SYDNEY.

New Zealand Spectator and Cook's Strait Guardian, Volume VI, Issue 501, 22 May 1850, Page 2

SYDNEY.

I [From the Sydney Morning Herald, April 29.] We understand that a difference of opinion exists between Captain Keppel of H.M.S. Meander and Captain Erskine of H.M.S. Havannah respecting the right to appoint to the command of H.M.S. L attlesnake, vacant by the death of Captain Stanley. When Captain Stanley died, Captain Keppel gave the appointment to Lieutenant Yule, who has been -surveying on this station for the last nine years, and had therefore a good moral claim to his promotion. When the news of Captain Stanley's death reached Port Nicholson, the Havannah immediately sailed from Sydney, and on her arrival Capt. Erskine signified to ActingCommander Yule his intention not to allow the Rattlesnake to proceed to England as had been arranged by Captain Keppel, but to keep her on this station until the end of the year ; it was also understood that Acting-Commander Yule would be superseded, and another officer appointed to the Rattlesnake. The Meander arrived on the same day as the Havannah, and Captain Keppel being senior officer to Captain Erskine, directed the Rattlesnake to proceed to England according to his previous orders. On this a question of relative rank arises. Captain Keppel is a senior captain to Captain Erskine, but Captain Erskine is specially appointed to command in these seas, and it is contended that Captain Keppel had no right to interfere. Captain Keppel, however, has determined to assert his right as the senior officer in commission in these seas, and take the responsibility of doing so. As it is pretty clear that as soon as the Meander is out of port, Captain Erskine will carry out his own views, it has been determined to send the Rattlesnake to sea immediately, instead of waiting until next week, as was intended. The Rattlesnake will sail for England tomorrow night, and the Meander for South America on Wednesday.

We believe it is customary in the navy for all vessels to hoist the same coloured flag as that worn by the ship of the senior officer in port, except in cases where there is a large fleet divided into squadrons, when each division carries the flag of the same colour as its respective admiral. This has not been observed during the week by the vessels of war in port. Last week the Rattlesnake had a while flag ; on Friday last, as soon as the Havannah made her appearance round liradley's head with a red ensign, the Rattlesnake shifted her flag to the same colour. * About three hours afterwards, the Meander entered the port with a white flag, when the Rattlesnake again shifted and hoisted rtie white flag. The Havannah, however, took no notice of the Meander, but continued to hoist the red ensign every day. The whole matter in dispute between Captains Keppel and Erskioe has been referred to the Lords of the Admiralty. It is reported that the Hon. Captain K. Stewart has proceeded to England for the purpose of soliciting the command of the ship that will next year be appointed to relieve the Havannah on this station. It was announced during the week that H.M.S. Meander would sail for Norfolk Island, Auckland, and Valparaiso, on Saturday morning. Yesterday, as soon as the Rattlesnake was reported outside the Heads, the Meander fired a gun and hoisted the blue peter, and about four o'clock got under way ; but as there was scarcely a breath of wind, and the tide began to make, she was unable to get out, and came to an anchor off Pinchgut. To show that sailing yesterday was sudden and unexpected, we may mention that numbers of persons belonging to the ship were ashore when she first began to move, and that Captain Keppel and his officers were announced as patrons of the theatrical performances last night. — Ibid, May 3.