VAN DIEMEN'S LAND.

Lyttelton Times, Volume IV, Issue 167, 18 March 1854, Page 5

VAN DIEMEN'S LAND.

Piratical Seizure; op the (l Lady Franklin."—The Hobart Town Guardian of the 28th January reports that this vessel was seized by seventeen prisoners, who were being conveyed in her to Norfolk Island, on the 28th December. A military guard of twelve privates and one sergeant was on board, but no account is given what they were doing at the time of the seizure. Hie captain of the vessel, Willett, was barbarously attacked, and much injured. After cutting the sails in pieces, and well victualling the .boats, the convicts deserted the ship, and escaped to the shore in the boats : and hitherto they have avoided capture. One of the' soldiers is missing. • * - A dreadful fire broke out at Hobart Town on the 21st of January, destroying property to the amount of £100,000, the greater part of which was uninsured. t; '.:-.\ Gom) in Van Diemen's Land.—" With no common feelings, we trust, of grateful exultation, it is our gratifying- privilege to announce that we yesterday morning inspected on Mr. liowcroft's table, 'four distinct specimens of genuine Tasmania!) gold: Thus, at last, our own Ophir is approaching to positive fact and reality. This gold has just, been dug up at Beii Lomond. It is pronounced to be of the very nnest and purest quality. The specimen of shot gold is most strikingly beautiful."— Hohart loimi Guardian. Isle op Pines.—The barque Juno, which arrived yesterday from this island, brings intelligence that the French fiigate Constantine had arrived there, and the commander had taken possession of it in the name of France, attended with the usual formalities.SydneyJieraM,