NEW COLONY OF THE LABUAN.

New Zealander, Volume 3, Issue 105, 2 June 1847, Page 2

NEW COLONY OF THE LABUAN.

[From the Straits Times, Febr. 12.] To the kindness of a friend we are indebted for a few items respecting the Island of Labuan ; although somewhat scanty, they are nevertheless acceptable, especially as peculiar care appears to be exercised in keeping us as much as possible in the dark respecting an island which it is thought will prove the El Dorado of the Malayan Archipelago. ' H. M.S. Iris and Wolf reached tabuan December 18lh, soon after arrival in Victoria Bay, tents were erected on shore and parties sent from H. M. S. Iris and Wolf, for the purpose of clearing away the jungle of Pasley Point, and erecting a tempoiary jetty, formed of trunks of trees, which was constructed to run out about ]no yards. The flagstaff was erected at Point Pasley, (named after Sir Thomas Pasley, Bart , R. N.), the top of which is about 100 feet above the sea level ; the base of the flagstaff being about ten feet above high water mark, and situated about 200 yards from the extremity of the point. On a plot of ground being cleared, cocoanuts, several varieties of fruit* trees, vegetable and flower-seeds from Singapore, were planted $ they w^ere thriving remarkably well, indeed, before the Iris left, the ships were receiving a foretaste of crops of potatoes and other vegetables, which promise soon to be abundant. Some of the officers of both vessels made a tour to the opposite side of the island, penetrating thtough thick jungle and mangrove swamps, and were enabled to make a survey of the country passed over. The soil is described as luxuriant ; there was some food for the sportsman, comprising enormous wild pigs, snipes, sand-pipers, and others of the winged tribe. On one part of the island a large i extent of ground was found in a partially cleat ed stale, and had evidently been at some distant period under cultivation. A report was current among the natives, that the spot alluded to bad been cleared by some English settlers who fled from Balambangan in 1775, on their being expelled from the latter place by the Sooloos. The shores of Labuan abound with excellent lish, including mullet, pomfret, turtle, Sec. Some time must elapse ere the jungle is removed; when that is carried into effect, it is impossible to conceive a more fruitful soil, or eligible spot for a tradal as well at naval depot The officers above mentioned, who passed over the island, are unanimously favourable to the healthfulness of the climate ; the air is more temperate than at Singapore, and the atmosphere is free from those violent disturbances experienced at the latter settlement; while regular land and sea breezes offer amenities not io be lightly esteemed. As is generally the case at the first establishment of a new settlement, a heavy amount of sickness manifested itself ; it attacked only those who were much exposed during the preliminary operations. Capt. Gordon, of H. M. S. Wolf, was seized with a fever of so violent a nature as not to yield to the usual lemedies : he expired on the morning of Wednesday, the 6th of January, and was buried on the evening of the same day. Capt. Gordon was deeply respected } his remains lie interred in the centie of a grove of trees (a short distance from tho flagstaff), whose boughs hang over the grave of the first victim to Labuan fever.

The following items supplies us with particulars relative to the erection of the British flag at Labuan on the afternoon of December 24. Captain Mundy got upon a platform 1 previously erected near the flagstaff, and addressed the officers, native princes of Borneo, and others present at the ceiemony, in the following term*: — " L-^t it be known to all here assembled, that I take possession of this island, and the islets in itsimmediate neighbourhood! in the name of Her Most Gracious Majesty Queen Victoria. To ail be it Known, that the British Government will protect and encourage tradal intercourse, bufr will pursue with the utmost vengeance all thosefound in the capacity of a pirate." Each sentence was interpreted in Malayii by Lieut. Heath, R, N , now commanding H. M. S,. Wolf. Mr. Midshipman Morgan then by desiieof Captain Mundy, raised the British ensign to* the flagstaff head, which was followed by threehearty cheers, under a saline from the temporary, battery erected on the shore, and responded lo» by the guns of H.M.S. Jraand Wolf, conclude*'' by a feu dej'oie from marines on shore. Captain Mundy again addressed all assembled round theplatform, and remarked— -"The Queen of England, and the Sultan of Borneo are now friends ; we «re now standing on Biitish territory." The above was interpreted by Lieut. Heath.-— Captains Mundy and Gordon then led the way, followed by the officers, chiefs, &c, to a tent near the flagstaff, were was prepared a dejeuner, of which the party partook, at which the healths of Queen Victoria and the Sultan of Borneo were received with due honour.