The Auckland Chronicle. Thursday, July 18, 1844.

Auckland Chronicle and New Zealand Colonist, Volume 2, Issue 50, 18 July 1844, Page 2

The Auckland Chronicle. Thursday, July 18, 1844.

By the arrival of H. M. S. Hazard, from Sydney, we are in possession of our usual files of English, Irish, Scotch, arid Colonial papers; by our Irish papers wq learn that on Monday, February the 11th, (being tlie twentyfifth day of the trials,) Mu. O’Connell and all the other Traversers were fdund guilty, and it was feared a general outbreak of the people would follow, but O’Connell had addressed a letter to the people of Ireland, (which will be found in our columns) in which he says, “You are aware the jury have found a verdict against me. But depend npon it that I will bring a writ of error, and will not acquiesce in the law, as laid down against me, until I have the opinion of the twelve judges in Ireland, and if necessary of the House of Lords.” It appears from this that O’Connell is not satisfied with the verdict. He left Ireland on the 13th of February for England, and his reception was most enthusiastic, as wherever he went, admiration and plaudits met his ears. We have not room to give his speech, in the House of Commons, on the Debate on the State Trials, but it is a very splendid address. Upwards of three hundred Public Meetings had been held in Ireland, and a great number in England and Scotland to petition against the proceedings at the State Trials, by the exclusion of the Catholic Jurors. Her Majesty and all the Royal Family were in the enjoyment of good health on the 4th of last March, and it was expected that Her Majesty's Accouchment would take place about the end of June or the beginning of July. We are sorry to say that distress prevailed to a great extent throughout England and Wales. There were a number of vessels laid on for the Australian Colonies, and five for New Zealand with Emigrants for the New Zealand Company. By our Sydney papers we learn that Emigrants are crowding on them very fast, chiefly Agricultural labourers and domestic servants. There are still a number of Mechanics walking idle in the streets of Sydney, but trade is much more settled, and it is generally believed they wi l now adrance In a steady, and safe way after their late difficulties. On the 28th of June a large meeting of the Roman Catholics of Sydney and its neighbourhood took place at the City Theatre, for the purpose of expressing the feelings of that portion of the community with respect to the Irish State trials, particularly as to the alleged packing of the Jury which tried Mr. O’Connell and the other Traversers. Shortly after seven o’clock the Right Worshipful the Mayor arrived, being arrayed in his robes of office, and took the chair, amidst the cheers of the company. Some of the leading men of Sydney took a prominent part in the proceedings of the Evening, and three petitions were read to the meeting, which were adopted, viz., one to the Queen in Council, one to the House of Lords, and one to the House of Commons, all setting forth that the meeting considered the exclusion of their brother Roman Catholics from the special Jury List as an insult to them as a body. Mr. Justice Burton was about to leave Sydney for Madras, as lie had been called to the Bench there, and a farewell Dinner had been given him, as well as a copy of the Holy Scriptures and the Book of Common Prayer, handsomely bound. A public meeting had also been held, which was convened by the Right Worshipful the Mayor, and at which he presided, for the purpose of expressing their feelings

as to the usurpation of the government of Tahiti by the French. A series of resolutions were adopted and a petition read which was also adopted, expressive of their disapprobation at the line of conduct pursued by the French towards Queen Pomare. The meeting (says the Sydney papers) was most numerous, and highly respectable.

Our Cape of Good Hope papers are to May 2nd, by which we learn the safe arri'-ai of Sir Peregrine Maitland, the New Governor, from England, who was well received. The commercial accounts are very favourable. A notice appeared in their Government Gazette, calling a special general meeting of the shareholders of the South African Bank, to consider the propriety of issuing notes to the amount of 20,000, to remedy the inconvenience experienced by the late withdrawal of the government paper, which had been in circulation to a large amount. A Gas Company had been formed, and the proprietors were about to apply for an Ordinance to legalize their proceedings. The Government Land Sales have turned out a failure in that Colony, (although the upset price is as low as 2s. per acre) as well as in this, and the neighbouring colonies.