NORTH AUSTRALIA. Facing Island, April 18.

New Zealand Spectator and Cook's Strait Guardian, Volume III, Issue 193, 5 June 1847, Page 3

NORTH AUSTRALIA. Facing Island, April 18.

I wrote yon on the 16th, 22nd, and 30th ultimo. We have since been anxiously and hourly waiting the arrival of the steamer Kangaroo, which made its welcome appearance here on the 15th instant, briuging the joyful intelligence that the settlement was not to be formed, and "that we were all to return to Sydney. When first seen in the distance, the news spread like wildfire through our camp, and every one was on the tip-toe of anxiety and hope to learn the nature of her dispatches. Many and various were the conjectures afloat; one that the colony was to be abandoned ; another, that it was to go on ; and another, that the establishment would be reduced, and remain in abeyance until Parliament should decide the question ; but by far the greater number ardently hoping for the first. The steamer passed this island without stopping, and went on to Port Curtis, leaving us in a state of tantalizing suspense, which did not, however, long coutiuue, for in less than three hours a boat was seen coming from Port Curtis, and our hearts were soon warmed with the news that we were again to be restored to our homes. I, for one, had made up my mind to leave by the first opportunity ; but there were many whose circumstances would not admit of this, and to them in particular the news came like honey-drops from heaven. Some few indeed, who Dream 'd bright dreams of future glory, might be seen mopish and melancholy at being thus so suddenly deprived of their short lived honours, but they were lost, annihilated amidst the general gladness that was diffused around. It will not be wondered at that we thus rejoiced, wheu it is considered that for twelve weeks we have been living on a barren island on soldiers' rations, part of which were so bad that they totally unfit for consumption (the biscuits being quite alive with maggots) and that during that period thro' the wet and dry weather, we have had no cover for our heads but canvass tents, which were totally inefficient to protect us from either heat, cold, or rain. And again we have had no water to depend on but surface water, procured from the drainage of the ground : and this is now becoming very scarce, in consequence of having had no rain for upwards of <\ month. I feel assured, that with the heavy dew which wet our bedclothes through the canvass, together with our salt rations and bad water, illness would soon make its appearance amongst us ; and I venture to prophecy, that unless we have very fine weather' indeed, such of us as may have to remain till a second ship be sent from Sydney to bring up the cargo of the Lord Auckland^

which is believed to be unseawoithy, will feel the effects of wintering under our present circumstances. It is only fair to state that his Honor the Superintendent and his worthy and much respected family have participated in all our miseries, Mrs. Barney having remained on the island up to the 4th instant, when, in consequence of illness, induced, I believe, by the heavy morning dews, she, with her daughters, removed on board the Thomas Lowry, and on the 9th his Honor struck his tent, and removed to Fort Curtis.

Port Curtis, 21st April. Facing Island was deserted by us all on the 19tb, on which day our tents were struck^, and stores and baggage removed by the steamer to Port Curtis. I find that they are much worse off for water here than we were at Facing Island, having to go a good mile for it, and having no means of conveyance but on mens shoulders, there being.neither horse nor bullock here to assist in the operation ; and even at this distance the water is so scarce that it has to be filled into the buckets by means of a^annakin, or other small vessel. Taking everything, therefore into consideration, we have ample reason to rejoice at the result of the undertaking.