The Sun.
London, England, 1865-02-14 00:00:00

INDIA.

We take the following from the Calcutta Eng-
lishman of Jan. 9 :

" There is nothing new to report since our last of
the 6th, via Bombay.
" The following General Order has been issued by
his Excellency the Governor-General of India in
Council, dated Fort William, Jan. 6 :
" His Excellency the Viceroy and Governor-
General, in Council, has great satisfaction in an-
nouncing to the army that he has received the autho-
rity of the Right Hon. the Secretary of State for
India to declare that the rules hitherto in force with
respect to the grant of pay and allowances at the
full or half -batta rates are abolished, and that from
Jan. 1 all officers, non-commissioned officers, and
men in receipt of regimental pay and allowances,
wherever stationed, will draw such allowances at
the full-batta rate.
" 2. The above order in no way affects existing
rules in regard to the rates of pay drawn by officers
of the Staff Corps, or by officers holding staff ap.
pointnaents.

" H. W. NORMAN', Colonel.
" 4 Secretary to the Government of India."

CHINA.

We take the following from the Overland China
Mail of the 31st of December Affairs in Japan
wear a doubtful aspect, but the balance seems to
incline in favour of European influence. With
regard to the murders of Major Baldwin and Lieut.
Bird, we have to record that two Japanese have
been executed as accomplices in the offence. It is,
of course, not easy to ascertain whether or not those
men were common felons produced and decapitated
for the sake of appearances ; and the proceeding
evinces a desire on the part of the Japanese to
conform to the usages of civilised life. We
have likewise to record the assassination of two
French sailors at Yokohama. It appears that the
men had become riotous on shore, and had been
set upon by a crowd of armed Japanese and killed.
Although it is alleged, truly enough, we suppose,
that the men were in a state of intoxication,
yet the result proves that there exists a party among
the common people of Japan strongly hostile to
foreigners. The other item of news with reference
to Japan embrace the report that the batteries at
Simonosaki are in course of being rebuilt, and that
one of our gunboats has gone to the straits in order
to ascertain the truth of the report. Turning to
China, there is actually nothing of political impor-
tance to notice. The Imperialist possession of
Nankin seems at present to be the trump card in
the hands of the authorities ; and it may well be so.
None can doubt that the occupation of theMings'
capital by the Taeping rebels was a sore point with
the Imperial Government, and now that it is once
more restored to their possession we can easily
enough understand the feelings of gratification that
must have ensued. The well-known Tseng-kwo-fan
has been left to protect this city from further attack,
and to organise matters with a view to the future
prosperity of tradal pursuits in the city and sur-
rounding districts. It is supposed that he is expected
to be called to Pekin, there to receive extraordinary
honours on account of the successful termination of
the rebellion ; but the authorities at the capital,
either through jealousy or policy, have ordered him
to remain at his post for the present. We hear little
or nothing of- the dispersed rebels, and it is not
at all likely that they will ever be able to show a
formidable front. So far as we can learn, the Impe-
rial Government are duly impressed with the value
of British assistance, and will not hesitate to
acknowledge their obligations, and in some degree
to reciprocate the favours extended to them."

COMMERCIAL SUMMARY.
(From the Overland China Mail, Dec. 31.)
The Peninsular and Oriental Steam Navigation
Company's steamship Carnatic, with the English
mails of the 10th, and the telegrams of the 17th of
November, arrived in port on the 24th inst.

YOKOHAMA, Dec. 17.

