. 6 per Cent. 1864 — jj`trtian 5 per Cent p a 0 Acco tun Ditto ac per Cent iotto account DNe'w Deferred — noo Account 371 4 .r\44 , ° . Account — 28 b' lB / 1 . Cert. of Coup not funded — 131 4 , ° Acco un t 154 4 4 4 ecl isli 1:), 3. per Cent. Tt 11' per Cent. 1864 1),, Account er Cent. 1854 Do 12," 6 per Cent. 1858 ,0 Account — i° £lO O Bonds 75 b ( o ) *2-1 per Cent — u Per Cent. 1862 — Do A ccount 721 1 .D o £ l OO Bonds 72/ 1 1 D o 6 Per Cent., 1863 o 6 -, b per Cent. 1865 — o 5 0 ,.. : _ , D o A "I; £3o paid 1:21 .n.ccount b° 41(0 Bands — Ir er tez „ / Per Cent. Guaranteed — D o Ze_la 3 per Cent. 12,0 -n,kucount Do, Arco Cent., 1862 nnt Pr e nividends on the above payable in London. It ile ll 416 4 ~ Renter 3 per Cent. — Do ; A o per Cent., 1861, Ex. 25f. G 5 Co nsol s . ftir money 65 THREE O'CLOCK. 4 ° oo llllt, odgel ,f the I t the John Lord I been )f Be" •oss of be de- ction o laSt 7 a ?re for in his l gage' ratify a 101 3 g v path ich he It and Car the ape of .ont of view of , se nable : hard°, y aifa .onage, area i ll ho ex" is sub hich, it Italian ht that s hould it caw adieu° and 1° Cer ace yes" he per ffard 111 stages reache d ad as he y ~c up and suer s 12i 11 ./ ny sort Lt of the 'roll t he 180 f t• )od and or othe r difficu3 •yen 1)1 the 13 t oi nas, I Mr. or fiver )n ,irt best c — t . 1/4 t the • Je chce ri; wst e s for til v aver ell ' ' D th e 1 10 red notwi a lir ether,au gied s l ,ere t,0:1 170 e% ns. r if ,til nee 40 rd rille. STARE MARKETS.—This Day. ORDINARY SHARES AND STOCKS. I Paid. ) Closi ng rioe. I Business Share' Railways. done. Bristol and Exeter Caledonian Cambrian Cork and Bandon Cornwall Dublin & Belfast June Dun„Perth, & A b.Junc. &London, t crip Certi. Do. lasgow & S. Western Great Eastern, Ord. stk. Q 3 95" 27 28 94 96 13 15 4} 54 C 8 72 70 72 94 126 k 113 115 1 42 13 , Do. E. Angl: st. No. Great North of Scotland great Northern D. A stock 121 i 127 145 145 Do. B stock Do. New. Is. at 25 pn , Gt S. and W. of Ireland, Gt. Western -Original D... S. Vag. Rail gua. Do. South Wales .... Do. W. Mid.— Oxford 92 94 501 60i 61 34 10 33 37 104 105 121/ 1221 9) b 2 102 103 36 38 50 b 2 1241 125) 95) c 63 61. 63 1374 I'B, 3 Sip 14 lip 103 104 Do. Newpo . t Do. Hereford Lana :shire & Yorkshire L ndon and Blackwall' Lon., Brigh., & S Coast! Lon., Chat., and Dover. Do. Metrop. Ex. A Lon. & North Western Lon. & South Western Sian., Sher., & Lincoln Do. New Do Extension...— Metropolitan District Do do. do. Do. and St. John'slir'd Hid:and Do. £9 Share 1211 123 i 1} 1 1 p 9L 93 Do, Birmin SL Derby it id Kent North British 55 57 Do. Ed., Pth , & Dun. Nth. Eastern—Berwick Do. (i.N•E purchase Do. Leeds ..... Do. York D 6, Carlisle ..... 7 29 110 i 111 k 7 74 1014 1054 Do. Stock. & Darling. Do. do. 1860-61 North London 36 37 10 II p 126 128 2 2 p 2 2:p 74 75 11 12 148 15 , 66 68 112 114 Do. do. 1864 .. ...... Do. do. 1865 North Staffordshire N. & S. W. Junction Scottish Central Scot. N. E , Aber. stock vo. Scot, Mid. stick Shropshire Union South Devon South E, stern Staines, Wok., ct Wok Taff Vale 55 57 74 75 Do. C Vale of Neath Waterford & Kilkenny Waterloo & Whiteha 1 West Cornwall BRITISH P Atlantic & St. Lawrence Bom.,Baroda, gu. 5 per cent Do. 1 shares Buffalo & Lake Huron Do. Preference Buff.,Brant, & Goderich 6 p.c. .872-3-4 Calcutta & 8. E., lim ..:ape Town & Dock, gu Demerara, 7 p.c. per. pl Nast. Bengal, gu., 5 do East Icsli!9, gu. 5 p.c. Do. J Eitaisiozi Grand Trunk of Canada Do. Equip. Mort. Bonds 1 charge 6 p.c Do. Ist I'ref. Bonds Do. do. deferred Do. 2d Pref. Bonds Do. do. deferred 1 Do. 3d Pref. stock 1 Do. do. deferred ... • I Do. 4th Pref. stook .. Do. do. deterred .... Gt. India Pen. gua. sp.c. o. Gua. 5 per cent.. Do. New gita. 5 p. c Gt. South of India gua. 5 per cent D 41 per cent.... Do Great W..s. of Canada.. Da. New. Do. 6 p. c. Bds. pay 1873 Do. 50 do. pay. 1877-8 Indian Branch, limited Madras, gua. 5 p.o Do. 41 do Do. 4; do Do. Fifth Extension Melb. Cor. 6 p. c. Bnds. Mel. & Hudson's Bay.. N. I.C'da, 6pe Ist pf. bs. Scinde Do. Delhi Do. do Do. Puniaub 1 Do.lndus S t.Flo COLONIAL GO VER. British Columbia, 6 per cent., Dec. 31, 1672. Can.Gov.6 p.c.Ja.& July 1877-84 - Do. 6 p. c. Feb. & Aug.. Do. 5 p. a. Mar. & Sept Do. 5 p. c. Jan. & July Do. 5 p. e. Inscribed sk Cape (*.Hope, 6 p.c. 1873 oo.Apl.&Oct 1890-1900 Do. do; 1880-9 Do. Jan. &July, 1890-9 Do. 5 per cent. 15 April and 15 Oct., 1900 Ceylon, Nov. 1868, 6 P. Do. 1878, do Mauritius, 8 p. 0, 1873, Jan. and July Do. 1 , +78 Do. 188?, Mayls, Nov. , Do. 1895, Feb. & Aug Natal Liov. 6 per cent N. B. Gov. 6 p.c.Ja.&J ulyl N. S. W. Gov. 5 p '00866 1 Do. 5 p.c. 18;1 to 187 t Do. 5 p.c. 1888 to 18921 New Zealand, 6 p. cent' Do. 5 percent.... Nova ScJtia Gov. 6 p. c sterling, 1875 4ueenaland Gov. 6 p. c Aus.Gov. 6 p,c 1868-9 Do. 1878 & upwards Vic,(lov. 6 p.c. Ja & July Do. do, April & Oct BRITI, Cam. Consol. Cold, Urn Chiverton Clifford Amalgamated Devon G. Cons. (Taoist Drake wal ls East Bassett (Illogan) East Caradon East Cana Brea East Grenville East Gunnislake .. East Loved E. W'l Russell (Tavistk Gam.& StAubyn(G wen. Great L .xey, limited Great South Tolgus Great Wheal Buoy G. Wheal Vor (Heist io Grenville El erod's Foot •••• Hingston Downs Margaret lUny Lelant Starke Valley Viwyndy Iron Ore, lim New Se ton North Roskear N Wh'l Bassett (Mogan North Wheal Crotty Prosper United Providence Uny Lelant S. Caradon (St. Cleer) South Condurrow S.Wheal Fran. (Mogan Stray Park Tin Croft Vigra and Clogan, lim West Bassett (11togan W. Caradon (Ltskeard West Chiverton West Seton Wheal Bassett 'Mogan Wheal Buller (Redruth Wheal Mary Ann (Men Wheal Seton Wheal Trelawney (Lis 8 9 147 150 3 i p 101 104 49 51 SSIONS 69 61 102 103 ad ip 8 6 1 10 11 75 80 99 101 65 70 100 103 102 IC2 103 104 par 6p 32 33 88 90 68 68 55 60 56 58 50 55 45 48 40 44 32 34 31 33 103 104 ~ ~~ i 111 1014 104 16} 17 30 V 3 15 8i e 7 1 bd 101 i 102 i 93 85 89 91 C 3 65 82 84 t,ti 102• 1016 1026 10► 102 T SECU: 96 98 94 96 94 96 82 89 81 93 1( 1 ICB 104 106 104 105 105 107 90 92 10) 162 1(6 108 103 1(5 106 108 104 106 105 107 96 99 96 08 1 0 102 93 95 8) 01 103 105 84 85 101 102 103 104 106 108 105 106 10i 2t 23 575 695 I I 18 .20 8i 9 5 oi 3 . 