The absence of news from England has caused a great dearth of intelligence in this month's papers. So long a period has elapsed since the arrival of a vessel from London or Liverpool, that we begin to fear for their safety.

The general talk during the month, has been the removal of Colonel Arthur from the Government of the Colony. From what source the information was derived we know not, but the Colonist asserted it as a thing already settled, and announced the changes consequent upon it. The Tasmanian and Colonial Times have amused themselves with additions and emendations, satirically giving dignities to those whose appointments would not only astonish the Colony, but them. selves also.

A Temperance Society has been established at New Norfolk; to the decla. ration upwards of fifty persons attached their signatures.

The eldest son of Mr. Manning, of the Custom-House, has obtained a tract of land of upwards of 21 square miles in extent, at New Zealand.

Mr. Gellard has been liberated from gaol, and has published in all the papers an advertisement in which he returns thanks to several persons who interested themselves in order to procure his liberation. The Colonial Times remarks, that he ought at least to have expressed his gratitude to His Excellency for his acceding to the request of Mr. Gellard's friends-we certainly think so to. As to the advertisement itself, we do think there is a great deal of humbug about it—with his "appeal to publie benevolence," which, to carry him back to England, he considers, from an imprisonment of eight months, to be imperative." We understand Mr. Geliard, and his friend, Mr. Holder, are making the circuit of the Colony, to collect the contributions of those who are inclined to subscribe towards his case. We hope the public will pay up liberally, that Mr. Gellard may be enabled to quit the Colony immediately!

The foundation stone of the New Scotch Church was laid on the 21st, by His Excellency the Lieutenant Gover

nor, attended by Assistant Commissary General Moodie, Cap ns Forster and Montagu, Colonel Leahy, and a detachment of the 21st regiment, as a guard of honour. The company to witness the ceremony was very numerous. The Rev. Mr. Macarthur commenced. the proceedings with a prayer, and the Lieutenant Governor, in a neat speech, expressed his wish for the prosperity of the building, as a place of public worship-and Mr. Moodie returned thanks on behalf of the managers to His Excellency for his kindness, in performing the ceremony-after which Mr. Geiss, Mr. Walker, and Dr. Turnbull addressed the audience, who then separated.

A little excitement has been caused by the commitment for trial, on a charge of appropriating to his own use, Govern ment timber, one of the Superintendents in the Engineer Department.

The site for a Theatre has been decided upon, the property of Captain Wilson in Campbell Street, adjoining the Colonial Secretary's Office, being selected from among the tenders by the Committee. It was offered at £280, and it is said that £440 were immediately paid down by the members present for the speedy erection of the building.

Mr. Deane's pantomime of "Tom the Piper's Son," elicits shouts of laughter from the audience nightly. The house is continually crowded-good humour prevails, and we doubt not but Mr. Deane is fortunate enough to receive a handsome remuneration for the outlayat any rate we hope it is so, as his exertions for the amusement of the public are unremitted.

Mr. Murray, who has been recently gazetted as Town Surveyor under the new Police Act, seems determined to bring about the result contemplated by his appointment. He has taken the trouble to go up the course of the Town Creek, to clear it of the abominable nuisances which, to the disgrace of the town, have for so long a time, made the water, otherwise wholesome, a poison to the inhabitants, and has, we believe, given notice that he will prosecute all

ersons found to continue these nuisances, after warning being given themand all parties will unite in thanking the Government for the appointment of so praiseworthy and pains-taking a gentleman as Mr. Murray.

A second meeting of the Roman Catholics took place on the 18th, when it was announced that Mr. Therry, the senior Catholic Priest in these Colonies, had expressed his willingness to comply with the wishes of the congregation of that persuasion, and would come down from Sydney to take charge of their spiritual concerns. A liberal provision was immediately made for him, and the announcement was received by the parties present with every appearance of complete satisfaction.

That fine schooner the Prince Regent, was lost on the 9th on the Black Reef between Swan Island, and the main, about four miles from land. No chart having the reef laid down, it is to be hoped an accurate survey will be taken of Bass's Straits, and the exact situation of these dangerous rocks, which are invisible at high water.

We are glad to perceive by an advertisement in the papers, that Mr. Manley has established a manufactory for the refining of sugar, which he sells at a cheaper rate, taking into consideration the difference of quality, than the common brown sugar. Whatever assists in .keeping the money within the Island, should be patronized by the Colonists, and Mr. Manley ought to reap a rich profit on his spirited undertaking.

