TASMANIA.

Colonist, Volume II, Issue 175, 24 June 1859, Page 4

TASMANIA.

From Tasmania we have papers to the 4th instant. The Hobati Town Mercury complains of the apathy ofthe electors in reference to. their Parliamentary representation, and gives a list of nearly twenty members of the present Legislature, who are either absent from the colony, or have given notice of resignation, or are understood to be upon the eve of resigning. The Mercury naturally, asks whether Tasmania possesses a parliament or not, while this state of things continues, and expresses a strong apprehension that the system of so-called responsible government will prove little better than a " mockery and a pretence," unless the country takes more interest in its working.

'' Death of David Howie and- Three of his Qrew.—Yfe regret to perceive that an enterprising and skilful mariner, and an old and well-known colonist, whose services in cases of shipwreck have been ol the most extraordinary character, has at last, with three of his crew, met with a watery grave. The accident occurred at Circular Head. Mr. Howie had been long resident on one or other of the islands of the straits, and in 1845 proceeded from the western coast of King's Island to Melbourne in an open boat with intelligence of the wreck'of the Cataraqui, and the loss of 414 lives. In connection with the above, we may mention that David Howie accompanied the Lord Bishop of Tasmania and party to King's Island in search ofthe remains ofthe wrecks of the Brahmin and Waterwitch, and, in his Lordship's interesting narrative of the " Cruise of the Beacon," occur the following observations with reference to the now deceased t

—" We found' hinra singularly intelligent man. Year's ago he came out to this colony from Edinburgh, being then very young. For some time past he has resided at Robbin's Island, visiting alternately the other islands in the vicinity, with his little cutter

of no more than 12 or 14 tons burthen, at one time sealing, at another trading ; now bringing to Circular Head a cargo of live stock, again proceeding to Lauhceston with a consignment of potatoes. He has, however, another and a stronger claim to respect beyond that which his enterprising energy commands. No man in the Straits has rendered so much assistance in times of peril and of shipwreck as David Howie. He told us some appaling tales of the fearful wreck of the female emigrant ship Cataraqui* on the western coast of King's.lsland, on the morning of the 4th of August, 1845. Out of 423 souls on board, only nine were saved. " We regret to add that Mr. Howie's unfortunate companions in death are reported to have each left widows and large families, the children numbering no less thali twenty souls.— Hobart Town Courier.