soon as the intelligence, nunicated by a ticket-ofd Moore, reached Head 15 liberated. It would hard should Johnson guilty, as it was genehe would have been, tantial evidence adduced d his feelings under could not have been It appears that the cause disappearance, accordcount, were losses of a ter, and that he himself property and provisions ith him in hollow trees places. The Colonial Swift, the District Cond so many journies to the and other places, is, we out to write and publish his tours, to be entitled Murder.'

دو

ane's soirées, to which we have once accorded their due unpraise, are, we are glad to perout to re-commence. Mr. Deane erto been very anxious, as a capublic amusement, to gratify munity, and now that he has his capital in so large a concern Argyle Rooms, we feel quite conthat the public will well support

beautiful entire race-horse has been d at Launceston from the Norval. Independent says that all Launceswas out to see it, and describes it as ng beautifully symmetrical, and condes with applauding Mr. Hardwick's rit in importing so fine an animal, oping that it will prove as beneficial to is proprietor as it is advantageous to the Colonists.

The merchants and tradesmen of Hobart Town are getting up a petition to His Excellency the Lieutenant Governor, praying for some relief by the introduction of some description or other of insolvent laws. It is signed by nearly every respectable tradesman.

The Colonial Times is pleased to be

witty on the arrival per Eldon of two lawyers and one gentleman. "Of lawyers," says that paper, "Heaven knows we have abundance-gentlemen, however, are scarce, and the one by the Eldon will in all probability for some time be looked upon as a rare curiosity."

The Rifleman, which left this port about a twelvemonth ago, it is feared is lost, as she has been some time over-due, and no intelligence has reached of her safety. It was reported that Messrs. Hewitt & Co. had received replies to the letters sent home by her, but it now appears, that the duplicates only are acknowledged, the originals not having arrived.

Live stock and working bullocks are now being shipped for this Colony from New South Wales. There is an immense tract of excellent country within twenty miles of Port Phillip, and Mr. Riley, Dr. Sherwin, and others, are there depasturing their flocks; when the ferry is established across Bass's Straits, and steam-boats plying regularly, these gentlemen may drive a profitable trade by shipping cargoes of live stock; but what will our agriculturists say?

The oratorio, the first which has ever taken place in Van Diemen's Land, passed off on Saturday the 15th instant, exceedingly well. The presence of His Excellency the Lieutenant Governor drew together all the fashionables of Hobart Town, who appeared exceedingly gratified by the selection and the execution of the pieces. Mrs. Inkersole made her first appearance in public, and gave universal satisfaction. Iler "Lord remember David," and "Lord to thee each night and day," were most beautifully given; and indeed, as the Tasmanian remarks, in her we now have a singer in the Colony-her knowledge of music-her correct style of singing-her accentuation, decidedly place her as a singer very high in rank ;—nor in praising her must we forget Mrs. Henson, whose "He was despised," was sweetly pathetic. Mrs. Davis's best performance was "Let the bright Seraphim," with the trumpet obligato performance of Mr. Long. Mr. Peck's violin concerto appeared to give the audience great pleasure, and Mr. Marshall's flute solo was

excellent. The finale, the Hallelujahı Chorus, was thoroughly well supported, and was certainly the very best musical

Of 5 Sovs. each (for Horses bred in the Colony), with 50 Sovs. added. Heats, once round and a distance. Gentle

men riders. The winner to give six dozen of Claret to the Stewards' Or dinary. Weights, 2 yrs. old, 8st. 2lb.; 3 yrs. old, 9st. 4lb.; 4 yrs. old, 10st.; 5 yrs. old, 11st. 4lb.; 6 yrs. old and aged, 12st.

Mr. W. Kearney's ir. gr. h. Donald
Caird, 4 yrs. old.-Tartan Plaid.
Mr. Baynton's c. h. Liberty, 5 yrs.—
Pink.

Mr. J. W. Murdoch's blk. g. Cardinal, 4 yrs. old.-Crimson, and White These Stakes were won easily by Do

nald Caird.

....

cap.

Mr. Kearney's Donald Caird 1 1 Mr. Murdoch's Cardinal ....

HACK SWEEPSTAKES.

22

£2 each entry.

Mr. Patterson's g, f.

Third Day.

