AUCKLAND.

New Zealand Colonist and Port Nicholson Advertiser, Volume I, Issue 70, 31 March 1843, Page 2

AUCKLAND.

THE COMET. (From the Auckland Chronicle. This splendid celestial body was first observed on the night of Thursday, the 2nd instant, although, from the clouded state of the atmosphere for some days previous, it may have been hidden from view. It then appeared in a south-westerly direction, but it now holds its course to the northward. The Nucleus is very brilliant, and the Coma, or faintly luminous body which surrounds it, is distinctly visible with a good glass, the Tail apparently .subtends an angle of from 30 to 35 degrees. This Cornet far exceeds in magnitude the famous one of 1811, whose tail only subtended an angle of 16 degrees, but which was computed to extend 23,000,000 miles in length; some idea, therefore, of the vast extent of our celestial visitor may be imagined. We believe that no record of the appearance of a Comet in this hemisphere is extant, at any rate none, has been observed since permanent observatories have been established. Vast, however, as this Comet is, it must yield the palm to one which is said to have covered more than a fourth part of the heavens.

The possibility of a Comet’s approaching too near to, or coming in contact with the earth, has long been a source of popular alarm, but the chance of even the occurrence of the former seems so remote as to make such fears groundless; indeed, one is said to have eclipsed the moon, and consequently must have approached very near the earth, yet no sensible effect was produced. But did such an event occur, it can be imagined what disastrous consequences would follow. The shock would change the axis and motion of rotation of the earth: the waters of the ocean would leave their accustomed bed, and bepreeipitatedtowards the new equator: an universal deluge would ensue; the mass of the inhabitants of the earth and of the lower animals would either be overwhelmed by the deluge, or destroyed by the shock; all monuments of civilization would be swept away; and the surface of the terrestial globe would present one terrible scene of death and devastation.

To show, however, that no such event can possibly occur, and to. prevent unfounded fears, we give the following extracts, relating to Comets, from that ably conducted periodical the Penny Magazine :— 44 The number of comets must be very great, for the appearance of near five hundred has been recorded; and if we consider how many must have passed unnoticed in the early history of the world for .want of persons to objsefcve them, we may form some idea of the prodigious quantity of these bodies. From 1769 to 1807 no comet appeared that attracted any attention from people in general, though astronomers during this period observed no fewer than thirty six. . 44 It is said that comets raise the temperature at the earth’s surface. In reply to this assertion, we give a list of those years from 1632 to 1785, which were remarkable for the unusual temperature either of their winter or their summer, and were likewise distinguised by the appearance of comets.

