The Express.
London, England, 1864-10-17 00:00:00

EWING, OCTOBER 17, 864.

s.
.LATEt.t., C1E24014
CHINA.

M,

The Overland China Mail, of August 27, concludes
that with the fall of Nanking the rebellion is simply
at an end, "the rest being merely a matter of detail,
troublesome probably, but still quite inconsiderable."
The only formidable body of rebels now left is that
at Woochoo, and they are holding their own with
great spirit ; but " they cannot very well do much
more, and must eventually succumb to the imperial
forces now at liberty from besieging Nankingorother
places." Many contradictory statement, have ap-
peared regarding the fall of Nanking ; one from a
mandarin source gives the number of slain in action
as 100,000 ; for the city was not fully in imperial
possession until three days, and the rebels would
ask no quarter from imperialists—hence arose the
slaughter ; but the China Mail suspects that the
Chinese leader gives 100,000 killed in action as a
means of glorifying himself in the eyes of the
Peking court. A mandarin has been placed in
charge of Nanking for the present, in order to
commence arranging matters for the return of trade
and manufactures. The old resident, are beginning
to return to Soochow, and it is trusted that Nan-
king will regain a portion of its former greatness
and become a port for foreign commerce.
In Hong-Bong a public meeting to resist an
imperial impost of 100,0001. upon the revenues was
lately held.

Toorak, August 23.

Sir,—Having laid before the governor your letter of yes-
terday's date, I am directed to acquaint you, in reply, that
hi Excellency is of opinion that the obligations of his posi-
tion, as the head of the system of constitutional government
established in this colony, by law and nesse, render it inex-
pedient that he should enter into personal communication
with irresponsible bodies, or individuals, in reference to
public questions. His Excellency regrets, therefore, that
he is unable to comply with the wish of the gentlemen at
whose request you have addressed him, to be afforded
as opportunity of expressing to him, orally, their senti-
ments upon the reply of her Majesty's government to the
remonstrances of the parliament of Victoria against the
continuation of transportation to Western Australia. His
Excellency desires me to add that he is, of course, prepared
to forward to the Secretary of State any further representa-
tions upon the subject which any portion of the inhabitants
of Victoria may desire to make, and to receive the same
from the hands of a deputation, if that °Dune be considered
desirable ; while, at the same time, his Excellency offers the
smunnee that he has not failed faithfully to report the
depth and unanimity of the feeling in regard to it which he
believes to prevail throughout the colony.—l have the
honour to be, air, your obedient servant, H. L. Weans,
Private Secretary. E. G. Fitzgibbon, Esq., town clerk.
The yields of the gold fields had at the last dates
beearrniformly encouraging. The quartz mines of
Ballaarat; Sandhurst, and Dayleaford, together with
those of the intermediate neighbourhoods have
turned out remarkably well, a largely increased
quantity of gold being obtained for the mouth in
several instances. On moat of the gold fields there
was a good supply of water, and alluvial operations
had received an impetus from this circumstance.
From the statistical summary appended to the
mining surveyors' reports, for the quarter ending'
the 30th of June, it appears that the average
number of miners employed on the gold fields was
82,779, of whom 44,802 Europeans and 22,803
Chinese were alluvial miners, and 15,190 Euro-
peans and 4 Chinese were quartz-reefers. The
quantity of gold produced by them during the half-
year was 759,461 ounces ; and, valuing this at 41.
per ounce, we have, as the average weekly earnings
of each man, 288. ld. The average number of
minors engaged on the gold-fields during 1862 was
97,942, and the produce of their industry was
1,702,460 ounces of gold, which gave to each man
au average weekly wage of 11. 6e. 9d. During
1863 the average number of miners employed was
92,292, and the amount of gold produced was
1,578,079 ounces, giving to each miner a fraction
over 11. 6s. 31. per week. It consequently
appears that, although there has been a fall-
ing off in the gross yield of the first
six months of the present year, as compared with
the average yield for the whole of 1863, of 29,578
oz., yet that, as a fewer number of men have been
engaged in its production, there has been a posi-
tive increase in the earnings of the miners to the
extent of Is. 101 per man per week. "So far,"
says a Melbourne paper," these statistics are of an
encouraging character, for they show that, propor-
tionately at least, there has been no falling off,
but, on the contrary, a slight increase on the yield
of our mines during the present year ; and that,
if there has been a slight reduction in the gross
quantity of gold produced, it is entirely owing to
the fact that a considerable number of men have
abandoned mining for other and (let us hope) more
profitable pursuits."