3i i i 14 15 3 31 5 7 20 21 11 2 31 4 34 35 3i 4 86 38 5} 5} 5 7 4 4i 21 14d 40 50 15 17 i 1 i 1 36 38 420 410 'I 1 * 20 25 10 12 19 20 4 6 9 11 774 82} 190 200 95 1( 0 32i 37} 4 - 6 - 2126 2226 18) lgi YILEFERENC.II SHARES. Bristol and Exeter 4 per cent. stock, 85 Dundee, Perth, and Aberdeen Jun,tion, 106 Great Eastern, E. Counties Ex., No. 2, 1921 Great Western, 4 per cent irred 81 Great Western, 5 per cent., rd. Pt, . Great Western, Birmingham gua. s Great Western, Chester gua. stock, • Ditto, ditto, 8 per cent. pf. stock, 160 North Eastern, Cons. pref., 4 per cent., Ditto, 4i per cent:red., iB4 PREFEEENCE SNARES AND STOCKS. Great Eastern 4i per cent. pr., Ditto, 5 p r cent., 96i Midland A and B pf, 171 100,E `,ock, 72 LINES LEASED AT FIXED RENTALS Lancaster and Carlisle, 2161 17A .FOREI GN RAIL WAYS. ' Bahia and San Francisco Ihn.) gua. 7 per cent., 141 Dutch Rhenish, 231 Great Luxembourg, 16 N. Rail of Buenos Ayres, gua. 7 per cent., 51 Ottoman (Smyrna to Aidin), 1O San Paulo. lim., gua. 6 per cent., 171 South Austrian and Lombardo Venetian, 17 West Flanders, 71 BANKIV Agra and Masterman's. Um., 571 7 Alliance, 11w.. 29 Bank of British Columbia, 47 Bank of Egypt, 291 Chartered Bank of India, Australia, and China. 241 Chartered kler. of India, London, and China, 47 Consolidated Bank, lim., 10* English Joint Stock, lim., 11 London and Brazilian (lim.), 48} London and River Plate, Ditto. new, 13} London Chartered Bank of Australia, 23} London and County, 79i London Joint Stock, 51} Oriental Commercial Bank, lim., late N. F., 3 ' MISCELLANEOUb. Atlantic Telegraph, 8 per cent. gua., 3/ Australian Mort. Land and Finance, lim., 3/ Bombay Gas, lim., 51 I City Offices, lira., 71 Company of African Merchants, lira., 3f Credit Fonder and Mobilicr of linglanu , si Crystal Palace, Ditto, Preference. 115 East Indian Land Credit and Finance, lira„ 6J} East India Irrigation and Canal. ti Ebbw Vale, 13 Egyptian Cora and Trading, 1im.,' . 2/ English and Foreign Credit,;4l English and Scottish Marine, Um., 4 Fairbiirn Engineering, 5/ 6 Financial Discount, lira., 10 Gen. Credit and Finance of London, um., 61 • Hudson's Bay, 17 / Humber Iron Works, 4/ Otago and Southland investment, 2 Ottoman Gas, lim., 3/ Overend, Gurney, and Co., lira., 21/ 2/ Union Marine, Liverpool. lim., 4/ Imperial mercantile Credit Asso., Um., 7 International Financial: -ociety, aim., 6g Italian Irrigation (Canal Cavour), Ditto, 6 per cent. Bonds, redem. lt7o, issued 90, 83 Joint Stock Discount, lim., 81 I London Financial Association, lira, COI / London General Omnibus Company, 11m., 3/ Lon' 'on and:Provincial Marine, 4 51;.riLe Investment, lim., 51 Milwall Iron Works. 41 Natal Land and Colonization Co., 11M.; 2 1 National Discount immpany. 17 . Ocean marine Insurance), 24i I~ ~ 421 1274 6/ 146 I 59 SI VI i 1221 i } 90} 90 e6l 7 1251 95+ 6 ViBl 9EI 1221 31 2 5 100 3} 100 all 100 100 100 16.13.4 'OSSR MINES. rilE SUN, LONEON, THURSDAY EVENING, DECEMBER 21, lEEE. POLICE INTELLIGENCE.—This Day. MARLBOROUGH-STREET. A STRANGE CHARACTER.—Thomas Blackwell, a crazy looking man, was charged before Mr. Knox with being drunk and disorderly. _ _ Edgar Adims, 148 C, said that about one o'clock that morning he was passing through Silver-street, when he heard the prisoner making use of bad language. He told the prisoner to desist, and asked him what the was matter, when he replied that he was looking for his walking-stick, and again began making a great noise, being at the time drunk. As the prisoner refused to go away and disturbed the inhabitants of the street, he took him into custody, when he set to making use of the vilest expressions, and said if he could only get a knife he would cut his (wit ness's) - fingers off. Barnes, the gaoler, said he did not think tho prisoner was in his right mind. All the property ho had with him was a bag full of rubbish. The prisoner, who appeared to be lame, said he had been bitten in the knee by a dog. Barnes said the prisoner had once before been charged at the court and sent to the House of Detention that the state of his mind might be inquired into, and he believed it was then stated that he was sane. The prisoner said he had nowhere to sleep. Mr. Knox fined the prisoner 10s. or seven days. THAMES. THE SMOKE NUISANCE ACT ANOTHER Bow COMMON NUISANCE.—AIfred Vosper, the proprietor of oil works and a brimstone refinery in Bow Common-lane, Limehouse, appeared before Mr. Paget to answer an information and summons taken out by Mr. Edward Worels, the superin tendent of the K division of police, for using a furnace so constructed as not to burn or consume its own smoke. Mr. William Sandison, engineer, by direction of the Home Secretary, inspected the defendant's works on the 28th of June last, and again on the Ist November. There were fifty furnaces under evaporating pans. There was no smoke consuming apparatus attached, and smoke poured out in volumes. There would be no difficulty at all in applying a smoke consuming apparatus to the furnaces. The defendant promised to make the necessary alterations when he made the first inspection, and nothing had been done. Inspector Bean of the K division, who accompanied Mr. Sandison on the Ist of November, said that dense volumes of black smoke issued from the centre shaft of the defend ant's premises. It was the greatest nuisance on Bow common. He had seen the road opposite covered with smoke. The nuisance continued up till yesterday. A Solicitor, on the part of the defendant, said that his client had suggested improvements and had tried various plans for the consumption of smoke, but they failed. The cost could not be abated all at once. Mr. Paget thought there had been very gross neglect on the part of tho defendant, and fined him £4, which was paid. MARKETS—This Day. METROPOLITAN CATTLE. There was a large supply of beasts on offer here to-day, in fair average condition. All breeds met a dull sale, at a decline in the quotations, compared with Monday, of from 2d to 4d per 81bs. Scots and crosses sold at 4s 8d to 4s 10d per Blbs Sheep, the show of which was seasonably good, moved off heavily, at 2d to 4d per 81bs less money. The best Downs changed hands at 6s 4d per 81bs. The demand for calves was in a depressed state, and prices gave way 4d per Blbs. The top figure was 4s 8d per 81bs. Pigs were very dull, and 2d per 81bs cheaper than last week. In mulch cows next to nothing was doing. Per 81b to sink the offal. d s d s dad Crse. it inf. beasts... 3 2 3 6 Pme crs-wool sheep 5 4 5 lu Second quality do ..3 8 4 2 Prime s'thdown uo 6 u 6 4 Prime large oxen ..4 4 4 6 La , ge coarse calvcs 3 8 4 2 Prime Scots, etc.... 4 8 4 10 Prime small do 4 4 4 8 Crse. and inf. sheep. 3 8 4 4 Large hogs .4 4 6 Second quality do ..4 6 5 2 Small porkers- 4 8 5 0 Lamb....os Od to 0, Od. Suckling calves, l9s to 2.s ; and quarter-old store pigs, 30s to 32s each. Head of stock on sale. Total supply. Foreign supply. Beasts 2,010 Beasts Cows. .. 