Please wait. Contacting image service... loading
Hide article pages Show article pages
  1. Page 2
    Page 2 thumbnail
  2. Page 3
    Page 3 thumbnail

Article text

On this Page 2
NORFOLK ISLAND.
The last accounts from this settlement
were of a very unfavourable nature. On
the morning of the 19th June, a most
daring act of piracy was committed by
eleven of the prisoners, who succeeded
in making their escape from the island.
These men, who are stated to be of the
most desperate and abandoned characters,
contrived to elude the vigilance of the
constables on duty in the camp, proceeded
to the settlement, distant about a quarter
of a mile, and by some means, which have
yet to be explained, within a few paces of
the guard-house, and close to the sentry,
succeeded in lauching a new whale boat,
but just finished, into which they put a
few articles (after a fruitless attempt to
break open the stores close to the guard),
and were actually crossing the bar when
the first alarm was given, which was done
partly by the pirates giving three cheers,
and partly by the sentry alarming the
guard, who fired two or three random,
but ineffectual shots at them. Imme-
diately all was hurry, bustle, alarm, and
confusion : a party of military turned out
from the garrison, and proceeded to the
camp, where, on calling the roll of the
prisoners, these men were found absent.
The soldiers under the command of Lieut.
Borough, 39th regiment, then proceeded
to the settlement, the scene of action, but
the fugitives were out of reach. The
Commandant, who had turned out when
the alarm was given, and was nearly the
first man on the spot, then became se-
riously alarmed for the safety of Mr.
Cunningham, the botanist (who arrived
there in May), and three men who ac-
companied him on a botanical tour to
Phillip Island a few days previous. A
party of prisoners was in the meantime
picked out to launch a boat, and a boat
crew selected, who, with Lieut. Borough
and six soldiers, immediately went in
pursuit of the runaway — not without
hopes of overtaking them, but they had
had too much the start of the pursuing
party, and had paid a visit to Mr. C. and
stripped him of every thing, marquee,
clothes, fowling-piece, pistols, water keg,
and provisions, taking even the blankets
of the men who were with him, but ill-
using none of the party, they stating they
wanted but their liberty, and then put
off.
When the Lieut. with his party had
reached the island, which he did in a
shorter time than a boat was ever pulled
there before, he learnt the above facts,
and lost no time in setting out again in
pursuit in the direction taken by the
pirates, as well as the darkness would
allow its being pointed out to him by Mr.
Cunningham, but after toiling in a heavy
sea nearly all day, he was reluctantly
compelled to return to Phillip Island,
without having obtained a glimpse of the
boat, from whence he released Mr. C. and
his party, sick of that botanical excursion.
Lieut. B., to whom great praise is due
for volunteering his services, and for his
exertions throughout the whole business,
speaks in the highest terms of the steadi-
ness and extraordinary exertions of the
boat's crew, who, although prisoners,
strained every nerve to overtake the boat,
and no doubt had they come up with her,

would have captured her with the assist-

ance of the soldiers.

The settlement, however, from all we
hear, may be congratulated on being quit
of the above men, they being, nearly to a
man, the most desperate, determined, and
dangerous characters on the island, the
loss of whom may he accounted gain, as
they were sufficient to keep the place in
continued broils and disturbances so long
as they remained on it. Little doubt can
be entertained of their having met a
watery grave, as, for several days subse-
quent to their departure, there had been
a continuance of stormy weather, and
a heavy sea ; but should they escape
foundering, death in a more terrific form
must be their doom, either from being
destroyed by the cannibals of New Zea-
land, or from starvation in being driven
about the wide ocean at such a season of
the year, in an open boat, with little
clothing or provisions, the greater part
having been found on the beach left be-
hind in their hurry, and without a chart
or a single instrument to guide them in
their pathless way.

The most extraordinary circumstance
in the whole transaction, and the first
question that suggests itself to any one
acquainted withithe strict discipline of
this place is—how such a party, and on

such an errand, could possibly escape the
vigilance of the sentry ?

