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SYDNEY GAZETTE

NEW SOUTH WALES ADVERTISER.

TUESDAY, APRIL 27, 1850.

In addition to the observances in ho- nour of His Majesty's Birth-day men- tioned in our last, Government-house displayed, on Friday evening, a scene of ?magnificence worthy of the joyful occa- sion, and highly honourable to so young a Colony.

The Governor, in accordance with the plan pursued every successive year »ince his arrival, entertained the ladies and gentry at as splendid a Ball and Supper as the circumstances of the .country rendered possible. Government House was adorned with the usual in- genious and tasteful decorations. The long verandah was lined on either hand with curious flowers and shrubs, and was illuminated by lanterns suspended from the ceiling, the glass of which was enamelled with emblematic figures and landscapes in brilliant colours ; and on the terrace immediately fronting the ve- randah was an illuminated tent, from ; which one of the regimental bands sent

forth the most joyous strains. Another band was stationed in an elegant alcove open- ing into the Ball Room, from which it pre- sented the appearance of one of those sylvan . towers of which poets delight to sing,

while the illusion was heightened by the ?fanciful uniform and harmonkms notes of the musicians seated amid its verdant foliage.

A little before nine o'clock the rum- bling of carriages was heard in all parts ?of the town, and the company poured _ into the festive hall, being received at - the gate by a guard of honour with drawn

swords flashing in their hands, and wel . corned by the bold minstrelsy of the tent. About half-past nine the Ball Room pre- sented a resplendent scene, nearly all the beauty of the Colony having assem <. bled within its walls. The dresses of , the ladies were rich and fanciful, but 'greatly diversified, and perhaps less char

ae ter i sed hy the »iinplieiiy of elegance I tlian on the former year, though there b was no appearance of needless ostentation. Of the dress of the gentry nothing parti- cular can bo said, for the manners of the ago scarcely leave them room .for the exercise of taste : a superfine blue coat, a milk white waistcoat, and jet-black trowsers, with a neatly-tied cravat and a well-adjusted brooch, aro tho utmost points of personal decoration to which either wealth or «kill is permitted to aspire. Even the opulent Knight of Regent Ville appeared as a plain coun- try gentleman, distinguished only by his broad blue ribbon. The officers of the army and navy, and some of the higher mem- bers of the civil government, were arrayed in the richest uniforms allowed by their respective ranks. The Governor wore the full dress of a Field Officer, and it was remarked that His Excellency appeared in much better health and spi- rits than on the previous Birth-day. In- disposition disappointed the company of the presence of their accomplished hos- tess, Mrs. Darling.

Dancing was continued, with occasional intermissions, from half after nine to twelve, and considering the very inade- quate dimensions of the apartment, was conducted in the most splendid and or- derly manner. The Misses Blaxland, Brooks, and others of the " Currency Lasses," performed their part in the first style of grace and elegance, and reflected honouron the beauty and accomplishments ofthe Australian fair; and among their part- ners in the gay circle were not a few of the " Currency Lads," who lost nothing by a comparison with the young gentle- men educated in the mother country. A refectory and several retiring-rooms were prepared for refreshment and occasional

retreats from the heat and bustle of the Ball Room, which, though well ven- tilated, was so crowded as to render it desirable to seek now and then an interval of fresh air.

At twelve the doors of the Supper room were thrown open, and the party proceeded to the more serious business of eating and drinking. The table ex- hibited the same profusion of varied luxuries as on former occasions,' the viands and wines being the most sump-

tuous the Colony could afford. The. ladies were of course entertained first, the gentlemen showing a gallant emula- tion in performing the part of " humble servants," among whom His Excel- lency was as attentive and active as the

rest. The fair feasters having finished the exploits of the table by drinking His

