Colonial Aelus.

Colonist, Issue 13, 4 December 1857, Page 3

Colonial News.

NEW SOUTH WALES. By the Cheetah, Winch vessel arrived here on Tuesday evening last, we have flews from Sydney to the 16th ultimo ; Melbourne, the 12th ultimo ; Mauritius, the 28th September; California, tlie 12th September; and Sandjvich Islands, the Bth of August. For the Mauritius and American news we refer our readers to our fourth page.

In the Legislative Council, on the 6th November, Mr. Deas Thomson, moved the following resolutions on the subject of Colonial Federation: —

1. Thatit is expedient that a Federal Assembly should be established, invested with the necessary power to discuss and determine all questions of an inter-colopial character, arising in the Australian colonies generally. 2. That the beat-means of" originating a luderal Assembly .would be by inviting a conference of delegates from the respective colonies, to which all properly belong the: duty of determining upon a plan of union; and for this purpose, that the Legislatures of Victoria, South -Australia-, and' Tasmania should be requested to select three delegates each, one of whom'might be a member of Council, and two members of Assembly, to meet three delegates from this colony, to be similarly appointed. . . ' 3. That- these delegates, assembled in conterencs, be' empowered to propose a plan of federation, to be afterwards' submitted' for approval to the Legislatures of the respective colonies. t 4. That the expenditure incident to the conference should be borne by the respective colonies, in whatever proportions may be fixed by the conference itself. 5. That the'conference should hold its meetings in •whatever place the majority of the delegates may determine; their decisions being interchanged in writing within a month of their elections being completed. ......

In introducing his proposition, the honorable member referred at some length to the several occasions on which the question of a Federal Assembly had been mooted, both in England and the colonies. It was with a full sense of the importance of the question, that he had been'induced to approach it, and it was in this spirit he desired to see it considered by the House. The committee had at first intended to propose a complete measure for securing the.object aimed at; but, during their investigations, 'the committee were favoured with the report brought up by the Committee of the Victorian Assembly on the same subject, and the propositions contained in this report seemed so conciliatory in character, and so likely to induce the co-operation of the other colonies, that they (the Committee of the Legislative Council) at once resolved to recommend for adoption the course therein pointed out. The plan proposed was, for each colony to elect three delegates (one of whom might be a member of the Council and the other two members of the Assembly); that these delegates should hold, a conference, and be authorised to prepare the draft of a Federal Constitution, embodying such principles as they might feel it desirable to recommend, which draft should subsequently be submitted to the approval of the various colonial Legislatures. The subject was not a new one ; it had frequently been considered before; and from the tenor of Mr. Secretary Labouchere's recent despatch there was eveVy reason to believe the proposal was one which would meet with the approbation of the Home Government, provided the unanimity and concurrence of the different colonies could in the first instance be secured. He (Mr. Thomson) felt quite sure that if the various colonies could come to some understanding there would be no difficulty in procuring an enabling act*from the Imperial Government to carry out the object it was sought to attain; for it should be remembered that the sanction of the Home Government would be necessary, even supposing that all the colonies were pei'fectly agreed as to the propriety and method of bringing such an institution into existence. After quoting, numerous instances of the working of the principle, and referring to the early American, the Swiss, the Netherlands, the Germanic, the New Zealand, and other federations, the illustrations extending A3 far back as Homer—the honorable member concluded by expressing a hope that the question would not be viewed in a narrow or party spirit, but that it would, be taken up by both the Government and the Legislature, and dealt with in a manner worthy of its great importance, to the end that future difficulties might be avoided and the common welfare and prosperity of the different colonies promoted. Dr. Dickson seconded the motion, which he said would meet with his most cordial support. No subject of more importance had ever been brought under the attention of the Legislature, and were a lifetime devoted to its consideration it would not, in his opinion, be time misspent. Sir William Burton warmly supported the motion, which he remarked was one which ought to be approached in a spirit of majesty and awe, intimately associated as the question" was with the peace and prosperity of these noble Colonies in all time to come. T'lie foundations of the colonies were deficient in many respects; they had not been laid with that amount of care and skill which bespoke the master-builder. Now, however, there was the opportunity for providing for the future, and if they desired to raise a noble superstructure, they must see that the basis was laid on a sure and firm foundation, and.that the.welfare and interest of every colony wa3 ensured. The motion was then put from the chair and passed without a division. Mr. Deas Thomson then gave notice that, on Wednesday next, he would move that a conference be requested with the other House of Legislature, in order that a joint address embodying the resolutions might be agreed to. '■ ■ P In the Legislative Assembly of the same date, Mr. Donaldson moved the following with regard to Steam Postal Communication:—-"1. That in the opinion of this House, the terms of the contract for the conveyance of the Australian Mail Steam Packet Company have not been faithfully performed, and that the said contract ought to be annulled. 2. That an address be presented to his Excellency the Governor-General, praying that steps may be taken to give effect to the aboVe resolution.'

