COLONIAL EXTRACTS.

New Zealand Gazette and Wellington Spectator, Volume I, Issue 23, 12 September 1840, Page 2

COLONIAL EXTRACTS.

[from the "bay of islands gazette."] Captain J. Nagle, of the New Zealand Land Company's office, recently wrote to Lord Durham a letter, containing, among others, the following question: — "In the event of. British authority being established in New Zealand, will there be any disturbance

of the tenure's of land lawfully and fairly acquired from the Natives?" The following answer was received to this enquiry : — " The Directors of this Company have the express assurance of Her Majesty's government, that all bona fide titles of British subjects to lands acquired from the Natives} will not be disturbed by any proceeding which may be instituted on the part of the crown."

We learn with deep regret that the Rev. Mr. Bumby, Wesleyan missionary, of Hokianga, has been drowned, with 1 2 natives, in an expdeition southward, but the particulars have not reached us.

George Cooper; Esq., Collector of Customs, has taken up his residence at Victoria, at the house of Mr. Busby, the late British Resident.

The subscribers to the bank were called upoto last Friday, to receive Mr. Thompson's report of his transactions on their behalf at Sydney. We understand that the report given by that gentleman was highly satisfactory and encouraging, many more shares being in demand than he had power to sell. Every way the greatest interest is manifested in Sydney in the prosperity of this establishment H.M.S. " Herald " was to convey back the report of this meeting, and Mr. Kennedy, the cashier, is to come down by the earliest opportunity.

At Norfolk Island on the Queen's birthday, the prisoners were permitted to range at large., arid were treated with lemonade, with a small mixture of rum. Great credit is due to Captain Maconochie, for the effects which his system of discipline has p.roduced upon these men, supposed to be incorrigible. Out of more than twelve hundred prisoners at perfect liberty on that occasion, not one behaved in a riotous manner.

A bill had been introduced to prevent the aborigiues from possessing fire arms. Sales. — On Monday, the Australian Auction Company sold at their Rooms, two thousand and forty-one ewes, one thousand three hundred and fifty wethers, one hundred and twenty-four rams three thousand three hundred and fifteen sheep, with lambs and station given in, at 14s. per head. The Cause of Drunkenness.— During the last and present month, there has been an unusual augmentation of the drunken list, at the Sydney Police Court. The constables

are of opinion that the cold weather has been

a powerful cause in producing such an ineflfcctMm- the moral atmosphere of the inhabitants of Sydney. Captain Innes has intimated his intention 'of restoring the medium temperature, by dealing with the incorrigibles under the vagrant act. Puffers no longer' necessary. — It appears that among the various tricks performed by some disreputable auctioneers to the prejudice of their customers is that of sending samples of the thing to be sold round the town by their relatives and persons belonging to their establishment, which draws a large assemblage. When the time of sale arrives the goods are unpacked and the worst samples are laid at the top. After sundry biddings have been made, a sob or some other sign is heard in the room, on which, down goes the hammer and the agents of the salesman become the ostensible purchasers ; that portion of the public who attend sales ought to look into the case, and when they detect any such maneuvering, take the case to the police office. Besides the above which is a r^al fraud on those sending goods to be sold, there is also another, frequently practised on

those who go to buy, by making fictitious

sales'. The Attorney General ought to see that the laws respecting sales by auction are promulgated and enforced.

French' Emigration to Australia. — A grand staple of Australia is wine, and it is well to call the attention of French Protestant gentlemen and farmers to the superiority of this colony to their own country. It cannot be concealed that they are ill at ease at horne — subject to serious annoyances from time to time; in Australia they would have perfect protection, and a climate ' superior to the South of France ; they would purchase an estate for £200. A passage for themselves and family, with a sufficiency of servants for such an estate from London or Plymouth, which they could easily reach by

steam, would not amount to more than £500,

they would be settled in -Australia in peace and plenty. Perhaps they might make an arrangement for ships to touch at St. Malgo, .Cherbourg, Brest, or the mouth of the Loir, if they could make up, by advertising or otherwise, a sufficient number to go together ; "perhaps, also, the colonial government would give a premium on the apprentices they imported. Many officers, and other English families might also be induced to join a ship at a French port. Not only would the colonial market consume much of the wine produced but the English, and South American, and above all, the East Indian, so near they 'could make for many a year.

