Tabiti.

New Zealander, Volume 1, Issue 38, 21 February 1846, Page 4

Tabiti.

[From the Australian.] The following is a summary of the latest intelligence f om this island, extending to the lOth November :—: — The natives are all very quiet, but they are evidently in a state t>f suspense ami anxiety as to theoteps the English Government intends lo take with reference to their affaiis. H.M S. Collingwood, 80 guns, bearing the flag of the Right Honourable Sir George Seymour, at rived in the port on the sth of November last, but the precise nature of the instructions which the Admiral hai brought with him from England has not \et transpired. He has had several intei views with the Governor, hit Excellency having in the first instance paid Sir George a visit. A few days after his arrival, the Admiral &ent an officer up to the camp of the natives, for the purpose of learning from them the reason of their not returning to their houses and homes now that the Governor had piomibed to protect them. Their reply was, that they would not go and live under French rule unless they were ordered to do so by their Queen. If she issued a proclamation to that effect, that she was compelled to place herself under the protection of French sol<liei6, they would submit to her fa(e j hut they iJid not wish to have French troops on the island, nui French colours hoisted on any of thefoits: they want, in fact, the British Government to lake possession of the place under the Tahitian flag. There are upwards of 5,000 of the natives in the stronghold, who will not believe that England has abandoned their cause. It was reported

that the Admiral intended to visit the Queen in a few da\s, for the purpose of inducing her to accept the protection of France. Shortly after the arrival of the Collingwood, a party, consisting of about 4<J of the officers, received an invitation to dinner fiom the natives who retide on the mountain in the rear of the town. A few of the white residents were also present j but it is thought they u ill find, to their cost, after the departure of the Collingwood, that it was an unwise step on their part. At one end of the place occupied by the dinner party, the Tahitian colours and a British flag were hoisted. A law has been issned, under French authority, requiting all persons, to keep a journal of the whole of their correspondence, including even love-letters : also an account of private expensei, and of all goods bought and sold or expected to arrive at the i&land j medical men are also required to make an entry of their most trifling account with their several patients. These documents are to be open to the inspection of the chief of the police, who is authorised to requite the difletent merchants and others to make an affidavit that all such accounts, &,(;., are correct. This law comes into force at the beginning of 1846, w hen any person who is / noi willing to submit to its operations can quit the island. A captain is liable to be lined if he attempts to sell his property in this port, unless he employs an agent, or takes out a licence from the Fiench authorities to do so. The captain of the schooner Sarah Wilson, was dried 150 dollars lor selling a hat, having been infoimed against by an American merchant named Wheelock. The markets still remain very high : flour 17 dollars per barrel, salt pork 17 dollars per bag of 200Ibs. Timber is not to be had. i