After considerable discussion pro and con., _ Mr. Cowper moved an amendment as follows:— " That the postal contract with the European and Australian Mail Company has not been faithfully performed; that unless the company can give a satisfactory guarantee to the Home Government that the contract will be faithfully performed for the future that the contract ought to be cancelled. That an address be presented to his Excellency the Governor-General, praying that steps may be taken to give effect to the above resolution." The question being put, the amendment was carried on division by a majority of 29 to 3. On the 10th November, in the House of Assembly, Mr. Foster moved that the position of the Judges in the Legislative Council is calculated to have an injurious effect upon the public interests. Mr. Martin moved the previous question as an amendment. The motion was negatived by 18 to 13, the majority consisting of the present Ministers and the. members and supporters of the late Ministry. The Wreck op the Catherine Adamson.— Mr. Jones, in laying on the table of the Legislative Assembly, on the 13th November, the report of the Light, Pilot, and Navigation Board relative to the wreck of the Catherine Adamson, remarked that, according to the showing of the Board, which was borne out by the testimony of numerous witnesses, the late Mr. Pilot Hawkes had com-

mitted an error .of judgment. ~ The evidence showed very clearly that with the wind blowing as it did, dead against the vessel, and at times extremely squally,, it was the duty of the pilot to keep off- the land, at all events.until the weather moderated. At the same time lie thought tlie Board had scarcely done justice to the memory of Pilot Hawkes, when they omitted to mention one circumstance connected with this catastrophe. Whatever might have been Pilot Hawkes' error of judgment "prior to th'J wreck taking place, it should not be forgotten as a matter redounding, to his honour that lie .remained on board the vessel when others had deserted her, and that he met.his death in the strict performance of his duty. This he thought was all act of heroism on tile part of the lamented gentleman which deserved recognition at the hands of the country, either in tlie shape of a memorial, or a provision for hid widpw and children. The Board were also of opinion that the other pilots who came to render assistance on the occasion of the wreck had not manifested that alacrity and skill in saving life Which tile emergency of the case and the responsibility of their position demanded. Nor did they think that Captain Stuart .was free from blame, because in the first place he left the ship at the vety time when his services were required on board, and in the second place he did not make that use of the life and other boats which it was thought he could have done under the circumstances. Had tlie captain remained on board lie could, notwithstanding the pilot, have taken the absolute command of the vessel the moment she struck upon the rock, and with his knowledge of the routine of the vessel and its means of saving life, enforced by the authority which necessarily attached to his position, it was only reasonable to suppose that much.more might have been done than actually was done to save the liven of the unfortunate people on board. Indeed, the only person who displayed any great courage and presence of mind on the occasion was Captain Creer, of tlie Williams steamer, for not only did he make his own vessel available in saving life, even to the extent almost of perilling her safety, but he did all in his power, both by entreaty and example to induce the men on board the steamer to make use of the boats in saving the lives of those who remained on board the ill-fated ship; and there was reason to believe that, if Captain Stuart had volunteered in time to carry out Capiam Creer's advice, he would have found plenty of men able and willing to render effective assistance. The Board had also expressed an opinion With regard to the necessity of an electric telegraph between Sydney Heads, but as this was a matter upon which he had only the other evening expressed an affirmative opinion, he did not think it necessary now to allude to the matter any further. They were also of opinion that a lifeboat stationed at Watson's Bay might be made extremely useful in cases of shipwreck at the Heads; but it appeared to him that, however excellent such a boat might be intrinsically, she would be of very little use if she was not to be manned with more courage and alacrity than the pilot boats were on the occasion of the wreck alluded to.

