LATEST FROM THE STRAITS.

New Zealander, Volume 4, Issue 309, 16 May 1849, Page 3

LATEST FROM THE STRAITS.

Sir James Brooke re iclied Sirawack on or before the 2 lit September, H. M.S. Meander manning yards and saluting him with twenty-one guns as his Excellencyleft that noble Irigate. On the 21st his Excellency's fUg was hoibted at Sarawack, and, as it rose above th« ne ghbouriug trees, it was saluted fiom the fort and the homes of the principle Da-.us. The business of the day commenced by the prcaentat'on to Sir James of a splendid sword by the European inhabitants of Sarawak. Mr. Hentir, as iheir spokesman, addressed his Excellency in highly complimentary but appropriate terms, aa one whose pub ie and puva c virtues had raised Surawack fiom the miseries of anarchy and civil war to its present happy and prosperous po»i ion. After Sir James had made s suitable leply, the three p incipal Daius were each presented by him with a valuable swonl. Sir James add' essed them in Malay, as-uring th< ra t <at every atsiistance would be given by him, an! their old friend the Ilt.n. Captain Keppel, lor th ir safely, whilst the most active measures would be taken ftf t the punishment of the pirates, and those found m any way either directly or inJiiectly assisting them. The scene in the audience chamber was highly picturesque. At the h"ad ot the room was seateJ H. E. Sir J. Brooke, on his left hand the lion. H. Keppel, o.i his right Optain B.oo'ce and the European inhabitants, and inunedi-teiy behind them several officers of the Meander, whilst m front sit the principle unlive chiefs, Uatus, and fangerans. After ihe presentations the Pangeian M-<homed was grntirted with a trip in the " a earn qua boat, 1 ' in whi-su he was accompanied by most of me native chiefs, Th-J next day at noon, at the request ot the inhabitants Ca|.Ui<i Keppel embarked hu .splendid bmsb band on board the Kanee, and the inhabitants weie entertained, as this graceful litile steamer glidfd along the bright waters of th« Sarawak, witli some of the rr.o>t popul .r airs, amongst " Sarawak Polka" lately introduced from England. The cot»l mines of the island are likely to become very productive, and under the sk lful inHiiagement of Sir Jumss Brooke, there seems every probability that Labutin will become not only a great coaling depot for steamers of all nations navigating the China seas, b » an intrinsically important Hiitish colony. The towu from ihe sea already presents a regular apjiearance, the beitcr class ot houses having jetties running out into the bay, at thr ends of which, ovei hanging the sea, are neat and we 1-ai ranged bathing houses. The prejudice agnnibt Labuan, on the ground of i>s allvgi-d uuhealthmtbi, is rapidly subsiding.