“ Here is one hundred and fifty-three years, we have fifteen marked (§), in which the comet may be supposed to have produced a greater degree of warmth; while it happens that there are just as many in which it may be said to have increased the cold. What, then, is the conclusion ? Why, that the comet brings neither heat nor cold, at least none that we can discover. But there is another way of showing that comets do not biing warmth, and that if they cause any change at all in the temperature (which we do not affirm) we have as much right to say they bring cold. “ From the register of the temperature kept at the Vienna Observatory, from the year 1800 to 1828 inclusive, it appears that in seven years, the average temperature of which exceeded the general average temperature at Vienna, there were ten comets; in five years, which fell below the average temperature, there were eight comets; and in six years, some of which ,were a little above, and others a little below the average temperature, there were twelve comets. Or this result may be expressed in the following way : For every 10 hot years. 141 >2 10 cold do 16 l 8 10, neither hot nor cold d 0... 20 J “ But, after all, it may be said that though comets produce no change in the temperature that we can estimate, they may cause diseases and other calamities by acting in some way to us invisible aud unknown. Forster , in his ‘ Illustrations of the atmospherical origin of epidemic diseases,’ asserts that since the Christian era the most unhealthy years, and those most fruitful in all kinds of human calamities, have been marked by the appearance of great comets, and that on the contrary no great comet has ever appeared in a healthy year. “ If any of our readers feel disposed to believe so bold an assertion, we beg they will read Littrow’s chapter on this subject, or get some good friend to read it to them, and we venture to say they will be for ever cured of all propensity to believe in the marvellous, unless the proofs are rather stronger than those which Forster produces. Littrow denies altogether the accuracy of Forster’s tables of the concurrence of diseases, &c., and comets; but independent of this, why should a comet cause.a particular disease in one part of the globe, and not in another ? or why, when the comet of 1668 appeared, should there be “ a great mortality among the cats in Westphalia only ? arid how did it happen that the Dutch and Flemish cats escaped ? But, to set the matter at rest, Littrow takes Forster’s table of diseases just as it is given, and compares it with Olber’s ‘ Catalogue of all the known tracks of comets,’ and to this he adds the catalogue of comets which Riccioli has collected out of the older writers. This comparison gives the following among many other results:— ‘ A.D. 7 17. There was a three years’ plague in the East, and 300,000 men died at Constantinople alone.’ But unfortunately there was no comet in this year, nor in any years nearer to this date than 684 and 729. As there was no comet in 717, we ought, according to Mr. Forster’s'reasoning, not to believe that 300,000 men died at Constantinople; which, for our part, we are as little inclined to . give credit to as to many other marvellous facts of the same kind which the chronicles register. “ To take an example in favour of Mr. Forster: — ‘A.D. 1200. Plague in Egypt,, in which about 10,000,000 of men died.’ The Arabic writer, Ali ben Rodoan, mentions a comet in this year, the body of which was said to be three times as large as Venus; we can believe all this, but not ‘ the 10,000,000 men.’ “ We will add another instance, not in favor of Mr. Forster. “ 1624. Destructive epidemic for five years through nearly all Europe. In London 35,000 men died ; in Venice 90,000, and Italy lost the fourth part of its inhabitants,” &c. This may be true, but we believe not that Italy lost the fourth part of its population ; nor, if this calamitous event did take place, do we believe there were then, or are now, any means of ascertaining the loss with such accuracy. But how stand the comets for this year ? Alas for theories without facts! Between 1618 and 1652 no comets are recorded. ‘‘We have spoken of the false fears which the presence of comets sometimes engender, in a tone which some persons may call by the name of levity. We have done so, because we believe that such fears, tending to make people unhappy, are best got rid of by a little good-natured ridicule. One of the best foundations of happiness is a confidence that the laws by which the universe is governed, however mysterious and inexplicable, are intended to sustain and preserve that wondrous mechanism which we so "imperfectly understand, but which we know must pi’oceed from the most perfect goodness, as well as wisdom and power. “ The errors which we have noticed regarding comets have in some cases been the errors of men whose judgments have been led astray by false assumptions. But there have not been wanting self-constituted interpreters of the designs of Providence, who have misled the ignorant by pronouncing comets to be the forerunners, sometimes of. pestilence, at others of war, and at others of political or local, occurrences, such as the Fire of London. Such predictions, like those connected with eclipses of the sun and moon, cannot be too strongly stigmatized, as proceeding either from the most presumptuous ignorance, or the most wicked imposture. It is quite enough for men to aim at an approximation to a knowledge of the system of the world, without taking upon themselves to assign ’ supposed causes for the existence of this or that phenomenon, and these causes often the most frivolous arid absurd; True knowledge leads not to presumption but to humility: and it would be well for those who take upon themselves to expound, with reference to passing events, the eternal ways of Providence, ;as.if they were gods, knowing good and evil, to take example from the modesty of such immortal philosophers as Newton and Bacon; and, whilst confessing that the. little, that is . known to men only serves to show the more clearly how much is unknown, to, humble, themselves before the great ' First who ma,de * the, sun to rule , the day, ithe-.imooif V and to goverq the night : for' his *inef ' reth fof everl’ ” ‘ ; We hope that some scientific observations’of. the gen-. . tlem.en attached to the Surveyor-General’s department- \ on the position and Course of the comet" will be made public. ,

A Parkhurst Seedling. March 16.—This day, William Smith, aged 19, who came out in the St. George, was brought before