JAPAN.

PROSPECT OF HOSTILITIES.

The Hong Kong papers, of August 27, state that
Japan had been the subject of some anxiety during
the previous fortnight, and there were not wanting
prospects of speedy hostilities in the straits of
Shimonoseki, which forms the Gibraltar of the
Inland Sea. Matters are thus stated by the China
Mai/

On or about the 25th of July last, two Japanese " Am•
beardors" reached Yokohama by the meal steamer. Both
were dressed as Europeans, and bad been for three months
in England, whither they had been seat, they affirmed, by
their master, the Prince of Nagai*. Shortly after
their arrival, two of her Majesty's vessels of war
(the Barons and the Cormorant) got up steam
and proceeded to the Waite of Shimonoseki with
the two men on board. There were also on board
an engineer officer and some French and Dutch officers.
This was the first visit paid to these straits by any foreign
vessel for about a year, and there was some reason to suspect
that Negate had, in the interval, strengthened his fortifica-
tions. There is every reason to suppose that this suspicion
is correct. Whatever errand the two ships of war went
upon—we hear it was to demand the opening of the
Inland Sea—they returned without having accomplished
it. AU their demands met from the Prince
of Negate an absolute refuel. The " ambassadors "
were put on shore at their master's territory. In coon-
quence of what passed it was at tone arr►nged that the
combined French, English, and Dutch fieet should leave
Yokohama about the 24th instant, to see how far it was
passible to enforce their demands upon the prince. The
fleet intended for this service consisted of 16 English, two
French, and four Dutch vessels, • force somewhat more
formidable than that employed at Kagosima, but of ques-
tionable use against the forts and forces of Negate, should
he prove to have increased in military strength during the
past year, which it is to be feared he has to a very
considerable extent. A battalion of marines will em-
bark with the fleet from Yokohama, leaving that port
defended by the 20th Regiment and detachments of the
67th. There have also been ordered up from Sh►oghae 100
men of the 67th and 150 Beloochees. As an additional pro-
tection to the settlement, her Majesty's ship Conqueror
and, the United States steamer Jamestown will remain at
Yokohama.

The fleet about to sail twelve days after the date of our
last Japan advice@ (Angus! 13) was to rendezvous in the
Bingo Channel, where her Majesty's ships Perseus and Os-
prey would join them from Shanghai, with • supply of
coal in sailing vessels which they were ordered to esoort.
It cannot be sooner than the middle of Septem-
ber before hostilities commence, should matters ever
came to that per ; and, from the extent of the pre-
parations, there is some reason to fear the worst. Large en
these preparations are comparatively, they are much too
insignificant, in the opinion of well-informed judges, for
the purpose of putting our relations with Japan on a
liberal, permanent, and satisfactory footing. For this pur-
pose • land force of not less than 1` .000 is said to be needed ;
and if we should wait another year, while the Japanese
continue to mature their own preparations, a force of
20,000 men might be unequal to the teak of obtaining what
we desire. Meantime these are all the latest authentic
items of news from Japan, and they are calculated to
arouse seriona anxiety.