Imports.—No new feature has presented itself during the
fortnight. Imports have received fair inquiry, and, not-
withstanding some anxiety on the part of holders to move
off their stocks, there has been little variation in the value
of goods. Fair sales of shirting have been made. Dyed
goods have also been moderatelypurchased. Woollens to a
considerable amount have brought up prices. Some im-
provement is reported in the value of metals, resulting in
improved sales of iron, while for lead holders are looking
for an advance.
Exports.—Raw Silk.—Prices have not varied much since
last mail, and but a moderate amount of business is summed
up for the fortnight; the demands of Japanese dealers are
so extremely high as to prevent operators from buying,
notwithstanding favourable European advises being re-
ceived. Supplies coming in have been rather scanty. Silks
of the coarser descriptions are very scarce. Dappanois and
other inferior kinds, bringing more than double last year's
prices. The settlements for the season to date are 7,712
bales, against 11,763 bales last year. Stock on the market
about 500 bales. Quotations—Maybash, inferior to best,
$650 to $7lO ; Sinshu, inferior to best, $650 to $7lO ; Ida.,
medium, $690 to $730 ; Oshu, medium to best, $650 to
£6BO ; Koshu, medium to best, $590 to $630 ; Hatchogee,
medium to best, $4BO to $520.
Tea.—There has been a steady demand, but the high
prices asked have curtailed business to some extent. Better
grades are rather higher, inferior remaining as before ;
1,700 piculs are the settlements reported. Common, at $8
to $l2 ; good ditto, at $l4 to $l9 ; medium at $2O to £2B ;
fine at $29 to $32 ; and finest at $33 to $45. Stocks
good ; common, 200 piculs ; medium, 1,200 piculs ; fine;
2000 piculs ; and old common, 200 piculs.

Raw Cotton.—Continues to arrive, but no business doing.
Fine is quoted at 825 to $26 per picul.
Freights.—To London, tea and cotton, £3 10s. ; silk, £4
to £4los. per ton. . . . . _ _

Exchange.—On London, bank, six months' sight, 4s
; credits, 4s.

ILustsow, Dec. 17.

Imports.—Some little business had been done in the be-
ginning of the fortnight, but the market towards the close
became unusually depressed. Nothing had been done in
cotton goods, and they are quoted as in our former report.
Exports.—Teas—The season is nearly closed, there being
only some 10 chops more expected to arrive. The settle-
ments have been 10 chops at previous rates, at which the
remainder of the stock is very firmly held. The total export
from the Ist of June to date is 35,766,9261 b.; same time last
year, 4818,860113; showing an excess over last season of
948,0661 b. Stock on hand, 6,000 chests, chiefly low Honam
tea.

Raw Cotton.—There are heavy stocks on hand. It is
difficult to sell at quotations-16i taels to 17 taels per picul.
KITJRIANG, Dec. 19.
Exports.—Green Teas.—The market has opened, but the
amount of business done has been quite small, and at prices
above those at which it was expected would be the opening
rates. Teamen are willing to do business at the rates paid,
but the general feeling seems to he against purchasing at
these figures, and until holders are prepared to accept
lower terms very little business can be done. Three chops
fine to medium teas have been settled at 321 taels to 357
taels per picul, and three small lots on private terms. The
stock now consists of 112,000 half-chests country tea, and
,400 half-chests Kiukiang packed. Total shipments, 21,862
half-chests, against 109,866 half-chests last year.
Black Teas—The season is about finished; 1,800 packages
have urm
arrive -d a •
g the fortnight, and two small chops.
gchovr
811 266 half chests, at 161 taels to 17 taels are the
settleraent7.l 1:;rlile arrivals to date are 119,933 half-chests;
shiPraeuts
very little moreie 106 half-chests ; stock, 2,177 half-chests, and
come in.

SHANGHAI, Dec. 24.
Imports —The past SHANGHAI,
has been about the dullest
the import ever experienced iti
complete stagnation. market, resulting in almost
among
the
Chinese
as might
is not such a scarcity of money
be expected for the season, but
they show little or
ro4no dithsepositlion to purchase goods. Of
British cotton
ant7eies, which have been almost
entirely speculative,
apation o. an improvement
bales
eral reduction of from 1
after Chinese holidays, show'
had
rather
rf American drills are
to 2 mace on last rates. A few
gorefoattention, and
reported. Woollens have
it is observed that purchasers are looking rtoa better as-
sortment and quality, and are more willing
higher
prices than formerly. Spanish stripes are firmpaery
ells and hamlets not so firm. In metals there is a fair Long
mar-
ket for most descriptions of iron. Spelter is much Avr
Rice, although there has not been a heavy businessadnotende,
is fully maintained in value ; stocks light, and demand
chiefly for Bengal. Sugar shows some appearance of im-
provement, brown meeting with a little more inquiry, end
white not wanted. Transactions in pork and beef have
been restricted from the high prices sought. California
flour very dull. Sales of American anthracite coals have
been made on lower terms to close cargoes. There have been
no more arrivals of lumber, and that article continues very
much depressed.
Opium.-3falwa.—A dull market has ruled, and prices
are 10 taels under last quotations. Owing to the inferior
quality of the new drug natives are unwilling to purchase,
even at an allowance of 1 to 2 catties per chest. The inquiry