110 Cows Sheep Calves 2:O Ca ves l6O eigs 370 Pigs MEAT MARKETS. NEWGATE AND LEADENHALL. — The supplies of meat on sale here are very extensive. A good business is doing, as follows :—Beef, from 3s Od to 4s 6d ; mutton,.3s 10d to 58 4d ; veal, 4s Od to 4s 8d ; and pork, 4s 4d to 5s 8d per 81b by the carcase. SOUTHALL, Dec. 20.—There was a good supply of fat stock on sale here to-day, and tho trade was very inactive at our quotations. Beef, from 3s 6d to 5s 2d; mutton, 4s Od to 6s 6d; veal, 4s 4d to 4s 8d; and pork, 4s Od to 5s Od per 81b. to sink the offal. ROMFORD, Dec. 20.—We were well supplied with stock, and sales progressed slowly, as follows :—Beef, from 3s Gd to 5s 2d; mutton, 4s Od to 6s 4d; veal, 4s 2d to 4s 8d; pork, 4s Od to 5s Od per 81b. Suckling calves, 17s to 20s , quarter-old store pigs, 29s to 32s ; and milch cows, £l5 to £l9 each. HAY SMITHFIELD.—Meadow hay, £4 Os to £5 ss; clover, £5 5s to £6 lOs Od ; and straw, £1 16s to £2 Os per load. Trade inactive. CIIMBERLAND.—Meadow hay, £4 Os to £5 lOs Od; clover, £5 5s to £6 lOs Od; and straw, £1 16s to £2 2s per load. A moderate supply. WHITECHAPEL.—Meadow hay £4 Os to £5 5s ; clover, £5 5s to £6 lOs Od; and straw, £1 16s to £2 Os per load. Supply moderate. Liverpool Cotton Market—This Day. Cotton market quiet. Sales about 8,000 bales. THE WARDMOTES.—This Day. ----_-All.--- The annual election of the members of the Court of Common Council took place to-day in the vari ous wards in the various wards in the City. In most of them the old candidates were returned without opposition. In Farringdon ward the pro ceedings did not partake of the unanimity that pre vailed. Several new candidates were anxious for the honour of a seat in the civic parliament. SHIPPING INTELLIGENCE—This day. LONDON, Dec. 21.—Wind this day at noon—South- Westerly; moderate breeze, and fine weather, but rather cloudy. CARDIFF, Dec. 20.—Wind S.W.—Sailed—Flora, for Rio Janeiro. FALMOUTH, Dec. 19.—Wind S.E.—Arrived—Posendon. from Rio Grande: CLYDE, Dec. 20.—Wind S.W.—Arrived—Greenock, from Mauritius. BRISTOL, Dec. 20.—Wind W.—Arrived—Forest Fairy, from St. Michael's. OFF PORTSMOUTH, Dee. 19.—Wind. S.W.—Arrived— Kensington, from London for Boston. HOLYHEAD, Dec. 20.—Wind W.—Arrived.—Cherub, from Liverpool. PORTSMOUTH, Dec. 19.—Wind S.W.—Sailed—Her Ma jesty's ship Industry, from Woolwich. LlvEnrooL, Dec. 20.—Wind S.W.—Arrived—Queen, from Quebec. HULL, Dec. 20.—Wind S.—Arrived—Gilbert Wheaton, from St. Michael's. `BY ELECTRIC TELEGRAPH. I GRAVESEND, Thursday Morning. Arrived, Dec. 20.—Proserpine, from Guernsey ; Alfred, from Dunkirk ; Baron Osy, steamer, from Antwerp. Sailed.—Lord J. Russell, steamer, for Dunkirk. DEAL, Thursday Morning. Passed in Tow.--Kent, from Melbourne, for London; Alice Tainter, from Kurrachee, for London. DESTRUCTIVE FIRES (THIS DAY).—This morning a fire broke out in the premises of Mr. James Scott, greengrocer, at 150, High-street, Hoxton, which was nearly attended with fatal consequences to four persons. The flames commenced in the shop, and rapidly ascended. The inmates were rescued by the police and neighbours, and the firemen very quickly extinguished the fire. An unoccupied house, 3, Paxton-villa, York-road, Holloway, was burned down, supposed to be by an incendiary. The volunteer and brigade engines turned out, but ali their exertions did not save it. Two or three other fires also occurred, but the damage done at each was inconsiderable. THE JAPANESE COMMISSIONERS IN LONDON.- Yesterday evening the Japanese Commissioners visited Lloyd's Underwriters' Rooms. Rear-Admiral Halstead, the secretary, conducted them through the establishment. They afterwards paid a visit to the Bank,of England. The Japanese were seven in number, and were attired in the costume of their country, wearing two swords each. The biddings for £350,000 bills on India took place yesterday at the Bank of England. The pro portions allotted were :—To Calcutta, £225,800 ; to Madras, £2,420 ; and to Bombay, £lOO,OOO. The minimum price was as before—ls. llid on Cal cutta and Madras, and ls. 110. on Bombay. Ten ders on Calcutta and Madras at is. Hid. will re ceive about 62 per cent., and on Bombay at 2s. Oid. about 13 per cent. ; above these prices in full. The terms thus obtained indicate a reduction in the demand for means of remittance to the East. The Stock Exchange Committee have appointed Thursday, 28th inst., a special settling day in the shares of the Chontales Gold and Silver Mining Company, which are to be marked. In the Court of Queen's Bench yesterday a Miss Saunders sued a Mr. Short, a money-lender, for breach of promise of marriage. Letters about as absurd as are usually read in such cases were put in, and the jury found a verdict for the plaintiff for £2OO. LITERATURE, -:r - --- Once a Week. Christmas Number. The Christmas numbers of our weekly and monthly serials usually show them at their very best, in due accordance with the brightness and pleasantness of the holiday season. The Christ mas number of Once a Week is no exception to this rule, and it is replete with interest and amuse ment. We have high-wrought romance, tragedy, comedy, farce, and melodrama, with all the ex traneous aid that the poet and the illustrator can give them. " Our Brown Passenger," by Henry Kingsley, is told with all his accustomed force and fire, and it is a sufficiently exciting narrative, recording a meeting with an iceberg in the dead of a lovely night. The Brown Passenger, who turns out to be a Rear-Admiral incognito, throws off his reserve, and comes boldly to the rescue, supply ing the place of the captain, and organising the pas sengers to supersede the cowardly crew.. Mrs. Wood, the authoress of " East Lynne," gives us a story of " A Chest with Silver Mountings," which is also in part a sea story. " The Golden Wedding in the Workhouse" is a page from " the short and simple annals of the poor." " The Ace of Hearts" is a somewhat dismal story of Dutton Cook, and as no Christmas number could be complete without its ghost story, we have an account of the practical service rendered by a ghost detective. " Christmas Thoughts on Cookery" are so very sensible and appropriate, that we hope our fair chatelaines will take care to act upon them during the new year. Chambers's Journal, containing an extra Christmas Number. The numerous readers of this valuable periodical will be delighted to meet with the addenda here presented to them in the shape of a collection of tales entitled " Waiting for the Host." The serio comic strain in which they are told is most amusing, and quite a pantomimic effect is produced by the rivalries and vigilance of the two aspirants for the vacant chair of state. Some of the tales told at the table are very interesting, and " Wait ing for a Suitor" is perhaps the most momentous one. The readers of the general part of the maga zine will be glad to learn that they are to be fur nished with another tale by the author of the " Clyffard of Clyffe," which exciting narrative will be completed in the December part. There is much to attract attention in this part of Chain bers's Journal; and we can confidently recom mend it to the notice of the numerous class who seek for diversion at this holiday season, and can not fail to meet with it in these varied eontents. .