The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1868-10-23
NEW SOUTH WALES.

faithful Conspirator NIurdered-The Politi-
cnl ConditiOn-Extraordinary Natural Phe-
nomena--The Mail Route TO Europe via
san Francisco.
SYNDEY, Sept !, 1858.
II seems that the AFFAIR OF the attempted assass
nation OF Prince Alfred s not yet at end; and at
the present writing it appears more than probable
that the fanatic attempt OF O'Farrel will yet bear
the melancholy frult which was at stexpected to
spring from II. Scarcely have the people Of New
South Wales recovered their equanimity aud settled
down into the conviction that the assailant OF
the Prince was an isolated enthusiast lured
to tho deed for which he suffered by
insane notion that he was the destined instru-
ment OF political justice and scarcely has the belief
in an organized ishAustralian society for the sub
version OF the British government faded from their
minds when they are again plunged into . condition
OF the widest excitement and anxiety by . sensa-
ona speech Of the leading spirit Of the present ad
ministration, the Hon. Henry Parkes, In which he
affirmed not only that O'Farren was the appointed
agent Of some dark conspiracy" but also that
OF the conspirators, whose good faith had been sus
pected, had been foully murdered prior to the at
tempt on the life Of the Prince Mr.. Parkes thus
makes last attempt to fasten the odlum Of assassi
nation upon his political enemies. II the statement
he has made be really true IL Will undoubtedly have
the eek Of destroying for many years the political
prospects OF any party not professedy Protestant.
But IT, the other hand, Is more than suspected,
his allegations are based on the nimslest possible
foundation, the result WILL Of course, be altogether
different In the meantime people are anxiously
awaiting the production OF the documents and are
wrought up to she last degree Of excitement and
suspense.
Just before the solar eclipse Of the 19th uN the
81 the greater portion Of the colonies
and alarm by some extraordinary disturbance OF
the usual tidal now. In Sydney 1t was high water
about five O'Clock on the morning OF the 18th ut.,
and the tide was ebbing with considerable velocity
about eight A. NJ, when it suddenly turned. and the
waters, as II impeled by some extraordinary in
iuence returned up the harbor with great force In
some parts OF the harbor the water seemed literally
while at one time tidal wave swept up Johnsons
bay. swapping the warps OF one OF the Balmain
steam ferries and completely stopping another
across the harbor. At one point the water rose two
feet In five minutes, and then ebbed out again with
hibited similar symptoms OF disturbance, the water
being greatly disco.ored At Newcastle this phe-
great anxiety felt for the shipping In the harbor
The Alexander was suddenly swept from her moor
ings nut alter wnne succeeaea IN ancnoring In me
action OF the tide that the captain expected her
masts to fab. The American ship Lucbele, Of 1000
tons, was swung rapidly round four times, and the
other vessels IN the harbor impelled in ali
directions. Two steamtugs, the warhawk and the
Rapid were left stranded by the sudden retreating OF
the water, and the sandbanks in the channel were
sometimes eft quite dry, aud at Others Is rapidly
covered. gauge showed rise and fall Of two and
half feet in fifteen minutes, and the water con-
taiHed at the time at least five per cent Of mud.
Later accounts from Tasmania, Queensland and New
Zealand show shat similar disturbances occurred
simultaneously all over the colonies. Two slight
shocks OF earthquake were felt at Wellington and
bar OF gravel was suddenly thrown up at the mouth
OF the Ngahauranga river.
Shocks OF earthquake were also felt at Dunedin
The casse OF these phenomena seems generally to
be regarded as an earthquake or volcanic wave, and
terrific CONFUSION OF nature has taken place
where In TIE South Seas. Another island may pos
anu. Of course, II is equally likely that some unfor
tunatc island or group Of islands may have been sub
merged.
trica disturbance observed and all through the
month meteors have been seen almost nightly. Just
alter the eclipse one OF the most singular incidents
probably that have ever occurred took place AS the
schooner Urania was passing Crowdy Head about
teor described as being like bali ali Of re" fe im
mcdiately over the vessels stern, exploded with
loud report IKE thar Of heavy piece Of ord;
Sales. Everyone on board felt a violent
Sparks OF fire were scattered all about the deck and
the fash OF the meteor was 80 brilliant that the
IRE through the ca1lked seams OF the deck. HIS
cabin was at the same time filed with smoke, which
bIacsensd some papers lying about the pam, on
what 1t might have been had the ship been smoked
with charcoal" peculiar, indescribabie smell was
perceived Tor some time after the explosion, and q
quantity OF fakes ike the SCOT from steamers
funnel were scattered abo It the deck The meteor
apparently travelled with the wind, which was from
the south. The body OF Sales, the man who was
killed. appeared TO be blackened, but showed no
other marks OF injury. Sales young man. about
twenty-three years Of age, and IL described as q
smart seaman.
Captain Young. Of the steamer Lady Young, also
reports having seen o firebal passing ahead Of his
SHIP about midnight on the 18th ult.
Is Is rumored here, though on somewhat uncertain
foundation, that an American steamship company
are going to start line from the colonies 70 San
Francisco as soon as the Pacific Railroad Is COM
bourne as The Australian terminus OF the line the
vessels to touch at sydney, Brisbane 1.-THE metropolis
Of Qucenslaudl Auckland thc leading city OF New
Zealandl. the Fits and Honolulu. II an arrange
nent can be made with the steamship line from
Japan to Honolulu the latter company 10 forward
the mails, passengers and freight the remainder OF
the way TO san Francisco. No doubt the various
colonies would be prepared TO grant moderate sub
sides 10 q line OF such character and IL would
probably absorb nearly all the passenger frame be-
tween Great Britain and Australia, II conducted on
American principles The p and .. Company are
that as soon as they get to Point de Gale their COM
fort and interests are disregarded, the India pas
sengers getting the best cabins aud all the attention
The shps for the new line are said TO BIO already In
course OF construction. They are TO he paddle
steamers, on the American model.
The 'snopocracyr Of sydney have been once more
badly sold. Two OF three months ago o foreign gen.
tieman, announcing himself as the Count Won At
tens, and blessed with very distngue and aristo-
cratic appearance made his appearance Ia sydney
and very soon became the hon OF the polite society
OF New South Wales. Fetes ana balls were given IN
MS honor and the bellies OF Australian upperiendom
flung themselves lauguishing at his feet Aitbough
however, his European resources were somethlng
fabulous, he needed ready money, and, thanks 10
his powers OF address, he found little difficulty In
raising some IS 900 or S. 00 At last he bought a
yacht called iIanet's Ghost and repeated the same
game at Brisbane raising an additional G., 200. BY
the arrival OF the last mail the discovery made
that tie distinguished foreigner was an imposor,
that the real Count Won Athens was dead, and that
his double In Sydney had at time been his valet
A gigantic squatting company Is shortly to be
noated the London money market, under the title
Of the "Australian Pastoral COMPANY
Prince Alfreds birthday was celebrated by the
opening Of fifteen miles Of the Great southern Rail.