Felton Mathew, Esq., (having been remanded •from the previous day), on a charge of having absconded from the service of Mr. Rooney, (to whom he had been apprenticed), since the 29th of January last. From the evidence of Mr. Crosbie, of Shortland Ci'escent, there was also strong suspicion that Smith had robbed his master of several dozens of blue twist, and gilt metal buttons. This, however, could not be brought home to him, as the buttons could not be clearly identified; . and he was summarily committed, under the Police Magistrates’ Ordinance, to three months’ imprisonment, with hard labour. On this second examination, a singular discovery was made; the prisoner having recently suffered , amputation of the fore finger of the left hand, upon which there was a dressing, but which injury he had, hitherto, carefully concealed from observation. A paragraph under our head of “ Domestic Intelligence,” throws some light on the subject. The prisoner was genteelly dressed; having on a light blue surtout of farhionable cut, with velvet collar ; striped Kidderminster inexpressibles, a . straw hat, and other, habiliments of equal cost and quality. His Excellency’s Visit to the Southward. — By the arrival of the Government Brig, on Saturday last, the protracted tour of the Acting Governor among the southern settlements of the Colony, was brought to a close, and we rejoice to hear that His Excellency's journey has been attendedVilh the most favourable results. Of these, not the least important, appear to have been the arrangements whereby he has placed the claims of the New Zealand Company on such a footing, as to ensure their speedy adjustment; a boon for which the settlers who have acquired land from the Company, more particularly in the districts of Wellington and New Plymouth, where there are many native claims unsettled, are not likely to be ungrateful. His Excellency’s stay at Wellington appears to have afforded him great satisfaction—certainly his reception there,, when compared with the feeling which was supposed to exist towards him, was peculiarly flattering. There was a Levee extremely well attended, and a Ball given by the Bachelors of the settlement, at which their good taste and gallantry was appreciated by a numerous and respectable, not to say a joyous party. Sites were chosen for several Public Buildings, and the defunct Corporation were promised speedy resuscitation, and last not least, the anniversary of the arrival of the first emigrants at Port Nicholson, afforded a good opportunity for another merry making, which, from the accounts wc have of it, from some who were present, must have been conducted in a most spirited style. From Wellington, Mr. Shortland sailed for Akaroa, which port, however, owing to the violent contrary winds, the brig was unable to make, and consequently put into Pigeon Bay, (about 14 miles on this side of Akaroa) whence a party walked overland to the settlement. The country about Akaroa is described to be of the first description, and peculiarly calculated for depasturing cattle, and stock of all sorts. Native grasses abound throughout plains of very considerable extent from Akaroa all the way to Otago. Returning to Wellington for a few days, His Excellency next sailed for Nelson, where he arrived on the evening of Sunday, 12th February, after a very short passage. Here as at Wellington, all seem to have had cause for being in excellent humour, and probably, not the least cogent reason for such happy dispositions was the distribution of some few hundreds of Her Majesty’s coin in the liquidation of the major part of the outstanding accounts against government, some of which, if report says true, had been standing an unconscionable time. The Nelson settlement is stated to have made extraordinary progress, and the- settlers seem to be most fortunate in having a gentleman at their head as the Company’s Agent, of so much sterling worth as Captain Wakefield. The Government party were delayed some days longer at “ Nelson,” than was the original intention, in consequeuce of the brig having unfortunately got ashore on the Boulder Bank, in going out of Nelson Harbour, on the night of Saturday, the 18th; and this circumstance, combined probably with a report which reached Nelson of the arrival here of the Westminster, with emigrants from England, curtailed the visit to Taranaki. (New Plymouth), the most beautiful of all the Company’s Settlements. Enough, however, appears to have been seen of it to impress all parties with the belief that it is a very thriving community. • Upon the whole, we see great reason to congratulate slis Excellency on the satisfactory, termination of a journey, by which he seems to have “ Done the State good service” id macy ways : ; not the ; least ‘of which has been; the; creation and cherishing of that spirit of good feeling and fellowship throughout the Colony, which is the foundation of all good. On the 12th inst., Dr. Lee amputated the forefinger of a youth, who called himself William Darlington, close to the hand, or metacarpal bone. He stated that he was a free emigrant j but it turns out, (as will be learned