About the latter end of June, a pri-
soner, at Norfolk Island, whilst em-
ployed at the Landing-place, discovered
a live snake coiled up under a rock. It
was torpid when found, and lived only a

few hours afterwards. The colour down
the belly was a dull yellow ; down the
back a greenish blue, until within about
six inches of the tail, where the colours
ceased to be longitudinal, became circu-
lar, and distinctly marked in rings alter-
nately black and yellow; within about an
inch of the extremity of the tail, which
was obtuse and flattened like the common
eel, two antenæ, or rather hooked nippers,
were placed, measuring about one
inch from their insertion to the point ;
many conjectures were afloat, and opi-
nions hazarded, as to whence this unwel-
come visitor came. The general opinion,
however, was, that it must have been
floated to the island in the cavity of some
piece of timber during the heavy gales
which were prevalent immediately pre-
vious to its discovery. The main feature
of curiosity in the above is, the finding
such a reptile at Norfolk Island at all,
as it is well known that nothing veno-
mous is indigenous to the soil, even a cen-
tipede not having ever been seen there.
The reptile measured 2 feet 6 inches, and
we understand is now in the possession of
the Hon., the Colonial Secretary, to whom

it was forwarded.

The Tontine.-The apartments of
this splendid edifice will be let by public
auction, on Monday next, by Mr. Bo-
den ham. They are divided into six
lots, it being very properly presumed
that no one individual could find a use
for the whole. We perceive that four
out of the six are already let to different
tenants, the aggregate rent being £420
per annum. A preference will be given

to shareholders. Mr. Levey has been

fortunate in acting upon Mr. Macar-
thur^ recommendation, for we under-
stand the whole of his shares are
bought up.

The barque Pocklington which arrived
on Thursday morning from the whale
fishery, spoke the cutter Northumberland
on the previous day, within ten miles of
Newcastle, short of provisions and water.
She had been ten days from this port,
and had on board several passengers,
amongst whom was the Attorney Gene-
ral. We are glad to hear of the safety
of this little vessel, as very serious ap-
prehensions prevailed throughout town,
for some days past, that she had gone
down in one of the late gabis.

The ship Medway sailed from the Der-
went for this colony in company with the
Nancy, which arrived here on Thursday,
but were blown back, when within a mile
of the heads, to Cape Howe, by the
heavy gales of Saturday and ' Sunday
last, and experienced very dreadful wea-

ther.

Oxford. . We have been favoured by i
a literary correspondent with the follow- I
ing extract from a letter recently received j
by him from Oxford, from a friend of his '
of high standing in that University:- >.

" A violent controvorsv has arisen here-Milman,
the poet, has publish ed a popular 'history of the
.lews, in which ho states all the miraculous part* of
tue history in Such a way, that you are led'to sup-
pose, ho wishes to ropresent them only asoidiniry
occurrences, and keeps out of sight the theological
view of their history, polity, &c. &c. Accordingly
our Margaret Professor gets up in a violent rogp, and
attacks him fiom the pulpit of St. 'Mary's in most
furious style, charging him with little less firm
direct infidelity. We shall see soon «hat sort of au
tin answer he will produce-hisbookhns an immense
sale. Another controversy has arjsen about some
seimons by Dr. Arnold," head-master ofliugley,
cum multi!, aliis. Since the passing of the Catholic
Relief Bill we have not been swallowed up by an
earthquake as predicted by some, nor overwhelmed
by a second deluge as others anticipated : nor is
the country or the churn gane to the dogs ns many
sagely foretold : but-lieland is preserved from re-
bellion, which i$ SPt>ms, was on the point of break-
ing out, and the whole question seems now within a
year to be almost forgotten.

" i have twice bald forth to the Unveraity at St.
Mary's to endeavour to convince them that no evil
lo liiligion was to be apprehended fiom the cultiva-
tion of science-a thinç, on which some of th<> old
Btngers are hard of conviction-however, the cause
decidedly, prospers."

The market, of Thursday, was toler

»bly well supplied ; considering the season of the
year, maize was particulaily plentiful, but wheat
by no means so, and the few samples there 'were,
obtained a slight advance upon our last quotations.
Fine hf>avy barley sold as low ns half-a-crowri.
Dairy produce, of which there was abundance, psc
peneuced a very l.iíiing altoiiuion, iiud poultry
found purchasers nt better prices than for some
weeks pBPt. Of potatoes very few can be obtained
fit for tBblo. and the some may bo said of garden
stuff generally.

