The Express.
London, England, 1864-04-13 00:00:00

THE OVERLAND MAIL

By the arrival of the Overland Mail, we have
advices from Calcutta to March 8 ; Madras,, March
16 ; Hong Kong, March 1 ; Singapore, Match 8 ;
Sydney, Feb. 20 ; Melbourne, Feb. 24 ; Adelaide,
Feb. 25 ; Brisbane, Feb. 18 ; Auckland, Feb. 9 ;
Dunedin, Feb. 16, kc.
The city of Kia-shing-fa ban surrendered to the
Imperialists in China.
The siege of Hangchau is progressing favourably ;
six or seven stockades are in the bands of the
Franco-Chinese force, and the city ix likely to fall
soon. The Moil says that the English officers
in the Franco- Chinese contingent have been
dismissed owing to an ebullition of ill-temper on
the part of General d'Aigabelle's second in com-
mand, and that the troops have expressed disgust
at the event.

The Japanese embassy arrived at Hong Kong
on the last day of February. It consists of three
ministers, six first-class officers, ten second-class
officers, and sixteen serrants—in all thirty-five. It
is the intention of the embassy, who are accompa-
nied by Mr. Blakeman, of the French legation, to
visit Paris, London, and the various capitals of
countries which have treaties with Japan, for the
purpose of explaining the present state of affitire,
and likewise to endeavour to arrive at some
arrangement about foreigners quitting Yokohama.
The entire expenses of the embassy are borne by
the Tycoon's government.
A rumour was current in Hong Kong that the
ambassadors were men of low extraction put for-
ward under false pretences.
From Melbourne we learn that the third and last
session of the Victoria parliament began on the
26th of January. The usual ceremonies were con-
ducted by his Excellency Sir Charles Darling. The
vice-regal speech embraced the ministerial pro-
gramme, and gave promise of an abundance of
measures of utility. Foremost ►mongst them was
a new land bill, framed with the view of " encou-
raging agricultural and pastoral enterprise." Also,
a aeries of measures for the better management of
thegold fields, the administration of justice thereon,
the settlement of the difficult question of mining on
private property, and a comprehensive scheme of
water supply for the gold-fields, as well as the agri-
cultural and pastoral lands. Of the other mea-
sure*, the more important were bills to amend the
lionising laws, the insolvency laws, fur the estab-
lishment of juvenile reformatories, and the legali-
sation of trading companies, with limited liability.
On an early day afterwards the treasurer, Mr.
Verdon, explained the financial condition of the
colony to the close of 1863. Contrary to general
expectation, there is no deficit. It was anticipated
that the final closing of aooounts would leave about
30,0001. to the credit of the colony.
The Amu+ says :—" An energetic protest by the
government against even the continuance of trans-
portation to Western Australia goes home by the
present mail. South Australia has made an equally
determined display of the sentiments of the people
of that colony on this subject ; and there can be no
doubt that the other Australian colonies will send
home independent remonstrances of the same pur-
port. There is not the slightest change in public
feeling on the subject, and not the smallest pos-
sibility of anything less than the absolute emotion
of transportation to Australia satisfying the people
of Australis."

The transportation question had excited much
attention in Adelaide. Opposition to the revival
of transportation is very strong, and public meetings
on the subject were to be held throughout the
colony.
The war in New Zealand proceeds. The natives
are concentrated in an extensive and elaborately
fortified work at Piko-Piko. General Cameron has
placed troops all around the works, which, at the
latest dates, were being shelled. The difficulty of
providing supplies of food for • large force was
great, the transport service being performed under
enormous disadvantages. The General's intention
is to starve the enemy into submission. If defeated
las Piko-Piko it is improbable that the Maories
I would longer protract the war.