&stley's Royal Theatre. The title of the pantomime this year is an exten sive one, of " Harlequin Tom, Tom, the Piper's Son, Pope Joan, and Little Bopeep ; or, Old Daddy Long Legs, and the Pig that Went to Market, and the Pig that Stayed at Home." It is, like its suc cessful predecessor, " Jack Spratt," comprised of a variety of well-known nursery rhymes ingeniously dovetailed together, and the little folks, for whom this entertainment has been specially constructed, may depend upon meeting some old friends in new and unexpected situations. The pantomime com mences with the submarine retreat of Mother of Pearl, where the frolics of the Mermaids and the Fishes revels are disturbed by a message from E. T. Smith, who, having tried everything on earth to make his pantomime the best in London, has, at the last moment, determined to seek the assistance of those who are even deeper than himself ; his request being granted by Mother of Pearl (Miss Britton). The scene ends with a grand movement of the Small Fry, and a show of Fish not to be equalled even at the Crown and Sceptre at Greenwich. The second scene is the Hazard° as Post of Pope Joan and Caid Castle, by moonlight. In this, after being treated to an amusing Game of Dominoes and a few odd tricks of the Dice, we are introduced to the knave of Hearts (Mr. Templeton), whose notorious tart stealing propensities are interfered with by the ap pearance of Pope Joan (Mr. Atkins), who, disgusted with the badness of her three suits, Hearts, Spades, and Clubs, determines to throw up her cards unless she finds an improvement in her fourth, and, to effect this, she changes the third scene to " The Interior of the Palace of Diamonds," where, after having been a little cheered, as most ladies are by the prospect of matrimony she summons to her board a variety of old friends and a splendid pack of well-known trumps, for the purpose of arranging the evening's amusement. Here the subject of the pantomime is determined, and after the introduction of a Grand Feu de Cartes Vivantes, a Pas Seul by Maxine. Frederic, and a great deal of very amusing shuffling, the cards are cut and the hero of the opening introduced in scene 4th, Interior of the Village Piper's Dwelling. Here, of course, Charity meets with its own re ward. Tom's mother (Mr. Russell), forced to see beyond her nose; Tom (Miss Caroline Parkes) is just in pudding-time, and is started by the grate ful fairy to save his sweetheart Bopeep (Miss Louisa Laidlaw) frop the designs of the youth ful Giant, Little Long Legs (Signor Milano), whose sheep -stealing practices have long been notorious in his neighbourhood. Scene sth is Bopeep Meadow, attached to Lambkin Farm, where Bopeep is found asleep, Longlegs guilty of sheep-stealing, and Tom the Piper very fond of a pretty girl. There idleness is very pro perly punished, and a number of very pretty tails are finished, and a black sheep worn-out not to be so black as he is painted. Tom, endowed with a magic pipe, is despatched by the friendly fairy to the domains of the wicked Daddy Longlegs, whose destruction has to be accomplished by the peculiar means mentioned in history previous to Tom being married to his lovely but intolent intended wife, Little Bopeep. This scene is terminated by a Pas toral Fête, introducing the magnificent stud of horses peculiar to this establishment ; a Grand Arcadian Ballet, and an illustration of Old English Sports, on which a vast amount of expense has been carefully expended. The scene 6th is Pork Pie Pavilion and Daddy Longlegs Castle. Here, Tom the Piper meets with the Pig who went to Market, steals the Pig previously stolen from his Father by the wicked Longlegs, exhibits some very strange airs to that young gentleman, leads him a good dance, and ulti mately gains admission to the castle through the influence of one who proves himself to be a greater goose than himself. Scene 7th is the Grand Hall Staircase of Daddy Longlegs. Here Torn "puts every body's pipe out but his own. The Tables are turned, and Daddy Longlegs, taken by the left leg and thrown down stairs as directed, the whole ending with a most ex tensive Hop, which is taken in consequence. Scene Bth. The Retreat of the Fairies leads to the Grand Transformation Scene, entitled a Coral Reef, invented and painted by Mr. C. Brew, whose name is a sufficient guarantee for the excellence of this artistic production. In addition to the characters in the opening already mentioned may be added the following :—Good Temper, Miss Nellie Nisbitt ; Good Cheer, Miss Louise Smart ; Dew Drop, Miss Dormer; Fun, Miss Nelly Smith; and Music, Miss Harriet Pelham. The Pantomime characters are as follows :—Harlequin, M. Vestris ; Pantaloon, Mr. Beckingham ; Sprite, Mr. Sextilli an ; Columbines, Miss Emma Corti and Miss Grosve nor ; Harlequina, Miss Esther Austin; Clown, Mr. Rowella. The music is by J. H. Tully, Esq., and the whole produced under the direction of Mr. J. H. Friend. The scenery by Messrs. Charles and William Brew. In the comic business Mr. Rowella, the clown, writes all the comic scenes, and is the pivot on which all the funs turns. Donato Frere, the one-legged dancer, is here, who astonishes us with his extreme agility, with waltzing, &c. An extraordinary action was tried in the Court of Exchequer yesterday, Messrs. Pearce and Counteze, coach-builders, of Long Acre, suel a woman named Brooks for a sum of money on account of a brougham, which they said they had sold to her. The defence was that the brougham had been hired, and, fur ther, that it was lent by tho plaintiffs, as they