MORETON BAY.

New Zealand Colonist and Port Nicholson Advertiser, Volume I, Issue 31, 15 November 1842, Page 3

MORETON BAY.

(From the Geelong Advertiser.) By a recent letter from Moreton Bay, we have received intelligence that Mr. Petrie, Die enterprising overseer of Government Works, returned from his expedition to Wide Bay, where he has made some very interesting discoveries. The country, in the vicinity of the Bay, is described as open forest land, covered with luxuriant herbage, well adapted for depasturing sheep; a large river flows into the northern extremity of the Bay. The water is deep, and will afford secure atichorage for vessels of the largest tonnage. The party were visited at their camp, by some blacks, and two white men who made their escape from one of the gangs at Moreton Bay, fifteen years ago. One of them had entirely forgotten his native language. Much valuable information, regarding the country, and the aborigines, was obtained from these men, giving the party an exalted idea of the simple pleasures of savage life. Among other things, they describe, apparently with much gusto, the most approved method of roasting and eating the unlucky mortals killed or taken prisoners, during their feuds. One of the blacks, likewise, gave information as to who the parties were who murdered the two unfortunate shepherds at Messrs. Mackenzie’s station, a fcW\ months ago; he described the whole transaction, and gave up a silver watch which was oh the person of one of their (most unfortunate! victims. From a description given, indeed, with considerable accuracy by the natives of the course of the river, which empties itself into Wide Bay ; it would appear that it is the Condomine. This is an opinion which has been for some time advocated by several persons acquainted with Darling Downs. The Condomine, it is well known, rises on the west, and then bends to the westward ; when this river was last seen by the party who previously explored its course, but who were stopped by impenetrable scrubs, it flowed considerably to the southward of west, but there is no visible impediment why it should not turn again to the eastward, or empty itself into some eastern river, and the main range itself sinks to the level of the surrounding country, gt the northern extremity of the Downs, and as there is no mountain range, visible to the north, the country possibly falls away to the level of the Wide Bay River. The Condomine flows for a long way through immense plains, a large portion of which evidently overflows during heavy floods ; it is unfortunate that the grass on those plains is too coarse and rank for sheep ; this is, however, not the case with the plains lying directly under the main range, which are already covered with thriving stock. Notwithstanding the apparent accuracy of the blacks’ geography, we cannot help feeling somewhat sceptical as to the Wide Bay River and the Condomine being as one, as the latter possesses the fish and all the attributes common to the western waters; but we have no doubt that some enterprising squatter will soon put the matter at rest. We sincerely hope that the time Will soon come again when that body will meet with more solid benefits which their enterprising spirits and hardihood so well deserve. A party has been formed to try and find a practical overland route from Brisbane to Wide Bay. Mr. Petrie accomplished his by sea in an open boat.

New Route to India. — The voyage of the India steamer from Calcutta to Suez, with its results, is well deserving of notice. It appears that the time occupied was exactly a month, stopping at Madras, Ceylon, Aden, and Suez; that the whole distance is about 4,900 miles, and that the rate of going averaged 190 miles a-day. Her stoppages on the route caused a loss of six days. The letters brought by this vessel have been delivered in London in 48 days from Calcutta, which, it seemt, was the exact time consumed in the instance of the November mail from England to Calcutta in the delivery being, of course, some days later; and hence it is inferred by those interested in it, that the “comprehensive scheme,” when fully matured, will beat the route by way of Bombay. Whether or not this may prove to be the case, the experiment is a matter of great interest. —Geelong Advertiser. Suppression of the Slave Trade. —Sir George Clerk gave notice last night in the

House of Commons, that on the 27th May he will move for leave to bring in the following bills : —l. A bill for better and more effectually carrying into effect treaties and conventions with foreign states for suppressing the slave trade. 2. A. bill for carrying into effect the treaty between her Majesty and the Argentine Confederation, fqr the abolition of the slave trade. 3. A bill for carrying into effect a convention between her Majesty and the republic of llayti, for the more effectual suppression of the slave trade. — Times. Atmospheric Railway. —A further trial of the atmospheric railway took place at Wormwood Scrubbs. There were present, among other.gentlemen, Mr. George Rennie, C. E. ; Lord Bruce, Hon. Thomas Vcscy, Dr. Buckland, Dr. Arnott, Dr. Conquest, Mr. Cottam, Mr. llallam, Prof. Wheatstone, Sir John Croft, Mr. Vernon, Baron dc Steinburg, Mr. George Palmer, Mr. Doull, C.E.; Mr. C. Vignoles, C. E, ; Mr., Guthovcn, C. E.; Mr. James Pim, jun., of the Dublin and Kingstown railway; and a very large number of the first city capitalists. The experiments were highly satisfactqry. The speed attained was considerably above forty miles per hour, and the vacuum varying from 24 to 25 inches of mercury. — Railway Times. Alarming if True,—A rumour has reached us :tliat Sir Robert Peel's income tax was to be extended to the British colonics. This will occasion a wonderful revolution in the colonial constitution, as doubtless the colonics will be called upon to send their respective representatives to the Imperial Parliament! We have not, however, been able to trace the report to any tangible source.— Colonial limes.