THE LADIES' PLATE

1 1

Of 50 Sovs. One Sov. entrance. Heats, 2 miles. Weights, 3 yrs. 7st. 8lb.; 4 yrs. 8st. 61b.; yrs. 9st.; 6 yrs. old and aged, 9st. 5lb. Mr. W, Kearney's ir. gr. h. Donald Caird, 4 yrs. old.-Tartan. Mr. James Brumby's blk. h. Blacklock, 4 yrs. old. Scarlet and Blue. Mr. James Peck's c. g. Why Not, 4 yrs. old.-Red and Green. Mr. C. Meredith's ro. h. Tippoo Saib, 6 yrs. old.-Scarlet and Black. Mr. R. Stynes's b. h. Hit or Miss, 4 yrs. old. Yellow, and White cap. Mr. Baynton's c. h. Liberty, 5 yrs. old.

-Pink.

Mr. T. Y. Lowes's b. h. Saladin, 5 yrs. old.-Purple and Gold.

Mr. Clark's blk n. Blacklock, 4 yrs. old.-Light Blue, and Black cap. Mr. John Brown's g. m. Madge Wildfire, 5 yrs. old.--Black and Yellow.

Lavender.

A SWEEPSTAKES Of 3 Sovs. There were seven horses entered, but the race was only between the two horses placed. The weather was rainy, which considerably damped the hilarity of the scene, as well as the backs of the spectators. They came in as follows: Mr. Peck's, Why Not 1 1 Mr. Brumby's Kitty of the Lake.. 2 2

One of the most remarkable circumstances which have taken place lately, has been the supposed death and resuscitation of Mr. Nicholl, of Brown's River. A man named Johnson was in goal charged on suspicion with being the mur

performance ever witnessed in Van Diemen's Land.

We are informed, says the Launceston Advertiser, that there is an attempt made to raise the price of wheat in this Colony, by fictitious reports of its price at Sydney. We know that at that place large supplies of American flour are expected, and our northern neighbours are expect ing to realize good profits by its being shipped for this Colony, as it assuredly would be, if prices continued very high. The average price at Sydney we would quote at between six and seven shillings. Monopoly in grain is one of the worst of monopolies, and we would recommend caution in our agriculturists before the tales of high prices are listened to.

Among the passengers per Lonach, are Deputy Assistant Commissary General Johnston and his lady, from the Cape. Mr. Johnston is, we understand, to be Ordnance Storekeeper; the Government intending to unite it with the Commissariat Department. A poor orphan girl, whose mother was struck dead by lightning on the voyage out, with the child in her arms, has been adopted by this old and highly esteemed Peninsula officer. This circumstance augurs well for the popularity of Mr. Johnston, although we are confident that gentleman esteems the approbation of his own conscience, far beyond any meed of praise public opinion can give

him.

A stir is now being made about the nauseous water the inhabitants of Hobart Town are compelled to drink, and it is sincerely hoped that some means will be resorted to for the better supply of so necessary an article. One of the causes of disease in the town, which would otherwise be the most healthy in the Colony, is the impurity of the water, and as we perceive there is an immense quantity of iron pipe lying at the Ordnance Store, having been imported, so we are given to understand, for the bringing of water from the Cascade, we do hope that it will be immediately put down, and a great blessing will be conferred on the inhabitants. The abominable nuisances which are thrown into the creek, have for a long time past called for some notice, and have already given the stream the denomination of the Town Ditch.

The arrival of the Lady Hay, at Sydney, from China, will make some trifling

difference in the price of that article of daily consumption, especially as she brings the report of another large ship sailing for these Colonies with the same commodity. We understand that the opening of the trade with China, which takes place on the 5th April, has given a new impetus to the shipping interest at home. Several very large vessels were fitting out in the Clyde for that trade, and also at Leith when the Eldon left Greenock, and we hope the relief from the exclusion which prevailed in that trade, will be of some assistance to the pauper population of the Mother Country.

It appears that some fears were entertained of the cholera having shewn itself at Launceston, which were further encreased by the Independent newspaper announcing that it continued to rage" in that town; but the Editor of the Advertiser to his credit, forwarded notes to the medical gentlemen in the neighbourhood, for their opinions on the subject, and received highly satisfactory replies from all. Newspaper writers should be very cautious before they raise such reports, for it is well known that excessive fear is a great cause of many of the diseases to which humanity is subject. Many weak-minded persons have been known to become victims to a disease, which only existed at first in their own imaginations.

