The Sun.
London, England, 1852-02-16 00:00:00

CHINA.

The following is our correspondent's letter, dated
Hong-Kong, December 30, 1851:
" Ad v ices from England to the 24th of October reached
US on the 15th inst. The chief matter of importance
that we have to record this month is the total destruc-

Lion of nearly the whole of the Chinese part of this town,
470 to 500 houses having been totally destroyed by fire
on the night of the 28th. It is understood to have arisen
from the firing off of crackers. Had it not been for a
slight breeze springing up from the east, and the blow-
ing up by the engineers and artillery of several houses
to stop the flames from extending, a great proportion of
the European part of the town would also have been de-
stroyed, more particularly as there are grounds for be-
lieving that much gunpowder is stowed away in ware-
houses, notwithstanding the law to the contrary, and the
punishment that may be inflicted for so doing. Ordi-
nances, however, have been found here, as must every-
where be the case, of no use in the absence of an efficient
police
" The Governor has ordered mat sheds to be erected,
and food to be distributed among the needy. A good
number of Chinese have, it is said, lost their lives.
" We have now, however, to mention the most melan-
choly result of the fire—the deaths of Colonel Tom-
kyns and Lieutenant Sugg, of the Royal Artillery. Two
privates of the same corps lie seriously wounded, and
Lieutenant Wilson, of the Royal Engineers, in a pre-
carious state. The party were employed in blowing up
a house. The
_gunpowder from some-cause exploded
sooner than
expected, and while they were instte'l
the building, Colonel Tomkyns was takes up sensible,
but expired four hours atterwards. Lieutenant Sugg's
body was entirely consumed by the fire; nothing but his
sword was left. The death of men not only justly and
highly, esteemed in their profession, but beloved and re-
spected by all, has cast a gloom over the community, as
it, no doubt, will over a vast number of friends at home.
" The Kwangsi rebellion continues, and the reports re-
specting it are, as hitherto, numerous and contradictory.
The rich men of Canton have been called upon by Seu,
the Viceroy, to subscribe large sums towards the ex-
penses of the war.

The Canton market for imports has been rather in
active.

" Tea both at Shanghai and Canton has declined, and
in both markets a considerable
.business in blacks has
been done.
" The excess of export this year to Great Britain to
this date is about 3,300,0001 b. In silk there is no
alteration. To the present date the decrease in the ex-
ports to Great Britain is equal to about 1,000 bales.
"The emigration of Chinese to California continues
on a large scale.

" The- David Malcolm, with a detachment of invalids
from this garrison, leaves immediately.
" In harbour there are her Majesty's ship Hastings,
and her Majesty's steamer Sphynx ; her Majesty's
steamer Salamander is at Whampoa, Hon. Company's
steamer Nemesis at Canton, her Majesty's brig Lily at
Amoy. Contest last at Ningpo.
" Latest dates from England are to the 24th of Oc-
tober, Calcutta the 29th of November, Bombay the 20th
of November, Singapore the 20th of December, Aus-
tralia the 20th of October, Manilla the 13th of De-
comber, Shanghai, the 23d of December."