California. [From the 'Maitland Mercury, May 22 ]

Daily Southern Cross, Volume VI, Issue 300, 14 June 1850, Page 4

California. [From the 'Maitland Mercury, May 22 ]

The chief news of to-day arises out of the arrival of the 'Enchantress/ from California, which place she left on the 17th March. She reports that the 'Marian Watson/ hence, had arrived after a protracted voyage of 5 months. It was also reported that the 'Deborah' had arrived. The accounts from that quarter are not by any means more favourable. Goods from Sydney, as well as from other places, are in many instances almost literally given away. This, we understand, arises from a determination on the part of the Americans not to encourage traffic from other ports, and more particularly from that of Sydney, against which place there seems to exist an unconquerable prejudice. We are told that the 'EnchaL ess' has brought back a part of her cargo. Disease still prevails, and labourers cannot obtain employment at terms that will enable them to live. The 41b. loaf was selling at two dollars. An attempt is making to establish democratic principles, in which they seem likely to succeed. In order to enable you to form some idea of the state of affairs at California, I can state that we have seen a placard, printed there, announcing that on Sunday evening, the 3rd of March, a dress and masked ball was to be held at Simmons's Phoenix Hotel, in Pacificstreet 3 tickets 5 dollars each ; ladies free. There is, nevertheless, a matter deserving of notice, as somewhat opposed to this, that the proceedings of the Legislative Council always commenced with the reading of prayers.

A Public Meeting was held at Melbourne on the of June, and preliminary measures for the formation of a Coal Company for the working of the Coal known to exist at Western Port. The meeting was very fully attended, and great interest was evinced in the matter. Mr. Moor, Captain Cole, and Mr. Murphy, had, it appeared, already taken some preliminary steps to ascertain beyond doubt, that coal existed along a considerable extent of the coast line near Western Port, and that the quality was good ; Mr. Moor, who took a prominent part in the meeting, also stated that he had ascertained, after some correspondence, that the Government were prepared to grant leases of lands for the purpose of raising or searching for coal, but that such leases must be sold in the ordinary way, and must be paid for in one sum, and not by way of annual or other rent. Resolutions were passed that the sum of .£7OO should be subscribed for further preliminary investigations (prior to the actual formation of a company), by boring rods, and other means, and that subscribers to this fund should be allowed a bonus of £100 per cent, in shares of the future company ; and also that when the full sum of .£7OO should be subscribed, a committee of twelve subscribers should be elected to cause these investigations to be made, treat with the Government for the lease, and make other preliminary arrangements, carrying out the object of the meeting. £500 was subscribed before the meeting separated."

Colonisation. — The word "colonisation" in the advertised contents of the Edinburgh Review, lent considerable anticipatory interest to the number out to daj, the expectancy being that it would indicate some intention at the Colonial Office as to dealing with the new confederacy for the overthrow of that establishment. The article in question, however, though extending to upwards of sixty pages, is entirely silent on the desired point, being only so far valuable in that respect as to foreshadow a governmental resolution very largely to assist emigration from state | funds during the coming session. No allusion, however, is made to the Sydney Herbert scheme, the money towards which has as yet reached only £17,000 ; a vast sum, certainly, all things considered, but adequate only to the shipment of one thousand ,of the class whom it has been raised for, and that minus their outfit. There is a variety of interesting suggestions as to the means of raising national funds for national emigration, through the instrumentality of the Poor-law, by arrangement with the landlords of districts to be relieved, and with the colonies to be beneiitted, and otherwise ; and seeing how : many of the Ministry have subscribed to the Herbert project, there can be little question that colonisation in the sense here implied will form a very prominent item in the legislative attempts of the Parliament of 1850, be the issue of the conflict with the "Office" what it may. The writer makes no reference to the discontent of the colonies or their probable dismemberment ; but winds up his encouraging paper with the cheerful and pregnant axiom — "the consummation of our colohial empire is necessary for our domestic peace." — London Correspondent of the Liverpool Albion, Jan. 14.

Cuba. — One of the most curious rumours of the clay is that in a Spanish newspaper, published in this city, (New York,) The Courier of the Two Worlds, and it relates to the Island of Cuba. Notwithstanding the satisfaction expressed by the Spanish government at the course of General Taylor to prevent invasion, the leading politicians of Madrid are not exactly satisfied with the condition of the island. Some of the wealthiest and most influential of the Cubans have been for some time in correspondence with the home authorities in relation to its misgovernment. They have explained its natural dependence on the United States, and the unjust and tyrannical restrictions on its trade, as well as personal liberty. They have shown how much revenue is absorbed by the local authority, and how far behind the age Cuba is in all that constitutes a hap. py community. They say that unless some" new policy is adopted, Cuba will be lost to Spain, and that on the one hand complete emancipation from obsolete restrictions will let in a preponderating American influence, and on the other, a rigid observance of them will produce a revolution with similar results, it is the wisest course to anticipate the change by proposing at once to sell to the United States for such a sum as will relieve the treasury of Spain, and the ruinous uncertainty which now attends the affairs of Cuba. A secret commission of six persons has therefore been ordered to repair to Havannah to take the whole subject into consideration, with power, if they deem it advisable, to open negociations with our gov^

eminent. This is what we are now told with great plausibility of manner.

Military Expenditure. — As one sten towards the proposed transfer of theej pense of protection from the British to the colonial treasury, we learn that theord. nance officers have received instruction^ not to draw upon the commissariat for % necessary funds for repairs and alterations of military buildings, as that expense must in future, be borne by the colony. At ifo next sitting the estimates for the ordnance and royal engineer's department will fo laid before the Legislative Council sw, ney Herald.

Combat with a Tiger.-— Batavia, Sept 29. — From the Residency, Rernbang j communication has been received of a rare instance of the intrepidity of a native which has been crowned with an extraor' dinary fortunate result. This native, named Wiro "Dipo, went at nine o'clock in the morning of the Ist of August to the forest situated near the Dessa Dagan, intends to search for areen leaves to make mats of ; and he had provided himself with « hatchet fit to cut grass and light wood Shortly after his entrance into the forest he discovered, at a short distance behind him, a tiger of the largest kind, ready to spring upon him. Without awaiting the leap, Wiro Dipo himself attacked the monster, and gave it some wounds with his light weapon, which caused the tiger to fall down roaring, dragging his assailant with him ; but the latter succeeded in raisin* himself, and in giving a number of blows to the tiger, who finally expired under them. Wiro Dipo came without any wound out of this battle, and it is believed that this nearly inexplicable fact may be ascribed to the rapidity and intrepidity with which Wiro Dipo anticipated the leap of the tiger, the timorous as well as cruel nature of this animal being sufficiently known. The skin of the tiger was measured afterwards, and it was then found that its length from the nose to the begiuning of the tail was 5 feet 2 inches, and including the tail 8 feet 5} inches.— Bell's Messenger.