HOBART TOWN.

New Zealand Spectator and Cook's Strait Guardian, Volume III, Issue 131, 31 October 1846, Page 3

HOBART TOWN.

Mb. La Trobe, the Superintendent at Port Phillip, arrived at Launceston (in the steamer Shamrock) on the llth inst., from Melbourne, and proceeded to Hobart Town on the 13th, where the oaths of office were administered to him. The following account is taken from the Hobart Town Courier of the 14th October :— A salute was fired from the battery at 3 o'clock, and the band and a guard of honor again drawn up in front of Government House. The Executive Council met, and the Commission was read, which first set forth the appointment of Sir George Gipps as Gover-nor-in-chief; afterwards the appointment of Sir Eardley Wilmot as Lieutenant-Governor of Van Diemen's Land, and the revocation of that appointment by her Majesty ; and then the appointment of Charles Joseph La Trobe, Esq., as Administrator of the Government of Van Diemen's Land and its dependencies, re-

[ quiring all officers and others, in the usual form, to obey him accordingly. The Commission having been read, the oaths of office were duly administered. A levee was afterwards held, at which a few gentlemen were presented ; but in consequence of the suddenness of the event many persons were not aware of it, or there would have been a numerous attendance. The whole ceremony lasted about half-an hour. Sir E. Wilmot. — By the local journals you will find that Sir Eardley Wilmot is recalled, and that there is every reason to believe that " his private as well as his public character have had something to do with his removal from office." Certain foibles said to belong to his Excellency, have been strongly animadverteJ upon in private letters from Van Diemen's Land to England. But it is what is styled a delicate subject — the less said s about it, therefore, perhaps the better. His race is run, and " there's an end." Who is to reign in his stead is not publicly known-rr-a more incompetent person it would perhaps be difficult to select. The misfortune, however, is, that his vicious policy, in respect of the differential duties, is injurious not only to Van Diemen's Land, but to the colony. But Sir Charles has promised to use his influence with the Home Government, in backing the recommendations of the Legislative Council here, to obtain a repeal of this obnoxious impost. — Sydney Corres. Pert Phillip Patriot Sir Eardly Wilmot's furniture and effects were sold by auction previous to his departure for England.

His Excellency Sir Charles FitzRoy's Cuisinerie. — Sir Charles' dinner to the members of the Legislative Council last Tuesday, was of the malt recherche* kind — magnificent china service, profusion of plate — his crest, lion rampant, mounted in solid silver as knobs to the dish covers — a splendid centre epergne, with sixteen lights, and two smaller ones, all of silver — eight. attendants in state livery — the dinner itself, and the wines, being all that any bon vivant's fancy could have painted it. — Ibid. It is expected that the intended visit of Sir Charles Fitzßoy to Port Phillip will result in financial " separation," as a preliminary to the erection of the district into an independent province. It is stated that the names of several parties had been mentioned iv the Colonial Office, as likely to receive the appointment of Governor of Australia Felix. Sir Charles Fitzßoy is said to have brought out instructions in reference to the finance separation. The Java, with a London mail of the 19th May, called here yesterday on her way to Sydney to convey the 65th Regiment thither. The intelligence she brings is most important — an order to send forthwith to Sydney from hence three thousand well selected probationers, who are to be made up to ten thousand as rapidly as possible, with whom to form the new settlement under Colonel Barney, at Halifax Bay, It is believed to be the intention to carry the prayer of the Petition into effect by diminishing as quickly, and to as low a number as possible, the number of prisoners iv Van Diemen's Land, so as to turn the stream of British expenditure to the fostering of the new colony. These are the first fruits of the petition. Will the colonists find their situation improved by it ? Dr. Hampton is certainly appointed Comp-troller-General. He is on board the Calcutta, and is to arrange the drafting the men abovementioned to be sent away. We are disposed to believe that Mr. Latrobe is to be the permanent new Governor. There is nothing of particular news that we have not before given our leaders. There is a ship signalled supposed to be either the Calcutta or the Cygnet. The following ships are on the passage : — Maitland, Capt. Grey ; Cygnet, Captain Macleod ; Calcutta, Captain Ross ; Jane Francis, Derwent, Eliza, and Fenvick ; the Buckham, for Launceston and the Renown, and Arab, for Port Phillip ; and it is said that an arrangement was in contemplation at the Post Office for the Trafalgar, the June Packet to call en passant here. — Colonial Times.

Christ's College. — The ceremony of commencement and of laying the foundation stone of the future edifice for the College took place at Bishopsbourne, Norfolk Plains, on Thursday, Ist October. The Rev. John Phillip Gell was formaly inducted into the seat and office of Warden of the College by the Archdeacon Marriott, acting in behalf of the Lord Bishop of Tasmania. The Warden, having been duly inducted, proceeded to declare the names of those persons who were elected members of the College, and addressed the congregation at some length. The Archdeacon, accompanied by the body of the clergy present, together with the Rural Dean and College Trustees, the Warden, Fellows, Scholars, and other students of the College; and a numerous concourse of visitors, proceeded to the foundation, where prayers were aid, the Rural Dean and the Archdeacon ass

sisting in the formula. While the first stone was being deposited, the psalm Cwnfitemini Domino was read. The Archdeacon, afterwards, delivered an address to the assembly, concluding with an earnest blessing. A very neat silver snuff box has been presented to Thomas Mason, Esq., Police Magistrate of Hobart Town, by a subscription raised amongst the Police force, and a few Government officers at New Norfolk. — Cour.