from our Police Report), that his real name is William Smith, and that he is one of the Parkhurst boys. He has told an incredible story regarding the accident; but it is conjectured that it occurred when Mr. D’Oylev’s house was entered a few weeks ago; a pistol haying then exploded, and the robber leaving behind him traces of blood. Dreadful Accident. —On the 12th instant, Isaac Wade, bullock driver at Mr. Kempthorne’s station on the Tamaki, met with a most extraordinary accident. He was firing off an old flint-lock gun, heavily charged, the several portions of the lock, and the screw by which it was attached to the barrel, being very imperfectly constructed, and loosety put together. The consequence was, that the breech, the iron-work attached to it, and the screw which secures the lock and breech to the stock, were blown off. The screw entered the man s forehead, between, and a little above the eyebrows, to the depth of two inches; like a large nail driven up to the head; and the breech and iron that supports it, broke in all the bones on the side of the nose, the upper axillary, or cheek bone, and drove the eye to one side. Some person Who was present, drew out the screw, and with it portions of brain and bone. Dreadful hemorrhage took place from the parts for 24 hours, and the sufferer was greatly reduced. He is noW under medical treatment; the result of which we will make known. The poor fellow was perfectly sensible when we last heard of him. How he could survive so long, under such dreadful injuries of a vital part, is matter of astonishment.

Progress of Launceston.—Notwithstanding the incessant complaints respecting “ the depression of the times,” we have seldom had a more pleasing retrospect than that Which the past year affords. However great may have been individual losses, as a community we have much to rejoice at, and many will feel astonished when they reflect upon what we have gained. Amongst the chief of our local improvements, we can enumerate the erection of the new wharf, completion of Trinity Church, the Catholic church, Independent and Baptist chapels, and a variety of other edifices. We can therefore justly congratulate ourselves upon a general improvement in the appearance of the town. The navigation of the river Tamar has been facilitated by the establishment of the steamtug, and an impetus given to the interests of the shipping. We must not omit to mention also, that the river has been carefully surveyed by the officers of her Majesty’s ship Beagle. The year 1842 has been distinguished by the first systematic attempt at establishing a regular steam communication between the Australasian colonies ; and although the result is no* - yet fairly determined, even the experiment affords something for congratulation. The committee of the Horticultural Society have obtained from his Excellency a grant for the purpose of establishing a public garden. This promises to supply a long felt deficiency, and may be ranked amongst the greatest of our acquisitions during the past year.

Our Colonial friends at Melbourne appear to have closed the year very satisfactory, as appears by the following statement we have copied from the Geelong Advertiser, and congratulate them on their improved circumstances : Another year has nearly closed itself upon us —let us look around and reflect. What have been the signs of decay in the town of Melbourne during that period ? Handsome and commodious dwellings every where superseding the miserable skillions which preceded them. Drapers, ironmongers, duggists, grocers, booksellers and confectioners’ establishments, equal to any of the country towns of England, established and establishing. An elegant:, and commodious Mechanics’ Institute completed: Courts of law progressing; a splendid Banking house commencing; an Organ fitted for a Cathedral, erected in a Dissenting Place of Worship : and private Docks and Warehouses founded and in operation, not inferior to any private depositaries of the kind either in London or Liverpool. Let us turn to the country. By a proper withdrawal or restriction of the factitious means which excited the settlers to very different purr suits than pastoral or agricultural—they are now forced to their proper position, and are now most nobly and perseveringly bringing forward the unbounded resources of “Australia Felix”— and .the .close of 1842 sees the land '• groaning with, fatness.!’’ . It is from the pulpit* and .nofcthtf Press, that public reflections should be made, and humble gratitude expressed for the mercies of this past year, towards a colony over some of the proceedings of which a veil may charitably be thrown, i The most gratifying fact of the steady and healthy progression of the colony is best illustrated by the subjoined tables, from official sources : Account of weight of Wool exported from Port Phillip, in

1840 929,325 lbs 1841 1,713,430 1842. 2,752,330 Value of Imports to Port Phillip, ini 1840.. £392,026 1841. 364,398 1842 299,305 Value of Exports from Port Phillip, in 1840. £154,650 1841 200,308 1842 223,392

SYDNEY MARKETS— Friday, Feb. 17. Wheat. —There has been a fair supply from the country during the week, and prices have ranged at from ss. to ss. Gd. at the mills. About twenty loads have been on sale at the Corn market, and have produced from 4s. 6d. to ss. 6d. per bushel. Flour. —ln this market there is nothing new to report. The Millers are firm at former prices, viz : Cash. Credit.