(From the papers.) A Whole .Family and Servants Murdered by the Blacks at the Upper Dawson, Moreton Bay.—The heart sickens whilst I narrate the particulars of a most diabolical and cold-blooded atrocity—eleven human beings sacrificed at one fell swoop —a mother witnessing the murder of her eight little ones, and then despatched herself. Can the people of your metropolis hear and read of this butchery and not rise up as one man determined to revenge it ? No, we feel convinced that this last blow will make even our rulers bestir themselves in devising a prompt remedy for these repeated outrages. The deposition sworn before the bench at- Ipswich, by the only survivor, one of the family (young Frazier), almost overwhelms one at the reading of it. In the night, when all was fast locked in profound sleep, the inmates of the houses on the station are surrounded stealthily by a tribe of blacks, entrance quietly made into the dwelling.; and before the slightest warning is conveyed to the sleeping people, the death blow is dealt, by the savages, and the victims sleep the sleep of death ; the poor mother, as a refinement of cruelty, is induced to leave the house under promise of life, and then with her four girls ruthlessly murdered. What other outrage may have been committed upon these victims no one can tell —the only living soul about the premises lay insensible, aad when recollection returned to him, he was alone in that charnel house, the only survivor of a family of nine persons. Only a few weeks since we chronicled the murder of a mother and her son, a boy of 12 years of age, within 30 miles of Brisbana, by a black-fellow. Even at the present moment, the few people living at Sandgate, some 12 miles from Brisbane, are in fear and trembling that the blacks will despoil them of their goods or attempt their lives. Can we, therefore, Avonder that on our frontier murders become almost of every day occurrence, because the terrors of speedy justice have become a dead letter ? The deposition of young Frazier, taken before the Ipswich Bench, on Friday last, is as follows:— " On Tuesday, 27th October, I was residing at my brother's station, on the Upper Dawson, called Hornet Bank, along with my mother, three brothers, and four sisters. I was sleeping with a younger brother in a scillion room at the back of the house, when I was awakened by hearing the blacks talking in the room. The door of the room had been shut, but was not fastened. On hearing the blacks in the room I reached out my hand and got a gun, which was above my head, loaded, but it was knocked out of my hand before I had time to fire, and I was then struck on the head by one of the blacks. The blow rendered me insensible for some minutes, and when I recovered from the effects of it I got out of my bed and crept under it, and lay there till the blacks had all disappeared. After the blacks had gone, I found the body of my younger brother, who had been sleeping with me, lying between the kitchen and the house; and beside it were the bodies of my mother and four sisters', whom the blacks had induced to go out of the house previously to murdering them. They had been all sleeping in one room in the centre of the house. I then went through the house into the verandah, and found the body of my brother John lying naked in the verandah^ and the body of my brother David, also naked, outside the veranhah. I did not examine any of the bodies to see what marks of violence were'upon them. I immediately walked over to Euroombah to see Mr. Boulton, who was not at home, but came home the following day, when—having in the meantime gone over myself to Mr. Miles' station, and then back to Hornet Bank—l found him there along with Mr. Miles and a number of shearers from liis station. I then saw the body of Mr. Neagle, the tutor to the family, lying dead in the kitchen, which was about ten yards from the house; and 1 then also saw the bodies of two shepherds lying dead outside of their hut, which was about fifty yards from the house. They were all partly dressed. The bodies were all 'buried by Mr. Boulton and Mr. Miles and the shearers who were there with them. My mother and sisfers had been induced to go out of the house by the blacks promising not to kill them; this I heard while lying under the bad The native police were at the time at Euroombah, and Lieutenant Powell, along with six troopers, went in pursuit of the blacksj as soon as I gave information on my arrival at Eurooirbah of what h.id occurred. It was quite dark when the blacks came tp the house, but not long before daylight. I arrived at Euroonibah aboiifll o'clock on Tuesday forenoon." Who, after perusing the above statement, can refuse the right of the bushmen to take law in their own hands, and shoot down this tribe of villians like wild dogs; I should think not one Pity for such heartless scoundrels would be thrown away—they spare not when they have the power, and should not be spared.— Empire, November 14.

The New Exchange.—We are informed that the Sydney Exchange will be formally opened by his Excellency the Governor-General on Thursday, the 3rd December. It is arranged that a ball, in celebration of'the event, shall be held in the building in the evening of the same day, under the management of a committee, consisting of the directors of the Exchange Company, and twelve other gentlemen, whom they liave invited to assist them.— Empire.

