Le Rhin. The French corvette Rhin having come on from New Caledonia for the purpose of being repaired, being found to be in a leaky condition, it was matter of question, as she was of too great a tonnage to go on the Patent Slip, at what place it would be most convenient to heave her down. It was at length determined to do so at Moore's Wharf, and for some time past the most active preparations have been making to render everything secure, by removing the old spars which were imbedded in the earth to which the blocks were made fast, and replacing them with new ones of larger dimensions. The crew have been busily engaged for the last three weeks in unshipping all but the lower masts, and removing stores, guns, ammunition, and all other things on board, to the stores on the wharf, which have proved most convenient for the occasion, as they also afford berths for the crew and petty officers, who have lived in them since they commenced stripping the ship. ()n account of the Rhin being the largest ship that has been hove down in the harbour of Port Jackson, doubts were expressed by many as to its practicability; but, from the excellent arrangements made everything answers admirably. Yesterday morning, at six o'clock, a number of persons were assembled on the wharf to witness the undertaking; a double purchase of two tackles and falls had been made fast to the fore and main masts, which were worked by four capstans on the wharf ; and fearing that she might capsize, or be heavy in coming up again after being hove keel out, a warp was passed from an outrigger on the side to under the keel, and over a pair of shears rigged on the wharf, then leading to two of the bower anchors placed on shore. About sic o'clock, they began to sway away on the capstans, when she gradually came down without accident, until her starboard bulwarks were under water. The keel was by this time out of water, when an inspection was held as to the state of her bottom, which was found to be sounder than expected, as very little of her copper was off ; but her seams were evidently strained under the forerigging, and near the garboard streak. As the leak could not be detected, we believe the Commodore has determined upon stripping her, and having her newly caulked and coppered.

On Thursday, Commodore Berard, of the French corvette Le Rhin, gave a farewell party previous to his leaving the colony. About one hundred and fifty persons accepted the gallant officer's invitation, including his Excellency the Governor and Lady Gipps, a number of civil, military. and naval officers, and the Right Worshipful the Mayor. The company began to assemble about one o'clock, and at two they proceeded to the main deck, where tables were laid out far luncheon, after partaking of which they returned to the upper deck, where quadrilles and waltzes, to the music of the excellent band of the 99th, were the order of the day until near sundown, when the party broke up, having bean highly delighted with the entertainment which had been provided for them.

The Governor was received with manned yards and the usual salute, and on his departure the yards were again manned. The French Consul was also received with a salute, and a salute was fired when the mayor left the vessel. Le Rhin will sail to-morrow morning for the Bay of Islands and Auckland. She will then proceed to Akaroa, where there is a small party of her men, and afterwards to Tahiti and the Marquesas, whence, unless other instructions are received, she will sail direct for France.

10 Jan 1846

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