The Sun.
London, England, 1870-05-17 00:00:00

NEW ZEALAND NEWS.

The correspondent of the New Zealand Herald writes
from Tauranga on February 14:—To-day news was
brought in by way of Maketu that an engagement had
taken place near Ohiwa between Kemp's force and the
Hauhaus under Te Kooti, when eleven of the latter were
killed, without the slightest casualty on the side of the
former. Te Kooti is pushing on for the Uriwera country.
By the same means I learn that the notorious Louis
Baker has met his end rather summarily. This rascal
has been long known here under the designation of
Kereopa, his sytnpathies with the cannibal of that name
being well known to us, as well as his constant
communication with Te Kooti, Hakarahia, and other
rebels, indeed he was a more welcome guest with them
than with the Europeans. This man was a French Cana-
dian, and several months ago was received in some menial
capacity on board her Majesty's ship Rosario, in this
harbour, from which vessel he has more than once or
twice deserted, on each occasion visiting his quondam as-
sociates, the Hauhaus. His last desertion occurred last
month, just previous to the departure of the Rosario for Wel-
lington, when he was seen offering a portion of his sailor's
clothing (new) for a mere trifle. He afterwards made for his
old haunts, and was recently taken prisoner by the friendlies,
when it was understood he would be handed over to the
Imperial authorities, and, no doubt, shot. One portion of
this trouble was, however, saved his captors, as it would
seem that yesterday or the day before he endeavoured to
make his escape to his old friends, when he was shot
down. lam informed the recreant fell by the weapon of
Major Drummond Hay : if so, that officer could hardly
have rendered a more signal service to the district. A
strong party is being formed for the purpose of prospecting
the land of the Hauhaus who recently attacked our troops.
The following telegram was received by the Hon. the
Defence Minister from Lieutenant-Colonel Moule
" February 24, 12 p.m., 1870.—A native lately in from
the interior brings news of an engagement somewhere
between Rotorua and Opotiki ; twenty-two of Te Kooti's
men killed and Kereopa taken prisoner. Topia's force was
the one engaged. These sort of reports are not reliable.
Tana and Thompson's widows were on their way to Wai-
hou. They report peace at Tokangamutu, to which
place they quickly return."

A SHIPWRECK IN JAPAN.—The British barque
Bella, from Cardiff, with coals, has been totally wrecked
on Elleries Reef, Japan, the crew being saved.
THE SUEZ CANAL.—The steamer Sakana arrived
at Japan on the 18th of March, from London, having
called at Aden, Galle, Singapore, and Manilla. She made
the whole passage in eighty-four days.

- - - -
LORD NAPI,ER OF MAGDALA.—The Friend of India
says that with the characteristic art of refusing honours
on his arrival, Lord Napier begins again his Indian
career. Had the army been polled for the election of a
successor to Sir William Mansfield, their choice would
have fallen upon no other. Lord Napier takes office with
the confidence and good wishes of both the Army and the
public, and the Indian army feels that it is at last com-
manded by a soldier.
SMALLPDX AMONG THE GUARDS AT WINDSOR'
—A soldier of the Second Battalion Scots Fusilier Guards,
at Windsor, caught the smallpox in the town a few days
ago, and was removed to the regimental hospital. The
disease is at present so prevalent in that borough, several
deaths having occurred from it within the last week, that
the authorities are taking precautionary steps to prevent
its spread among the troops. The hospital orderlies are
forbidden to enter barracks, and hawkers from disposing
of fish and other edible commodities to the soldiers. It is
expected that should the epidemic continue to spread, the
battalion will be removed from the barracks, and placed
under canvas in the Long Park.

OOMMUTATION.—Dr. Lloyd, Provost of Trinity
College, Dublin, has published an important pamphlet on
commutation, in which he estimates the present values of
the clerical life interests of all classes as £5,179,000. His
object is to prove to the Irish clergy that general commu-
tation would be "safe," and his hypothesis is that the
capital sum might be invested at 4 or 4i per cent. in secure
funds. The gain on this investment, together with the
12 per cent. bonus secured to the Church under the Act,
and the sum of £500,000 in lieu of private endowments,
would, at the end of fifteen and a half years, when the
last life would have dropped, and the Church would be
entirely dependent on its own resources, constitute an en-
dowment of £1,639,000. This is exclusive of what might
be saved by clerical " compounding."