for Patna has been good, but heavy receipts have caused
prices to decline, with a still downward tendency.
Sales.—Malwa, 1,203 chests ; highest; price, 4(3 taels ;
lowest, 450 taels ; closing at for good, 455 taels ; F oft cakes,
450 taels. Patna, 392 chests ; highest pric), 365 taels ;
lowest, 340 taelB, which is the closil2,- rate. Stocks.—
Malwa, 1,381 chests; Patna, 1,064 chests.

AUSTRALIA.
THE COLONY OF VICTORIA.
We take the following from the Melbourne Argus

of the 24th of December :
" The first Session of the fourth Parliament of
Victoria was opened by commission on Monday, the
28th of November. On the following day the Go-
vernor attended in person at the Legislative Council,
and addressed to the assembled Legislators the cus-
tomary speech. We are promised a Land Bill, to be
introduced without delay, which shall be simple in
principle, unencumbered with superfluous and fin-
practicable conditions, and calculated to bring the
lands of the colony within easy access of the public
at large, while dealing equitably with existing inte-
rests.' The tariff is to be readjusted, partly by the
reduction of duties already chargeable, and partly by
the imposition of duties on commodities hitherto un-

taxed. The Legislative Council is to be reformed. Bills
are to be introduced for the regulation of mining

interests , for providing water to the gold fields ;
for the amendment of the law relating to public in-

struction ; for the amendment of the insolvency law,
for establishing Post-office savings-banks ; for im-

posing a legacy duty ; and for several other pur-
poses of minor importance. The speech concludes
by alluding, in turn, to the three great questions of
transportation, colonial defence, and border
_cus-
toms. As regards the second of them, we are in-
formed that application has been made to the Home

- -
Government for a material contribution, in the

shape of ships and guns, to assist in securing the

...
colony against aggression, and upon the other two
subjects papers and despatches are promised.
" The Intercolonial Anti-Transportation Confer-
ence has commenced its meetings. It will be re-
membered that some months ago the Chief Secre-
taryof Victoria forwarded a despatch to each of the

neighbouring colonies proposing that an Interco-
lonial Conference should be held in Melbourne, to
agree upon a common course of action with

regard to the transportation question. Two of the

colonies, South Australia and Tasmania, agreed to

the proposal; and the representatives appointed by

their respective Governments arrived a short time
ago. The delegates from South Australia are the
Chief Secretary (Mr. H. Ayers) and the Commis-

sioner of Crown Lands (Mr. Blyth). Tasmania is
represented by her Chief Secretary (Mr. White) and
her Treasurer (Mr. Meredith). The representatives
of Victoria are the Chief Secretary (Mr. M'Culloch)
and the Attorney-General (Mr. Higinbotham). The
first sittings of the conference took place on the 19th
inst., but the proceedings being conducted in pri-
vate, nothing authentic has yet transpired. Mean-.
while the agitation on the subject of transportation
is still continued with unflagging perseverance and
enthusiasm. During the past month a great num-
ber of anti-transportation meetings have been held in
various parts of the country, and there is scarcely a
village in the whole colony in which a.petition has not
been signed, protesting in the strongest terms against
the continuance of the abominable practice of trans-
porting convicts to our shores.
" THE NEW ZEALAND WAR.—This month the
war news again yields in interest to the political. Sir
George Grey ultimately accepted the resignation of
the Fox Ministry, and a new Government was com-
posed, consisting of Mr. Weld, Colonial Secretary ;
Mr. Sewell, Attorney-General ; Mr. Fitzherbert,
Treasurer ; Major Atkinson, Colonial Defence
Master ; Major Richardson, Postmaster-General.

