COLONIAL NEWS.

New Zealand Gazette and Wellington Spectator, Volume I, Issue 10, 13 June 1840, Page 2

COLONIAL NEWS.

New Zealand. — The accounts received from New Zealand, by the late vessels, are more encouraging. Captain Hobson was recovering, and was expected to attend to business very shortly. The land belonging to Captain Clendon had been purchased by the government, and a township was to be marked out there, but we understand it is probable that the capital will be ultimately fixed at the Thames. We have received the second number of the " New Zealand Gazette, " published at Port Nicholson, (the first number having been issued in London) from which we give some copious extracts below, as they show on what principle the Colonists, at present are acting. We see nothing that would tend to corroborate the statements made by the passengers by the " Guide," respecting the extreme destitution of the inhabitants, and by a private letter we are happy to learn that the settlers are getting over the difficulties incidental to first settling in a country, with greater facilities than could have been reasonably expected. We have also received a very interesting letter from our correspondent, which we give below. — " Some few weeks ago, a man named Patrick Rooney, was found murdered near his residence, at Pukatuna, the property of Mr. Williams, in whose employ he was ; and on the morning of Good Friday, a New Zealand lad was brought in custody by the natives, charged with murder. To-day (April 20th) the matter was investigated in Kororarika Church. One of the gentlemen acting as interpreter, was sent to bring a woman who was a very material witness, to the Church ; on coming to the place where the natives were assembled, they were loth to let her go, declaring she should not go out of their sight, and from their general demeanour, a tow was anticipated ; after some little time, they agreed to walk to the Church, and then demanded the prisoner might be given up that they might put him to death. This being refused, they began to get warm, when it was thought necessary to- call in the military, to convince them they were not to have all their own way. Accordingly boats were dispatched to the town of Kent, to procure the soldiers, who lost no time in coming to the spot, where they were joined by the inhabitants, and in a very few minutes proved to our sable brethren, that English law ruled the land. Great credit is due to the Police Magistrate and Colonial Surgeon on the occasion, for although no shots were fired, the natives appeared quite convinced that we were not to be trifled with. No danger whatever is to be apprehended ; and I have no doubt we shall go on better than ever. We are rather surprised^ t not having more emigrants from Sydney of late, the folks appear to have forsaken us. We want men of capital, men willing to work as mechanics and agricultural labourers ; wages are light, — we want money not goods ; it is bad policy for strangers coming to New Zealand to bring goods to this market, many do not realise cost price. The "Mary M'Donnell," of Sydney, arrived on the 18th, out 11 months, 1060 barrels sperm oil. The Government have made arrangements for the township of Kent, which will make the allotments over there more valuable. The Governor is fast recovering. Subjoined is a statement of allotments on the north side of Kororarika, sold by Mr. Wilson, (not John Thomas,) the auctioneer, on Thursday, the 9th. The land of which this forms part, say half, was sold by private contract, three months since, for less than £150. No. 1, £31 ;2, £51 ; 3, £47 ; 4, £47 ; 5, £39 ; 6, £32 ; 7, £32 ; S, £35 ; 9, £26 ; 10, £36 ; 11, £26 ; 12, £26 ; 13, £20. Total, £448. These allotments were forty feet by sixty." — Sydney Herald.

Markets. — The tendency to a decline in the price of wheat, which we noticed in our last report, lasted only for a day or two ; the news from Sydney by the " Rapid," via Launceston, which reached us on Tuesday morning, caused this grain to advance again, and the price at present is firm at 15s. for good samples, although we have not heard of any extensive sales at that price. The prices returned this week from the mills range from 14s. to 16s. per bushel, and fine flour at from £42 to £45 per ton. Barley, (English,) 9s. to 10s., Cape do., 6s. to 7s. 6d. per bushel. Oats, 6s. 6d. to 7s. 6d. ; seed, 7s. to Bs. per' per bushel. Hay, (loose,) £5 ; pressed, £7 10s. per ton. Straw, 60s. per ton. Potatoes, £7 10s. per ton ; or Bs. to 9s. per cwt. beef, 6d. to lOd. per lb. Mutton, SM. to 6*d. per lb., per carcase 6d. Coals, (Port Arthur) 16s. to 18s. ; Sydney, 40s. per ton. Firewood, (she-oak,) 18s. per ton. "Vegetables are getting scarce owing to the want of rain. — Ibid.