A commercial summary for Melbourne sap :
" We have again to report a quiet trade and a small
amount of business, as having been transacted in
the import markets during the past month.
Speculation has been entirely dormant ; a want has
therefore been felt, which could not possibly be
made up by the ordinary requirements of trade.
The breadstuffs market has been completely un-
settled by repeated arrivals from foreign ports.
Flour and wheat seem, however, to have at present
seen their lowest, having commenced to advance
again within the last few days."
The Argus of August 25 has the following :

Preparations for the mail have almost engrossed the atten-
tion of the merchants to-day [August 24], although the
amount of business which the beaks have had to do, for mail
purposes, has been limited. With the rate of exchange—
which japer —the price of gold has fallen, and is now quoted at
754. 33. for standard qsality, for parcels of any considerable
amount. This represents a fall of from 3d. to 6d. per
ounce. It is less than the fall in the rate of exchange, and
the difference may be ascribed to the demand for India.
Transactioes in the import market have been limited
to parcels for present use. There is no speculative inquiry
afloat, and prices are upheld by the indisposition of ink
porters to force the markets in order to effect sales.
Millers have advanced their prices of flour to 231. for flue
silk-dressed. Bales of Adelaide wheat have been effected at
So. 6d. per bushel. Bran is easier, and not saleable at over
Is. 4)d. to is. sd. per bushel.
There were no export entries for gold pained at the Cus-
toms to-day. The tired Britain steam-ship, however, will
take a considerable quantity of gold for London (vii Liver-
pool). though the demand for India and the East is ma-
terially lessening the shipments for England.

_~~ _

by 1114 greater portion of On pubile, it had sappiness, a and not to any improvement in the yield of the
sevdisl lanadrld nowt* ken subscribed to midst the Wm- gydsey gold fields.
mist. The feet shows the tendency in certain quarts, to Mire had not been much activity at Sydney in
resort to extreme measures. Should the oolomiste be ex-
upended by the obstinacy and injustice of the British go- I the share market during the month ending August
mimeo., it is irepwwime to predict to whet length, the re. 20, and although there have been sales in almost
gasses now argued will go. Everyone deplores the no- ' all the securities, the amount of money invested
oemity, but everyone is resolved to do his utmost to prevent bad been small and below the average.
this intolerable wrong. I There had been more activity in the share market
The governor has declined in the following letter the last week. The principal transactions have
to receive the deputation from the Anta-Trans- been in bank shares. Insurance shares were also in
portation League : favour, but steam shares were very difficult to quit
in large parcels.
The Empire publishes a bill purporting to be
the new Provincial Councils measure as proposed by
the ministry, providing for a division of the colony
into provinces, similar to the New Zealand govern-
ments. The ministry are stated not to be agreed
on such a scheme.

SYDNEY, Auscsr 20.

The arri►al of the English mail per Northam, with the
news of the suspension of the firm of Pa►enc, Gwynn, and
Co., of London, has, of coarse, caused the eurpeasion of the
Sydney house of Mesas. Francis Giles and Co. A mostiag
of the creditors was bold on Tuesday, is the Chamber of
Commerce, Mr. G. King in the chair. The liabilities of the
firm were stated to amount to 140,7101., of which 73,0001.
was due to English creditors, and 67,7101. to creditors in
the oolony. Of this latter amount 21,9261. wawa:oared. The
mete Mr. Giles estimated at 123,0001. to 124,0904, and
attributed the Were of tge firm to the large shipments that
were made by the Londobileanse (Fa►roe, Gwynn, and Co.) ;
for instance, indents had been sat home for goods to the
amount of 169,0004, and the amount shipped had reached
263,0001. After some con►erastioa a resolution was agreed
to, appointing Mamas. T. Curd, J. 0. Gilchrist, G. King,
Henry Prince, and Charles Moore ,committee to examine the
book, and accounts and ha►e stock taken, kn., and report
thereon at a future meeting. Mr. T. Gard, who repro-
bated the English creditors, was present and agreed to the
steps proposed to be taken.
Marrs. Bingle sad Co., of Newcastle, engaged in the
@hippieg and coal trade, ban also suspended payment.
iTheir liabilities are estimated at o►er 30,0001. An offer of
fin in the pound was made and refused.