Majesty's health, returned to the Bull

Room, when the gentlemen took their turn in discussing the dainties before them; and if the diligence with which they performed this part of the evening's duties might be taken as a criterion of their loyalty, they fully vindicated their near relationship to the true-hearted John Bull. The leading toast, " The King, God bless him ! " was also drank with true British enthusiasm, ex- pressed in a thundering " three times three," and seconded by " God »ave the King" from the two bands. Sir John Jamison next gave "The Governor," which was greeted with the warmest de- monstrations of respectfor the Sovereign's Representative. The concluding toast, given by the Attorney Generat, was *« Mrs. Darling, and the Ladies of thb Colony;" and every honoir was paid to the absent hostess, and to the

Australian Witches.*

Supper accomplished, the gentlemen rejoined the fairies of the Ball Room, and dancing was again resumed until near three o'clock, when the party reluctantly broke up, and returned to their " res- pective places of abode," to re-act, in dreams and visions of the night, the fascinating drama of St. George's feast.

A shade of melancholy stole over the reflecting mind, at the recollection that while the natal day of our gracious King was thus joyously celebrated, His Maje8ty was rapidly declining in the vale of life, and was perhaps at that very moment suffering under one of the most afflictive of human deprivations the loss of sight, On the 12th of next August, His Majesty will be GO years of age, fourteen years short of that at- tained by his Royal Father; so that, should it please the Almighty to spare his life to a similar " good old age," the reign of George IV. has not reached half its period. But into the future it is not for mortals to intrude, and all that can be done by loyal and Christian sub- jects, is devoutly to commend their Mo- narch to the King of Kings, that, in the

* In Lancashire, celebrated for the beauty of its females, the standing toast to the ladies is, " The

Lancashire Witches."

beautiful language of our Liturgy, it may be granted to him " in health and wbalth long to live," and that " finally, after this life, he may attain everlasting joy and felicity."

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We to-day publish Mr. Justice Dow linc's address to the Jury, on closing the session of the late Circuit Court at Maitland. We are aware that the prac- tice of Mr. Dowling in thus winding up the business of the local Courts has not escaped the cavils of the censorious, as though it were a pompous and need- less display of His Honour's rhetoric : but they are only cavils, and proceed from a very imperfect estimate of the in- fluence of judicial addresses upon the feelings of society. That influence is strong and genial. The people are re- minded of their duties and privileges as English subjects ; a constitutional res- pect for the laws and institutions is cherished and extended ; the mind is drawn out to a review of local improve- ments, and to an anticipation of the enlarged privileges to be hereafter en- joyed; and thus a cheerful contentment is diffused among the several ranks of the community. We therefore express an earnest hope that our learned Judges will not only adhere to the practice as hitherto observed, but even make it more frequent.

The present address brings under our notice several topics of considerable in- terest. The diminution of crime, owing partly to the influence of the Circuit Courts, but chiefly to the active opera- tions of the Mounted Police, organized by the present Governor, and guided by an intelligent and zealous officer, is an exceedingly gratifying fact. Only one case of highway robbery had occurred in the district since the month of August, and scarcely any one offence of a heinous

character.

While the address adverts to the ne-

cessity of good roads between the capital and Maitland, and of a much stronger gaol than the one now in use in the latter town, it justly acknowledges the great exertions in progress for the accomplish- ment of the former, and ascribes to its proper cause the seeming remissness of the local Government with regard to the erection of public buildings. Every candid mind will join with Mr. Justice Dowling in paying a well-merited tri- bute to the zeal manifested by the Go- vernor for the formation of roads, on which the convenience and prosperity of the country so mainly depend. That now opening between Sydney and the Hunter's River district is, with the ex- ception perhaps of the one leading to Bathurst, the most stupendous under- taking ever attempted in the Colony, and the encomium pronounced by the learned Judge will be re-echoed by even the most cool-headed of our set- tlers:-" Doubtless the mountain road, now rapidly advancing in improvement, will, when completed, be a proud and last-

