SYDNEY.

New Zealand Spectator and Cook's Strait Guardian, Volume I, Issue 36, 14 June 1845, Page 3

SYDNEY.

By the Kate we have received files of Sydney papers to the 20th May. The latest dates from England are the 24th"December. We make a few extracts :—: — The most prominent news is arumour which has "" obtained great prevalence in the clubs and the best circles, of a most mysterious nature, not one syllable of the particulars being to be found .in the public newspapers, and " our own correspondent" stating that it merely relates to " unhappy but serious differences in a very high quarter." What that quarter is, or what portion of it, our correspondent is wholly silent. No doubt the Royal Family is alluded to ; but whether " the hiyhest quarter" or some collateral branch, we have not the slightest information. The Court Journal of the 19th December has " a leading article" of the following few words, printed in that conspicuous tnauner which printers call leaded, slips of lead being interposed between the lines of type, to render them more distinct : — " We are not ignorant of the rumours which are industriously whispered touching persons of the most exalted rank ; but the subject is far too delicate to dwell on. at present, more especially as in our minds a hope, almost amounting to a prayer, exists, that if the report be not wholly false, much exaggeration has been used by those who must be expected to have accurate information." _ It is remarkable, that at the very moment when this rumour was the subject 6F Court whisperings, the Queen and Prince Albert were preparing to visit the Duke of Wellington at Strathfieldsaye, where his Grace was making the most splendid arrangements for their reception. Thus it is certain that the very highest portion of the Royal Family cannot be referred to. Indeed it is 'stated about the Court that her Majesty is again enclente. The next arrival will, however, make known either that the rumour is, ns the Court Journal hopes, altogether false, or bring particulars of the " differences" alluded to. Such matters, in such high quarters, cannot be long concealed from the public. The Royal visit to the Duke of Wellington was to take place early in the ensuing year, and is thus announced in the Court Journal: — "Stratfieldsaye. — Preparations have been commenced here for the approaching visit of her Majesty and his Royal Highness Prince Albert. The' Duke's stables are to be solely appropriated for the carriage and horses belonging to the august visitors. A suite of rooms, to be selected exclusively for the Queen's own use, is to be fitted up in a style of splendour every way becoming the Royal visit." Amongst the list of penalties for the regulation of Queen Elizabeth's household was the following : " That none toy with the maidens on pain of fourpence." We wonder what amount of penalty for toying with the maids will be fixed in the Royal household now, after the late " unhappy affair in the highest quarter." If Queen Victoria had to fix the penalty, we think, it probable that it would be other than one!

New French Conquests. — The Constitutionnel has a long and rather temperate article upon the reported addition to the French Protectorate in the Pacific, of the Wallis Islands — an acquisition which it truly contends will either involve France in a serious misunderstanding with this country, or produce only a repetition cf the disavowals and " humiliation" which formed the sequel of the Tahiti conquest. All these evils, adds the Constitutionnel, are the more imminent, as the Wallis Islands, lying nearer to Australia and New Zealand than Tahiti does, the interests of Great Britain are more nearly involved, and the opposition, both of the English Government and the missionaries will be more violent. It is, moreover, suggested that the islands in question are included in Mr. Pritchard's consulate, and that the French authorities will therefore find themselves once more in presence of that formidable personage. — Times, December 16. By the following paragraph from the Sydney Herald of May 21, it will be seen that there

