The Sun.
London, England, 1862-12-31 00:00:00

SHIPPING INTELLIGENCE---This Day.

LONDON, Dec. 31.—Wind this day at noon—North ;
fresh breeze, and fine weather.
FALMOUTH, Dec. 30.—Wind N.—Sailed—Bianca, for
Calcutta.

OFF MARGATE, Dec. 30.—Arrived—Saneho Panza, from
Foo-chow-foo.

PLYMOUTH, Dee. 30.—Wind N.W,—Arrived—Scandia,
from Rio Janeiro, for London, with damage to portside,
having been in collision, Dec. 17, with a ship, supposed to
be English.

(BY MAGNETIC TELEGRAPH.)
GRAVESEND, Wednesday Morning,

Arrived, Dec. 30—Esperanza, from Sarawak; Ashburton,
from New York; Aminta, from Calcutta; Oithona. from
Canton; John Baring, from Alexandria; Maiden Queen,
from Foo-chow-foo; Jane Gardner, from Aarhuus ; City
of Bristol, from Penang; Expert, from Newport; Bard
of Avon, from Pugwash ; Monarch, from Melbourne.
Arrived, Dec. 31.—Drogheda, from Pugwash ; Jubilee,
from Shanghae ; Anne Jewett, from Newport; Star Queen,
from Foo-chow-foo.

REAL, Wednesday Morning.
Passed—Salo, for Canaries ; Black Hawk, for New York ;
Norna, screw steamer, for Matta—all for London; Venus,
of Exeter, from North, for West.
Anchored.—Oregon, from St. John's, for London.

REPRESENTATION OF RETGATE.—Last evening
the Hon. J. Stuart Wortley met the electors of Rei-
gate at the new public hall. About 300 persons were pre-
sent. Mr. Wortley said, in cDming before the electors as a
candidate for their suffrages, it was necessary he should
state his political views. He was a moderate or Liberal-
Conservative. He wished nut to check progress, but
to maintain the great institutions of the country. The
Government was a weak one, and, in fact, Lord Pal-
merston governed moro from the personal respect of the
people, who liked him as a brave, straightforward English-
man, than from any regard for his political principles. If
returned, he would not, however, seek to disturb the present
Government. Lord Palmerston had conducted the affairs
of the country with honour and integrity ; nor did he believe
there were ten men in the house who wished to disturb him.
There might be same present who would even now hardly
forgive Sir Robert Peel for what he had done in repealing
the corn laws, but notwithstanding their repeal, ho (Mr.
Wortley) doubted if the agriculturists were ever doing
better than they were now. It was difficult to say what the
questions of the day were. There was at present a sort of
political calm. He was still opposed to any lowering of the
franchise ; a £lO house qualification was quite low enough,
although he should be glad to see the franchise extended to
all worthy, intelligent, and well-read mechanics and arti-
sans. He was opposed to the ballot. The next most
important question was that of Church-rates. Although a
stanch adherent of the Church, he believed it was the duty
of Government to ascertain how that could be done away
with. With regard to the public expenditure it was no
doubt a matter of great surprise that in a time of peace it
should be £71,000,000 annually ; but we were a great and
wealthy nation, and a great expenditure was necessary to
defend our interest and honour. Whatever else the issue
of the war in America might be, one thing he was told was
certain—that slavery would not continue. Americans had
told him that the war could not last beyond the present
winter. He hoped that it might be so, for he was sure that
every Englishman wished to see the war at an end, and the
Americans once more among our best friends and customers.
OPPOSITION TO FERRY RATES.—The inhabitants
of Wallasey, near Liverpool, are agitating for the
abolition of the ferry rate levied upon them and have deter-
mined to defray the expenses of litigation in order to secure
its removal. At anu merously attended meeting of ratepayers
on Monday evening the following resolution was carried
nem.dis. :--That this meeting regards it of great importance
to the interests of this district that the rate for ferry pur-
poses should be set aside, and pledges itself to support the
opposition by subscription." The subject of ferry arrange-
ments at Wallasey has been a source of endless annoyance
to the inhabitants of Wallasey and Liverpool.
EXTENSIVE CONFLAGRATION.—CHESTER, Tues-
day Night.—The outbreak of a fire, resulting in
the destruction of the Exchange and Town-hall, was dis-
covered shortly after six o'clock this evening. l'ha flames
quickly obtained the ascendancy, notwithstanding the
strenuous efforts of the city fire brigade and the men of her
Majesty's 49th Regiment, now quartered at the Castle.
Before 11 o'clock the Sessions-house, Justice Courts, As-
sembly-rooms, and Council Chamber were completely
gutted. A considerable portion of the furniture and pic-
tures is saved. The building was insured in the Unity
Office for £5,0001