well knew, to enable the defendant to carry on hor vocation as a pros titute. The evidence was of a conflicting character, and strangely significant. Finally the jury returned a verdict for the defendant, on the ground that the plaintiffs sup plied the vehicle to her as a prostitute. Shocking Murder near Blairingone. (From the Scotsman.) The immediate vicinity of Blairingone—a village in the parish of Fossaway and county of Perth—has just been the scene of a cowardly and premeditated murder. The facts, so far as at present known, ap pear to be these :—Messrs. Wm. Muirhead and Son, bakers, Alloa, have in their employment a carter named Alex. M'Ewan, whose daily duty is to drive a bread cart to various towns and villages in the vicinity of Alloa—his practice being to leave home early in the morning, his cart being laden with bread, returning in the evening to his employers with his empty boxes and cash drawn from sales. On the morning of Monday last M'Ewan left Alloa with his bread cart, intending to proceed to Dollar and Muckart, then returning by the Dollar road on to Blairingone, from there to Forest Mill and Clack mannan, and home to Alloa, calling on various dealers or customers in each place. In the course of his daily journey, the carter received money from the customers of his employers, and these payments it was his wont to account for on his return home after his day's work. On the present occasion, all seems to have gone well with M'Ewan, both at Dol lar and Muckhart. On returning from the latter place, M'Ewan had to pass, on his way to Blairin gone, through a bleak and wooded road—a road little frequented, and particularly dreary at this season of the year. There is a bridge on the road, known by the name of Vicar's Bridge, and at this stage on his journey M'Ewan arrived safely between the hours of 4 and sin the afternoon. At this point an assassin was waiting in ambush the arrival of the poor carter. At what must have seemed to him au opportune time the ruffian stealthily emerged from his hiding-place, directed the muzzle of a loaded gun or pistol behind the ear of the unoffending tra ♦eller, fired, and fatally wounded his victim. So sure was the aim that part of the face of the carter was blown away, and his head otherwise greatly shattered. Whether the carter hal fallen from his seat after having been shot, or whether he was dragged from the cart to the ground, is at present uncertain. Be that as it may, unappalled by the frightful tragedy, the assassin, doubtless in accord with his premeditated plan, proceeded to the work of plunder. He rifled M'Ewan's pockets of all the money they contained, the amount of which is not yet known, and then left his bleeding victim to die on the public road. The horse and cart duly ar rived at a house of call at Blairingone, and the horse paused there, but its usual guide was missing, and the cart was stained with blood. These circum stances caused immediate inquiry, and on search being made the unfortunate carter was found to the east of the village, frightfully disfigured, and life fast ebbing. Questions .were put to him, but he comprehended them not, and a faintly-uttered " Where's my horse ?" were the only words dis tinctly articulated. Medical aid was sent for, but proved of no avail—the murdered man dying in the course of the hour or two after having been struck down. Intelligence of the tragedy soon spread, and the police were immediately on the alert to discover the perpetrator of the murder. News of the event was telegraphed to the Perthshire authorities, and every effort will doubtless be made to discover the murderer and bring him to speedy justice. Whe ther the police have as yet succeeded we do not know, but already they have apprehended on sus picion two well-known characters, named Bray and Bell—the former an Englishman, a dealer in horses, and sort of under-contractor for railways ; the other an Irishman, a poacher, and otherwise of bad repute. As may be supposed, the crime has caused consider able excitement in the district. The deceased carter was a faithful servant, was very generally respected, and leaves behind him a wife and child to lament his untimely death. The Fire and Loss of Life in Aldgate. Mr. Wm. Payne, the coroner for London and Southwark, opened an inquest at the Mitre, Mitre street, Aldgate, on the bodies of the sufferers who perished in the fire that occurred the preceding day. The inquiry created great excitement, and after the foreman and jury were sworn, they proceeded with the coroner to view the charred remains, and upon their return to the inquest-room the first wit ness called was Mary Simmonds, wife of Daniel R. Simmonds. The Coroner, before any evidence was adduced, said that according as the law at present stood, no one was allowed to make fireworks or any other combustible material without a licence. They would hear the evidence, and then say whether there was any blame attributable to the owners of the premises. Mr. A. J. Murray, solicitor, of great St. Helen's, attended to watch the case. The witness proceeded to say that in August last a man named Cohen took the back room for an office. He also had a room on the second floor. From April last he carried on no business whatever. His Christian name was Emeline. A gentleman named Ashbury, who had lodged in her house, brought him to her, and recommended him. In August he said he wanted another room as an office to carry on the business of a cigar and cigarette merchant. [A letter was handed in by Mr. Case, the chief clerk, which went to show that he had addressed a circular to certain persons, in which they set forth that being large importers from St. Petersburg, he would be happy to receive their orders by post or wait upon them to see them personally.] As witness was going out into the back-yard she heard a loud puff, and then saw flames on the staircase. Witness rushed out, but her clothes caught fire. She went to the dairy close by. Mr. Levy lived in the same house. Mr. Cohen and a strange gentleman were inthe house when this happened. The only part of the premises destroyed was the office, but the other rooms were scorched or deluged by water. Mr. Cohen was now at the London Hospital. He was found in the yard and was still alive in that institution. On Saturday evening she saw some packets of paper resembling tissue, which were hung in the office, and Mr. Cohen said that if she liked she might put them in a box, as they were Chinese fireworks. She, in