New Zealand Spectator, AND COOK'S STRAIT GUARDIAN. Wednesday, April 10, 1850.

New Zealand Spectator and Cook's Strait Guardian, Volume VI, Issue 489, 10 April 1850, Page 2

New Zealand Spectator, AND COOK'S STRAIT GUARDIAN. Wednesday, April 10, 1850.

The William Alfred which arrived yesterday afternoon, has brought Sydney papers to the 23rd ult. The English news which they contain has been anticipated by previous arrivals from Hobart Town. The intelligence from California (brought by the Spec, after a passage of sixty days, having left San Francisco on the 29th December), is interesting and important to those who entertain the idea of emigrating from these colonies to California in the hope of improving their prospects and bettering their social condition. We have made copious extracts which will enable those in this settlement who contemplate such a step to count the cost, and to weigh maturely the consequences. In addition to the information contained in these extracts, we learn from other papers that a very destructive fire had occurred on the ,24th December at San Francisco, which had consumed nearly half the town and destroyed property to the value of £250,000. From the vast influx of population wages were declining rapidly and provisions were as rapidly increasing in price. The weather had been very severe, and this combined with other causes had occasioned much sickness, and in consequence vessels found less difficulty in leaving San Francisco than before from the numbers who were desirous of returning, and who were glad to be permitted to work their passage back." And yet in spite of these discouraging circumstances, there were no less than eight vessels at Sydney laid on for San Francisco.

The Katherine Johnstone brings intelligence of the arrival at Akaroa of the Monarch, which sailed from London the latter end of November. She was to be followed shortly by the Lady Nugent, the first vessel for New Canterbury, in which Mr. Godley, a New Zealand Director, is a passenger. Mr. Godley has been appointed Principal Agent of the Canterbury Association. In Hardy's Shipping List, Nov. 14, the Lady Nugent is reported to sail December 3. The Monarch, we believe, may be daily expected from Akaroa.

We regret to learn the death of Captain Owen Stanley, R.N., of H.M.S. Rattle, snake, at Sydney, on the 13th ult., in his thirty- seventh year. He had for some time previously been in a bad state of health which had been increased by the news of the death of his brother Captain Stanley, R.E., and of his father the late Bishop of Norwich. It was reported at Sydney that General Wynyard, and the head quarters * staff, would shortly be recalled from that colony.

Programme of the performance of the Band of the 65th. Regt., at Thorndon Flat, on Wednesday, April 10th :—: — , 1. Overture — De la Prize d' Alger. . . . Breptant. 2. Selection — Maid of honor Batfc. 3. M&saniello Quadrille Juttien. 4. Caratina — Belizario Donizetti. 5. Pearl of England Waltz Jullien. 6. Polonaise Waleh. 7. Hungarian Galop , Lanner. 8. Electric* Polka Blodley, ■