ing monument of the auspices under < which it was commenced, andan enduring evidence of the scientific application of human labour in the removal of impedi- ments apparently insurmountable."-In reference to the erection of buildings, and other expensive improvements, it is not seldom that we hear the celerity of Governor Macquarie's movements held up in invidious comparison with the tar- diness of the present Administration. The causes of this difference have been so repeatedly explained in this journal, and are indeed so notorious to every well informed man in the Colony, that one would have thought such ill-grounded complaints could not by possibility pro- ceed from any but the most ignorant and illiterate. Mr. Justice Dowling again brings forward to the public notice the dissimilar circumstances under which the Government is now placed from those which existed in the time of Macquarie ; and we do hope that people will have more sense, to say nothing about justice,

than to retail observations which are al- together unsupported by fact.

In conclusion we repeat our hopes that, from the salutary consequences which have already resulted from the experi- ments, these Circuit Courts will continue to be held. They are doubtless attended by somo inconveniences to the Bench and the Bar, but their importance to the moral and civil interests of the Colony far, very far outweigh these or any other

disadvan tanges.

The Asiatic Journal for December last, in an article on the East-India question, which is at present the subject Of anxious discussion in the mother coun- try, disposes of what the writer calls

" the Konten* about colonization, in the following summary manner :-" The ar- gument of Mr. Crawfurd, in his pamphlet on the colonization of India, tends to show the small degree of danger to us, and of inconvenience to the Hindoos, at- tending the conversion of the latter into mere raisers of raw produce for the em-

ployment of steam-engines in Britain. I p The patient people of Hindostán might, perhaps (this qualification is fearfully im- portant), be brought to submit to this extreme wrong ; but shall we purchase an augmentation of our exports by such an atrocious deed of injustice as stains the character of Spain in its dealings to-

wards America?"

We should here observe, that the writer of the article from which the fore- going extract is made, is a thick and thin supporter of the East-India Company's claims : so far some deduction should be made from the weight of his opinions » but when the main argument hitherto used against colonization in India is borne in mind, we cannot but suspect that the above piece of sentimentality sa-» vours strongly of a conscious weakness in the cause which it is called to aid. Heretofore the apprehensions commonly entertained of the colonization of India, and which we believe to be the same

which really influence the British public at present, are, that when a large white population shall have sprung up in India, it may follow the example of other great colonies, and separate itself from the pa- rent state. But, in the first place, if this fear were allowed to prevail to impede any improvement in India-if wo are constantly to bear in mind that the wealth, activity, and greatness of that possession is the sure road to its sepera tion, why is not the same rule applied to other dependencies ? Why does Great

Britain desire to encrease the wealth and

prosperity of the Canadas and of this Co- lony? Only, we presume, under the be- lief, that whatever be their ultimate fate when they are fully peopled, she will de- rive advantage from the free intercourse with them in the mean time-that they

will be the settlements in which millions

of Englishmen and descendants of En- glishmen will be prosperous; and that even when they do seperate from the mo- ther country she shall have extended the honour of the English name and the welfare of the whole race. But the utmost jealousy of the prospe- rity of the Colonies would diminish the advantages to be reaped from them, and, without probably preventing the ultimate seperation, would destroy the good will which future nations may feel towards their mother country. But, in .the next place, if there be any country, the seperation of which from England on ac- count of the infusion of the English race, is least to be apprehended, it is India. There is a numerous population already existing in that country, having different habits and opinions, and being a different race from Englishmen. It is the actual division of the natives into Mahometans and Gentoos which forms one of the se- curities of the English rule in India; and the introduction of a third class, even if it were not English, would be an additional security, by making a general union of the whole people against their rulers less probable. But where the new class of settlers will be English-not numerous enough for ages, without the aid of go- vernment, to be secure-is it likely that they would be anxious to sever the con- nexion with England, and trust them- selves to the mercy of native princes ? or will not their interests as well as their feelings lead them rather to cherish that connexion, as the best security for their rights, and even their existence ? The mode of cplonization which would take place in India is not, of course, the set- tlement of labouring husbandmen on the »oil, or ordinary mechanics in towns, but the free application of English capital and the higher descriptions of skill to the production of those commodities which the climate and the soil and the cheapness of labour may render pro- fitable, and to the improvements which the country stands in need of. A popu- lation attracted to India by these views can never be formidable by its numbers. A more reasonable ground of apprehen- sion, or a more reasonable subject for precaution, is the difficulty of regulating the transactions between natives and Englishmen, so that the former shall not be subject to oppression, while the latter have a fair administration of justice. Englishmen may be dissatisfied at being subjected to the ordinary tribunals of the country, and it will be a greater hardship to subject the natives with whom they deal in the interior, to the English laws