consequence, put the whole in a box and placed it near the fireplace. By the Coroner—She received no instructions from Mr. Cohen to be careful, and was not cau tioned that the paper was dangerous or explosive. Mr. Cohen let the other person in, whose name at present is unknown. Thos. Davis, of 3, Sussex-place, Leadenhall- street, said that he was sweeping some chimneys when he heard a cry of " Fire." He ran to No. 7, and found the gentleman lying on his back, and he tried to lift him up, but his skin cracked. He tried to get assistance, but no one would help. His clothes, and even his shirt, were in flames. He procured a cab and took him to the hospital, but he was unable to say anything as to the origin of the fire as they went along. Police-constable Walpole said that upon hearing the cry of " Fire," he went to the house, and saw flames coming from the first floor back. He sent for the turncocks and firemen, and they quickly at tended. He knew nothing of the Chinese fireworks. Chas. Levy, of 10, Bookham-street, New North road, a cabinetmaker, said that he knew Mr. Cohen by sight. He was in partnership with his father. He knew nothing about the business, and he found the money for Mr. Cohen to carry on the cigarette business. On Friday his mother showed him a sam ple piece of paper, and he understood that an offer had been made to Mr. Cohen to dispose of some, and that he could sell it wholesale. His brother told him last Saturday that there was a great quantity of the Chinese fire-paper in the office. He had seen the two bodies but could not identify them. He be lieved that one was that of his father. The Jewish professional watcher at the hospital told him that Mr. Cohen had stated that a gentleman had lighted a cigarette, which he threw down, and that it acci dentally fell into the box, and caused the explosion. Imagining the door being locked he jumped out of the window. The gentleman who dropped the light was either the party who introduced the material or was going to purchase it. Mr. Bisentman, 157, High-street, Bow, said he had known Mr. E. Cohen since April last. When he first came there he said that he had been "hum bugged" by his partner, and was very badly off, as he had spent about £5O which he brought over to this country. Witness lent him about £4O, and he knew he had Chinese fire-paper in his rooms for some time past. On Friday he said he had got some Chinese fire-paper in the place, and he thought that he would be able to give him a considerable sum of money off what he owed him the next day. He knew nothing respecting the origin of the fire. He thought that the paper in bulk would explode and cause great damage if a spark was dropped on it. Sigismund Sheener, of Fairfield-road, Bow.—He knew Mr. Hiemms, who lived in New North-road and had an office in Bury-court. He was a general merchant. He last saw him alive on Monday, in Bury-court. David Frankenstein, hotel keeper, said he knew Mr. Hiemms. His Christian name was Julius, and he lived in Herbert-street, New North-road. Ile did not know that lie was missing. Some rings he had seen induced him to think that the body was that of Mr. Hiemms. Mr. Inspector Jacob said that hearing the cry of " Fire" he ran to the spot, and upon getting into the house found the two bodies, and it was ascer tained that he was a poor man, and was still missing. James Ford, sub-engineer of the fire brigade, said that he had heard the fire was caused by an ex plosion of Chinese fire-paper. Mr. James Sydney, managing clerk to Mr. A. J. Murray, said he had not the least doubt but that one of the deceased was named Isaac Julius Hiemms. The learned Coroner summed up, and said it ap peared that neither of the two persons whose deaths they were inquiring into caused the fire wilfully, and he must say that those papers had been intro duced most improperly into such a building. The jury, after consulting, returned a verdict of "Accidental D eath , " and the proceedings terminated. THE FIVE-FOLD MURDER. MAIDSTONE, Thursday. The trial of Southey was resumed this morning. Mr. Poland and Mr. Philbrick, instructed bx Mr. Pollard, the solicitor to the Treasury, appealed for the prosecution. Mr. E. T. Smith and Mr. Blake Ellis, instructed by Messrs. Gold and Son, solicitors, 1, Serjeants' Inn, Chancery-lane, repre sented the prisoner. Josiah White, the stepson of the woman with whom the prisoner had been living, gave evidence as to his interview with Southey, when he applied for the children, and took them to Starr's Coffee house, Red Lion-street, on the evening of the 7th of 'August last. The photograph produced was that of Mrs. White. Miss Elizabeth Clifford, the daughter of the pro prietor of the coffee-house, proved that the prisoner inquired on the evening of the sth for a bed, and came again on the Monday and paid for the bed, bringing the children with him afterwards about ten o'clock. The chambermaid at the coffee-house was also called, and then a woman to whom the prisoner ap plied for lodgings at Ramsgate. Mr. Hills, the governor of the gaol at Sandwich, and Mr. Emmer son, the surgeon, testified to the sanity of the pri soner, the latter gentleman stating in reply to the Judge that Southey always demeaned himself as an ordinary, reasonable person. During the ex amination of Mr. Emmerson the prisoner set up a loud wail of grief, shedding tears, and exclaiming, when the fit had passed, that he felt as if he suffered from a galvanic shock, and that he was a murdered man. In cross-examina tion by Mr. Smith, the doctor said that the fact of a person disguising himself was not indicative of insanity. He (the witness) did not think that the coolness of an avowal of guilt showed mono mania. Mr. Emmerson, and Mr. Hills, the gover nor of Sandwich Prison, spoke to the fact of prisoner being subject to fits of hysteria. Major Bannister, the governor of Maidstone gaol, also deposed to the apparent sanity of the prisoner, who objected on Sunday to attend chapel, as his religious views were not " yet settled and defined." Mr. Joy, the surgeon, also gave evidence as to the prisoner's state of mind, expressing an opinion that he was perfectly sane. Though subject to fits of excitement and hysteria, his capabilities were strong when the fit passed away, and he was thoroughly coherent, though excited. The statement made public by the prisoner on the 14th of April, 1864, was read. by Mr. Reed, the deputy-clerk of the peace ; and Mr. Poland said that closed the case for the prosecution, at which time our parcel was of necessity despatched. 