A new Female Factory is nearly completed at Launceston, and appears to confer much credit on Mr. J. A. Brown, the builder. Its internal arrangements are said to be extremely complete; the Advertiser remarks thus:-"The building is so arranged as to keep each class separate; so that, even in the chapel, though all will be under the immediate observation of the minister officiating, the women of the different wards will not have an opportunity of seeing each other. The building, altogether, is a complete lock-up; and, we have only to hope, that in such an establishment, where the facilities for carrying on a strict system of discipline are so great, the mode of conducting the business will be so arranged, as to produce some better effect upon the minds of the women who may be confined there, than has hitherto been observable upon their return from the Factory" at George Town. The cells designed for punish

"

ment by solitary confinement are well planned, but are not sufficient in number."

The other day, a woman of the name of Kearney, residing near the Creek, in a fit of jealousy swallowed a large quantity of oil of vitriol, which it appears the husband was in the habit of using for the purpose of dressing white leather skins, and had it not been for the prompt assistance of Dr. Lloyd, of Collins-street, who was immediately sent for, and who, after administering large doses of magnesia, applied the stomach pump; her death must have been inevitable. This is one of the many cases of matrimonial felicity.

We are happy to hear that Mr. Rawling intends forming a regular Stud Book, for all horses bred or imported in the Colony. This is a work much required among sporting men, and will hereafter be of great value to the Colony. We are not aware of the exact plan Mr. Rawling intends adopting, but, as it is a work of public importance, we have no doubt it will be so arranged as to meet the desired intention.

Donald Caird, for the Ladies' Plate, carrying 8 st. 6lb. performed the distance of two miles, in 3 minutes and 54 seconds; Saladin carried 9 st. and was 2 seconds longer about it.

The late rains have wonderfully improved both the grass and turnip crops. Meat, although so exceedingly scarce, may shortly be expected of better quality, and at a more reasonable rate.

Owing to some carelessness on the part of the engineer, says the Colonial Times, "Governor Arthur went down alongside the New Wharf (ominous!!!) It appears that the escape pipes formerly led out under the paddle axles, and these pipes having been altered to go up the chimney, the holes in the former place were not filled up, consequently when the vessel received a rather heavier load than usual, she began to fill, and went down. We are happy to say, she was got up the same day, without sustaining in her engine or elsewhere, the least damage whatever.

A melancholy accident, says the Launceston Advertiser, "occurred the other day. A cart belonging to Mr. J. Ralston, was on its way from town, and a free man, a carpenter, in that gentleman's employ was riding in the cart, in

a state of intoxication; when near the farm of Mr. Gough, about five miles from town, he fell off, and died on the spot."

On Saturday night, March 1st, the same paper states that Britton and his comrades were at a hut at Mr. W. Field's on the Liffey; where, it appears, they were about three weeks ago. There were about ten men in the hut, whom the bushrangers secured by sending them out one at a time to be tied, two of the party remaining on guard over the rest of the men in the hut. After securing them, the robbers appeased their appetite at their leisure, remaining in the hut from dusk until 12 o'clock; when they departed. During the conversation which took place in the hut, Britton stated that he should not have returned, had it not been reported that in his last visit he had robbed to a greater extent than he had. He, however, used no violence. From the overseer, a man of the name of Stevens, they took a watch; but returned it to him on his entreaty. Brown appropriated to his use Stevens's hat, and Jeffkins took a pair of boots from the feet of a man in the hut, replacing them with a pair which he threw off."

There is no variation in the price of Colonial produce, wheat continuing at from 7s. 6d. to 8s. a bushel. Wool, during the last fortnight has undergone a rise of 2d. per lb-that is, what was sold at 14d. is now 16d.

The loss of the brig Bee, with tea, from Canton, is confirmed by the recent arrivals.

The late Capt. Robertson's fine entire Arab horse Caliph, was sold on the 20th inst. by Mr. Lowes to Mr. Marzetti, of Cawood, for £150; Saladin was bought by Mr. Orr for £105; Smolensko, a Sydney entire horse, was sold to Capt. Read at £50.

On Monday, 19th inst. says the Courier, a ruffian was discovered on the Race Course picking a gentleman's pocket, the police immediately endeavoured to apprehend him. Being a desperate villain, however, he drew a large clasp knife and resisted, making his way across the fields. The first man who came up to him was severely cut in the upper lip, and the second in the throat, and he would, probably have escaped, had not Mr. Cleburn rode up and aided in securing him.