The Sun.
London, England, 1859-12-05 00:00:00

EMIGRATION FROM LIVERPOOL.

The official returns of emigration from the Mersey
far the month just concluded have been completed
by the Government authorities, and when compared
with those of the preceding mouth of October ex-
hibit a decline of nearly one-half, as well as a con-
siderable falling off when compared with those for
the corresponding period of 1858. This decline is
chiefly observable in the emigration to the United
States, that to Australian ports being pretty much
as last month. The principal falling off appears to
have taken place in Irish passengers, although both
English, Scotch, and foreigners participate in the
general decline. During the month 10 vessels sailed
for the United States under the act, carrying 67
cabin and 1,482 steerage passengers, of whom 388
were English, 39 Scotch, 991 Irish, and 64 were
foreigners, against, in October, 17 ships, eonveying
133 cabin and 3,670 steerage passengers, 907 of
whom were English, 89 Scotch, 2,526 Irish, and 148
foreigners, being a falling off of '2,254. In the cor-
responding month of last year the number of cabin
passengers was 80, and the steerage 1,825, com-
prising 575 English, 85 Scotch, 1,078 Irish, and 87
foreigners. The above is not inclusive of " short
ships" not coming under the provisions of the Pas-
sengers Act of 1855, of which six sailed during the
month with 132 steerage passengers. N3r does it em-
brace the passengers carried out by the Cunard or
Canadian steamships to Portland, which conveyed
567 cabin passengers to the United States. To the
Australian colonies the falling off is in by no means
the same proportion as to the United States, the total
decline being about 100 when compared with the
month of October, but a decrease of about 500 when
compared with the corresponding month of 1858.
During the past month five vessels were despatched
to Melbourne, Victoria, with 30 cabin and 993
steerage passengers-427 English, 189 Scotch, 344
Irish, and 33 foreigners, against in the previous
month 50 cabin and 868 steerage passengers-390
English, 83 Scotch, 347 Irish, and 48 foreigners.
In the corresponding period of 1858, 65 cabin and
1,604 steerage passengers sailed for Melbourne. In
"short ships" 35 persons took their departure dur-
ing the month. To New South Wales one ship
was despatched with 432 Government emigrants-
-219 English, 53 Scotch, and 160 Irish, against in
October 445 steerage Government emigrants-171
English, 60 Scotch, and 214 Irish. To New Zealand
the usual monthly liner sailed with 15 cabin and
227 steerage passengers-141 English, 28 Scotch,
and 18 Irish, being an increase of above 100 over
last month, when 2 cabin and 136 steerage passen-
gers sailed-91 English, 29 Scotch, 15 Irish, and 1
foreigner. To South America one " short ship"
sailed with 4 passengers against 21 in Nov., 1858,
and to the West Coast of Africa the mail steamer
conveyed 30 cabin passengers under the Act ; the
total emigration to all parts was 112 cabin, and
3,134 steerage, against 185 cabin, and 6,369 steerage
in October, and against 146 cabin and 3,848 steerage
in the corresponding period of 1858. Including
" short ships" the aggregate number of passengers
sailing from the Mersey amounted to 4,194 souls,
against 7,149 in October, being a falling off of nearly
3,000. It should be added, however, that last month
there was no emigration to either the Cape of Good
Hope or the East Indies ; while in October 222 free
emigrants were sent to the former colony, and 1,028
soldiers' wives were sent to the East Indies ; both
of whom were included in the October return. If
we deducti then, these numbers from the November
returns it will reduce the decline to about 1,700
souls,

THE PONTEFRACT ELECTION INOITIRT.—During
the last few days evidence has been taken at the Town •hall,
Pontefract, relative to the well-known dispute between Mr.
Overend, Q.C., one of the sitting members for that borough,
and Mr. Childers, the defeated candidate at the last elec-
tion. The witnesses have been examined by Mr. Cariss of
Leeds, as the solicitor for Mr. Overend, and by Mr. fiee-
man, of York, as the solictor for Mr. Childers. The evi-
dence has since been laid before Sir J. Coleridge, who, it
had been agreed, should act as arbitrator between the par-
ties, and he will no doubt give his decision in duo course.
The inquiry was conducted in private, and the rumours
whick have appeared in some journals as to the ultimate
result of it are mere speculations.