54 75 41 103}3 32 i ;31 331 1 9} 103 1 71 1 1 93 1011 2 ,ITIES. Railways in Queensland. On the 27th Sept. last Sir George F. Bowen, G. C .M. G., &c., Governor of Queensland, accom panied by the Minister for Lands and Works, the Colonial Treasurer, and many others, went to Rockhampton in order to inaugurate the Great Northern Railway of Queensland. Before turning the first sod, the Governor said, in answer to an address presented by the Mayor and Corporation of Rockhampton, that when he first saw Rockhamp hampton, in 1860, it was a small hamlet of wooden huts, with scarcely 500 inhabitants, who had re cently settled down in the primeval wilderness. He recollected wellthat what Lord Macaulay has termed " a rude kind of patriarchal justice, which was, how ever, better than no justice at all," was then admi nistered in a canvas tent whenever a magistrate happened to attend. On his second visit, in 1862, the population had trebled, and the hamlet had grown up into a thriving township, with about 15,000 inhabitants. On that, his third visit, he learned with much pleasure that their population had again more than trebled during the brief inter val that had elapsed since his second visit. He saw around him a flourishing town of nearly 5,000 inha bitants, with public buildings of every kind— churches, schools, a mechanics' institute, a post office, a telegraph-office, and numerous banks and warehouses. He found a judge of the Supreme Court, surrounded by the leading members of the colonial bar. He was welcomed by a mayor and aldermen, and he remarked with great satisfaction in the wharves which lined their noble river (the Fitzroy), in the well-ordered streets of their town, and in the other signs of material prosperity, the rapid progress of those advantages which municipal self-government, when prudently and vigorously administered, was certain to confer. He entirely agreed with them in attaching high importance to the great public work which was to be initiated that day. It was acknowledged in every quarter that the pressing need of the colony was the improvement of their internal communications. With this object the colonial Parliament had decided that two trunk lines of railwayshould be carried into the interior—one for the southern districts, from the head of the naviga- tion of Moreton-bay (Brisbane), and one for the northern districts, from the head of the navigation of Keppel-bay (Rockhampton). It was well known that in 1862, in consequence of his urgent represen tations, the Imperial Government annexed to their northern territory an additional area larger than the United Kingdom, and that during several years he had spared no pains to push on two enterprises cal culated to be of great advantage to the interests of the north ; he meant the establishment of steam communication through Torres Straits, and the ex tension of the electric telegraph from Rockhampton to their north-western frontier, where it will meet the international line, which will ultimately connect Australia with Asia and Europe. Both these pro jects had received the sanction of the colonial Legis lature in its last Session, and both would be carried into execution forthwith by his constitutional Mini sters. The report of Mr. H. T. Plews, chief engi neer, states that the Great Northern Railway will run from Rockhampton nearly due west with the interior, passing through Westwood and other townships, and traversing the extensive Leichh2xdt district, and will eventually reach Clermont—a township on the Peak Downs, distant 220 miles from Rockhampton ; thus opening up a vast terri tory, and enabling squatters to convey their wool speedily and cheaply to the port of Rockhampton. The Empress of the Seas, with 550 immigrants and a large quantity of railway plant, and about 50 navvies for the Great Northern Railway works, had just arrived in Keppel.bay—the port of Rockhamp ton. She is one of the celebrated Black Ball line of clippers, belonging to Messrs. T. M. Mackay and Co., and was consigned to Messrs. Morgan and Allen, of Rockhampton. STATE OF TRADE. LEEDS, Dec. 19.—There has been a moderate attendance in the cloth halls this morning, and, with Christmas immediately in view, a satisfactory business has been done. The weather, being a little colder than of late, and therefore indicative of win ter, was not without its effect in inducing a few purchases of heavy goods. Taking the market, however, as a whole, purchases were of a miscellane ous character, and included as many light fabrics as those more adopted for the present season. A few sample parcels of spring goods were also bought, but there is a lack of such—at least, those which present any novelty in the halls. The flax trade keeps active, and late prices are supported. LEICESTER, 20th.—There has been an average amount of business doing in hosiery goods during the past few days. There is, however, a further slackening in the demand, as is always the case at this season. In the rural districts bus iness is quiet, and operatives not generally employed. Wools are unaltered in value, with a fair market. In worsted yarns there is no change ; prices ar3 firm, and spin ners tolerably employed. Cotton yarns are firm, '4at high rates. _NEWPORT, MONMOUTHSHIRE, 19.--The iron trade of the district is somewhat buoyant for the time of year, and there is no slackness of employment at the works, the mills and furnaces being kept in active operation to clear off old orders. The last two mails from New York brought some specifications on American account, but the trade with the States continues to show great fluctuation, and this is likely to be the case for two or three months longer. Bars are stiffening, and makers decline to accept orders except at full list prices, Very few transactions have to be reported in pig iron ; nevertheless, the market tends in favour of sellers as far as Welsh pig is con cerned. In tin plates, charcoals are more inquired after, and cokes command a moderate sale. There have been some considerable shipments of steam coal, and it is expected that the new year will bring with it an increased demand. NOTTINGHAM, 20th.