Shocking and-Fjucal Accident.—On Sunday last a boy'about nine years of age, named Patrick Laehlan, lost his life under the following distressing circumstances. On the day named he left his parents' house, at Grabben Gullen, on horseback, for the purpose of bringing- in some cattle from out of the bush. While riding along, he was thrown, and one of his feet retaining its hold in the stirrupleather, he was dragged for some considerable distance. Wlieil found; his foot was still in the leather, which had disengaged itself from the saddle by the opening of the bar on the flap; while being dragged along, he had come in contact with a log, which caused the body to be actually split up for some distance above the thigh. His head was shockingly battered in, and altogether the body presented a dreadful spectacle. After the stirrupleather became disengaged from the saddle, the horse stood still close" to where its rider lay._ The occurrence taking place in the Yass district, on Dr. Blake will devolve the duty of holding au inquest on the remains.— Goulburn Herald. Silver near Bat-hurst.—A portion of earthy matter, found iipdn the Esron Estate, was some short time ago forwarded to Sydney, under the impression that it contained silver. The ore was tested, and sure enough silver was found to be one of. its component parts. This fact, together with others' of a similar character which have from time to time been noticed in our columns, open up a vista for our future, which, under favouring circumstances, will still afford abundant grounds of Hope" and encouragement to those who are interested in the destinies of the district. — Bathurst Free Press. „. ■ • ...'.-. Death op Dean -Coffey-.—lt is with much, regret that we have to record the death of the Very Reverend Dean Coffey, late Catholic Pastor, of Parramatta. For some months past he had been ailing, and once, about six.or eight weeks ago, was so very unwell that he felt it was his duty to receive the last sacraments, 'which were administered to him by his fellow-labourer, the Rev. Mr. Welsh. After that, he- partially recovered, and three or four times paid a visit to the metropolis. The last occasion upon which he was here waSj we believe, the celebration'of the funeral obsequies of the Rev. J. I. M'Lennon, who for many years had shared with him the labours of the mission. Both these reverend gentleman were much esteemed by the people of Parramatta. On the morning of his death Dean Coffey celebrated mass, and did not until evening feel more unwell than of late he had usually been. During the night he got much worse, and sent for the Rev. Mr. Welsh who gave him all the consolations of religion. He expired at about half-past ten on Friday evening. — <Himpire. The TEiiEGRAiui fo South Head. —"'he construction of the electric telegraph to the South Head has been commenced in earnest. The poles for carrying the wire have already been put up along the side of the New South Head road, from the top of William-street as far as1 Vaucluse. T"hese poles are very stout, and are firmly planted, their lower ends fire-hardened. They stand 18 feet high from the ground, and are placed at intervals of about 60 -yards apart. If the works are carried on with the expedition with which they have been commenced, a very short time will see the telegraph in operation.— Umpire. Lusus Naturae.—A correspondent informs us that last week a cow belonging to Mr. R. Hush, senior, (who resides near Braidwood),wasdelivered of a calf; ' having two heads, four ears, four eyes, two tongues, two perfect sets of teeth, two windpipes, two gullets, and two perfect necks to bear all.' The curious animal did not survive its birth. But the skin has been preserved as evidence of this extraordinary freak of nature. — Herald. Murder at Blackney's Creek. —An inquest was held to-day (November 9) at the above named place, touching the death of an old man named Davies, better known by the -name of Doctor Davies. It appears that Davies hired a man known as Sam the Soldier, to do some work for him. Some days ago they got a keg of rum, quarrelled over it, and the Soldier beat Davies so severely that hs' only lived a few days. It Avas clearly'proved that Davies died from the effect of the beating, and the jury returned a verdict of wilful murder against Sam .the Soldier, and the coroner forthwith issued a warrant for his apprehension. Davies is about eighty years of age, and the other is about seventy years old. This is another sad evidence of the evil of intemperance.— Herald.

The Estimates.—The sum required to defray the estimated expenses of the Government of New South Wales in the year 1858, is £2,118,487 16s. lOd. The amount provided for the current year, 1857, was .£1,642,058 13s. lOd. The estimate for tbe coming year is therefore an increase upon the present of .£476,429 3s.— Herald.