The Express.
London, England, 1866-12-28 00:00:00

THE RETURN OF SIR HENRY STORKS TO

MALTA.

(nom OUR owit oosawastaare.)

MALTA, Dee. 22.
After an absence of upwards of twelve months,
his Excellency the Governor has at last returned to this
island, and public anxiety for his speedy return is there-
fore calmed. Sir Henry Storks, accompanied by his
aides-de-camp, Lieutenant Baring and lieutenant Stolen,
arrived in Malta at 3 o'clock this morning from Marseilles,
in her Majesty's ship Psyche, and landed at about
10 o'clock at the Custom-house mole, under
a salute of fifteen guns from the Victoria, flag-
ship of Vice-Admiral Lord C. Paget, and • guard of
honour of the 00th Rifles. The reception of the governor,
whose return was so ardently looked for, was most hearty
and enthusiastic, and such as to reflect the highest credit on
this loyal population. A vast crowd of people assembled to
welcome his excellency, who, on disembarking on the mole
from his barge, was received by the Mika administering
the government, the chief secretary, the judicial autho-
rities, the Lord Bishop of Gibraltar, the Crown Advocate,
the members of tke Legislative Council, the members of the
Chambers of Commerce, the heads of departments, the
principal military officers, barristers, doctors, priests,
and civil employCs, who saluted the governor, and con-
gratulated him on his happy return to Malta. Sir
Henry Storks then walked to the palace, through the
Marina, accompanied by General Ridley and the Right
Rev. Dr. Trower, andfollowed by the distinguished person-
ages who had received him on his landing. Crowds of
people lined the road along which Sir Henry
passed, and they saluted and greeted his excel-
lency, who constantly bowed and acknowledged
the congratulations of the people. Another guard of
honour of the 84th Regiment was in attendance opposite
the pelace, and on the approach of Sir Henry saluted,
the band playing " God save the Queen." At noon his
excellency held a levee, which was attended by all the
notabilities of the island. Sir Henry was evidently moved
bythis spontaneous demonstration of esteem and affection,
which is the best proof of the high regard in which ho is
held by the good and loyal people over whom he has been
deputed to rule. A proclamation just issued announces
the return of his excellency to these pancake's', and his
resumption of the government thereof. Great
preparations are being made for illuminating the
city to-night, to do honour to the event. I
believe that on Wednesday next Sir Henry Storks
will
receive the addresses of congratulation voted by the
count 1, the nobility, the Chamber of Commerce, and
other corporate bodies of Malta. Vice-Admiral the Right
lion. Lord C. Paget, C. 8., waited on Sir Henry Storks at
the palace to pay his respects, and offer his congratulations
to his excellency. Rear-Admiral H. Kellett, C. 8.,
returned to Malta, in the Psyche, and resumed the duties
of his office of superintendent of her Majesty's dockyard at
this Wand.
Her Majesty's screw steamboat Cockatrice, 4, Com-
mander Bogle, arrived in Malta yesterday afternoon from
Syra. The surveying ship Hydra, 5, Captain Short-
land, returned to Malta this morning from the
southern coast of Sicily, where she had been
lately engaged on surveying duties. The screw
steam gunboat Assurance, 4, Commander W. H. Pyin,
entered the grand harbour of Malta this morning, coming
from Caudia. She brings no news of great importance
from that Wand. Desperate and severe fighting was still
going on between the Turks and the Cretan insurgents. The
Turks have been committing great ravages in the country.
and setting several villages on fire. About four or fia e hundred
Cretans have been rendered houseless by this Turkish
work of destruction. The Assurance embarked at Candice
about 300 women and children, anal wok them to the
Pineus. Tranquillity prevailed iu the Greek islands of
the Archipelago, although some excitement had been
caused in Syra and Patras by the intelligence received
from Candice.