Mn. Mowatt's Robbery.-Addi-
tional PAHííCutAi'B.-Mr. Mowntt 8tiites flint (ho
place whero (ho villains stopped him on Monday
evening, was between flie 1-1 nnd 1'i milo stones,
llodosoribcs one of them as a short Blight mude man,
dreosod in black hat," velvoteen jacket, and dark
trowsors; the other wns also thin but somewhat
tailor tlinn his companion, wearing n brown or dark
jacket and trowsors, and on old straw hut. Ho had
ti dark complexion, nnd to the best of Mr. M's. recol-
lection, Whiskers. Thoy wore armed with guns and
several pistols, and issued one from each sido of tho
road, on his nppronch. Tho property of which thoy
robbed lum consisted of n bountiful pnirof pistols,
witu'stop locks, and iron ramrods j a blue clonk,
lined with white shalloon, mid velvet, collar ; a
black dross coat, white mursellas waistcoat, olivo
double breast frock coat, a pnir of wliito cord
breeches, and drill gaiters, with two or three hand-
kerchiefs, towels, and smullor articles ; a small
gold wntou with seal and key, the letters X. L.
being engraved on the former ; a black velvet
waistcoat, bluck silk ciBvut, a pair of Wellington
boots new footed, a hair brush, comb, Leghorn bon-
net, pencil cuso, tooth pick, and one dollar ; n let-
ter oddiessod to M. M. and signed John Howell,
and unothor to Mr. Donnison, n hill drawn by Doc-
tor Fattorini, on Doctor Anderson, for ¿f ÏOO0, a
second by the same purlieu for ¿ 500, and u third
for "¿'ñOO, together with two letters from Doctor F.
Al. Al. From tho so vuut they took a check shirt,
and n pnir of white joan trowsers lined with calico.
After completing their predatory object, they de-
parted tuking the roud iowardPurrauiuttu. Ou his
ariival in Sydney, and communicating the nflair to
the police, Dyer and four other constables were des-
patched to the spot, but after a diligent search in
the bush for somo hours, wore neces&Itiitod to return
without falling in with the desperadoes.

Tlie very heavy shower of hail with
which Sydney was visited on the afternoon of Wed-
nesday fast, has been productive of'muen damage in

the gardens; and tended, no little to the annoyance

of the florist.

The Nancy, which came in on Thurs-
day from Hobart Town, is a remarkably fine ^ship.
oi;d possesses accommodations of tho first order ;

she is laid on for London, and intends to sail early

in December.

The numerous iron gangs, and road
and bridge parties, employed on the line of road to
Bathurst, have brought it into n high state of io,mir ;
and making duo allowance for tho unavoidable hills
over a long chain of mountains, reflects giuat credit
on the surveyors and others employed in the de-
partment, 'l'he roads through the* bush also, fi oin
Collott's inn to Dabee and Mudgee, havo undergone
considerable improveme>ii.

We understand that Mr. Graham, of
the North Shore, has it in contemplation to ostublish
a bathing-place, at his present residence near the
Heads. A more desirable spot for the purpose,
could not possibly he selected ; indeed, such an-
other "does not exist on- this part of the coast,
'lhere is a fine bench'and level sand, extending
nenily a quarter of a milo into the water, where
machines could ply regulativ,' and persons go with
saiety to any depth they think fit, and we doubt
not but Mr. G. will speedily lealise a suitable
remuneration for the sum he miiv find it requisite to
expend, in completing his anangemeuts.- [Very
well for persons living near the spot, but rather too
far off for the inh;ib:r,ui(sof Sj'dhey.-Es,]

4 On Wednesday afternoon, two persons

who movo in a decent sphere at Parramatta; having
a hot dispute, agreed to arbitrate tho matter the
following morning à 'a Cribb, at an appointed spot.
They accordingly met, and after exhibiting their
science and prowess for about hnlf-un-hour, became
so exhausted, that a cessation of arms was ngreod
upon, for tho purpose of recruiting their pugnacious
energies ; this necessary object being attained," the
belligerents commenced another campaign, when
one of them finding that his adversary was likely to
send him home second best, struck bira a most un-
manly blow, by which he was severely injured, and
obliged to be conveyed to his rosidonce by his
friends. It is to bo hoped the fellow will be pu-
nished for his pusillanimous conduct.