The new Market is generally considered to be a failure, it could not be otherwise when so many gentlemen, residing a few miles from Hobart Town, send their carts round the streets, retailing vegetables to the inhabitants.This should not be allowed by the Government; and although we acknowledge that every man has a right to do that which he likes with his own, yet it would be more respectable if the Amateur Green-grocers sent their commodities to the regulars of the new Market Place alone.

Mr. Burnett, the Colonial Secretary, has been, we are sorry to say, laboring under a severe attack of the gout. Mr. Burnett's urbanity and condescension have long made him beloved by all classes, and we hope he will soon be

able to attend to his office duties, as the public service cannot but be impaired by his absence.

The proprietors of the Sydney Herald lately brought an action against the Australian for a libel contained in that paper, reflecting on the political characters of the former, when the plaintiffs obtained a verdict.-Damages, one farthing.

It appears that Buchan, the bushranger who in consequence of some legal error was saved from sharing the fate of his companions, and was brought to Hobart Town to be again tried, has received a pardon from His Excellency the Lieutenant Governor, and will be sent up to Sydney. We are glad of this, and sincerely hope that the clemency shewn him, will be the means of reforming him, and turn him from the course he has hitherto pursued.

A great portion of the very extensive stock of Mr. Wood, of Liverpool-street, consisting of stationery, paint, oils, and varnishes, has been sold off in consequence of Mr. Wood's retiring from the business. The remainder will be sold off during the ensuing month.

The Theatre has succeeded very well this month. Mrs. Cameron's benefit was a very profitable one. We are given to understand that Mr. Cameron has gone over to Launceston to make arrangements for opening a campaign on that side the Island. If it is there as well conducted as it has been here, we feel assured Mr. Cameron's exertions will not be unsuccessful.

His Excellency, accompanied by his Aid-de-camp and Captain Forster, has visited Port Arthur-what the result has been we know not, but we fancy the Lieutenant Governor will not at all be inclined to increase the horrors of that terrible abode at the direction of any man, even although he be a Secretary of State. On his return, which was by land, His Excellency laid the first stone of the new Church at Richmond.

The bridge at Carrick, which has long been in a very dangerous state, to the annoyance and injury of the settlers in that quarter, is now undergoing a thorough repair, or rather re-construction, under the able superintendence of Mr. Nottman-whose well known skill and ability ensures the work being done well.

Dr. Ross has announced in the Courier that it is the intention of the Government shortly to commence the erection of the new College; that it is supposed the site fixed upon will be Macquarie Point, by which it will form an elegant coup d'œil from Macquarie-street, and that it is expected to be placed under the superintendence of the Rev. Mr. Rusden, who has at present gone to Sydney, where some of the members of his family are settled. The Launceston Advertiser is very severe in its criticism of this announcement, and has stamped the whole affair as a job. We do not know what the Rev. Mr. Rusden's qualifications may be, but we will say, if that gentleman has sufficient talent to enable him to take, with credit to himself, and with justice to the Public, the management of the new College, why the sooner it is built, and Mr. Rusden inducted, the better it will be for the Colony. We are not horrified at finding a clergyman at the head of a Collegiate Institution, however the Launceston Advertiser may be, and while we are confident no harm can result from it, much good do we expect.

The Independent is continually complaining about the state of the Tamar, and the want of buoys in that river to mark the bars and shoals which prove so great a stoppage to the navigation. It is very seldom that a ship of large burthen passes George Town before she has sustained some damage. The Curler, in going out run against the Government cutter Charlotte, and caused some inconsiderable injury to it, such as carrying away her booms. We do hope that a proper survey may be taken of that very

important river, that the bars with which it abounds may be marked.

The rains which fell about the early part of this month, have completely re covered the grass about the Launceston side of the Island. The stock, which had fallen off considerably in flesh, are fast recovering, and the meat exposed for sale in the town is greatly improved in its appearance. This is cheering intelligence, especially as at the early part of the season the accounts of the crops were so distressing.

We regret to learn that the health of the Rev. Mr. Miller, (that highly respected and popular minister) is in so delicate a state as to render a voyage to Sydney essential to his recovery.

The New Zealand chief Moyetera, to whom the Lieutenant Governor lately sent the sword, cloak, &c., is highly elated with the notice thus taken of him, and has, in return, sent several curiosities to His Excellency.