Newcastle. — The late gales have done considerable mischief to the town and harbour of Newcastle, which is a very serious matter

to the public generally, fpr Newcastle may be looked upon as the key to the Hunter's River districts. The sand has drifted from the east end of Pacific-street, and covered the gardens with a coating of drift sand of from five to twelve feet deep, and upwards of a hundred tons of sand have been thrown into King street ; and another gale, "it is feared, will throw it into the centre of the town. The streets are in a deplorable condition, the rain having sweep away and destroyed every bridge in the town, and washed away the centries of the streets ; at the end of King-street, the earth is washed away five feet deep. It is supposed that several hundred tons of sand were drifted into the harbour, and another gale will probably stop up the passage of the Australian Agricultural Company's Wharf. This is a matter that requires immediate attention on the part of Major Barney; for any material injury to the harbour of Newcastle, will be of serious consequence to the whole of the important districts of the Hunter. We are informed that within the last twelve months the harbour has filled up considerably, and we trust the Government will immediately take some steps in the matter. — Sydney Herald.

Sydney Price Current. — May 21, IS4O. — There has been very little done in the wholesale markets during the week, and we observe no alterations in our quotations. Rum, proof, in bond, per gallon, ss. Sd. ; arrack, 2s. Gin, in bond, pale, 3s. 6d. ; straw coloured, 2s. sd. ; case, of 4 l-sth gallons, 20s. Brandy, first quality, 9s. Gd. ; second ditto, Bs. Gd.; third ditto, 7s. Porter, Taylor's, per hhd., £6 ; Barclay's £o 55. ; Elliott's, £5 55. ; Dunbar, in bottle, per dozen 145. ; other samples, 12s. Ale, Burton, per barrel 3G gallons, £5 55. ; Dunbar'^, in bottle, per d0z.,145. ; Taylor's strong, per hhd., £0. Wines, Cape, Company's best, 110 gallons, £12 10s.; Champagne, sparkling, £2 to £'2 10s. ; pink £2 2s. Sugar, Mauritius, £'28 ; brown, £25 ; Java, fine, £27 ; brown, £22; refined loaf, per 1b.,6d., Tea, Hyson, per quarter 141b., £2 ; hyson skin, per chest, £6 12s. Gd. ; gunpowder, per quarter, £2 2s Coffee, Jave, per lb., 7d. to 9d. ; Brazil, 9d. Rice, Patna, per bag, £1 65. ; Java, 16s; Tobacco, negrohead, in bond, per lb., Is. to Is. 4d. ; Brazil, Gd. Cigars, Manilla, .per thousand, in bond, £2 7s. 6d. to £2 10s.; Havannah, £2 55. ; American, £1 to £1 10s. ; Chinsurah, 16s. Salt, Liverpool, per ton, £4 10s. ; St. Übes, £3 10s.; basket, per <loz., 7s. Gd. Soap, Hawes' London, per ton, *OO ; Liverpool, £38 ; Scotch, £50. Candles English wax, perlb., 2s. 2d. ; spermacetti, 25.; mould 9d. Pork Irish, per barrel, £G; Hamburg, £5 10s. Hams, Yorkshire, per lb, lOd. to lid.; Westphalia, lOd. Herrings, pickled, per barrel, £1 15s. Cheese, Cheshire, per lb., Is. Gd. ; pine apple, Is. Bd. Starch, per lb. lOd. Oil, sperm, per tun, £80; olive, per gallon, 10s. to 125. ; linseed, (cans included) Gs. Gd. ; black, per tun, £18. ; Pitch, Stockholm, per barrel, £1 10s. Tar, Stockholm, per barrel, £1 ss. to £l 7s. Gd. ; coal, 12s. Hops, Kent, per lb., lOd. to Is. Id. Turpentine, per gallon, (cans included) 6d. Figs, per lb,, lOd. Currants, per lb., 7s, 9d. Raisins, Smyrna, perlb., Bd. ; Muscatel, Is. ; Cape, Gd. Liquorice, Spanish, per lb., Is. 2d. Mustard, per doz, £1 2s. Pickles, assoited, per doz., in quarts, £1 2s. Powder, per lb., Is. to 2s. 3d. Lead, sheet, per ton, £26. Iron, bar, assorted, per ton, £13; hoop, £15; nail rod, £16; pig, £8. Copper, sheathing, per lb., Is. 3d. ; nails, Is. 4d. Muskets, walnut stocked, 20s. "Vinegar, English, per gallon, 35, ; French, strong, 2s. 9d. Treacle, per cwt., £l 10s. ; molasses, per cwt., 15s. Pepper, black, per lb., 5d. — Australasian Chronicle.