Mr. Weld, Major Atkinson, and Major Richardson
are members of what is known as the War party.
Mr. Weld, in his statement of the Government po-
licy, declares that the double system of government
by Governor and Ministers has resulted in evil to
both races in New Zealand. He will recommend the
Assembly to request the home Government to with-
draw the whole of the troops from the colony, and
instruct the Governor to be guided by his constitu-
tional advisers. He recommends a small standing
colonial force, and a strong military post about the
centre of the Ngatiruanui country. If the Governor
differs on any material point with his constitutional
advisers, he would place his resignation in his hands.
It is not yet known how far this policy will meet
with the approval of the Legislature. In the province
of Auckland the new Ministry is highly unpopular,
inasmuch as it assumes office with the fixed intention
of removing the seat of government to Wellington.
On the occasion of their introducing a new tariff all
the Auckland members left the house, and business
could not be proceeded with. Active operations
against the rebels remain suspended. The Waikato

districts continue quiet, so it may be hoped that,
though the leading chiefs have not tendered their
submission, that the struggle here has practically ter-
minated. At Taranaki, however, the position is
unchanged. The foe still has possession of the
country beyond the guns of our redoubts ; he still

forbids the settlement and cultivation of the lands
he fairly disposed of, and the settlers are still un-
able to return to the homesteads they were forced
from. Gen. Cameron is, however, at Taranaki, and
the Governor's speech contained an intimation that
steps would now be promptly and energetically
taken to restore order.

" TIM GOLDFIELDS.—Now that the end of the
year is draWing nigh, it is satisfactory to know that
the yield of gold has been well maintained. The
exports alone furnish reliable data on which to base
this conclusion, and up to the present time these
amount to only a few thousand ounces below those
of last year, to be very probably brought up to an
equal quantity by the export of next week. It must
not be supposed, however, from this that there is
any return of prosperity to the poorer classes of
miners—the pick-and-shovel men, as they are called
on the diggings—for they have each year a greater
difficulty in finding a living as the old and shallow
ground is worked out. In no one twelvemonth has
there been such an addition to the number of men
on the goldfields working for hire, and the total
yield has only been kept up by the increasing re-
turns obtained from the deep leads, and by the very
much greater quantity of gold which has been taken
out of the new reefs at Wood's Point and on the
Gipps' Land side of the ranges. The turning-point
has apparently been reached at length, and the
failure of the shallow ground will soon be more
than compensated for by the increasing yield from
mines properly so called in which capital has been
invested. The old independence of the miner is
thus in a great degree lost, but with that indepen-
dence there was too often recklessness and improvi-
dence, and the altered state of things will give more
stability to the yield of gold and all connected with
this interest, and the men working on wages will
in reality be able to live better, and far more free
from care than the majority of them did when
nominally their own masters. With regard to pros-
pects otherwise, we have only the old story to tell,
except that companies are almost daily becoming
p
more numerous. The usual number of new
reefs have been opened, theaen.dtaken la
usual
ce,
b
number of new rushes
bav
to ground likely
to afford employe
best of these last is the neighliM-
nt to more tn a ited
nuuter none -of these h
number of men. be ha
bourhood of South Dunolly
worked
eda
forlea somedh time
has been
traced away from a spot
garbee rich,nfr
as six or eight ounces of go
there. Some of the clam'
eqasumenatnlyy
sldonhatvihins
interferes much
land near has been sold, and this
taken from a bucket of wash -dirt and most of the
with the pro °Tess of the work, miners never liking
to pay for claims on private property
until they are
None of the
pretty sure that these are of value. None
other late rushes promise to become of any especial
importance. On the older fields, deep sinking is
becoming more and more the fashion, and boring-
rods are in great request. This mode of trying deep
ggenerally adopted, and much
preliminaryis
ew veryxpen is
rlu no
thus saved. Speculation in
shares has • quite died aw
fay, beyond what always
must be the result early information as to
improved prospects in o
any of the mines, and the
companies formed now are formed for work.
Water is becoming scarcen
* many parts of the
country, and this promises to be
in this respect which the miners have had for some