No. 1 Biscuit, 235. per cwt. 2 ditto 18s. ditto. Bread of best quality still sells at 2d. the 21b. loaf. Hay. —Between 50 and 60 loads of an average quality have been offered for sale at the stand since last report; the prices per ton have been from 5/. to 71. 10s. Straw. —This is plentiful; about 15 loads have been told since last report, of fair quality, and at prices varying from 255. to 30s. per load, according to size. Grass. —This is in demand, only about 8 loads having paid dues; the prices have been per load about Is. per dozen ; the retail prices have been from Is. 2d. to Is. 4d. per dozen. Maize. —This still continues scarce; the retail prices are from ss. 9d. to 6s. per bushel; the wholesale prices are from ss. 3d. to ss. Gd. per bushel. Oats, although much in request, are still very scarce ; the little that is in the market is in the hands of one or two of the dealers, who are charging from ss. 6d. to 6s. per bushel; that brought from the interior is readily bought up at from ss. to ss. 3d. per bushel. Barley. —The best sorts of Cape barley are in good demand ; the wholesale prices are from 4s. 9d. to ss. 3d., and that of an inferior quality is from 3s. 9d. to 4s. 3d.; the retail prices range from 4s. 6d. to ss. 6d. per bushel. Chaff. —There has been a good supply and a brisk sale; the prices have been from lOd. to Is. per sack. Mixed Herds. —Since last report a mixed herd of 90 head was sold by auction at the Cattle Market during the week, and realised 89s. per head, all calves under six months being given in. Fat Cattle. —These are plentiful; the prices given by the wholesale butchers have been from 41. to Gl. per head. Sheep. —Fat sheep are in demand at from 7s. to 9s. per head; a flock of 300 were sold at the pens at Bs. per head. Butchers’ Meat. —There is a good supply of every kind of butcher's meat of good quality at most of the stalls : the wholesale prices are as follows :—beef, 1 Jd. to 2d. per lb.; mutton, l id. to 2£d. per lb.; pork, 4d. to sd. per lb. ; veal, 4|d. to s|d. per lb.; lamb, per carcase, 6s. to 7s. 6d.; suet, 3d. per lb. The retail prices are—beef, 2£d. to per lb.; mutton, 3d. to 4d. per lb.; pork, 6d. to 7d. per lb. ; veal, 6d. to Bd. per lb.; lamb, 3s. to 3s. 6d. per quarter; suet, Gd. per lb.

HOBART TOWN MARKETS— Jan. 13. The price of wheat remains without any alteration—7s. can readily be obtained for prime samples. Fine flour at the mills, 17/. to 17/. 10s. Wheat, 6s. 9d. to 75.; barley, English, 6s. Gd. to 75.; Cape ditto, 4s. Gd. to ss. Gd.; Oats, ss. to ss. Gd.; Indian corn, 4s. 9d. to ss. 3d. It must be highly gratifying to the agriculturists to find that, with harvest more abundant, as respects quality and. quantity, than was ever before known ; the price of grain stillmaintains a rate which, although hardly to be called “remunerating,” is yet, at such a time, and under such circumstances, as favourable as could he expected. Wheat, Oats, and malting Barley, fetch nearly the same prices, averaging about 75.; Cape barley, ss. 6d. ; Hay, 4/. per ton ; potatoes, ss. per cwt. Every article of horticultural produce in abundance, at fair prices.— Murray's Review.

Year 1632§ Hot summer. 1.1 1665 Severe winter. • 11 168QDitto. 11 1682§ Warm winter. 19 ' 1683 Cold summer. - 17 1683 Severe winter, • . „ 11 1684 Cold summer. , ‘ *• v*' • I689§ winter, /- , .« u 1 1695 Cold supimer.' it 1699 ;. -Severe winter. ■ , \ : St .17014 'Hot summer. 1 11 1702§ Ditto" v i •. J7Q2&.', Wagin' winter. ' 1 | \ ‘ • * .; • 9i 1706. ■ : Severe winter. > ' ■ : \ • it '\im : Hot summer. it 1718 Severe winter. ii 1723§ • Hot summer. '' ■ ) ' : ! » 1729 Severe winter.

Year 1737§ Hot summer* 19 1844 Severe winter! 99 1748$ Hot summer. 7 7 1764$ Warm winter; 77 1766 Severe WinterM 1769$ Warm winter. 99 1771 Severe winter. 77 i774§ . Hot summer. 79 1781$ Warm'winter. 77 1783$ Warm winter. 99 1784 Severe winter. 79 1785 Ditto.

Fine, 15s. 16s. Seconds, 13s. 14s. Ration, 12s. 13s. Bran, Is. 4d. .. Is. 6d.