THE STAR OF INDIA.—The death of the Maharajah
of Kuppoorthulla has left vacant a Grand Commander-
ship of the Star of India, and there is much discussion as
to the successor to the honour. The Englishman considers
that the Maharajah of Bundana to have the best claim on
account of his distinguished services. He has always been
a loyal subject, and has been thought worthy to take part
in the deliberations of the Viceiegal Council. He has
been most liberal in his donations to the poor, and was
particularly ' distinguished for his reception of Prince
Alfred, and there is much to justify the rumour that the
Maharajah will be nominated a Grand Commander of the
exalted Order of the Star of India.

HONG HoNG.—The Legislative Council of Hong
Kong met on the 30th March, and passed an ordinance
incorporating the new Chinese Hospital. The Govern-
ment has contributed $15,000 to this hospital, and the
Chinese themselves have raised the large sum of $47,000.
The site has also been given by the Government,
and the hospital, which is much needed,
promises to flourish. The subject of the coolie
trade was also discussed, and the Governor was
empowered to stop any coolie ship from leaving port until
the master or charterer stated on oath that he was not
proceeding to any country other than Surinam, not under
British dominion. The criminal statistics show a marked
decrease in the crime of the last three years.
REPORT BY M. OLLIVIER.—M. 011ivier. has ad-
dressed a report to the Emperor on the progress of 'consti-
tutional reform. Now that liberty is as well assured in
France as in any country of Europe, it is time to direct
attention to the improvement of their institutions. It is
is very desirable to revise and to perfect the existing
code of judicial and criminal law. He proposes to
entrust the Council of State with the task of completing
the reform of the civil code, and to appoint a special
commission to undertake the reform of the criminal code.
M. 011ivier has also issued a circular to the prefects,
informing them of his scheme, and authorising the several
magistrates to depart, on this occasion, from the regular
routine, and to communicate to him the results of
their experience, which he' will lay before the Commission.
THE CZARINA AND THE GREEK CHURCH IN
ENGLAND. —To the English-speaking Russo-Greek Church
now being put up in Wolverhampton the Empress of
Russia has just sent a bounty by the hands of the Right
Rev. Monsignor Popoff, an Imperial Russian mitred
chaplain, who has just returned from St. Petersburgh,
and is charged with the expression of the Czarina's
very warm sympathy with the undertaking, as well as
with the handing over of her Majesty's money. At a
time when it is made known that legal opinion is being
taken upon the right or otherwise of the Archbishop
of York to allow the Greek archbishop to take part in a
service at the minster, it is noteworthy that Major-
General Prince Abamaleck, a distinguished member of
the Armenian body, had promised to devote a portion of
his leisure to furnish from his own hand an icon for the
adornment of the church. The Prince, writing from
Russia, says :—" I often pray the Almighty to allow you
to accomplish your pious drsign of building a church at
Wolverhampton." The local projector of this movement
is Mr. Hatherley, an English convert to the Russo-
Greek Church, who has for some years been a resident in
Wolverhampton.

THE MURDERS IN GREECE.—The London corre-
spondent of the Manchester Guardian says that there is
talk of an animated debate in the Lords on Frida3r, when
Lord Carnarvon will bring on his motion about Greece
The feelings of the peers are more susceptible on such
subjects as those of the capture and massacre at Marathon
than the more prudential and prosaic susceptibilities
of the Commons. In the Lower House there is no likeli-
hood of any strong resolution being proposed or carried.
But as up to this time Lord Clarendon's dispatches do
not disclose any distinct demand for satisfaction, the
temper of their lordships is growing irritable ; and it is
expected that a good many sharp things will be said in
debate if not formulated and placed on record. One of
the projects said to be in cogitation is that of insisting
upon a sort of court of inquiry being set up at Athens in
the name of the Protecting Powers, with the sanction of
the Hellenic Government, and under the guardianship of a
combined fleet in the harbour of the Piraeus. But with-
out the assent of Russia it is clear that this could not be
done ; and when it comes to the point her assent will, of
course, be withheld.