We have received papers from Australasia to the beginning of
May,
the latest being the Sydney Australian of the 2d. The most startling intelligence they bring is the news of a hurricane which has devastated Port Essington. A correspondent of the Sydney Chronicle thus describes the state of the island- " At present there is on the island a military establishment two hundred strong, with three or tour subaltern officers, one or two captains, and a colonel,. It is to be the head-quarters of a regiment. There is an extensive agricultural establishment. The island is said to contain 17,000 acres, about 2,000 of which, as well as I could learn, are under cultivation, and produce maize, corn, wheat, &c. This establishment is kept up by the labour of the prisouers, who, since the present arrival, amount to about 1,500. The settlement consists of military and prisoners' barracks, mid officers' quarters. A new gaol is in pro. gress of erection, on the American plan, containing ninety cells. There is also a church establishment ; it consists of two or three chaplains for the two persuasions, with government salaries."
Two hundred new prisoners who had arrived with Captain Ma- conocIde were kept separate from those already confined on the island.
On the 30th of April, the colonists of Sydney sent a deputation to the Governor•General, with a petition complaining of the misappro- priation of' the Land-fund to other than immigration purposes. The Governor held out no hopes of a change until the colonists should have taxed themselves for the maintenance of police.
A letter which appears in the Australasian Chronicle of May 1st, signed " An Emigrant," complains of the treatment which the free emigrants had received on the voyage from. England, in a vessel whose name is given. The writer says that the emigrants were deceived by false promises made to them at the place of embarkation : they were told that they could be lodged in the barracks, and that if they could not get employment within fourteen days after their arrival in the colony, tioverulunt would employ them at reduced wages, " until they could better themselves."
Wheat was selling in Sydney at 18s. to 20s. per bushel ; flour at 458. to 50s. for fine, 40s. to 43s, for middling, and 33.9. to 40s. for ration; bread at Ild, the two-pound loaf. Butter was selling at 3s. to 4s. 3d. per pound for fresh, salt at Is. to 2s. Gil. Beef in the carcase, 3d. per pound ; mutton, ad. Coals, per ton, 22s. to 24s.; wood, split, per bar- row-load, 2s.; per cart--load, 6s. to is.
The total amount of' tonnage of vessels lying in Sydney harbour on the 1st of May was 21,000 tons.
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