NORTH AUSTRALIA.

New Zealand Spectator and Cook's Strait Guardian, Volume III, Issue 186, 12 May 1847, Page 2

NORTH AUSTRALIA.

The following will be read with some degree of interest, notwithstanding the colony has been ordered to be abandoned. [From the Moreton Courier, April 10.] The spot chosen for the encampment on Facing Island is healthy and picturesque — a

small elevated ridge of land, jutting into the sea, and forming by its projection an excellent boat harbour. Thirty-one tents are pitched upon it ; that of the superintendent distinguished by its proximity to the Royal Standard. In the valley below, facing the harbour, are the Commissariat store and three other tents. A small path cut in the side of the hill, seems to be the only labour performed by the colonists. While the mate of the Lord Auckland was engaged in sounding the port, he saw a party of blacks near South Shore Head, who received him with ceremonious gravity ; s'gning to him to take a seat in the midst of them, and sitting round him in a circle. A fewdays afterwards, thirteen aged blacks visited the camp at Facing Island ; on their approach making gestures expressive of amity. Several persons, unarmed, went towards them, and induced them to venture within the precincts of the camp. Bread was given them, which they eat without reluctance. They did not appear surprised by the appearance of the whites. A musket, however, fired over their beads, caused them great consternation ; falling on their faces, they displayed every appearance of teiror. When the well-sinkers and five soldiers encamped upon the main land, the blacks visited them again, and stealing an axe, repelled every effort to obtain its restitution, by brandishing their spears. The well-sinkers became alarmed, and quitted their work. An express was sent to Facing Island for a reinforcement ; the soldiers in the mean while fired off all their ammunition, in order to keep their adversaries at bay. After a party of troops, under the command of Ensign de Wiuton, had ai rived, about fifty adult blacks, armed with spears and slings, approached the camp ; but the soldiers, who had concealed themselves, rose precipitately before any of the sable host were within musket-shot, and consequently had their labour for their pains. On the evening of the following day, about eight o'clock, whilst they were sitting round a fire, a shower of spears fell amongst them, thrown by the blacks, who had approached within a short distance unobserved. Running immediately for their arms, they started in pursuit, and following the latter across a small sandy flat, without grass or trees, fired several volleys — without aim, it is said ; but, judging from the outcries of the gins next day, a random shot or two must have "told." The spears of these blacks are small and many of them crooked — a proof of the-poor-ness of the Port Curtis timber. Their slings are attached to belts encircling their waists ; they use them with considerable dexterity, but in a peculiar way, throwing with a back handed jerk, the stone passing over the right shoulder. On the 24th ultimo, Colonel Barney visited the " Boyne" of Oxley for the first time ; ascending it about six miles, he found the water fresh, and running with considerable rapidity, Its greatest breadth is 200 yards. It is very shoal, being, at low water, almost dry at its mouth. Oxley's description of this stream, and its banks was found perfectly correct. The Lord Auckland— the " Noah's Ark" of the proposed colony — a strong built teak ship, is much injured. When the Secret left, she was making six inches of water per hour. While on the sand spit she lost much of her sheathing and copper. She will be hove down, and her bottom examined, previous to leaving for Sydney. In digging for water, the well-sinkers, after passing through the surface clay, came upon a stratum of gravel. To this succeeded pure yellow clay, resting on a bed of trap rock. They have not yet found fresh water. A* singular feature in the formation of the shores of the port, is presented in flats, evidently at a recent period considerable bays or inlets, now raised above the level of the water, and only partially covered by the highest tides. They are destitute of vegetation, and their banks or shore line unbroken. Turtle are abundant ; but there are few fish. The scarcity of the latter probably arises from the turbidness of the water, caused apparently by a mud bottom and strong tides. Rodd's Bay, about fifteen miles from Port Curtis, has an entrance channel of not less than four fathoms. It is completely landlocked. Captain Boole, of the Secret, states that it resembles the estuary of a large river.