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and the jurisdiction of the. supreme courts at the presidencies. But the difficulty is ' hot insuperable-and, in settling it, the interests of the mass of the natives should be first consulted.

What means this ? - Yesterday afternoon, we were informed by one of our Clerks that Mr. Raymond, the Post Master, had called at our Office (or sent, we know not which), to say that he had detained a packet addressed to us, because it was in transitu through the medium of Mr. Hart, the coach-pro- prietor, and that he intended to prosecute that individual for breach of agreement. Now, we well knew that whatever liabi- lities Mr. Hart might have incurred, Mr. Raymond had no manner of right to detain our property for a moment; and being in no small degree incensed at so unwarrantable a liberty, which, it being the day prior to our publication, might be productive of serious consequences, perhaps to the Public Service, we felt it our duty to address to him the following

letter :

" Gazette Office, Sydney,

. 26th April, 1830. '« Sin,

" Understanding you have dotained a parcel ad- dressed to me, I beg to demand that you imme- diately forward it to its destination.

" 1 have the honour to be,"

&c. &c. &0.

Now, to this very legal and very rea- sonable communication, what do you sup- pose, Gentle Reader, was the reply ? Neither more nor less than this-it'was returned to us, without a syllable, vithout a seal or a wafer ! If this is not " the

c I insolence of office" we know not what is.

e To this man we have shown every

kindness in our power-and thiâ' is the return ! The more we see of public life, the more do we find that the household virtue of gratitude is a rare attribute.

3 He talks of prosecuting Hart-we shall

see what we can do in prosecuting him.

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By the Australia our young country- man, Mr. Benjamin Clayton, has re- turned to the Colony, having finished his professional education in a manner highly honourable to himself. We happen to know that his studies were pursued with an intensity of application not often ma- nifested by the .aspirants to Esculapian fame ; and when it is considered that he has been absent only four or five years, and that, notwithstanding the rigorous examination to which medical candidates are now subjected, he is a Member of the Royal College of Surgeons, London, and a Licentiate in Midwifery of the Dublin Lying-in Hospital, it will be obvious that he has addressed himself with no ordinary genius and assiduity to the. objects for which he went home. We understand that Mr. Clayton has some intention of settling among his old friends at the Hawkesbury, by whom he is so generally esteemed: if so, weare sure he will be received as an acquisition

to the district.

The subscription list, for the relief of the widow and five young children of the late Mr. Alexander Still, formerly an eminent merchant in Greenock and London, and for nearly six years principal muster clerk of this Colony, is now lying at both the Banks. The peculiar circumstances of his death, theo public are already acquainted with. The money subscribed, to be placed in the hands of the following gentlemen, viz. Messrs. Campbell and Co. Alexander Berry, Esq. and the Rev. Dr. Lang, who have consented to act as trustees in behalf of the widow and family.

Subscriptions received in the name of the trustees, at the Banks of Australia and New South Wales.

£. s. d.

His Excellency, Lieut. Gen. Darling .. £20     The Hon. Alexander M'Leay...£15       The Hon. Chief Justice Forbes. ..£5     Robert Campbell, Esq...£10      

Mrs. Hcok...£5      

A Friend...£1       W. Bland, Esq. ..£10 10  

Maitland Assizes.-In our next we expect to bo enabled to publish the particulars of the trials held at the late Session of the Circuit Conrt at

Maitland.

