COLONIAL NEWS.

Lyttelton Times, Volume I, Issue 24, 21 June 1851, Page 2

COLONIAL NEWS.

SYDNEY.

The value of the exports of copper, frarh the Burra Buna mines to England from Singapore, Calcutta, Bombay, Madras, Batavia, Mauritius, and the Australasian colonies during the year 1850, amounts to 165,340/. Gold Discovery.-—The Si/dneij Morning Herald, of May 2, says—"lt is no longer any secret that gold has been found in the earth in several places in the western country. The fact was first established on the 12th of February, 1851, by Mr. E. H. Hargraves, a resident of Brisbane Water, who returned from California a few months since. While in California, Mr. Hargraves felt persuaded that from the similarity of the geological formation, there must be gold in several districts of this colony, and when he returned here his expectations were realized. What the value of the discovery may be it is impossible to say. Three men, who worked for three days with very imperfect machinery, realized 21. 4s. Bd. each per diem ; whether they will continue to do so remains to be seen. The subject was brought under the consideration of the Government, who admitted Mr. Hargrave's claim for some consideration for the discovery, but of course could make no definite promise until the value of the gold field was ascertained. Mr. Stutchbury, the Geological Surveyor, is now in the .district, and Mr. Hargraves hasproceeded there to communicate with him, and in a few weeks we may expect definite information. At present all that is known is that there is gold over a considerable district; .whether it is in sufficient quantities to pay for the trouble of obtaining it remains to be ascertained. Should it be found in large quantities, a strict system of licensing diggers will be immediately necessary."

The Wellington Spectator, of last Saturday, says, " the information brought by the "Challenger," which left Sydney ten days after the "William Alfred," confirms the reports alluded to in our former number, of the existence of gold in that colony in such quantities as probably to occasion a considerable influx of population from the neighbouring colonies and from other countries. Already numbers were flocking to the diggings, Abe spirit of speculation had awakened, flour had risen to £30. per ton in Sydney, with every probability of its still rising ; JOs.per bushel, according to the Sydney lierdld, had been ottered for wheat from Van Diemen's Land and refused."

The news from Bathurst of May 22 was fully confirmatory of what had previously been received. Every day fresh discoveries are being made. Mr. Wentworth's Bathurst property is said to be a rich gold field. As usual, the accounts are most conflicting- and contradictory ; one set of men are unable to procure gold, and write most discouraging accounts ; another set fortunate, and make their £3. or £4. ;a-day, and they naturally write letters to'their friends which add to the excitement; but amidst all these accounts, there is one fact which cannot be denied, that large quantities of gold are daily arriving at Bathurst, and are waiting a safe escort to Sydney, which will, we are informed, be provided in a few days. One party of four is said to have taken out thirty ounces in one day, and a piece of one pound weight has been found. A letter from a gentleman of unquestionable veracity states that one man with whom he is acquainted has within three weeks accumulated gold worth £1,600.

MELBOURNE,

Church Government.—A movement of considerable importance is hiking place ainon<? die members of Uie Church of England in the Diocese of Melbourne. A joint coinnriuee of

clergymen and laymen have been sitting- durinothe last two months, for the purpose of consider* ing the best means of promoting the welfare of the Church, and they have agreed to a report containing- a number of recommendations,'of which the following-are the chief:—" Thjit it is the ppiiiion; of this committee, that tileUnited CliuVch of England and Lehnul in V|is^toria should be invited to send repr\se_ihiitisfs' to a .general conference, to"be"summoned" by |\ ie ' Bishop of the Diocese, to consider the followfNj subjects':—l. The propriety of providing1 ior\ the permanent endowment of the Church/"of/ this diocese, and the bestmeans of carrying- ontf that object. 2. The 'system and administration ' ot'Church patronage,'--generally' throughout the ' Diocese.—3. The constitution of the Church of England in Port Victoria", with regard to the following- points:—l. The mode of appointment of Bishops. . 2. The expediency and mode of organising- Diocesan' Synods' and Conventions, acting- either separately or collectively, and the functions'with' which they should lie invested. 3. The expedieDcy and mode (>f organising Provincial' Synods and Conventions, acting either separately or collectively, and the functions with which they should be iii Vested." In compliance With these resolution's, the'Bishop1' has required the members of the Church in the different parishes and districts to elect lay members to attend the proposed conference,-which is to be held in Melbourne on Tuesday, June 24.

ADELAIDE,

Dock.—There is a .scheme on the tapis for converting the whole of the Port, or rather that part of it known as the present Port, intb a Dock. . If tliis plan be adopted there will be lio necessity for dredging-, because the depth, of water will always be equal, and at least 6 feet more than it is at low water at spring-tides. By the arrangement to be adopted, 1000 ships of 1000 tons each may be accommodated. Bold as the scheme is, it is sufficient to say, that its very boldness renders it economical. Like all plans conducive to the public interest, the details are very simple, and when it is stated that they are after plans of the celebrated llobert StephensonV there is a guarantee for their success.

