Enclosure.

Captain w. Cornwallis Symonds was drowned on Tuesday, in Manukau Bay. The following particulars of this melancholy occurrence will, we believe, be found substantially correct: Mrs. Hamlin, wife of Mr. Hamlin, the missionary at Manukau (who was absent from home), being very ill, sent a message to the "Brilliant," lying in the Bay, to request that if there was a surgeon in the ship he would attend her. Captain Symonds, having heard the circumstances, and knowing there was no surgeon on board, did that which those who knew him might have calculated upon, for, with the active kindness and benevolence which so distinguished him, he immediately resolved to procure medicines from the ship and cross the Bay to Mrs. Hamlin's residence. He accordingly proceeded on board the "Brilliant," and, Having made his arrangements, he, by the advice of the captain of that vessel, in consequence of the day being gusty, and there being at the time a considerable sea, took the ship's long boat instead, of his own; he was accompanied by Mr. Adam, a gentleman who came out from Scotland in the "Brilliant" and settled at Manukau, two European seamen, and a Native. Shortly after leaving the vessel a violent and sudden squall struck the boat, which was observed to go down head foremost, about a mile from the ship. Two boats were immediately lowered from the "Brilliant," but we understand that, owing to the dangerous sea running, it was found impracticable to proceed to the unfortunate men, and those in the ship were compelled to witness their unhappy fate. The two seamen disappeared almost immediately; Mr. Adam swam for a long time, in company with Captain Symonds, but at length sank. Captain Symonds, who was an expert and powerful swimmer, was observed to make the most extraordinary exertions: he swam more than an hour and twenty minutes, encumbered with a particular heavy kind of nailed boots and two thick pea-coats (which latter he was seen attempting to take off), and had nearly gained the shore when he disappeared. He had done much for New Zealand, and from his talents and energy much more was expected. He was public-spirited and independent in the highest degree, and this event is a great calamity to the colonists of this country, as well as to the infant company of which he was so able a director. The Native who accompanied them, through the interposition of Divine providence, alone remains to relate the melancholy event.