The Small Pox. — Information as to the extent of this dreadful disease at Port Phillip has reached Launceston per last arrival. It does not prevail to a very great extent, but is sufficiently general to create in the minds of thinking people the most serious apprehensions. We cannot too earnestly recommend, on the part of the inhabitants of this town, the adoption of every precautionary means, should the disease unhappily be communicated amongst us. — Cornwall Chronicle.

Another Methodist Swindler. — Wm. Umphelby Budds. — The towfi has been a little excited for the past two days, in consequence of it having been discovered that the Methodist villain — the Bible depository scoundrel, whose name heads this article, has bolted, having successfully, and without creating the suspicion of his creditors, swindled them to the tune of about £8,000. This wretched vagabond, of Umphelby notoriety, y^^siployed as the agent of the Rev. Dr. Jnwvme, and one or two respectable' settlers, whom we fear are minus by his flight. We will give a full length portrait df the vagabond in our next, and do" all we* can to open the eyes of the people amongst whom he may next fall.

Steam. — In the " South Australian Record," of 4th April, it is stated that the " Courier," steamer, of seventy horse power, was about starting from London for Adelaide, to run between the different parts of the Colony. In a previous number, it is stated, , that a number of private gentlemen had formed themselves into a company to send three steamers, of which we presume the " Courier"* is one, to South Australia. "We hope one of them will be laid on between Sydney aud Adelaide.

Another newspaper was spoken of as being about to start in Sydney, on conservative principles.

A new Water Police had been established.

Some very interesting and spirited debates had taken place on the proposed "misappropriation of the land fund to local purposes," in which the Colonists had decidedly the best of the argument.

Vessels entering the heads of Port Jackson by night, are required by a new clause in the Port Act, to carry a light at the mast head. This occurence has been adopted to prevent smuggling.

The Sydney Auctioneers, notwithstanding their wealth, appear to have little other business than minor matters, most of the large sales being in the hauds of the Auction Companies. """" '*'

Mr. G. W. Robertson, of the " Sydney. Gazette," has been sentenced to pay a fine of £200, and to be imprisoned for twelve months in the gaol at Newcastle, for a libel on Captain Nias, of H.M.S. " Herald."

The Australasian Sugar Refining Company with all their apparatus to the value of £20,000, had arrived by the "Ann Gales." The persons brought out by the Company amount to forty families. It was presumed that the culture of the sugar cane would be commenced at Moreton Bay.

The Licensed Watermen at Sydney are compelled by law to wear a badge, as at home.

The "William Money," lately arrived from England, is stated to be the largest merchant vessel that ever visited Port Jackson, she being 834 tors.

Bank of New South Wales. — By the " Chelydra," the whole of the materials for establishing the first Bank at New Zealand, leaves Sydney in a few days. This vessel likewise conveys several wealthy passengers.

Land in Sydney. — An application was made a short time since to the Government to put to auction the Allottment of Land in Bridge-street, which, when Pitt-street is elongated, will be a corner allottment. It was stated at the time the application was made, that it would be shortly put up at the minimum price of £9,000 the half acre. Some speculators calculate that the hammer will not fall till full £20,000 has been bidded. The Government should hold this piece of land as a present for the proposed Corporation of Sydney, as a starting gift or portion! His Excellency may well desire the Ordnance Bill to be passed into law, if such be the estimated value of land in the metropolis.

The Fire Brigade, with their engines, were exercised on the Race Course, on Monday last. Their appearance had rather an imposing and novel effect.

Catarrah. — We are sorry to learn that this fearful disease has visited the flocks about Breadalbane Plains. One gentleman has lost six hundred sheep out of a flock of eight hundred in number.

Portland Bay. — Mr. Tyers, the Surveyor, who was sent to ascertain the exact situation 141 st degree of longitude which divides this Colony from South Australia, having reported that Portland Bay is within the limits of New South Wales, we iinderstand that a sale of allotments in the town of Portland will shortly take place. The land is to be sold at Melbourne-,