Van Dieman's Land. — Since our last, we have received Van Dieman's Land papers to the 24th inst., which contain nothing likely to be of interest to our readers. The greatest excitement prevails respecting the want of lalour, and the Colonists are bestiring themselves by holding public meetings upon the important subject of immigration. A Hobart Town and Launceston paving and lighting bill had been announced as likely to come under the consideration of the Legislative Council : the principal of the bill is*, that the expences of paving and lighting are to be defrayed by rates to be fixed by commissioners elected by the inhabitants. — Value of Stock : — At the sale of stock, the property of the late** Thomas Stanfield, Esq., at Mr. Mawle's yards at Bagdad, on the 22nd inst., by Mr. T. Y. Lowes, the following prices were realized: — Mares, from eighty to ninety two guineas ; two and three years' old fillies, from forty five to sixty guineas ; yearlings, twenty and twenty one guineas each ; bullocks, thirty to forty five guineas per pair ; and a half bred Durham bull fectched fifty guineas. — Hobart Town Courier.

Meterology. — The "abstract of the Meteorological Journal kept at the South Head of Port Jackson, during the mouth of April 1840; two hundred and fifty-four feet above

the level of the sea" is, in a scientific view, a highly important document, and will doubtless when combined with other journals kept at the Cape of Good Hope, Mauritius, New Zealand, &c, be found highly useful in applying Colonel Reid's new theory of the "Law of Storms" to the southern hemisphere. The table contains the average state of the barometer, and wet and dry thermometer for every seven days, the quantity of rain fallen, the prevailing winds, and some general remarks. We learn that the highest degree of heat in the month of April was on the 12th, when the thermometer was at 74°, and that the coldest day was on the 29th, when the thermometer was at 56° ; that the rain fell on thirteen days, and that there were seventeen days without rain ; that the maximum quantity of rain was 0 56 on the 16th, when the wind was blowing from the south south west ; that during ten days the wind blew from the north east to east, and that the total quantity of rain which fell during the month was 2 61 inches. Considering the large sums that are annually spent on "Police and Gaols" and other items of the system, it is quite refreshing to see a small sum spent on a scientific purpose. — Ibid.

