SYDNEY.

New Zealand Spectator and Cook's Strait Guardian, Volume IV, Issue 260, 26 January 1848, Page 3

SYDNEY.

Steam to Australia. — The Juno arrived yesterday from South Australia, having sailed from Adelaide ou the 19th, and Port Phillip on the 25th instant. The South Australian Register states that late intelligence from England, via Singapore affirms that the " Peninsular and Oriental Steam Navigation Company have taken the alarm at the Screw Propeller plan, via the Cape, and having made the necessary arrangements, were determined to open a branch line from Singapore to Sydney, through Torres Straits, to take on the 24th January [English] mail, on its reaching Singapore." There is nothing like opposition to bring matters of public utility to a head. By the beginning of April, then, we may expect the first steam communication arrival from England, via Torres Straits.— Australian, Dec. 31

Ensign Blackburn. — A neat marble tablet (by Patten) has just been placed in St. James's Church, to the memory of the late Ensign Blackburn. It bears the following inscription :—": — " In Memory of Ensign Henry Middleton Blackburn,. 99th Regiment, who was killed in action with the rebel natives in the valley of Horokiwi, New Zealand, Aug. 6, 1846, aged 23 years. This monument is erected by his brother officers in testimony of their esteem and regard."

The New Commander op the Forces. — His Excellency Major-General Wynyard, who succeeds Sir Maurice O'Connell, arrived yesterday in the Walmer Castle. About twelve o'clock his Excellency landed, and proceeded to the office of the Deputy-Adjutant-General. — Australian Journal, Dec. 28. It is further affirmed that New South Wales, Victoria, "Van Diemen's Land, and New Zealand, are to he represented by an Upper and Lower House ot Assembly, with a Central Government established, we believe, in this, the Metropolitan City. — Australian, Dec. 17.