VAN DIEMEN'S LAND.

New Zealand Spectator and Cook's Strait Guardian, Volume IX, Issue 786, 12 February 1853, Page 3

VAN DIEMEN'S LAND.

Bushrangers. —A party of four armed bashrangers is now out, working its way towards the Victoria diggings. On Sunday night they visited Barlow's Hotel, at Blackman's River, broke six guns to atoms, took upwards of £90 in cash, and turned the coach horses loose on Salt Pan Plains, to prevent information being given at Oatlands. Last night, they robbed a house near Quorn hall, and they are evidently making towards the coast. Intelligence has reached town that the bushrangers have shot one constable dead, and wounded another in the face, in the Campbelltown district. The information, which was hurriedly despatched, does not extend to the locality, but further particulars are hourly looked for. The marauders have visited Mr. Simeon Lords, at Avoca, and have also robbed a gold digger to a considerable amount of money. They were armed to the teeth, and expressed a determination never to be taken alive. —Courier.

Legislative Council. —The following is a summary of the Council's proceedings : —On the

3rd instant, Mr. Archer gave notice that he should move for a return of the number of convicts landed here since 16th June, 18j2, together with theit Trade, and the names and re.sidence of their employers. When in committee on the estimates, on < oming to the vote of £52,000 for police and gaols, Mr. Gleadow moved the resolutions of -which he had given notice. After some discussion, Mr. Cox moved as an amendment, that the Committee do go into the item at once, with a view to voting one- thirteenth part only. A discussion followed, and the amendment having been lost, the original motion was carried by a majority of seven. The salaries, allowances, contingencies, &c, under this head were then voted for three months ending 31st March, at the rate 3 proposed in the estimates. For a health officer at George Town, £75 were voted. The salary of the Speaker v?as fixed at £800. The salary of Chairman of Committees was fixed at £300 ; Clerk of the Council, £500 ; Sergeant-at Arms, £200. The sums of £3000 for the extension and repairs of the wharves at Hobart Town ; £2500 for the nevr public offices, and £1500 for the port officer's department and water police at Launceston ; as also £5000 towards defraying the expenses of erecting a new government house in the dqmain, were all granted, with the condition attached that no part of the money should be expended in the employment of convicts. The Council was on* Thursday prorogued bf the Lieutenant- Governor to the Bth March next. .His Excellency's speech contains nothing of importance ; he* regrets that the Council has abolished that most useful institution, the Normal school, and considers that if the resolutions concerning the police expenses should ultimately be carried out, that much injury would accrue to the colony. A Shark. — An immense shark was caught off South Arm, by the men on board the Royal William, on the passage of that cutter to town. The length of the fish from the head to the tail is 26 feet, and it is 15 feet round the body ; ! the length of the fin on the top of the back, one yard. The flukes are like those of a young whale and are upwards of 4 feet across. It yielded a laige quantity of oil. — Hobart Town Courier. Mr. Patrick O'Donoghae, the Irish state prisoner, is reported absent from his registered place of residence.