have been no late arrivals from England in the neighbouring colonies. Any vessel, therefore, which may.have left London for New Zealand in January or the early part of February, will have been similarly detained :—: — "The latest Enjgh^h^jaaEapagers which has been receiyetHiTthepolony, is (HiEetHQecembeE 21st,^cTtnat our news is now five montfis^okL Uptfn referring back to our files, we find thak the English news of the beginning of January Seldom comes direct, owing to the general prevalence of westerly winds in the channel, which prevent vessels from getting clear of the land. Last year, English news to the 6th of January was brought by H.M.S. Thalia, from Madras, which arrived here on the 15th April; and it was not until the 9th June, when the Hindoo, which left England on the 22d January, arrived, that any later English news was received. In 1843, the news to the 6th January was brought to Sydiiey-~hy_a_still more circuitous route^having "arrived here by" thS^ATtstrahszafTTacket, from China, on the 25th May. In both 1843 and 1844, therefore, we were longer without ships from England than we have yet been this year. Several vessels are expected from the Indian Islands, and it is quite possible that we may have. English news by that route as soon,, as the weather clears." , Additional Troops for New Zealand.— By the Sydney papers we learn that another detachment of troops sailed for Auckland on the 17th May, under the command of LieutenantColonel Despard, who we are informed, will take command of the whole of the forces in New Zealand. It is rumoured that the new Com^ mander-in- Chief has determined to take Heki at whatever cost. The Herald gives the following account of the embarkation of the troops : — " Between ten and eleven o'clock on Saturday forenoon, the troops intended for New Zealand were drawn up in open column in the Barracksquare. After which his Excellency, the Commander of the Forces, accompanied by his suite, inspected them : then they marched off the ground in companies, for the place of embarkation, headed by the band, playing the "British Grenadiers ;" soon after arriving at the Commissariat Wharf, they proceeded on board the barque British Sovereign, Captain Milne, which is to convey them to their destination. The British Sovereign is expected to sail in the course of the afternoon. The following is a list of the troops and officers who sailed in her :— Officers : Lieutenant-Colonel Despard, BrevetMajor Macpherson, Lieutenant Betty, Lieutenant Johnson, Ensign Blackman, Ensign J. J. Symonds; Lieutenant and Adjutant Deering, and Assistant-Surgeon Galbraith ; 8 sergeants, 7 corporate, 5 drummers, and 1,60 privates of the 99th Regiment. Captairi'Snpdgrass, Ensign Mundell, Ensign Wilmot, nine privates, two women- and four children, of v the 96th Regiment. Captain Marlow, of the Royal Engineers, to relieve Captain Bennett, of the same corps, who returns to Sydney for the benefit of his health. Two privates (prisoners) of the Royal Marines were also put on board in order to be sent to the vessel they belong to, she being at present stationed at New Zealand. Total, 12 officers; 189 non-commissioned officers and privates : in all, 201." We understand the Bank of Australasia contemplates renewing the contest, by a trial at the Bar, and we very much regret that it should be deemed advisable to adopt such a course. A I'enewal of hostilities in this matter is, on every account, to be sincerely regretted ; because so long as the affairs of the Bank of Australia remain unsettled, so long will the whole colony remain unsettled. This litigation is a positive incubus on every branch of our commercial interests. The removal of that dead- weight would give a tone of cheerfulness, an energy, and an elasticity to every pursuit, and every class in the community. — Sydney Australian.

Troops to New Zealand. — Another detachment of troops is under orders for New Zealand, and will embark most probably during the week. Colonel Dcspard, of the 99th regiment, proceeds with them to assume the command of the military in the sister colony ; and it is pretty generally anticipated that he will speedily compel the Maories, as he has already done the Sydneyites, to " stand off the grass /"

Sydney Markets. — Wheat. — Large quantities have arrived during the week, and sales have been brisk, good samples realising 3s. to 3s. 6d. per bushel. Flour — still continues, fine at £9, and seconds at £7, per ton. Maize — continues to arrive in sufficient quanties for the demand ; the best and dry samples, fit for use, have realised 2s. 6d. to 2s. 9d. ; inferior and soft maize, if mouldy, quite unsaleable. English barley — very dull of sale. Malsters are desirous of working up their present stock before increasing it. Good samples, free of weavel are worth 2s. 4d. to 2s. Bd. per bushel. Cape Barley — has not deviated in price, but the demand is very limited. Hay — good compressed oaten and lucerne is worth £Z 10s. to £4 per ton. Butter — is saleable, and if good will fetch "from 9d. to Is. per lb. Cheese — is dull of sale at 3d. to 3^d. Some very superior samples (which are scarce) would sell from 4d. to 4£d. per lb. Bacon and hams — None in the market, and much wanted. Salt pork — Many enquiries have been made for salt pork, but not a tierce to be obtained. Some well cured, fit for shipping, would realize now £4 to £4 10s. per tierce. Salt beef — has also been asked for, that can be warranted, and would fetch 455. to 50s. per tierce. Eggs — are selling at about 9d. per dozen. Pigs — have arrived in rather large quantities ; those in condition have sold tolerably well : about 2£d. per lb. is the price asked by the wholesale butchers. Tallow should be packed in equal sized packages, and if good will realise £2$ per ton, for shipment. Hides — are very saleable at" from 7s. to Bs.

each. Dry hides will scarcely realize half price. tPoo£— continues without any alteration. Tobacco — very limited, and dull of sale; prices varying from 6d.t015., and from Is. to Is. 6d.— May 20. ,.