COLONIAL NEWS.

New Zealand Spectator and Cook's Strait Guardian, Volume IV, Issue 308, 12 July 1848, Page 2

COLONIAL NEWS.

Sir Maurice o'Connej.l. — We have this morning the painful duty of announcing the -death of Lieutenant-General Sir Maurice O'CoTinell, lately Commander of the Forces in 'Australasia. Sir Maurice O'Connell had been long connected with this colony, having arrived here in 1809 in command of the 79th regiment, and bearing a commission as Lieu-tenaut-Governor of New South Wales and its dependencies. He remained here until 1814, when the regiment was ordered on to Ceylon. In 1838 Sir Maurice returned to the colony as Commander of the Forces^ and continued to hold that appointment until relieved by Major-General Wynyard. Sir Maurice never took an active part in public affairs ; but in private life he has always been regarded as a kind-hearted man, and we believe he was so esteemed by all under his command, espe-

&;I%by the private soldiers. — Sydney Morning Jleral&f r May 26. " Wreck of the " Warhatah," and loss of tfriTß Captain and Nine.Seambn>— This fine barque, Volum commander,^ whic^was* built for the Port Phillip trade, sailed from London on the 15th February?' boufldj for Sydney, and was wrecked on the 19th off Ushant, in a heavy gale. The first sea that struck her totally dismasted her, anil washed Capt. Volum (brother. of Capt. Volum of the Maiy Hay) "overboard, with nine seamen, who were ail drowned. Two passenget* had arrived at Dartmouth in a Swedish brig; they were saved in the first boat sent to their rescue: the weather, however, was so tempestuous that although the brig remained near the wreck for forty-eight hours, she was unable to reqder any further assistance : nine men were consequently left on the wreck ; and as the hull did not appear to have received much- damage — the vessel being quite new — it is hoped the survivors may yet have been -rescued from their perilous position. — Col. Times', June 9. Anotheb.,-Wreck — On Wednesday .mpr- :- ning the 31st of March, the schooner Sophia, Capt. Whyte, from hence to Port Phillip, in attempting to enter Port Phillip before .daylight, struck on the outer reef off point Nepean, and almost immediately capsized and went down, the crew and passengers being with difficulty saved. The vessel, which is the property. of Mr. Gloster, is we believe insured in the Van Diemen's Land Company for £500 ; the cargo we understand is not insured. The crew of the Sophia reported that a long boat, apparently belonging to a large vessel, was washed ashore at. the time they were on Shortlands Bluff, so that it is feared a large vessel has been wrecked on the coast.

Ib. Casualties in the late Gales. — The brig River Chief, which was reported as on shore at Port Davey, was got off with- (he loss of two anchors and cables (one of which she picked up afterwards), and was brought up last night, water-logged, to Watson's ship building yard, where she is now aground. The Prince of Denmark has also lost an anchor and cable at Port Davey. — Ib.