VICTORIA.

Evening Star, Volume VIII, Issue 2137, 12 March 1870, Page 2

VICTORIA.

The much abused rabbits, who have hitherto shared with the sparrows the execration of gardeners, appear now to have some likelihood of proving not only a source of profit, but also an additional means of bringing under the notice of commercial Europe the capabilities of Victoria. Some time ago, Mr M. Isaacs, warehouseman and importer, 2, Flinders lane east, sent home, as an experiment, 2,000 dozen Victorian rabbitskins, which were consigned to Mr Louis Braun, 65, Wood street, London, and of these half were sent over to France. By last mail a specimen felt hat, on a cork frame, was received by Mr Isaacs, the felt having been manufactured from the silk like down under the rabbit fur, and though the felt appeared of a very good quality, it was stated that the next would be finer, this being the first hat made of Victorian rabbit fur. By next mail proper certificated testimonials from the largest houses in London and Baris will be received, showing in what esteem the Victorian rabbit fur is held. Machinery is now on the way out which will cut the skins and blow the hair into assorted qualities. Advices received by Mr Isaacs state that the fur, if it were kept to the standard ot the specimen lot, would reach the price of 8s per lb., as it was considered of a very superior description, and Mr Isaacs is confident that future lots sent would be in better condition. The skins are used for making “ kid ” gloves, and the coarser part of the fur is utilised in cement-making. The first shipment of hats made from the fur sent home will soon be in the market, per Argonaut, and mil no doubt command a ready sale, being of the usual different colors. The Church Assembly is in midsession. Some animated debates have taken place, but the expected collision between the .Ritualists and the Low Church or Evangelical party has not com° off. It is true that a debate was started by the Ritualists on a question connected with the composition of the panel of triers for ecclesiastical offences, and the two parties were then brought fairly out into the open field, so that everybody sees now who constitute the small but active body who are the priests and leaders of the High Church party. Their insignificance in point of numbers will be understood when they could only muster twelve clerical votes against sixty-two evangelicals. The Assembly has resolved upon a division of the diocese, and the creation of a new See forthe western division of the colony, under a Bishop of Ballarat. Returns which have just been prepared for presentation to Parliament show that the imports of the Colony in 1869 amounted to L 13,908,990, and the exports to L 13,464,354; while the revenue collected at the Cus-tom-house during the same period was L 1,516,713. The returns for the present year, as far as they have been ascertained, are not so satisfactory, the imports and exports showing a steady weekly decline, as compared with the corresponding weeks of 1869. Up to the 19 th February, the total imports for tho year amounted to L 2,265,919, while last year they were valued at L 2,417,722. The falling off in the exports is even more noticeable, for while the figures for last year are L 2,512,259, the exports for the present year amount to only L 2,138,438.