EXTRACTS FROM SYDNEY PAPERS.

New Zealand Colonist and Port Nicholson Advertiser, Volume I, Issue 103, 25 July 1843, Page 3

EXTRACTS FROM SYDNEY PAPERS.

News from tup Fisheries. Mr. Wkeland’s party have caught two whales at Encounter Bay, which together, it is supposed, will yield 16 tons of oil, and will clear all expenses. Unfortunately, one of Messrs. Hagen & Co’s boats was smashed in pursuing one of the whales, the crew were saved by Mr. Wheland’s boats. Messrs. Hagen & Co. are entitled to to one half of one of the whales, which will in some degree compensate for the loss ct the boat, which was a very good one and newly built. —Colonial Observer. Mr. Smith, Hindly-street, Adelaide, has engaged in a fishery of fresh water cod, at the river Murray, Yesterday, a large quantity of immense fish arrived; the weight of one..which we saw on the scales was 2Bibs, cleaned cut. They are delicious eating : very like, and quite equal to cod, and are, beyond dispute, the finest of the Australian fish.— lb. Remarkable Stream, — At the bottom of a wood belonging to W. Turton, Esq., of Knowlton, in Flintshire, is a rill of water which empties itself into the river Dee, and when a person strides across it he is in the kingdom of England, the Principality of Wales, in the provinces of Canterbury and York,, and the dioceses of Chester and Lichfield and Coventry, in the counties of Flint and Salop, and in two townships. There is an old Chinese prophecy that the Chinese empire could never be conquered but by a woman. The prediction is now verified. Indications of the Weather. —When cranes fly exceedingly high in silence, and ranged in order, it is said to indicate fine weather; but

if their flight k in disorder, and they speedily return home with cries, it foretells wind. If fowl roll themselves in the sand more than usual, it denotes rain : also, when the cock crows in the evening, or at unusual hours. When peacocks cry at night, rain may shortly be expected. The following curious observations on the singular foreknowledge possessed by the spider is extracted' from a little work entitled “ The Pocket Barometer” This little and despised insect oft times indicates a coming change in the weather for ten, twelve, or fourteen days previous to its taking place. The following general directions will be a sufficient guide to the curious in their observations of this inseet. If the weather be likely to become rainy or windy, spiders fix the terminating filaments on which the whole web is suspended unusually short. If the terminating filaments, on the contrary, are very long, the weather will be serene, and continue so for fourteen days. If spiders be totally indolent, rain generally ensues, though their activity during rain is a certain proof of its short duration, and that it will be followed by fine-and settled weather. Spiders usually make some alterations in their web every twenty-four hours; if this takes place between the hours of six and seven o’clock in the evening, it foretells a clear and serene night. The weather is about to become cloudy and change for wet when flies sting and are more troublesome than usual. Most insects become torpid when their temperature is much reduced. When it approaches the freezing point they fall into a lethargic state, and require no food. Ants present a remarkable exception to this rule, for they are not benumned till the thermometer is 27deg. of Fah., or sdeg. below the freezing point. When bees do not range abroad as usual, but keep in or about their hives, it is a sign of rain.”—Colonial Observer.

Maitland. —The crops in this neighbourhood are still in a healthy and promising condition, the fine weather we have lately experienced having materially assisted in bringing the maize to perfection, and though the nights have lately been excessively cold, the frosts having kept off; no injury has been sustained by the corn. The young wheat and barley are also ' •very promising.. The potato crops are now being generally got in, though the new potatoes which have at present come into the market .are not of the best quality. — Ibid. Raymond Terrace. —The settlers in this < quarter are busy sowing wheat, and <the ground, generally speaking, is in excellent order. Here and there in .the low grounds there has been a little too much wet. The crops of maize are very heavy, as are also the potato crops, better, I believe, than have been grown for many years, both for quantity and quality. There are cornstalks now standing in this township ten feet .in height, and as close as they can well stand ■ together; the cobs are very goo 4 ones too. Settlers on the other side of the river are increasing very rapidly, nearly the whole of the ground on each side of the road from the Terrace to the Geen Hills is divided into small farms : the land seems to be of good quality, and from what I can learn it is let on pretty reasonable terms. — Ibid.

. HOBART TOWN. News from Hobart Town, by the Skeme, extend to the 19th May. Sir John and Lady Franklin and suite had returned from their visit to Launceston. The masonic body bad determined to celebrate her Majesty’s birthday by a grand reunion. A dinner was also getting up for the occasion at Mezger’s Hotel. Mr. Bicheno, the new Secretary, had entered on the duties of his office; and as the good old practice of worshipping the rising sun is not yet quite fallen into desuetude, we are assured by the local press that the most favourable impression had been produced by the ' urbanity of the new functionary, and high hopes were entertained of public benefit from . his services. Ex-Attorney-general, M'Dowall, had resumed the practice of his profession. A Mr. Williams had commenced the manufacture of piano-fortes with every prospect of success. The markets had a tendency downwards. In answer to some complaints sent by Sir John to the Colonial office, relative to the strictures of the newspaper press, a despatch, according to the Review, has been received, containing a severe reprimand. Stanley is represented as having stated,? for the comfort of Sir John, that Governors can never suffer from such attacks i unless they are merited ; and that it has never ‘been-found either conducive to their own comfort or the public interest to interfere in such matters. — Ibid.

