New Zealand Spectator, AND COOK'S STRAIT GUARDIAN. Saturday, June 16, 1849.

New Zealand Spectator and Cook's Strait Guardian, Volume V, Issue 404, 16 June 1849, Page 2

New Zealand Spectator, AND COOK'S STRAIT GUARDIAN. Saturday, June 16, 1849.

By the Fmr Tasmanian from Otago information has been received of the arrival at that Port, on the sth June, of the Mariner, from the Downs Feb. 11, with 120 emigrants, and several cabin passengers. Previous to the sailing of the vessel the intelligence of Colonel Wakefield's death had reached England, and the Directors of the New Zealand Company had confirmed Mr. Fox as his successor in the appointment of Principal Agent. The Jane Catherine I r.d sailed from England for Wellington direct six days before the Mariner, so that she may be daily expected. The Fair Tasmanian left Otago on the Bth inst, and has brought on the Mariner's mail, but we have been unable to obtain any late English Papers,

On Monday morning a very heavy fresh was experienced on the Hutt,-caused by the heavy rains and South Easter of the previous day, and we regret to state that it has occasioned considerable damage. The river rose higher than* has been remembered for several years past, many large trees were brought down by the force of the current, and several parts of the valley that were considered above the reach of ordinary floods have, on this occasion, been covered with water. One hundred and 'eighty sheep belonging to Mr. Waitt , were unfortunately drowned, and a few pigs and 'sneep belonging to other persons in, the district;. The new road has aiso, we understand, received partial damage in several places. '

On Thursday evening a Ball was given by his Excellency the Lieutenant- Governor at Government House, in celebration of her Majesty's birthday. The weather which during the former part pi the week had been wet and wintry, changed on Thursday, and the evening proved- calm and favourable. The Reception Rooms were thrown open shortly after nine, and dancing commenced at ten" o'clock. SuppW was announced at twelve, when the guests partook of .a jsubstantial and' exceSent repast.' After supper his Excellency proposed the ,, health >of the {Queen 'with all the honours, and after the fcdies i^ad retired from the supper room, ,thg

health . of his Excellency th£ LieutenantGovernor was drank witjj great Enthusiasm. Dancing was resumed after supper, and kept up withgreat spirit, until the gaeties* of the evening were terminated" '*rith ,a countrydance, the company notsejfaratinguntilbetween five and six o'clock. * wp" wards ofclwo hundred persons were present, and the evening was spent in unalloyed pleasure, thing having been omitted which could in any way contribute to the enjoyment and comfort of the guests^

The Ennerdale sails for Auckland on Thursday, 21st June. The alteration in the advertisement was received too late to be inserted in its proper place. „