HIS EXCELLENCY CAPT. HOBSON'S MANSION.

- _ Friday, Jan. 3, the surveyors of the board of^prdnance inspected a splendid house, now constructing by Mr. Manning, of High Holborn, in the timber yard of Mr. Richardson, in the Commercial-road. The house is wholly j of wood, and will shortly be taken to pieces [ and transported to New Zealand, where, when set up, it will form the government house of the colony,' and will be first inhabited by Captain Hobson, R.N., who has., been sent out by the government some months since as "British resident" in New Zealand. It is larger, more convenient, and more substantial, than the portable house made for the Emperor -Napoleon at St. Helena. Its dimensions are 120 feet in length, 50 feet in breadth, and 24 iri heighth. The best Norway deals are used in the building, the massive framework, upright posts, and rooflfof which are all bolted, and screwed together in such a nianuer that, although as it now stands it is as firm as any edifice in London, every portionof it*may be disconnected and again connected, if required, in an almost incredibly short space of time. The sides, too, are enclosed with stout planking, so fitted together that the shrinking of the wood cannot render the walls less tight, and when painted on the outside, they will have the appearance of massive masonry. The roof has two coverings, one of

fir plank, furnished here, and the other of shingle, to be provided in the colony. There is but one floor, but the space between the ceilings and the gable sides of the roof would be easily converted into a range of bed-rooms, and even as it is at present would answer as lumber room. The interior of the building is laid out into rooms, embracing dining and drawing rooms, dressing, bed, and servants' rooms. There are also a school-room, and clerks and secretaries' offices. Kitchens are to be built detatched from tlie bouse. The dining and drawing-rooms are both of great extent, and capable, by opening a large pair of folding doors, of making a very magnificent apartment. The height of the rooms is twelve feet, and their sides are beautiful specimens of partition work, and every room will be furnished with a. stove, the marble chimneypieces, &c, being all ready to set up in the colony. Every article of furniture will be fitted to the house before it is taken down, 'and will then be sent out with it. The most ingenious methods have been used to prevent the sea air from injuring the doors and partitions, and no glue is used in their manufacture. There is ingress and egress from each room by French casements, of which their are 20 pair in the entire building. The casements are already glazed, and Venetian shutters, opening upon the terrace verandah which surrounds the building. This terrace will form a fine promenade, two yards wide, and about 100 yards long, the verandah being supported by iron columns, which will give a fine appearance to the building when viewed from a distance. The surveyor iof the ordnance appeared well satisfied with the building generally, and a vessel, expressly chartered by government for the purpose, will convey the mansion to its destination. Its weight is calculated at 250 tous, and its cost £2,000. The interest taken by the government in the building of this resilience of a colonial official appears to. have given much satisfaction to several gentlemen in the east of London interested in the prosperity of the colony formj ing in New Zealand, and has induced a hope -that it will soon be recognised as a British colony, and taken under the direct protection of the government.

This building was shipping in the " Platina," and may he expected in Port Nicholson in about a fortnight.