We have been informed, that a para- graph which appeared in this Journal, stating that the committeo of licenced p .blicans were preceded, on their way to the Council Chamber, by a musician,

is without foundation.

A sudden arrival of stock from tho interior, after the sale hour yesterday, will oblige the Sheriff to sell one-hundred and fifty head of primo cattle this day. The notice is certainly short, but it is, notwithstanding, a line opportunity for

purchasers.

The English mail, by the Asia, will ba closed on Saturday noxt, at half-past Boven o'clock in the evening.

The following paragraph from a recent India paper, shows that in some things, we, in New South Wales, are not worse off than honester peo- ple. If crime prevails to so great an extent in India, surely we need not complain of an odd lift,

or a casual knock in the head. The Mudrus Gazette says,-" If ever there was a time when midnight robbing was carried on with more success than an another, it is the present : for scarcely a day passes that we are not made acquainted with the depre- dations of these nightly marauders to a greater or less extent ; nor did we ever before hear of such daring as distinguishes the present system. It may be asked, where aro the police peons, that so many robberies are effected, and that too within a small compass 1 for almost every house in one streot has been visited within the past two or three months, but not an individual apprehended ! but facts are facts, and it is notorious that much difficulty is ex- perienced in getting the assistance of peons, al- though tiley may be apprized that a robbery has been committed, unless by a direct application to the superintendent himself. Six times in as many years has Mr. C's house been forcibly entered and robbed, and on no occasion have the peons suc- ceeded in apprehending the parties, while the pro- perty thus stolen has amounted to between 5,000

and 0,000 rupees.

Mr. Richardson, of Clarence-street, has, we hear, j ust turned out of his yard, a number of ship blocks, which are pronounced by competent judges, io be equal to any that have boen imported, and nve made from Colonial wood. Wo cortaiuly

would wish to hear of all the Colonial craft encou- raging our home-made articles. The ropes also, made from the New Zealand flax, have, upon trial, been found to excel those of English manufacture. The Australia, it will be recollected, was entirely rigored with Colonial manufactured articles.

The owner of Scratch has challenged to run him against any horse in tho Colony, for a sum of fifty guineas, on allowing Slbs. weight in his favour, either on the Sydney, Parramatta, or Wind- sor race course ; heats twice round. Scratch to

carry 8 stone.

We are sorry to state, that a settler living at Hunter's River, whose name stood high in public opinion in that quarter for honesty and inte- grity, has lately been committed to take his trial on a charge of cattle stealing.

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A native black, belonging to one of tho Illawarra tribes, was detected, on Saturday U(t

stealing some articlos of clothing from a stall, neM' the Alarkot-placo. He was brought buforo tho police compollud to rustoro the stolon property, and, al'tor boing mado to understand, if ever ho committed a similar act, that ho would bo severely punished, was

discharged.

On Saturday night last, the Chief Constable turned no loss than oighteou persons oat of a disorderly houso, who had assembled, and wara comfortably onjoying themselvos until thus dis. turbed ; iivo of them woro immediately lodged ia the watch-house, as absentees from their rospoctivo quirters. This is one of the good consequoncos which Iras resultod from the passing of the lato Act for the suppression ol' bushranging.

Out of the number of disorderly eba. racters who wero takon into custody by the Chief Constable on Saturday night last, were two noto- rious thievo», who, when interrogated by the 13unch as to what means thoy had of acquiring á livoliliood and where was their home, were unable to answer either question. They woro accordingly treated aa vagrants and «ont to gaol.

Robley, who was for some years She rifFs Ollicor in Sydney, nnd acquitted himself jq that.post with pretty general satisfaction, has, we ar» told, taken a place under Capt. Stool, in tha Gaol

Department.

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