The Express.
London, England, 1847-09-27 00:00:00

COLONIAL.

AUSTRALIA.—Sydney papers, by way of Singa-
pore, have come to heed. reaching to May 8. That colony
is in a flourishing condition. Wheat was at 49. 7d. per
bushel ; the holders of Launceston wheat were holding out
for ss. and Is. &I. The shipping lists indicate an active
trade with London, the South Seas, and New Zealand. Sir
Charles Fitzroy opened the last session of the first legisla-
tive council of New South Wales on the 4th May. The
"speech from the throne" on the occasion Is described
as giving general satisfaction. It congratulated the
members on the general condition of the colony—the
abundance, chcapnes9, and excellent quality of all the
necessaries of life, and the flourishing state of the
revenue. The slight deficiency in the balance of 184 G
as compared with that of 1845 is explained to arise from re-
duction of taxes ; especially two,—the assessment on stook
for police purposes, and the duties on spirits. The amount
now on credit will enable the government to discharge in the
course of the present year, the whole of the outstanding
debentures, amounting to nearly 100,0001., which were hatted
to meet the expenses of immigration, in former years.
Sir Charles stated that ho had been induced at the request
of a numerous and highly respectable body of proprie-
tors to recommend the Colonial-office at home to resume
the system of Australian emigration, at least immediately
to the extent of 5,00 D adults. The loss of a steamer in
Moreton-bay, has induced the leghlature to consider the
means of placing. passenger steamers under some efficient
system of supervision.
From North Australia there is news to the 27th April.
The party under Col. Barney continued inactive. Latest
accounts brought by the steamer Kangaroo, from Port
Curtis, announced that she had left Col. Grey and his family
at l'ort Macquarie; and that she had towed to sea the store-
ship, having on board Col. Barney's family, with several
members of his staff and their families, together with a de-
tachment of the military, who were hourly expected at
Sydney.
VAN DIEMEN'S LAND.—The latest news from
Van Diemen's Land is to the 27th April. There is nothing
of importance to notice there. In the commercial depart-
ment things seemed thriving and active.
NEW ZEALAND.—The latest intelligence from
this colony is of the 27th of April. The New Zealander of
that date informs us that Governor Grey arrived from Wel-
lington in the steamer Inflexible on the 19th. Dazing his
absence he had visited New Plymouth, where he bad several
interviews with the natives, with a view to the settlement of
the land disputes in that district. After a personal inspec-
tion of the locality, and hearing the statements of the settlers
and natives on the spot, his excellency had determined upon
first securingto the natives of the place large reserves of land
far their purposes, and then purchasing extensive tracts to
meet the demands of the settlers, who are eager to extend
their borders, and to increase their means for agricultural
pursuits. The unhappy differences that have hitherto
existed at Taranaki, were about to be brought to a satisfac-
tory termination. The revenue was increasing.
At Wellington, and at Nelson also, final and satisfactory
arrangements had been made for the settlement of the land
claims. A tract of land at Porirna Lad been purchased ;
and at the Wairan plains also. News from Wellington to
the 7th of April state that during the month of February
more than two thousand sheep, three hundred head ofeattle,
and forty horses were imported into that settlement from
New South Wales. These large quantities had been pur-
chased by the settlers, and taken to the several districts sur-
rounding the town. The quarter's revenue for the district,
endiog sth April, had exceeded the sum of 4,0001., or at the
rate of more than 16,0001. per annum. What a contrast—
the revenue under Capt. Fitzroy and the revenue under the
present governor.