COLONIAL NEWS.

Lyttelton Times, Volume I, Issue 50, 20 December 1851, Page 2

COLONIAL NEWS.

SYDNEY.

We have received via Auckland, Sydney news to Nov. 18.

The Census returns for New Soutli Wales give the total population at 187,243, the proportion of females being 81,014. Of the whole population; 93,137 belong to the Church of England, and 18,156 to the Church of Scotland.

The Hunter River Vineyard Association held a half yearly meeting early in November. The Sydney Morning Herald remarks that up to this meeting the wines produced by members have evinced unmistakeable progress and improvement, hut that the red wines were not this time equal to former exhibitions; the white

only just maintaining their place. At the early meetings of the Association, the red wines were decidedly superior to the white, but the difference has been gradually diminishing until they have almost changed places in point of quality. Probably the disturbing effects of the gold discoveries on all industrial pursuits have also told upon this. The Sydney Gold Fields. —This branch of enterprise was still maintaining its uncertain and lottery-like character. Large quantities of gold were being constantly obtained, but by no means proportionate to the number of persons employed at the various " diggings." The " Phoenician," from Sydney for London, Aug. 11, took 22,909 ounces, valued at 74,455/. The prices of all the necessaries of life at the "diggings" continue exorbitantly high, notwithstanding the great reductions which have taken place at Sydney and Bathurst. The average rates are between three and four hundred per cent on Sydney prices. Flour was at Sydney 12/., at the gold field 451. per ton. The Bishop of Sydney preached lately at the township of Sofala, in aid of the erection of a church there. Many of the neighbouringminers attended, several making offerings for the work in the shape of small nuggets of gold. Sydney Markets, Nov. 14. —Barker & Co.: No purchases of wheat have taken place during the week, the price is quite nominal. A further reduction has taken place in flour, present quotations being for fine 12/., and for second quality 10/., per ton of two thousand pounds. Bran, lOd. to Is. per bushel.—Mr. Breillat: No transactions in wheat have taken place during the week. A further reduction has taken place in flour, the price at the mills being 12/. per ton for fine, 10L for seconds. Bran, 51. per ton of two thousand pounds.—Mr. Smart: For wheat rates continue nominal; offers confined to from 3s. 6d. to 4s. per bushel- Flour has been reduced to 12/. per ton for fine, and 10/. for seconds. Bran 5/. per two thousand pounds. Bailey, commands 3s. to 3s. 6d. Oats, dull of sale at 2s. 6d. to 3s.