New Trade. — Every day sources of new trade are opening to the Colony, if we only had the labour and other means of carrying them out, and as every person in the Colony is interested in every new branch of expoit, we are glad at being able to announce, that one house has, within the last twelve months, purchased upwards of eighty thousand sheep skins and pelts, for exportation. This may appear to some only a trifling circumstance, but it should be remembered that heretofore the greater number of these skins have been wasted, so that the amount is in fact so much saved to the Colony. — Ibid. The following letter appeared in the "Sydney Monitor " of May 22nd :—: — LET ALL HAVE LICENSES. TO IJIS EXCELLENCY SIR GEORGE GIPPS. Sydney, 18 th May, 1840. Sir, — I observe that your Excellency, like many others, has fallen into the mistaken notion that by diminishing rhe number of public houses, you diminish drunkenness. From having been a Justice of the Peace in a county in Scotland, where I resided, I had a good deal to do with the licensing system, and had various disputes with my broliHT Justices on this subject, many of whom were at one time of your opinion ; Init I succeeded at last in convincing them that the)' were wrong, and got them to license every applicant of good character, with this simple but effectual guarantee for then- good behaviour, that the moment any tiling disonleily occurred in which they were in any degree implicated, their license should be withdrawn. Public houses, like everything else, should be left to find their own level. You may as well license the number of tailors or butchers there should be in any street. By leaving it to the simple operation of supply and demand, as in every other trade, things would go on smoothlj', and every one would have a chance. Beside*, there are few who drink to excess for the sake of drinking ; most men are induced to dvink more than they would otherwise do, from associating with others. If public houses were more numerous, the company would be so divided, that there would be little inducement to remain when there was no one to talk to ; while by licensing only a few houses, the crowds that will necessarily collect in such, will inevitably excite one another to drink to such an extent, as to" produce nothing but rioting and confusion. I have the honor to be, Your very obedient humble servant, Alexander Majoribanks.

French Experimental Voyage. — A report has been received of the experimental voyage of the "Astrolabe" and " Zelee," under command of Captain Dumont d'Urville, up to the lGth September. After leaving Valparaiso on the 29th May, the vessels touched at the islands of St. Juan Fernandez, St. Ambrose, and St. Felix; en the 21st July, they inspected Gambier and Crescent islands; on the 3rd August, they anchored at Amacura, and afterwards at Maugarcoa, the residence of the French bishop, and some Catholic missionaries. Here all the French subjects (missionaries) in the neighbouring islands came to see the crews of the ships, and the bishop took occasion to celebrate a solemn mass. The expedition next proceeded to Clermont and Serle's islands ; on the 26th August, anchored at Nouka Hiva, where complaints were made against English missionaries. Some of the crew, having made an expedition to the island of the Taipas, the natives of which are cannibals, ran great danger of losing their lives. The "Astrolabe," on sailing from this station, drifted on some rocks, but was rescued from her dangerous position without damage by two American whalers. On the Bth September, the ships touched at Otaheti, and on the 16th sailed for'Wallis's island and Amboyna. The crews were all well ; only one man had been lost, by accidentally falling overboard. The scientific results of the expedition are stated to be highly interesting. The "Astrolabe" was to survey the western coast of New Holland, and was afterwards to touch at Hobart Town. We know, however, from other sources, that she had not arrived at the latter place tip to the 20th of January. The " Zelee " was to

return home direct from Amboyna. — Sydney Monitor.

South Australia. — On Tuesday last his Excellency the Governor and suite embarked in the brig "Porter" for Port Lincoln, accompaniedby the government cutter "Waterwitch." On the same day, Mr. Maclaren, manager of the South Australian Company, left the harbour in the company's schooner," Victoria," for the purpose of inspecting the company's survey at Port Lincoln. The Governor and Resident Commissioner having the intention of visiting Port Lincoln for a short period, has appointed to act in his stead the Hon. Robert Gouger in the government, and the Hon. Charles Sturt in the duties of land commissioner, during his Excellency's absence. — Australasian Chronicle.

The Governor has directed the following letter, addressed to the acting judge, on the occasion of his resigning the office of Advocate General, to be published in the Government Gazette : —

Government House, Adelaide, Ist April 1840. _ Sir — On the occasion of your leaving the Legislative Council, in consequence of an exchange from the office of Advocate-General to that of Registrar-General, I beg to express to you my strong sense of the honour, integrity, and judgment with which you conducted yourself as a member of that body, and my regret at your present seperation from it. — I am, sir, yours faithfully, Georoe Gawler, Governor of South Australia. His Honor Robert Bernard, Esq., Grenfell-strect. — Ibid. William Nation, Esq., is appointed pro tern. to the office of emigration agent. The following changes have taken place in the survey department since the last Gazette notification on the subject: — Left the department, Messrs. Drake, Redmond, Hall, Hawker, Bryatt, and Cross, assistant-surveyors. Appointed, Thomas Burr, Esq., dep. surveyorgeneral; Messrs. Newenham, Giles, Henderson, and Poole, assistant surveyors ; Mr. Macpherson, draftsman. — Ibid.