The plan some time back proposed of
establishing a floating bath, has unfortunately
fallen to the ground, the projector having been
unable to meet with a vessel suited for the purpose

The list of cases for decision at the
ensuing sitting of the Court of Requests, for Syd-

ney, is extremely numerous. ]

Notwithstanding the great number of
casos taken off the hands of the Mngistiates at the
Police Office by the court held) m the barracks, so
extensive is the business in that department, that

jt" generally continue!» till au advanced hour in the

afternoon.

The fine' waterside stores building by
Mr. Manning, in Bridge-street, are nearly comple'ed,
and from their situation, will be peculiarly valuable.

Cleaning Bottles. - The practice
of denning bottles with ieud shot, and then leaving
the shot at the bottom of the bcttlos, though the
fact bo. not genoially known, is extremely danger-
ous. Arsenic is used in the manufacture of shot,
and whole these are left in the bettles, wines or
strong liquors acting on the lead, also lakes up the

poison by solution.

A respectable man named Tidd,
clerk to Mr. Bethune, at Hobart Town, committed
suir'ide, by shooting himself through the head, on
the 29:h ult. while in a state of despondency occa
Ioionod by domestic circumstances. An inquest sat

on the body, and returned a verdict of-Tiimporary

insanity. .

An American Simile.-A writer
in the Virginia Advocate, in speaking of the effect
prrduced upon himself by' Mr. Webster's Oratory,
says-" He was a totally" different thing from any
public speaker I ever heard. I sometimes felt as if
I was looking at a mnmrni/th, treading at an equa-
ble and stately pace his native cane snake -without
apparent consciousness crushing obstacles which
nature had never designed as impediments to him."

The dispute between the Duke of
I Brunswick and the King of England, his uncle mid
| guaidian, has been arranged. The young Duke of
j Bruswiok has at length yielded. He will maintain
. the institutions and the masures of the Government
. during his minority, and which he had boen willing
, to recognise on his coming of ago. It is not known

if this Prince will he presented at Court befoie ho
quits Palis lo return to his capital.

Monarchy.-Saint Jerome observes,
that " the government of the many is unwhole-
some." At the foundation of Home, two sove
reigns were found too many, and her career was
opened with a fratricide. Esau and Jacob may.
be said to havo begun their contest for predo-
minancy in the.r mother's breast. In heavenly
things no church acknowledges more than one head.
Over the world there is but one Supreme Ruler ;
in a vessel, but ano pilot ; in n house, but one
master ; and in an army, but ono commander.
¡ Bees* follow but one guide, and when storks and

other winged fowl collect in communities, and tra-
verse the skies, they direct their motions under the
conduct of a single leader, who precodes the whole

flight»

The total revenue remitted from Scot-
land in the year VJ'29, was "£3.025,114 10s. 4d.

A New Comet.- Mr. Gambert, an
astronomer at Marseilles, discovered a new comet
in the constellation Pegasus, on the 11th April
last. It is now watched by Mr. South, at his ob-
servatory at kensington. The nucleus is well de-
fined, and the tail distinct : but whether it is ap-

proaching to, or receding from, the earth is not yet

ascertained.

An anti-slavery petition was presented

to the House of Commons on the 12th May, n rider
attached to which, signed by females, excited much
laughter, bv its commencing, *' Wo, whose ninnes
are undersigned, most cordially unite with our
husbands," &c. No opposition was offered to its

reception. '

Anecdote of the King.-The Court
Journal of May loth, states, " It is said, that within
the last woek His Majesty," on being handodu basin
of thin wator-gruel, jocosely excloimed-' Is not
this a dainty dish to sot before a king V

Mr. Alexander Lee, the composer, is
the new lessee of Drury-Lnne thoatre, for the en-
suing three years, at a rent of "£9,000 a yeor.

$