Upwards of £1,000 has been lodged in the hands of the Treasurer, for the Theatre. The foundation stone will be laid in the course of the ensuing month.

Mr. Rowlands has purchased, we learn, the beautiful brig Amity, of Mr. Watson, for £500, for the purpose of becoming a regular trader between this port and New Zealand. During the present rage for building in Hobart Town, the importation of the fine timber of that country must prove a desirable speculation.

A hive of working bees, recently taken to Swan River, by Mr. Jones, of O'Brien's Bridge, has, we learn, not only arrived safe, but are doing extremely well,

APRIL.-Agriculture. This is the principal month for gathering potatoes, and an industrious farmer will also have land ready to sow his forward wheats and barley. This, or the next month, is the best season for sowing English grasses-perhaps, of the two, the latter, when therefore, a few hints or remarks will be offered upon what has been recommended by experience, as the best method of laying down meadows of this description. Some persons who like to be forward, and not throw away a chance, sow wheat upon their high lands, but

It is a

instances of this sort are rare. good time to sow tares for early spring forage; but they do best in this Colony, when mixed either with oats or barley.

Horticulture.-Sow and plant cabbages, to follow your other crops. Gather all seeds, and collect bulbous and other roots. Leeks may now be transplanted. Let the asparagus beds be put to rights by clearing them of all stalks, &c., and a light coat of good manure will be found highly serviceable. Onions may be sown for a good early crop, and may be succeeded by other sowings until

September, inclusive; but July is the month for the general crop. Trees of all sorts may be pruned; although, by deferring the business till May, more time will be allowed for the full settlement of their sap, and when therefore, it may perhaps be done more successfully. Many gardeners ruin their trees

ARRIVALS.

by too great an attachment to the wood with which they are crowded. The knife can scarcely be used too much with any trees, provided judgment be shewn; and a man who has not judgment, has no more business to take a pruning knife in his hand, than has a quack, with an amputation saw.

April 1.-The schooner Tasmanian Lass, from Hokianga, with flax and timber.

April 5.-The cutter Royal William, from King George's Sound, with salt and seal skins.

April 5.-The schooner Industry, from England.

April 10.-The schooner Eagle, from Sydney.

April 17.-The brig Amity, from Sydney.

April 18.-The brig Dorothy's, from the Mauritius.

April 21.-The schooner Penelope, from New Zealand.

April 21.-The Brazil Packet, from New Zealand.

April 27.-The brig Isabella, from Port Arthur.

DEPARTURES.

April 1.-The brig Cornwallis, for

Launceston.

Rpril 2.-The schooner Prince Regent, for Launceston.

Marriages,

MARRIED.-On Tuesday, April 10th, by special license, at St. John's Church, Launceston, by the Rev. Dr. Browne, James Fletcher, Esq., of Moat Farm, Carrick, to Miss Mary Ann Debney, of Hobart Town.

BIRTHS.-On Tuesday, April 1st, at Government House, the lady of His Excellency Lieutenant Governor Arthur, of a daughter.

On Tuesday, April 15th, at Clarmount Cottage, Richmond, Mrs. John Atkinson, of a Daughter.

On Tuesday, April 22nd, at Launces

April 5.-The schooner Currency Lass for Sydney.

April 8.-The schooner Tasmanian Lass, for the Fishery.

April 10.-The schooner Prince of Denmark, for the Fishery.

April 13.-The ship Resource, for Sydney.

April 13.-The schooner Tasmanian Lass, for the Fishery.

April 16.-The cutter Royal William, for bay whaling.

April 16.-The schooner Adelaide, for the fisheries.

April 17.-The ship James Harris, for Sydney.

April 22.-The cutter Emma Kemp, for New Zealand.

April 22.-The brig Isabella, for Port

Arthur.

April 27.-The barque Caroline, for

Sydney.

April 27.-The cutter Emerald, for New Zealand.

April 27.-The schooner Eagle, for Sydney.

Births, &c.

ton, the lady of Mr. Archibald Smith, of a daughter.

DEATHS.-On Tuesday, April 7th, at his residence at New Town, John Delittle, Esq., Superintendent of Public Works at that village, aged 55.

On Sunday, April 13th, Mr. Knight, of Elizabeth-street, Launceston, respected by a numerous and highly respectable circle of friends.

On Monday, April 14th, Mr. G. W. Eldridge, a debtor confined in His Majesty's Gaol-leaving a disconsolate young widow unprovided for.