False Alarm.

By the arrival of the Fairy, from New Zealand, we have received intelligence—which certainly has by no means surprised us—that the French ship La Favorite, from this port, arrived in the Bay of Islands on the 4th inst., fired a salute, hoisted the tri-coloured flag, and took possession of one of the islands in the name of the King of the French. Captaine La Place had made some considerable progress in the erection of a fort prior to the departure of the Fairy. As we have already stated, we are not at all surprised at this proceeding on the part of the French commander. The object of the French "Discovery Ships" cruising in the South Seas during the last six years has now been, and, we anticipate, will be made still more apparent. It is to found colonies in page 52this part of the world; and yet, in the very face of these proceedings, which are as plain as the sun at noonday, we have people among us who twaddle about the injustice of our Government in even contemplating the adoption of measures which would have the probable effect, at least, of securing to the British Crown, dependencies so truly valuable as some of the South Sea Islands. With respect to New Zealand, however, has it not been already formally taken possession of in the name of the King of England? Was not the British flag hoisted there by Captain Cook, as well as by succeeding circumnavagators? If so, has not the French commander transgressed the Laws of Nations? and will the British Government submit to such an usurpation? We understand that H.M. brig Zebra is under orders to sail for New Zealand on Sunday. The object of her mission is not publicly known.—Sydney Gazette, October 16, 1838.

We stated on Saturday that the Fairy had brought news of the French having taken possession of one of the New Zealand islands. We have since heard another version of the affair—namely, that certain repairs, etc., being required for the ship (La Favorite), Captaine La Place had pitched a tent upon an island, convenient for the purpose; that upon the apex of the tent a tri-coloured flag had been hoisted, simply as an ornament; and that a couple of guns had been placed before the encampment as a means of preventing opposition on the part of the natives. This certainly is a very probable story, though we, by no means, vouch for its truth. Nothing could be more natural than for the French to act in the manner described, while it would be equally natural for hasty observers to put a wrong construction upon their conduct. A correspondent has favoured us with the following sensible observations on the question of national right:—

"As the reported intrusion of the French at New Zealand is at present a topic of much interest, I take the opportunity of bringing to your notice that in the work of Peuchet, Paris, 1821 (Etat des Colonies des Europeens dans les deux Indes), New Zealand is expressly recognised as a British possession. That Great Britain may not have stationed any civil or military establishment at New Zealand could not derogate from that continued right of possession, which contiguity to these colonies and the necessity for their safety, that adjacent islands be not occupied by any other foreign Power, would always infer. Whether however, the British Government has desired to look upon New Zealand absolutely as a British colony or possession will probably best be decided by the fact of their having directed, or otherwise, "British Plantation Registers" to be granted to the vessels lately built by British subjects from these colonies, a question which was referred by the local Government to Downing street in the early part of the year 1829, and the result of which the gentlemen of the Customs could at once inform you of. Some official documents published not long ago would show that in the case of 'Otaheite' (I think), by not sanctioning, if my memory serves me, the use of the British flag by these islanders, the British Government did not intend that all these southern islands should be considered as British dependencies; but it does not follow that Britain would permit the occupation of any by another foreign Power; and, if I am not mistaken, there has been some treaty in which this has been stipulated for. But, as to the British Government sending a consul to New Zealand, as stated by the editor of the Sydney Monitor (upon his own knowledge), it is preposterous, for who ever heard of a British consul being sent to a British colony or possession, or to any other than a, foreign or independent kingdom." We have inquired at the Custom House as to the result of the above-mentioned reference to Downing street, and are informd that no answer has yet been received. The official document relative to Otaheite, alluded to by our correspondent, was a despatch from Mr Canning, then Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, to the late King Pomare, in answer to a request for permission to use the British flag. Our Government did not think it expedient to accede to Pomare's wish.—Sydney Gazette, October 23, 1838.

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H.M.S. Zebra has returned from her cruise to the Bay of Islands, where, it was said, the French had taken formal possession of part of New Zealand. The conjecture we expressed at the time—that they had merely landed for some temporary purpose—proves to have been correct; though, it must be admitted, their proceedings were somewhat suspicious. They explored every part of the bay, rivers, etc., and erected marks at the different angles of the harbour to assist their surveying operations. The natives were exceedingly jealous of their designs, and treated them with marked hostility, refusing to hold any communication, and, in the end, tearing down their survey marks. The French were so little satisfied with their reception that they prudently decamped, but not without a considerable acquaintance with the geography of the country, from which, it is fair to presume they contemplate some ulterior advantage. The Zebra arrived in the Bay of Islands on the 15th ultimo, the French corvette La Favorite having sailed thence three weeks previously for South America. In consequence of the alarm created among the natives by this suspicious visit from the French, and of the growing annoyance they are suffering from the vile conduct of a parcel of runaway convicts, amounting to forty or fifty, a number of the principal chiefs had determined on immediately petitioning the British Government to take their country under its protection. They were making preparations for war against a tribe at the East Cape, who had somehow provoked their wrath. The Rev. Mr Williams, the principal missionary, and the zealous, uniform, and often successful, advocate for peace, was exerting all his influence to appease their passions, and prevent the horrid carnage by which New Zealand warfare is always distinguished. From the high respect in which he is held by the chiefs, it was hoped his pacific interference would not be wanted.—Sydney Gazette, November 6, 1838.

December, 1858.—The Courier brings intelligence that the French discovery ship La Favorite left the coast of New Zealand last month for South America. A letter received in Sydney from a gentleman on board the Favorite states there was no intention on the part of the Frenchman to establish a settlement on the New Zealand coast.

We rejoice to hear of the application of the chiefs for British protection. It will greatly facilitate that formal occupancy on the part of our nation which we have so frequently and so strongly urged, and on which the future peace and welfare of these colonies will so materially depend. We trust his Majesty's Government will be duly impressed with the importance of such a step, and promptly avail themselves of so excellent am opportunity for frustrating the sinister intentions of foreign interlopers. New Zealand, as we have often remarked, is the great key of the Pacific, and the natural satellite of Eastern Australia, Whatever foreign Power should be permitted to wrench it from our grasp would have the means of inflicting serious injury upon our commerce, and in times of war of effecting mischief of a still graver nature. The anxiety and alarm excited in the colony by the late report of French intrusion sufficiently indicated how generally these opinions are entertained by those best competent to judge, and ought to serve as a further argument for the official interference we recommend.—Sydney Gazette, November 27, 1838.

Hobart Town Courier, March 8, 1839, reports:—There is an idle rumour abroad of a new Southern Continent having been discovered by the French ships now in the South Seas, under command of M. D'Urville. This is not so. D'Urville found it impracticable to arrive so near the South Pole as he desired, and gave up the attempt. An island not laid down in any of the charts has been discovered south of South Shetlands. The expedition, however, is said to have already added very much to the botanical and geographical sciences.