Yesterday morning, about five minutes past two, another destructive fire broke out in Yorkstreet, in certain premises belonging to Councillor Smidmore. The alarm was immediately given by a private watchman in the employ of the Mutual Insurance Company, and the engines of that company were almost immediately on the spot. A copious supply of water was secured by means of a stand cock, of anew construction, by one of the fireman ; but notwithstanding every exertion and every advantage, the cottages on the ground being wooden erections, three of them, besides the stable in which the fire originated, were completely destroyed. The value of the property consumed is estimat

at about 500/. The "mayor and'Mr. 'Miles, notwithstanding the unseasonable hour at which the fire broke out, were on the spot immediately. The fire appears to have originated in a place above the stable occupied by a cane maker, who was found drunk, and taken into custody.— lbid. It is a fact worthy of being recorded, as a singular proof of the depression of the times, that a 1200 acre farm on the Hunter, between Scone and Murrurundi, part of tb6 insolvent estate of Ward Stephens, was last week sold by authority of the court for Is. 3d. an acre, making in all somewhere about 761. Mr. J. Grant was the fortunate purchaser.—/&*</. John Marshall’s Bankruptcy. —Court of Bankruptcy, Basinghatt Street, (Before Sir C. F. Williams. —ln this case the bankrupt, who is described as of Birchin-lane, merchant, but is much better known as the late emigration agent for the Australian colonies, appeared before the court under the 39th section of the new act relating to bankrupts, on application for his certificate. He was opposed by the assignees in the person of Mr. Johnson, and supported by Mr. Ashhurst. He passed his last examination some while since, when his debts and liabilities appeared to be 140,000/., to meet which his assets have at .present realized but 6,357/. Against the granting of his certificate, it was contended he had not made the full and sufficient discovery of his estate contemplated by the act. Late accounts received from Australia showed serious discrepancies with the statement which appeared in his balance-sheet. On his part it was contended he had made a discovery such as the act intended. He had stated, to the best of his knowledge and belief, the true state of his affairs. Sir C. F. Williams accorded the prayer of the assignees, which was, that the court would adjourn the case two months, to allow of the receipt of farther advices from Australia, relative to the development of the bankrupt’s estate. — Ibid.

Opening of Asia. —The main and great aim of Government is declared to be, to open the Indus. Was the Indus ever closed, or further closed than by its dangerous entrances and shallow depth of water j? Arf other object was to qpen the countries on and'beyond-the Indus to commerce. Were they also, ever dosed ? No such thing: they carried on an \active and in-; creasing trade with India, and afforded markets! for immense quantities of /British manufactured goods. The land, as well as the public at large, were never more amused and deceived by a greater fallacy than that of opening the Indus, as regarded commercial objects. The results of the policy concealed under this pretext have been the introduction of troops into the countries on and beyond the river, and of some half-dozen steamers on the stream itself, employed for warlike objects, not for those of trade. There is, besides, great absurdity in commercial treaties with the states of Central Asia, simply because there is no occasion for them. From ancient and prescribed usage, moderate and fixed duties are, levied; trade is perfectly free ; no goods are: prohibited; and the more extensive the commerce carried on, the greater advantage to the : : state. Where, then, the tbenefit of commercial treaties ? — Masson’s Journeyings in Afghanistan . Seizure. Yesterday, the Custom-house officers (from information received), proceeded •on board the whaling barque Nimrod, Captain' Hurford, and after a careful search, found a quantity of gold dust in bottles, and also a quantity in bars which were seized—no entry having been made in their manifest. — Ibid ’ Earl Stanhope moved for a Committee of the House of Lords to enquire into the condition of the labouring classes, but he had only three supporters. — Ibid.

Attack of the Natives at the Isle of Pines on the Schooner “ Catherine.”— The Catherine, Captain Bannatyne, returned yesterday from the Isle of Pines in a most dilapidated state, her decks having been blown up during an affray with the natives there. We have been favoured by Mr. M'Leod, a passenger on board the vessel, with the following extract from his journal :-r-“/isle of Pinejf, April 12. —Eight natives had beenieft on board, and on leaving the ship Captain Bannatyne told the mate to be particular in removing the tomahawks, &c., from them, asJiad previously been done. Whether the order was complied with at the time, I cannot t&ll, subsequent events showed that they had them. We went on shore among a large number of the natives, and chatted with Joe, an Englishman, who is on the island; we then examined some sandalwood, which after some questions and answers among themselves, we were requested to take on board. They even sent one or two to assist in carrying the logs—their motives being, as afterwards seen, to observe if fire-arms were

