NEW ZEALAND SPECTATOR AND Cook's Strait Guardian. Wednesday, May 19, 1852.

New Zealand Spectator and Cook's Strait Guardian, Volume VIII, Issue 709, 19 May 1852, Page 2

NEW ZEALAND SPECTATOR AND Cook's Strait Guardian. Wednesday, May 19, 1852.

The European news received by way of Sydney, by the Marmora , which will be found, in our present issue is of the most important kind. Affairs appear to wear a threatening aspect, and it was considered probable that the reckless and unscrupulous career upon which Louis Napoleon had entered to gratify the cravings of his inordinate ambition, would lead to an European war. Louis Napoleon had adopted the most determined measures, and with the view of securing himself in his present position, had not hesitated to banish from France, all the most eminent public men, who w'ere in any way likely to oppose his measures, and in the name of liberty and a Republic, had established by means of the army a tyranny more stern and absolute than that of any European despot. —With the view of adopting necessary measures of precaution, some formidable batteries were to be erected on the coast of England, the artillery was to be increased by 2400 men, and the army to the number of 10,000 additional men. Such a calamity as an European war, in which England would be forced to bear a prominent part, would prove a great misfortune to the Colonies in interrupting commerce, and in putting a stop to emigration from the mother country. The news from the Cape was of the most distressing nature. The Birkenhead, a splendid steamer of the largest size, loaded with troops which were proceeding to the scene of operations, had struck on a rock during ’ the night and

sunk' with immense destruction of life. The troops were principally of the 74th regiment which hdd previously suffered severely in an attack on . the natives, in the early part of- November, in which the commanding officer Lieut. Colonel Fordyce and Lieut. Cary and several of the men were killed. By the late melancholy catastrophe several officers and 450 troops had met a watery grave. Sir Harry Smith, had been recalled and Major-General Cathcart had been appointed his successor.

The Black Dog arrived yesterday from Port Cooper with his Excellency Lieut.-Governor Enderby, and two Commissioners of the South Sea Whaling Company by whom the settlement at the Auckland Islands was formed. It will be remembered that the Commissioners came out in the Chieftain to the Auckland Islands, where they have since remained. Serious differences are reported to have arisen between them and Mr. Enderby, and it is believed that important changes will be made in that settlement, and in the future operations of the Company in these seas. The Stag had not arrived at Lyttelton w r hen the Black Dog sailed.

We have received by way of Taranaki a.Southern Cross of May 4th. The William Hyde was advertised to sail for London the beginning of the month, and the barque Nina on the 20tli inst. The schooner Eclair was to sail, for Wellington, calling at Taranaki, on the 7th inst. A meeting of the members of the Church of England had been held on the 3rd inst., at Auckland, on the. subject of a Church Constitution, as we learn from the following extract: [From the Empire, May I.] The news from the sister colony is full of interest. The social condition of Victoria appears to be most alarming. Crime of every sort is rife, and a spirit of recklessness seems to pervade the population. The Argus of the 17th ultimo, contains an article on this subject, which exhibits the state of Melbourne as being most frightful and unprecedented. W hilst scoundrels of every description continue their nefarious practices”, the well disposed portion of the community, filled with apprehension and excitement, suggest the most violent remedies. Lynch law is not merely hinted at, but openly recommended and advocated by respectable men. On the indictment of the prisoners for beiug concerned in the Nelson gold robbery, at the criminal sessions, Mr. Wrixon, who appeared for the prisoners, applied for a postponement of the trial, chiefly bn the ground, that from “the excitement and perturbation of the public mind, the jury would be influenced by undue passion and'feeling, rather than by law and justice.” In support of his statement, Mr. Wrixon referred to the article in question as a proof of the excited state of the public mind, and alluded to the case of the Mannings to show, that under such circumstances, a postponement of the trial was always deemed essential towards furthering the ends of justice. The papers teem with cases of robbery, assaults, and stabbing, some of them of a very aggravated description. ' The overland mail from Sydney had not reached Melbourne up to the date of latest news, and was supposed to be detained by the heavy rains on the road.

We can make room only for. the following extracts

The Diggings.: —All Melbourne is going; there has not been such a general move since Melbourne has been Melbourne. In every street may be seen drays,' carts, vans, every kind of vehicle, all loading for the Diggings; Melbourne will resemble London when the season is off; none will remain, except those (and they are few) who prefer not to go. We expect shortly to see every man his own servant, every gentleman have to kill as well as to buy his own meat, before getting his chop; and perhaps ourselves have to put our own paper to press. Never were such times. Argus, April 17. The Gold Escorts. —The Escort from Ballarat arrived at the ' Treasury yesterday in due course, bringing 35 ozs. 9 dwts. of gold. The quantity left at Geelong was 352 ozs. 6 dwts. The Mount Alexander Escort is not expected in town before tormorrow, Friday. —Melbourne Morning Herald, April 22. Copper Ore.- —Some beautiful specimens of copper ore were brought into town on Wednesday from the vicinity of the Wannon; one piece has been tested by Mr. Padwick, who reports its richness at 75 per cent of copper. The other specimen is ohdof almost pure metal. This item of cheering hews has come to us from such an unquestionable source that no suspicion can be attached to the truth of the report. With the present low uncertain state of the labour market, nothing of course could be done with the richest lode ever discovered; but there it is, the future, fortuues of hundreds, and one of the numerous resources of the district, which only requires labour to develops. —Portland Guardian. - Legislative Council. —His Excellency the Lieutenant-Governor has further prorogued the Legislative Council from the 27th\ April, to

Tuesday 25th May.-— Melbourne Morning Herald, April 22. r