THE "SAMUEL BODDINGTON" FROM ENGLAND
This vessel from Plymouth (31st December [1849]), arrived at the port yesterday, with 150 passengers. There was no death on board, and an increase of one to the population. To us the Captain [J Hurst] (this being his second trip) is not unknown, and we are happy to add that his conduct, as well as that of his officers and that of the ship's Doctor, is spoken of in the highest terms by the passengers. The vessel is also reported to us as in capital order.
We have [London news]papers by this arrival to the 29th December [1849], three days later than yesterday. The only fact we notice in reference to these Colonies is that the Government is determined to make Western Australia a penal settlement, and the next batch of convicts under sentence of transportation was to be sent to Perth.
Wool had continued firm since the close of the public sales, and as little remained in the importers' hands, rather higher prices were expected at the next sales. In English Wool a good business had been transacted.
The Aurora and the Trafalgar had sailed from Plymouth for this port when the Samuel Boddington left.
We shall publish the most interesting items of English News to-morrow.