tion of land having been reserved for the purpose of a township, his Excellency, finding it admirably circumstanced for that object, being in the midst of a rich soil, and well watered, approved of its location, and in com. pliment to Lieutenant-General Sorell, named the township Sorell. Some progress has been already made at this place in buildings; a gaol has been erected, and the site of a school-house and temporary chapel marked out, which is to be shortly commenced

on.

11. The various roads, well constructed, leading from Hobart Town to the different settlements in the interior, together with the strong bridges thrown across the streams and creeks crossing these roads, could not fail to excite his Excellency's surprise and admiration, finding that thereby the intercourse between Hobart Town and all the principal farming establishments, on both sides of the river Derwent, was rendered so very easy and

convenient.

On the great line of road from Hobart Town to Port Dalrymple, one portion, extending so far as the north side of Constitution Hill, being nearly completed; another line extends as far as the Coal River and Pitt-water districts; and a third leads to the Macquarrie district, through New Norfolk, and including the settlements there on both sides of the Derwent. These roads, which have been projected by, and executed under the superintendence of Major Bell, C.B. of the 48th regiment, acting engineer and inspector of public works at Hobart Town, appear to have been most judiciously laid out, and expeditiously constructed, and reflect much credit on that gentleman's zeal for the public service. It is unnecessary to dwell on the innumerable benefits resulting from the country being thus intersected with good roads, the advantages being

felt and duly appreciated by the settlers at large; and the entire line from Hobart Town to Launceston, a distance of 120 miles, which is now in rapid progress from both extremities, will be completed as soon as the numerous gangs placed on it can possibly effect so very great and important an undertaking.

12. From this interesting excursion, his Excellency returned to Hobart Town on the 22d ultimo; and it now chiefly remains for him to express the high feelings of gratification which he experienced throughout every part of his tour, arising from the happy situ ation of the people, the fertility of the soil, and the beauty of the country at large; all aided by the wise, judicious, and successful exertions of his honour, Lieutenant-Governor Sorell, who ap pears to be indefatigable in projecting, and carrying into effect, all those measures, which, by being persevered in, must raise Van Diemen's Land, at no very distant day, to the proud distinction of being one of the most valuable colonies belonging to the Crown. The recent influx of several respectable free settlers, with considerable property, will not fail, under the auspices of Lieutenant-Governor Sorell, to hasten that period at which Van Diemen's Land will hold a high rank among the settlements of the British empire. According to a census, which had been completed only some little time previous to the governor's arrival at Hobart Town, his Excellency is enabled to state the following particulars: viz.

That the population of Van Diemen's Land is 6372 souls, exclusive of the civil and military officers; and that it contains no less than 28,838 head of horned cattle, 182,468 sheep, 421 horses, and 10,683 acres of land in cultivation.

His Excellency was also happy to observe, that by the introduction of the Merino breed of sheep, (some of

which have been lately imported direct from England, and still many more, sent by this government from the extensive flocks of the pure Merino breed, belonging to John M'Arthur, Esq.), the wool is much improved; and though perhaps it may not altogether rival that produced in this part of the territory, yet will it soon attain such a degree of perfection as will render it a most valuable export to the mother country.

13. His Excellency has much pleasure in declaring, that every information he required from the public departments in Van Diemen's Land, was furnished with the utmost promptitude and correctness; and the officers, civil and military, at the heads of those departments, are entitled to, and he hopes for their acceptance of, his thanks and approbation of their conduct therein. And his Excellency further feels it due to every class of the inhabitants in Van Diemen's Land, to express himself much gratified by the marked attention, kindness, and respect which he experienced invariably from the inhabitants, during the whole period of his tour; and he will always retain a pleasing remembrance of the good will and obliging disposition manifested by them towards his Excellency personally.

14. All the objects of this tour of inspection being effected, his Excellency, family, and suite, and accompanied by the Honourable Judge Advocate Wylde, embarked on board the ship Caroline, at Hobart Town, on the 30th ultimo ; and arrived safe at Sydney, on the 12th inst., after an absence of near three months from headquarters.

By his Excellency's command, FRED. GOULBURN, Colonial Secretary. 31st. In the course of the past week, many parts of the south and west of England have been visited by

very heavy rains, in consequence of which the roads were in several places laid under water for some time. At London, the Thames rose on Friday to such a height, that all the cellars, and most of the kitchens, parlours, &c., on both sides of the river, were more or less under water. The utmost consternation prevailed. Many of the kitchens in Great Surrey-street had water in them a foot deep. The main road leading from Vauxhall, was covered with boats conveying people to places of safety. Hundreds of families were hurried from their homes with all the unceremonious and destructive confusion usual at great fires. Boats were seen gliding along the streets near the river, every where except where interrupted by high walls or fences. At Kingston-on-Thames, people calling at any of the neighbouring houses, were obliged to hire a punt. A post-boy returning to Egham, was surrounded on every side by the rapidly-increasing floods; he was with a great deal of difficulty saved, and a pair of horses in a chaise he was taking home were drowned. On the road to Salisbury from London, the old Salisbury coach saved a London post-boy and two horses, near Staines, after the poor fellow had been in water above an hour, with his head just high enough to avoid suffocation. All the moors and low grounds near Taunton present huge sheets of water. The Worcester 'mail 'could not get over Tewkesbury bridge on Wednesday. The guard was obliged to take a boat, swim a horse by the side of it, and mount as soon as the horse found his feet. At Godmanchester, not far from Stamford, the people were obliged to throw the water out of their chamber windows by buckets. The fens of Lincolnshire are three or four feet under water. At Plymouth, there was a tremendous gale on Thursday night, which, amongst other damage,

blew down a stack of chimneys, that so much injured the paintings and machinery of Mr Thiodon's Theatre of Arts, that what cost 1000l. is not worth 250%. The floods in the neigh. bourhood of Oxford have been so high, that all the entrances into that city have the appearance of springing from an immense lake. At Brighton, and

the neighbouring parts of Sussex, there has been very stormy weather for above two months. No collier has been able to come on the beach for that time. The low lands in Leicestershire, Nottinghamshire, and some of the neighbouring counties, are under water. The guard of the Exeter mail was obliged to travel fifteen miles in boats.