SYDNEY EXTRACTS.

New Zealand Gazette and Wellington Spectator, Volume I, Issue 26, 10 October 1840, Page 2

SYDNEY EXTRACTS.

-^ New Zealand Mission. — Extract from a letter from Bishop Pompallier, Vicar Apostolic of New Zealand, dated 29th July, 1840: — God has shown his mercies upon my extensive flock. 1 have received, recently, two priests and two catechists. I have now twelve priests and eight catechists. Of these, three priests and three catechists are in various islands ; the rest are with myself in New Zealand. I have just sent two priests and one chatechist to Middle Island, wherein the Protestant missionaries have not yet brought the kingdom of their own interests, which has succeeded so well for them in the North Island. God has given me the souls and hearts of the New Zealanders for himself and their salvation— others get their lands. Since my settlement at the Bay of Islands, the labours ot my mission have extended much more widely than they could have done at Hokianga. Communications between this place and other parts are frequent, and the natives of every part of New Zealand have opportunities to see and to hear somthing of the Catholic church. Here, also, I have many chances of meeting with the means of conveyance to distant tribes. Recently, I have been, during two months and a half, amongst the tribes of the southern part of this island ; and all those I met with have embraced the Catholic faith, and are now preparing to receive the sacrament of baptism. They know the principal points of our holy faith, and every day they meet together in each tribe, to recite their morning and evening prayers, to read a catechism which I have written in their language, and to sing some sacred hymns, to impress the essential truths of religion on their memories. The tribes which have been converted are so numerous, that I cannot satisfy their wants by my ministry. I count 170 which I have visited and taught during the few days I remained ; and one thing is providential — many other tribes, not yet visited, are by means of the small catechism nearly as learned as those I have visited, having been also taught by the oral tradition of those who heard me or some of my priests. These follow the same exercises as they do whom I have been with, and yet they have not seen the face of any Catholic missionary. Oh! wonderful power of the grace of our Lord, who assists the labours of his lawful ministers above the understanding of men, and fulfils that most efficacious pro-mise-r-"Ecce ego vobiscum sum, &c." At present almost all the natives of the North Island belong to the Catholic church. I can enumerate souls to the amount of 35,000. Such is the work of God amidst all our difficulties; and, notwithstanding the calumnies and invidious attempts of our enemies. All the Protestants — not missionaries, have shown me every mark of esteem and kindness, in every part of New Zealand. The Lieutenant Governor has shown me also the greatest attention and benevolence. — Australasian Chronicle. Mr. James Macarthur says that the present session of council has been characterised by such remarkable features as will ensure to New South Wales a prominent place among nations; and that the speech of his Excellency the Governor upon the New Zealand question will be looked upon and referred to as one of the most important state papers extant. To the first of these remarks we say nothing, as, no doubt, the brilliancy of the present session is attributable to the hon. member's own talents and exertions ; but, with respect to the latter, although we know, and have more than once stated, that the speech referred to was a masterly specimen of eloquence and legal tact, we yet hope and believe that his Excellency is too old a bird to be caught with the "soft sawder" of the hon. member for Camden. — Ibid. Lieutenant Lugard, E.E., proceeds to New Zealand in a few days, for the purpose of making a millitary survey of the islands ; d clerk of the works, and a number of military artificers will also proceed there. The " Harvest Home," I believe, has been chartered for the purpose. Good News. — His Excellency stated to the council on Wednesday last, that independant of the prospect of there being a good harvest, no less an amount of wheat was expected from foreign ports than sixteen hundred quarters. The millers have brought this all upon themselves — honest men ! Cricket. — It is contemplated that the Australian and Union Clubs will have an introductory match for a supper on Monday week. The wickets will be pitched a few paces to the westward of the old site, and for that purpose the ground is being levelled. The season promises to a sporting one for this game, as it is generally understood that when the 28th regiment takes up its quarters id Sydney several matches will be played between the military and the civilians. The lovers of aquatic sports should begin to prepare for their spring regatta. — Commercial Journal. -On Thursday morning. 10th

of September, at Saint James's Church, Sydney, by the Rev. James_ Edmonstone, by special licence, Henry Charles Capel Somerset, eldest son of the Right Honorable and Reverend Lord William George Henry Somerset, and nephew to Henry, fifth Duke of Beaufort, to Elizabeth Alice, only daughter of His Excellency Major General Sii Maurice O'Connell, K.C.H. — Sydney Gazette. Port Phillip. — On the order of the day being called on Wednesday last, for the sum of £5,681 18s. _4d. to be voted for the Survey Department, at Port Phillip, His Excellency was asked by Mr. Jones what the total amount of the Port Phillip estimates were. The Governor in answer stated, that the amount came to about £60,000, whereas the j amount of revenue amounted in all only to £25,000. Mr. Jones then very coolly remarked, that if they were to declare themselves independent, they would become bankrups at once, that is to say, if the land fund j were kept sacred. — Ibid. Temperance Society. — A meeting of this praise-worthy Society takes place in the Mechanics School of Arts, on the evening of Friday, the 18th of this current month. His Honor Mr. Justice Stephen is to be chairman on this occasion. It is most agreeable to observe the enthusiasm with which all classes- of society unite to further the cause of Temperance and Total Abstinence in Australia. We say themin Yankey phraseology " Go a-head !" They have a good and glorious cause on their side, the ultimate tjiumph of which cannot be doubted. — Ibid.