British and Australasian Bank. — Our fears respecting the holders of bills on this bank have, we regret to state, been more than realised. These parties, as our readers are aware, were assisted by the Bank of South Australia, advances being made upon their bills, which were sent to Sydney and presented to the agent of the Bank of Australasia there ; but not having been duly honoured, they have ueeu forwarded to England under protest. With whom does the blame of this disgraceful transaction lie ?—lbid.? — Ibid.

Port Philip. — Mr. Osborne has consented to officiate as secretary to the Mechanics' Institution until next June, when a general meeting of the members will be convened for the purpose regulating and forming appointments for the various offices connected with it. In the present instance, we have no doubt the institution will derive great benefit from the talent and assiduity of its secretary. — Port Philip Gazette.

The Melbourne Auction Company held their first public sale yesterday. The house in Collins-street, which belonged to Mr. Reeves, was knocked down at I,7oo guineas; and at the same time a number of shares in the company were disposed of at 20 per cent, premium. The assemblage was more numerous than we recollect to have witnessed on any similar occasion for a long time past. — Ibid.

Farming in Australia Felix. — Last seed-time, Mr. Nicol Campbell, a gentleman who resides some nine or ten miles from Melbourne, planted a patch of land about three acres in extent with potatoes. The produce has just been gathered in, and averages about thirteen tons the acre, the proprietor realising fully £400. The land which produced this bounteous crop is a rich black loam, similar in-quality to much of the land on the Moonee Moonee chain of ponds. No manure was used, excepting that the sheep had been folded two nights on part of the ground just before it was ploughed. The season has been remarkably dry ; in fact, very litle rain fell from the time the potatoes were planted until they were raised. When such is the return the farmer in Australia Felix obtains for his labour, we need not fear the province will long be dependant for support upon supplies from without. — Port Philip Herald.

One of the siloes or covered pits on Cockatoo Island, containing Indian wheat, was opened on Tuesday in the presence of the Governor and Lady Gipps. The wheat was found to be in excellent condition, quite equal to when it was put in, which however is not more than six months since. The wheat is to be ground into flour, which is to be sold to the poor according to the government notice. — Sydney Herald.

We have just seen a prospectus of a company, called the " Hobart Town, Launceston, iyd Port Philip Steam Navigation Company," i^r the purpose of iaciliting the trad" between

the above ports. It is proposed to raise a capital of £20,000, in shares of A!.')o each ; no individual being allowed to subscribe for more than five shares. The company, we believe, contemplates the purchase of a steamtug, expressly for this river, the advantages of which to the shipping and general trade of Launceston will be incalculable. A copy of the prospectus lies at each of the banks, and upwards of 400 shares have been subscribed for. — Launceston Advertiser.

Legislative Council. — The members of the Legislative Council are summoned to meet on Thursday, the 28th May. Mr James Macarthur has been called to the Council in the room of Captain P. P. King, the Commissioner to the Australian Agricultural Company. We do not know why Captain King has resigned his seat, but we have no hesitation in saying that His Excellency could not have made a more popular choice than he has done. — Sydney Herald.

New Zealand. — We are happy to hear that Captain Hobson is fast recovering. The officers of the American Squadron have bought largely, and Mr. Felton Mathew and his assistants are getting on as rapidly with the survey, as their limited means will allow. As soon as Captain Hobson is able to attend to business we have no doubt matters will go on well, and it is just as preposterous to talk about giving foreigners New Zealand, as it would be to give them New Holland. — I mo.