The Express.
London, England, 1863-01-13 00:00:00

LATEST INTELLIGENCE.

THE OVERLAND MAIL.

CHINA.

Calcutta papers of the Bth ult. have oome to
hand, but they contain no news of importance.

The Oyer/and China Mail of the let nit. has
the following :
In Japan, the departure from Jeddo of the Dairnios and
their families still goes on. Consequent upon the breaking
up of so many sumptuous establishments, large quantities
of valuables and curiosities are being sold in the capital, and
the houses themselves taken down.
In Pekin everything is quiet.

From the three northern ports there is no news of ion.
portance. We hear that Mr. Morgan, who has been for
some time acting-consul at Tien-trio, proceeds to England
by neat mail. In the course of a month communication
with the north by sea will be closed for the winter.
With regard to the rebels we have to record an soma
meat at Fero-kong, a large village about 12 miles north-east
of Taing-poo, on the road between that city and Kah-ding.
Colonel Burgevine (Ward's successor), having been informed
that a large force of rebels was encamped in that direction,
proceeded with a force of 1,000 of his drilled Chinese, on the
12th ult., to look out for theenemy. On reaching Pao-kong•
it was found that about 10,000 Taepings had entrenched
themselves strongly in a camp of 15 stockades. Nothing
was done on that day, but on the following day four guns
and two mortars were put in position, and the place was
gallantly carried after an hour's firing. The storming party
was led by a brave young Chinese officer named Wongee•
poi, to whom Admiral Hope had presented a sword for
gallantry. This young soldier, however, was mortally
wounded. The Taiping chief, Wo-wang, was also killed
after be had rallied his men several times. The rebel Ices
is set down at 2,300 killed, and that of Colonel Burgevine
at five killed and 15 wounded, This looks like exaggera-
tion. An English surgeon attended to the wounded men•
This is the most effective display that has yet been made
by unassisted Chinese troops, and it confirms the opinion
expressed by almost every English officer who served in
the North during the campaign of 1860, that, under proper
training, the Chinese would make most efficient soldiers.
The great movement at present in contemplation by the
imperial force' is the capture of Nankin. The Bastian"
are said to have offered their assistance ; and we hear that
the Tartar General Toh, of the garrison of Ching-chow, in
the same province as Hankow, has been ordered by the
government to join the besieging force at Nankin ; he has
just gained some victories over the Shen-si rebels.
From Shanghai we hear of further alarms of rebels in the
neighbourhood.

Cholera still continues to rage in Shanghai.
AUSTRALIA.

The Melbourne Argus of the 25th of November
Gays :

The shipments of gold still show ► felling off, and there
is now no chance of the amount reaching the quantity pro-
duced by the miners during last year. The difference will
not be very great, still there will be a deficiency, which we
cannot expect to see made up during the few weeks remain-
ing, and wider circumstances anything but favourable. A
want of water is becoming very general on the goldfields,
and many of the puddler have been obliged thus early to
leave their machines and claims until the rainy season comes
round again. While water is plentif al • greatextent of ground
can be worked with profit which is quite valueless without,
and there is now little chance of the supplies being renewed
for six months at the least.

The stability of one of our local establishmenta—the
Colonial Bank of Australasia.—has been put to a severe
test. A run of extraordinary rapidity, while it lasted,
began on the 11th Mat., and lasted for an hour or two on
the next day, when it died a natural death. In the markets
a steady and healthy condition of business has ruled
throughout the month.
NEW SOUTH WALES.
(From the Sidaty Herald of Nov. 21.)

But few events of importance have occurred during the
put week. The mail strainer Bombay left on Wednesday,
alining a further donation of 2,5001. in aid of the distressed
operatives in the manufacturing districts. This contribution
makes the total amount already forwarded from New South
Wales come up to 21,0001., and therein Mill a balance in hand
towards another remittance by ,the next opportunity.
Among the passengers by the Bombay were tbelion. W. C.
Wentworth (late President of the Legislative Council), and
family. The hon. gentleman,who contemplates returning
in the coarse of two years, was accompanied down the
harbour by the members of the government, the Hon. the
Speaker, the new President of the Council, and a large num-
ber of friends and admirers.

Our goldfields maintain a steady average yield. The
*snorts which arrived on Thursday at the Mint brought
down in all 11,176 ounces from the western, northern, and
southern districts.

PRUSSIA.

Ad vices from Berlin state that, in all probabi-
lity, the King will not open the session of parlia-
ment in person to-morrow, but that Count de Bis-
mark will be selected as a royal commissioner for
that purpose. •
The Berlin journals state that the King has sent
• letter to K de Vincke, the well-known politician
of the moderate school, summoning him to an in-
terview at Berlin.

There is a great deal of talk in Germany just now
of a letter which the Duke Ernest, of Saxe Coburg
Gotha, has addressed to the King of Prussia, point-
ing out to him that the conflict with parliament
will be most dangerous to Prussia and all Ger-
many, if not soon brought to an end.