CALAMITOUS SHIPWRECK.

New Zealander, Volume 7, Issue 540, 18 June 1851, Page 2

CALAMITOUS SHIPWRECK.

We deeply j egret to state that the French Coivette, JlcmbnCf thirty-six guns, Mons. le Compte cTHakcourt commander, was wrecked on the West Coist, between theKaipnra Heads and Hokianga Heads, on the 3rii instant. She was on her passage, from Hobart Tuwr. (wheie she had tecently been re-fitted at an outlay of three or four thousand ; ounds), to Hol<ianga, when the disastrous event took pl.ice. The particulars of the occurrence are variously stated, and we await a moie full and accurate account of the circumstances. The distressing fact unhappily is only too certain, that not only the fine vessel, but twelve iives were lost. The suivivois, numbering about two hunched, having got on shoie from tl.e wreck, which remained fixed in the sand, pioceeded along the beach until they met with the Ngatidpa natives, by whom, especially their chief, Matiu, they were most hospitably received, »he Mao lies rendering them every assistance and kindness that their scanty resources could supply. A few of the officcis and men made their way to Auckland, on Monday, and so soon as the ca^e came to the knowledge of the Lieu tenant- Governor, His Excellency caused the most prompt and active measures to be adopted for affording aid to the sufferers. Through the influence and. exertions of the Resident Magistrate, about thirty natives were induced to engage in the service, and were with ihe least possible delay sent forward in hoats laden with provisions of all kinds, blankets, and rugs from the Commissariat Stores, together with shoe**, &c, from the stores of the 58th regiment. Lieut, Balneavis, with several non-commissioned offices, proceeded in chaise of these supplies, which u was intended to lodge in a depot at i he head oi the Wa'tematd, and to send forward in portions by Natives to the locality iq which the objects of this commiseration stdi i^main, but Irom which they aie to be conducted as speedily as practicable to Auckland* We should mention that Captain Olivkh, ol*

11.M.5. Fly, took pait also in this work of benevolence, sending a boat with preserved meats and other supplies; ami that Dr. Thomson volunteered to accompany the militaiy party, with the humane view of affordincr any professional assistance that may be reouired. We understand that the gallant 58th Regiment h*is not only made the efforts adverted to, but has followed them up hv arrangements tor the hospitable reception of "these dist\es,sed Frenchmen, which are not less honourable to the character of the Riitish army than us prowess in the field. The houses of the officer*,, — we net d scarcely add not excepting that of its kindhearted and hospitable Lieutenant-Colonel, —are to be ma<»e their homes on their ai rival in town, which may be anticipated on Sunday or Monday next ; and the soldiers' mess will in a coi responding spiiit be opened to the shipwrecked crew. This soirit will also, we cannot doubt, be practically manifested by our townsmen at largf. We learn with pleasure that the LteutGoveunor has directed that a sum of Ten Pounds be given to ihe Native Chief Matiu, as a tokm of His Excellency's app.obatu>n of Ilia conduct on this occasion. Trie donation is most judicious, and harmonizes well with His Excellency's whoh- proceduie in the case, whidi fmni-bes ai> other pioof (if any proof weie necessaiv) that "good 11atuie" can, and in him does, co-exist with •' (rood senfce" in decision, and energy in action.

Australasian Board of Missions — According to the announcement in our last, the Bishop 3 of Newcastle preached in St. Paul's Church on Sunday morning last, and the Bishop of Naw Zealand m the evening. Notwithstanding the inclemency of the weathei the Church was on both occasions rilled to overflowing, the Sermons were eloquent, impressive, and of a thoroughly missionary chaiacler ; and the Collections in aid of the Mission Fund amounted to the hbeial sum of £'i 5. The Rev. G. A. Kissling preached on Monday in St. Barnabas' Cbuich; and subsequently on that day a Meeting was held in St. Stephen's School, and another at ht. Matthew's School Room in the evening, both of which were addressed by the Bishops of New Zealand and Newcastle, and by seveial influential laymen. The object was the formation of a Local Board in Auckland foi the piomotion of the mission to New Caledonia and the adjacent Islands, — ■ as a component part of a General Boaid for the Diocese of New Zealand, in which the other Settlements are expected to unite. The object vs-as coidialiy entered into, and the necessary officers appointed. We aie leque&ted to state that the sailing of the Bishops is postponed fjora to-morrow, for which day it had 'been originally fixed, to Tuesday next the 24th inst., when the Service picparat >vy to their depaituie will be held, as befoie intimated, at St. John's College. We "believe the delay has been occasioned by the necessity for some repaiisto the Border Maid.

The briganline Return, from San Francisco the 15th of March, had airived at Nelson. Although we had alieady received some intelligence to as late a date, we find in the extracts from her news, a few particulars calling for notice. The Santa Clara steamer, had taken fiie, (it was believed to be the work of an incendiary), and was burned to the waters' edge. The flame spread to another steamer, the J-larlfoicl, which was seriously damaged. The loss by the fiie was estimated at 90,000 dollars. Two men weie burned to death, and others were severely injuied. .Another lire had broken out in San Francisco, near the coiner of Bush and Sansome Streets. It was subdued, but not until pioperty to the value of fifteen thousand doll-ais had been destroyed..* There weie additional cases of Lynch Law, and no diminution of the genei-il lawlessness. Thiough this channel we learn that a most destructive conflagration had taken place at New Oilcans on the 18th of January. The loss was estimated at six hundred thousand dollais The gieat naturalist Audubon had died at New York on the 27th of January, in the 76th year of his age. An extend e lire had taken place at Valparaiso on the 15th of December. Propeity to the value of two hundred thousand dollars ■uas destioyed. . .The Valparaiso papers were rejoicing in the prospect of a Get man immigiation into the southern pait of the Republic. ..The new Chili lanff, much moie hbeial than the old one, and greatly modified in accordance with the suggestions of the committee of merchants, was to come into operation on the Ist oC January, 1851.