NEWS OF SIR JOHN FRANKLIN AND THE ARCTIC VOYTAGERS. (From the Athenaum, October 14.)

New Zealander, Volume 4, Issue 292, 17 March 1849, Page 2

NEWS OF SIR JOHN FRANKLIN AND THE ARCTIC VOYTAGERS. (From the Athenaum, October 14.)

If is a week only since we afforded our reader* the list probable glimpso of the exploring party who have \-mt out in search of a solution of the mystery that 1 a tigs over the fate of Sir John Franklin, previously to their issuing again from the mysterious ground on which that solution is to be sought ; and now, for the first time since the missing adventurer! were lost eight of, sit the threihokl of that same ground, an indication of their whereabouts has suddenly turned up. A letter, just received by the Admiralty, from Chief Factor Macphereon, dated March 1, 1848, tayt: 44 There is a report from Peel's River that the Eiquimaux saw two lurpe boati (query ships t) to the east of the Mnkenzic River, full of white men ; aud they (the Esquimaux) showfd knives, files, ficc, to (he Peel'u River Indiußn, which they had received from these white men. Could these u»\B been Franklin or Rae?" Mr. Htrgrave, of York Factory, to whom Mr. Macpherson's letter ii uddressed, says, in coiunmnicating this intelligence to the Admiralty, " It could not have been Rae in his Jast expedition, as his boats did not go beyond Committee B«y." Mr. Hargrave adds that, " But little credence can bo given to Esquimaux reports." We do not tee, however, any good reason for rejecting * rumour so welcome, and vre gladly give it publicity. Presuming that the boats or ships seen were those of Franklin's expedition, their poiition, even east of the Mackenzie, i* gooda> regards success, and bcttrr still as respects safety, since they must have bcfii very near the coast. It has been ancertained that open water exists, daring the aujniner geasoa>from the

Mackenzie River to Bebring's Straits; and we there, forr dare ventu.e to hops tbnt the expedition may have effected the long desired north- weit passage this summer, and that the gallant ptrty may be even at this moment approaching our ihorei. The anxiety respecting the lost party had grown finally to be very great, and the public will cling eagerly to the hope so suddenly presented. A very short time must test its value.

The Arctic Expedition.—The Lord Gambler, Captain Hill, a whaler, which has arrived at Strom* uess, brings intelligence four days later than any yet received from Sir Janiei Rots. The Lord Gambler spoke Sir James iv latitude 74.20, near a paint called the Devil's Thumb, on the east side of Baffin's Bay. The Lord Gambier got across the Bay to the west side on the 4th of August, and Captain Hill expected that the expedition would cioss about the middle of the tame month- The wind was blowing from the southwest. No news of Sir John Franklin. —Nautical Standa) d.

Mails, for Sydney and England, per Cheerful, will close at eleven o'clock on Mon lay.