By the French mull steamer, which arrived from Europe this morning, Mr. J. J. Keswick was a passenger for Hongkong. He comes to assume charge of the firm of Messrs. Jardine, Matheson & Ca. on the departure of the Hon. J. J. Bell-Irving which will shortly take place. I understand Mr. Keswick only intends to remain out for one year.
'THE HONGKONG HOTEL NEW SHARES, The unallotted shares of this company, lately offered to the public were all taken up, being indeed subscribed for nearly three times over at an average of $753, and the quotation is now $78 with an upward tendency. The intention is, I believe, to pay off half the loan of $500,000, and then to raise debentures to a like amount, but only tofissue half at present.
NAVAL MOVEMENTS, Of naval news there is quite a dearth just now, and the white warships ate growin, scarce. On the 20th inst, the graceful little surveying vessel Walerwitch lifted anchor and left for Shanghai. On the 21st the gunboat Swift arrived here from Foochow. The French paddle gunboat Bengali, which has been a trip up the West River, arrived on the 20th i inst. at Macao, and now lies moored across the narrow entrance to the Inner Harbour. and forms in that position an obstruction. to navigation in that passage, Hongkong, 22nd April,
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.