SOUTH AUSTRALIA.

New Zealander, Volume 3, Issue 141, 6 October 1847, Page 3

SOUTH AUSTRALIA.

By the late arrivals, we have received tome numbers of the " Adelaide Observer." A. meeting of merchants and others was held in August, for the purpose of petitioning the Legislature against the reimposition of certain post charges which Captain Grey, when Lieut.Governor there, had abolished or suspended. The good results which followed the making the ports of South Australia free— were consideied substantiated by the following statistical returns : —

Subjoined are a few exit acts from the latest paper* ;— A traveller from the south reports the country near our boundary to be kept in a continual state of alarm by the numerous aggressions of the blacks ; and the 'settlers are loudly calling for additional protection. However zealous the mounted police are, their numbers in those districts are insufficient for any effectual check. A pretty little vessel, built by Mr. Sullock, at Encounter Bay, came up to the port on Sunday last. She is, we believe, the largest vessel yet launched iti the colony. She is constructed wholly of South Australian timber, is very strong well put together, and apparently a very good sea-boat. She is schooner rigged, registers 40 tons, and has been named the Venus. On Sunday last, a High Pontifical mass was celebrated by the Right Revered Dr. Murphy, Roman Catholic Bishop of South Australia. Not* withstanding a succession of heavy showers, the attendance was so great that the temporary place of worship, capable of holding 800 persons, was crowded to overflowing, the congregation embracing members of every shade of religion in the province. At the Victoria Foundry of Messrs. Pybus and Son, may be seen the largest bell hitherto cast in South Australia. It weighs about 2521b5., and is to be presented, on behalf of Captain J. Finniss, to the Church of St James's, Mount Barker.

The Froltc, schooner, sailed for Port Nicholto" on the Bth, and the ship John Fleming, 607 ton 8 on the 7tb ult. The latter vessel was to call in at Two-fold Bay. Ihe Promise was to follow We regret to state that a, bny, the Ex mouth, bound from Londonderry to Quebec, with emigrants,was lost on the coast of Scotland, on the, aSth April, and almost undersimilar circumstan ces to the ilUfated Cataraqui; 240 souls perished only three in all escaping. The Captain bad been driven 100 miles out of his course. Most of the passengers were drowned in their berths, so sudden was the catastrophe.—P. P. Herald, Aug. 31.

Vessel 1843.. 51 1844.. 70 1845.. 114 1846 . . 142 Is, Tonnage 7532 .... 9530 .... 13795 .... 25478 c. Men. .... 526 645 •...,1012 1650 .Passengers. 292 .... 1114 .... 2336 .... 4478