New Zealand Spectator, AND COOK'S STRAIT GUARDIAN. Wednesday, August 15, 1849.

New Zealand Spectator and Cook's Strait Guardian, Volume v, Issue 421, 15 August 1849, Page 2

New Zealand Spectator, AND COOK'S STRAIT GUARDIAN. Wednesday, August 15, 1849.

Bt the Sir Charles Forbes we have received Ea|ppean news via Sydney to the 'middle of April. Tbe most important items arejhe defeat and abdication of Charles J^Bpt King of Sardinia, and the renewal ofTrostilities by the Danes with Schleswig Holstein, in which 1 the Christian VIII. the finest vessel in the Danish navy, and the Gefion a 42 gun frigate surrendered, to a four gan battery. It is expected that important changes will take place in the Ministry from the anticipated retirement 'of Lord John Russell from 'office, in consequence of ill health. It was that an attempt would be made to form a Protectionist Ministry under Lord Stanley. Oar extracts are chiefly from the judicious epitome of European news contained in the Maitland Mercury,

Among the passengers by the Sir Charles Forbes is Mr. J. G. Raymond, the successor to Mr. M 'Donald, as Manager of the branch of the Union Bank of Australia in Wellington, the latter gentleman having been appointed Manager to the branch of the Union Bank to be established at Adelaide. If the new Manager, avoiding the example of his predecessor, will eschew politics and cpnfine himself to the duties of his office, the settlement will greatly benefit by the exchange;

We regret to learn the loss of the schooner Ocean at the Chatham Island. The Ocean arrived at the Chatham Island on the 22nd of March from Otago, and was at anchor at Port Wakefield when she was driven on shore during a violent gale on the 28th March in which she parted her anchor. The vessel became a complete wreck and the cargo was all lost, what little was saved from the wreck having been taken possession of by the maories. Providentially all hands were saved. The news was brought by the mate" of the vessel, who obtained a passage from the Chatham Island to Nelson in the whaler Orion.

Flax. — We have received from Mr. Bannister several samples of the Phormium Tenax prepared by his process. A specimen (No. 1 ) from flax of the common sort growing on Te Aro, is described as having been prepared from the green leaf in thirty minutes, at a cost of from £10 to £11 per ton. Some o£ the other specimens, from the Tihore, and the finer sorts of flax, have been prepared by the same process, but the cost of preparation is stated to be a little more expensive. The difference in the quality of the fibre between the finer and coarser sorts is very remarkable. The samples, which are left at this oflice for the inspection of those who feel interested in the subject, appear to be of a superior quality. We believe Mr. Bannister intends taking a quantity of flax prepared by his process to Sydney, with the view of testing its value in the colonial market.

Thb following paragraph is extracted from the Sydney Morning Herald: — Four non-commissioned officers and twen-ty-seven privates of the 6th company of Sappers and Miners received orders to embark at Woolwich on Monday, April 2, in the Richard Dart, freight ship, for a passage to New Zealand. They are under the command of Lieutenant Liddell, Royal Engineers.

The want of communication between Auckland and the Southern settlements has ever been a standing grievance. Under Captain Hobson and Captain Fitzroy we had always to complain of the few opportunities of communication which existed, nor does the matter appear to be mended under our present Governor, as we often receive our latest intelligence from Auckland by the circuitous route of Sydney.^. We find the following extract from the New Zealander in the Bathurst Advocate : — It is with feelings of the deepest regret that we have to announce the commission of another dreadful crime. A year has barely elapsed since one monster expiated his atrocities with his life ; and we had fondly hoped that it would have been long ere such another' miscreant could be found to appal the hearts of our peaceful community. Such, however, unfortunately, has not been the case, and we proceed to relate the particulars, as far as they have transpired, of as barbarous a murder as can well be conceived : — On Monday morning, June 18, a pensioner named Edward Jones, carrying on the business of a butcher at Panmure, left the village to purchase pigs, as it is believed, for Auckland. On leaving home, Jones had his watch and about £8 in cash in his pockets. Yesterday morning, as a brother pensioner was proceeding by the short cut round Mount Wellington to Auckland — the same path by which Jones was going horne — he was alarmed on perceiving bis unfortunate comrade lying dead upon a heap of scoria, his throat dreadfully cut, his windpipe torn out, and two stabs in bis side. Jones left Auckland towards the dusk on Monday evening, on his return to Panmure, with one pig which he had purchased. Neither money, watch, nor anything was found ou the body, nor has there been any clue yet obtained to lead to the discovery of the perpetrator of the diabolical deed. An inquest will be bolden on the body at the Panmure Inn, this day, at noon. The following extracts of Auckland news are from the Maitland Mercury :— We are in receipt of Auckland papers to the 30th June. A reward of £50 had been offered by the Government for the discovery of the murderer of the pensioner Edward Jones. The official return of the expoitt of New Zealand produce, from Auckland, during tht

quarter from the 6th January to the stb April, 1849, makes the total Take £4,786. Of this amount, sperm oil is down for £2505, or-more than one-half; sawn timber is valued at £898, kauri gum at £500, cordage at £265, flour at £144, salted .pork at £125, and ambergris at £100 ; the rest are all below £100 in value, among which wool is set down at 19201b5. weight, value £88.

Present to the Queen. —We understand that the natives of Otawhao have written a letter to her most gracious Majesty, expressive of their joy at learning that she is determined to hold inviolate the treaty of Waitangi, and avouching their own desire of peace and tranquillity —informing her Majesty that they are but poor, and therefore cannot present any splendid offering as a- proof of their attachment, but having become proprietors of a mill, and being anxious that her Majesty should taste the fruits of their industry, they beg her acceptance of a couple of bags of- flour, of their own production. This is an" interesting fact, and we have no doubt the simple offering will be received with much pleasure.- The flour, we understand, is to be forwarded to England by the Louisa. —Southern Cross, June 30.