HOBART TOWN.

New Zealander, Volume 2, Issue 86, 23 January 1847, Page 3

HO BART TOWN.

H.M.S. "CAsf or."— A goodly assemblage of our fellow - citizens availed themselves of the favourable opportunity of visiting this fine ship on Sunday last— the last day of public admission It is needless to say that all the visitors were highly delighted with the appearance of the vessel and its warlike gear, rendered doubly interesting by the ready politeness and genuine utbanity of the officers, which has not failed to ensure the respect and esteem of the colonists, and serves to elevate the national chaiacter ofthe British navy. Extract from a private letter, dated Hobart Town, 23 December, 1846 :— " This island has be6n favoured with a fruitful season, pasturage is unusually abundant, the crops of grain are heavy witji few exceptions, and the green crops .are very promising. The price of wheat has fallen ; it. is no,w worth about 3s. Gd. per bushel in Hobart Town. At Launccsion a large contract has been taken for flour, and to pay the contractor, the price of wheat must not exceed 2s. 9d. per bushel, at which price 1 heard him assert he had bought, and was expecting to buy at 2s sd. The accounts from New South Wales state that the haivest tliei c has been abundant, therefore that market is closed for this season. The account of the Wool Sales, has rather damped the prospects of the settlers, in that article, but the met chants seem disposed to buy freely at good prices, anticipating a leaction in the English market. I have heard no prices mentioned ; the principal sales will be effected in the course of a fenWeeks j there are at present several vessels loading for London. " The live New Zealanders were removed last week to Maria Island, a probation station jl am unable' to say whether subject to the usual discipline ; but I should rather suppose not. There is a very general feeling against the late proceedings in New Zealand; but I think it arises from jealousy, and many foundations of argument' (facts as the> term tliem) are utterly destitute of truth ; but some of llio more respectable pot-

tions or the press have had the boldness to avow different sentiment*. " The present Administrator of Government (J. C. La Trobe) is the head of a Commission of Enquiry into the existing state of Convict discipline, with the view to the adoption of some more efficient method of punishment und reformation, the present system having notoriously failed of producing any one beneficial effect ; in fact, it is acknowledged to be by far the woist hitherto tried."— Ib., Jan. 6.