—There has been a falling off in the demand for all classes of lace goods during the past few days. The plain net trade continues dull. A few curtains are finishing ; in other respects the cotton fancy trade is very quiet. The silk depart ment is also flat. Very few mechlins or quiltings are finishing, and there is no improvement in the de mand for black silk laces or narrow edgings. Stocks of all kinds of goods are low, as manufacturers have for some time past been making only to order. The hosiery trade continues exceedingly brisk for the time of the year. There are plenty of orders on hand, and the prospects for the new year are cheering. Yarns are firm, and prices remain unaltered. Eggs arc now dearer in France than they have ever been known. They are selling at the rate of ls. 9d. per doz. THIRI) EDITION. SUN OFFICE, 7 o'CLocK. CENTRAL CRIMINAL COURr—This Day OLD COURT. (Before Mr. Justice Blackburn.) • THE ALLEGED ATTEMPTED MURDER IN LAMBETH. Mr. Metcalfe made an application to the Court for the postponement of the tfial of the prisoner Shirley, who stood indicted for attempting to murder Mr. Ilus by shoot ing him with a revolver. The Court asked the grounds for such an application. Mr. Metcalfe said the case would present various pecu liarities, and the prisoner had not yet had time to collect together the materials for his defence. The Court granted the application. THE RUSSIAN ROUBLE NOTE FORGERIES. The prisoners charged with feloniously having in their possession 500 forged five-rouble notes of the Russian em pire were brought up this morning. The council engaged for the prisoners hating addressed the jury on their behalf, The learned judge summed up the case. The jury then retired, and, after an absence of an hour and a quarter, returned into court. They found Holches ter and Berrens guilty, Davis and Silberman guilty as minor agents, and acquitted Brown. Mr. Justice Blackburn then sentenced the prisoners as follows : Holchester, 12 years' penal servitude. (He fainted.) Bayer (who had pleaded guilty), 15 months' imprisonment, with hard labour. Berrens, seven years' penal servitude. Davis, five years' penal servitude. barman, 15 months' imprisonment, with hard labour. NEW COURT. (Before the Recorder.) The court was occupied this morning in disposing of a case of indecent assault. The prisoner eventually pleaded guilty to the attempt, and he was sentenced to 12 months' imprisonment with hard labour. THE ASSAULT ON DR. HUNTER. The Recorder sentenced Jones to two months' imprison ment, and Merrick to a fine of £5, or to be imprisoned until it is paid. THIRD COURT. • (Before the Common Sergeant.) Francis Gayton, lately in the service of Mr. Bennett, the jeweller of Cheapside, surrendered to an indictment, charg ing him with embezzling certain moneys, the property of his employer. It appeared that the defendant had been sent home with some jewellery, and for some time he did not account for the money as he had left it at home. Afterwards he spoke to the cashier, and asked him if he would take the money, and he replied that, as far as he was personally concerned, he had no objection, but that he had received orders not to do so. The jury found a verdict of not guilty. Martha Smith was indicted for feloniously wounding Ann Gordon, with intent to do her grievous bodily harm. The prosecutrix and the prisoner both belonged to the " unfortunate" class, and the injury was inflicted after a drinking bout at a low public-house. The prisoner, in defence, said sho was greatly aggravated by the prosecutrix. The jury found her guilty of unlawfully wounding. The common sergeant sentenced her to six months' prisonment. Bank of England Returns,•.--This Evening. An Account, pursuant to the Act 7th and Bth Victoria, cap. 32, for the week ending Wednesday, Dec. 20, 1865. ISSUE DEP ►ETMENT. Notes issued ......X27,693,'45 Government Debt £11,015,1C0 Other Securities .. 3,634,900 Gold Coin & Bullion 13,043,800 Silver Bullion .... £27 693,345 BANKLNO D oprietors' Capi tal £14,553,000 Rest Public Deposits (in eluding Exche quer, Savings' Banks, Commis missioners of Na tional Debt, and Dividend Ao- £27,693,345 counts) 7,375,655 Other Deposits 14,099,236 Seven Day and other Bills £39.67J,752 V Dec. 21, 1865. EPARTMENT. Government Secu rities (including Dead Weight A nnuity) X9,391,100 Other Se3urities 2 7,33 1 , 7 33 8 Notes ........... 73335 Gold and .. c 4061 Coln 1 £3'd,s :9,752 -. MILLER, Chief Cashier. FOURTEEN HUNDRED IRONWORKERS THROWN OUT OF EMPLOYMENT.—A dispute has arisen at Middles borough between the workmen and the employers of tho firm of Hopkins, Gilks, and Co. (Limited). On Monday the whole of the works were lying idle, and some 1,400 men who depend upon the rollers for a supply of metal ceased work. THE ALPINE CLUB.—The Rev. Leslie Stephen, M.A., who has been elected president of the Alpine Club for the ensuing year, was educated in Trinity hall, Cam bridge, where he graduated in 1854, being 20th wrangler. Shortly after taking his degree he was elected to a fellow ship in his college, which he now holds. FEES IN THE COMMON LAW COURTS.—An Act of Parliament will take effect from and after the 31st inst., to collect all fees in the superior courts by adhesive stamps. Last year the foes received in the three Common Law Courts amounted to £96,778 is. 9d. BUSINESS IN NEW ORLEANS. The Picayune says As evidence of the great business transactions in this city we msy state two facts. One house in Canal street, engaged in the wholesalse and ready-made clothing business, sold for the month of October last goods to the amount of $450,000. During that month one banking house paid over its counter an average of $1,400,000 per day. Last Saturday, to this bank, twelve hundred cheques were paid between bank hours, the total amount of which was $1,700,000. We doubt if as large a business as this was ever done before in this city by one bank." FENIANISII IN THE KITCHEN. —A 6 ' Citizen," writing to the Montreal Herald concerning the circulation of "Fenian bonds," in Canada says :—" The writer was shown one recently in the hands of a servant girl. It was a $4 bond, and most beautifully got up. I amin formed that these bonds are selling freely in this city and at Quebec, and that there can be no diffi i culty n dis posing of a vast amount of them. Although these bonds will never be ;redeemed, the infatuated purchasers are of opinion that it will free Ireland from the yoke of British rule, and they would be willing to sacrifice the last shilling to accomplish this object." :ess and ;ess ma ved 011- the .veY sels, rock 'lite 7den ls Of had aill" uth- IWO/ tram Col• Ma- Luis L the ider t the eyed, land• ie e at c tile ougb, joined enera l ,cast, e en: 100 et { 20 20i 10 100 1 MEN 100 100 100 all 100 100 190 100 100 1 , 0 100 100 1001 1033 us}