in the boat. Whilst parleying in apparently .a most friendly manner, we observed the .foretopsail loose, and a flag at the fore; Captain B. having coolly asked for a cocoa-nut, and obtained it, said something which I did not understand, and waded to <the boat. One of the men was coming on shore for the last piece of •sandal-wood and said, quietly, “ Mr.. M‘Leod, we are going >off, sir.” “ Indeed !” I said, and again invited -Joe to come with me, proceeding myself towards the boat. He came a step or two, but what he did afterwards I can-

not tell. I got to the boat at ilast 'by diilt of hard swimming in my clothes. On nearing the vessel, we perceived that the blacks had possession* of her, two of the crew being in the fore-top, or rather on the foretopsail yard, we hailed them, and were .told all hands were murdered but themselves, and that had better keep off, which Captaiu B. did, although most anxious to board at every disadvantage. The natives, on our rounding the stern, threw large billets of timber at us, either for the purpose of sinking the boat, or murdering us; and brandishing their tomahawks and axes, gave us clearly to understand that they were prepared for us the moment boarding was attempted. Unfortunately this morning we had no fire-arms in the boat, although I mentioned the matter, and Captain B. ordered* them to be put in ; the steward'said he would take them up, but did not like to let the natives see him do so, and we went away without them. We manoeuvred with the boat, occasionally hailing the men on the yard ; at lastwve heard a-shot, then another, and a shout from the men on the yard, who acquainted us that two blacks had fallen dead, soon after a third and fourth shot, after which the vessel blew up. The natives were either thrown, or jumped into the water, haying previously cut away the whale boat, in order, I imagine, to? reach the shore, their own canoe being useless. Made towards them, they with their uplifted axes, which they never left>even in the water.; the impetus of the boat however, prevented our doing a signal act of justice by killing every one of them ; but the ship was on fire—and of course every exertion was requisite without loss of time, to save her and the lives of the survivors. On getting on board, the Captain set actively to work to put out the: flames, whilst myself and another assisted in picking up one of the crew' who was in the , water, at the last gasp. This poor fellow was literally flayed from the explosion. On my coming on board,,poor Finnie, the mate, was, '•>the first I spoke to —he was an awful figure,, his face swollen, a large cut down one cheek, another on his head, and one zuEjlttjle above his eyebrow, face, and.J|!|hds dripping with -blood, and the incoherence attendant, /formed a miserable picrare, nothing of its horrors on observihg/jths d%d bodies of two of our men mutilatedvmiaLdreatlful manner ; two blacks also lying the torn up deck, rent with blotted blood, wounded and formal an image of treachery seldcLm. paralleled. We have managed to slip the cable and get the ship to sea, after extinguishing the in this miserable state we now are, tflfiifeuid blowing in heavy squalls with rain. Frctfn the ruins, two or three bits of compasses have been-stuck together, to enable us to steer something of a course, the chronometer is of course useless. Much praise is due to Captain Bannatyne, for his conduct throughout this trying and appalling ; his coolness, able directions, active personal exertions, and kindness, together, de- : serve the thanks of every one on board, and •.assuredly he has it most heartily from me. The poor little boy that came from home with Captain 8., is also murdered; he received a blow from ah axe, that knocked him overboard; he was seen floating astern with his head under the water, evidently dead. To Mr. Finnie’s exertions, who kept firing up the skylight, we are indebted in the first instance for the ship, and our lives, although he has suffered severely Thursday, 12th April.—Another of the men died during the night—Captain 8., who has not had a minute’s rest, read the burial service over three, and their bodies were committed to the deep. The wounds on the steward were seven in number, head, -arms, and thighs nearly cut off, done evidently after he was dead. It appears that upon going on deck to see that all was right, he -received a cut from a tomahawk, when be sought shelter in the head, from whence he was dragged and despatched ?bv two of them. He had just finished shaving some of them. April 15. — At 7 a.m., the Mount of the Isle of Pines N.W. by W., distance? twentyfiv,e miles, steering to weather the reef; , all hands, as yesterday, clearing away the Wreck, and endeavouring to render the ship as seaworthy as possible, getting canvas spread and nailed along the starboard water-ways; steering close hauled, to fall in with some ship that may have a surgeon on board, it being at- the same time our course to Sydney; carpenter mending the old binnacle for the reception of our patched and only compass. April 17. —A sail in sight, proved to be the Norwhal, of London, Captain Baker; the surgeon, Dr. Monroe, came on board and dressed the wounds of the sick. She has been very fortunate since leaving the Bay of Islands, having got no less than 400 barrels, she has in all 1,100 barrels. From this vessel the Catherine obtained a compass, and was furnished by Captain Baker with every necessary ; the mate, and those of the crew who were wounded, are also indebted to the doctor of the Narwhal for the preservation of their lives. The explosion which took place on board was owing to one of the powder casks igniting during the firing of the muskets, the mate having intended to set fire to it as a last resource. The cabin is entirely demolished, and the after parts of the deck are raised nearly level with the rail.— Sydney Herald.