Laying tub First Stone of a New Church at the Port.-—This interesting event ; took place on April 3, in the presence of a large number of persons. The Bishop of Adelaide read the form of service appointed for the occasion; and after a hymn had been sung by the assemblage, the stone was hoisted to its position, the bishop performing the usual ceremony. A collection of the coins of the r'eignj and a document containing a list of the trustees, &c, was deposited in the stone. A model of the intended new church was exhibited by the architect, Mr. Stuckey. It will be a handsome building in the Lombard style of architecture. Emigration to Canterbury.—About forty persons desirous of emigrating to this new settlement met lately at the " Eed Lion," Ruridlestreeti Mr. Gaffne'y in the chair. The object was to raise the necessary funds for chartering the " Lalla, Rookh." Four gentlemen agreed to advance 50/. each, but the remainder of the company hot being willing to subscribe the balance, 100/., the matter was left in abeyance. The barque " Countess of Yarborough," 470 tons, has been chartered at Adelaide to convey a large body of colonists to Canterbury^ where they have determined, to settle. Trade Protection Society.—A meeting of merchants and" others was held at Coppin's hotel on the 7th of April, to take into consideration the propriety of forming a'society to adopt some means to protect the trade of the province from the frauds practised by persons leaving clandestinely. - „,7! JVlkktjng op Engineers.—-A meeting of smith's, boiler makers, and others connected with the mechanical department of engineering was held at the' fi Norfolk Arms," for the purpose of forming a friendly society to afford mutual instruction, .and give advice to newly-arrived members of the trade. The chairman, Mr. Bagshaw, observed that the existence of such a society, would announce to capitalists that them were mechanics in the colony fully competeni to .manufacture machinery, which is at pre-* sent imported, and thus obviate the necessity of expensive alterations to adapt machines to the the requirements of the colony. .- Homan Catholic Catiikdrai,.—The foundation for this edifice is being dug; on the £ast side of Victoria Square. The first stone will be laid at an eailv flate.

LAUNCESTON. Public Meeting.—-A public meeting was held at Messrs. Mazyer and Bastian's Hotel on Tuesday afternoon, April loth, having- been convened by the committee appointed to enquire into the cause of the delay in bringing the Australian Colonies Government Bill into operation in this colony. The continued dry weather has impeded the •fi/Jgress of the plough, and agricultural operations are completely at a stand still. The shower which fell so abundantly in Launceston lately extended but a short distance into the counk tr.% and the interior presents a parched-up appearance. Unless copious .showers speedily fall, there will be no feed for cattle and sheep, and the effects of the drought will extend to the next season. Markets, Apbil 23.—The markets still exhibit a tendency to advance; wheat is quoted at from 65.-9 d. to 7s. per bushel, the latter figure having been given by several eager buyers. Fine flour from 161. to 17/. per ton without bags. Bread has been raised to Bd. the four pound loaf. Oats, 4s. 6d.; barley, 6s. per bushel.

The Canterbury Settlement.—Mr. Joseph Hawdon, an old Australian settler, has been from Port Philip to the Canterbury, with stock. On his return he addressed a letter to the Port Philip papers, of which, the following is the most important portion :—" In the months of February and March, nearly 1000 emigrants arrived from .England in the Canterbury settlement ; and several vessels were daily expected. Christchurch, the capital town of the settlement, is about seven miles distant from the port, up a fresh water river; already it begins to have the appearance of a town. Churches and schools are in course of erection. Dr. Jackson, the Bishop-designate, with five clergymen and several schoolmasters, had arrived. The country round Christchurch is level, with some thirty thousand acres of the richest alluvial black soil, without timber, excepting a few patches of pine forest; all this portion of the settlement has been surveyed and pegged off for the selection of immigrants. The country north and south of Christchurch for 200 miles in each direction is'well grassed, and well adapted for sheep and cattle grazing. It is generally level plains with undulating hills, intersected every few miles with rivers running from the Alps which bound the'lsland on the west coast, whose peaks are perpetually covered with snow. Timber is seldom met with, excepting in small patches of dark pine forest of from 100 to 1000 acres. This island, known as the middle island, now in course of being occupied as a grazing country, from my own observation of its description, and information received from an old Australian traveller, Mr. Arnold, and others, will carry about six millions of sheep. This of course, includes the whole of the Canterbury and Otago settlements, and the country around Broken Bay, situated at the south of the island explored last month by Captain Stokes, of the Acheron— sketches and a description of this country he showed me. The capabilities of this island are well known and appreciated by the energetic and talented Governor-in-Chief, Sir George Grey, whom I met during his visit at Wellington. At present, there are not more than one hundred thousand sheep in these districts. The natives are useful labourers, but they are very few in number. An excellent opening is here offered for the surplus stock in our Port Philip district. Some two hundred thousand might at once be sent, and scarcely be perceived on these extensive plains and grassy hills." We are y*]ad to find that one so well qualified to judge has formed so high an opinion of the new settlement. It was intended to send a very large number of emigrants from England early in the summer, so that there will be for some time to come a large and increasing market for sheep from these colonies. Indeed a very large number have already been sent.— Sydney Morning Rerald.