The New-Zealander.

New Zealander, Volume 5, Issue 326, 10 July 1849, Page 2

The New-Zealander.

Ise just and fear not: Let all the endb tlion aimh't at, be thy ( mintry's, 'lliy (ion's, and I'iutli's.

TUBS DAY, JULY 10, 184 9.

On Sunday morning, the ship " Mary Catherine," and the schooner " Star of China," (the latter on her way to California,) arrived from Sydney. By these conveyances, we have a long arrear of intelligence, from tho. 2Si.h of May to the 27th ultimo. The English mail for Februaiy has also arrived by the same opportunity, and, in consequence of its uiiusual sifce, and the late hour of delivery, we have been kept back to the last minute to prepare our customary caterings. The two most prominent events in the papers before us, are another great battle in the Punjaub, where upon the happy-go-lucky principle, a decisive victory has this time, been achieved : — a halo has been thus cast upon the retiring arms, as if to make amends for the mistiness of the head of poor Lord Gough. After the sanguinary action of Chillianwalla, on the 13th of Januaiy— an action which it appears cost the Sikhs two thousand in killed, including neaily all -their gunners, and upwards of four thousand wounded— that Loid Gough proceeded to entrench his own camp, abandoning all idea of the aggressive, and preserving the defensive until the arrival of General Whish with reinforcements. The Sikh' position is described as being admirably chosen,and their camp so powerfully entrenched as to have been only assailable at a muiderous disadvantage. On the 11th of February, Shore Singh, under a feint of giving battle, withdrew his army, outmanoeuvring and outflanking the British Commander-in-Chief, and marching back upon Lahore, with the view of taking that important place by surprise. The enemy had a clear start of two days, ere Lord Gough became aware of their escape. At first it was imagined they had crossed the Jhellum, but it ws.s soon discovered that they had got to the rear of the British and reached the neighbourhood of Goojerat. General Whish having mean while pushed forward by forced marches from Mooltan was providentially ena> bled to interpose his columns between the enemy and Lahore, and thus to hold him in check unil the arrival of Lord Gough placed the Sikhs between two fires. An action took place on the 21st of February which resulted in their total defeat. The attack was successful at every point. Thirty guns were taken and all the camp and baggage. The British casualties are estimated at about two hundred killed and wounded. The loss of the Sikhs is said not to have been great as they were quickly put to the rout. We refer for further particulars to the limited details which have yet reached us, and which will be fouad in another page. In our next, we shall transcribe a continuation of Indian news from the battle of Chillianwalla to the evening preceding that of which we have just made mention. The next stirring topic is the great Public Meeting held at Sydney on the 18th ultimo, to petition Her Majesty to dismiss Eail Grey, and to grant responsible government to New South Wales. The Meeting was most decorously conducted, the language of the speakers most respectful, but fearless and to the point. In reply to a suggestion deprecating any allusion to America Mr. Lowe observed, and wisely too — " The injustice that was forced upon the Americans was not half so great as that forced upon this colony, and he therefore felt it his duty to tell them that if they would succeed at all, they must assure the Colonial Oih'ce that they had the example of America continually before them." America revolted because her tea was not to her taste. Australia remonstrates because she is sought to be made the dunghill of England ! Can there be any comparison between the degree of injury ? Like the Player Queen, in Hamlet, Sir Charles Fitz Roy " protests too much" — His Excellency protests, that in dividing the deputation by four, and bowing that division as quickly as possible from the presence he meant " no offence i' the world" : — and yet, he had vague misgivings of his palace being stormed on the 1 8th ; for, if Mr. Lowe is to be credited, the guards were doubled, and the colonial cavalry (the moanted police) ready to issue and to act from the Vice Regal stables. There were between five and six thousand persons at this Meeting. The convicts per Hashemry have all been taken into private service, the well conducted were ordered to receive Tickets-of- Leave upon landing. Two seats have been declared vacant in the Council — that of Mr. James Martin, for Cook and Westmoreland, for want of due qualification ; that of Mr. Stuait A. Donaldson for improper return for Durham. y^The "Lalla Rookh" experienced a very tempestuous passage of one and twenty days from, this port, but, to quote the words of Lieut, leaver, R.N., she proved to be as fine a sea-boat as ever swam ; and the kindness of Capt. Hams was so unwearied, that we have been requested to express the high sense entertained of that gentleman and his ship by the several officers of the 58th Regiment, who went to Sydney in her. She had been placed tfpon the pate it slip, where it was discovered

she had started a butt at Ihe gaiboaid stioak. The schooner "Deboiah," hence the l:Hh March, pnt into Tahiti, and sailed from thence for California on the 19th April. The "Maukin," hence the Oth ult., arrived at Sydney on the 21st. The " Richard Dait," which may be shortly expected from London, hrings an accession of force to the Sappers and Miners, at present in gairison here. Auckland, we are given to undeistand, is to be the esiablished head quarters of engineers, whether serving in the neighbouring colonies, or in the China waters.