LATEST FROM BALLARAT.

Lyttelton Times, Volume V, Issue 230, 13 January 1855, Page 6

LATEST FROM BALLARAT.

[From the " Melbourne Argus," Dec. 6, 1854.] A great many diggers have arrived in town during Saturday, yesterday, and this morning, from Ballarat. * The following remarkable scene at the inauguration o f the " Australian flag," and the organization of the first « rebel army" in these colonies, was narrated to me by an intelligent gentleman who was an eye-witness of tiie greater part of the proceedings. There is a degree of wild romance about the proceedings, which connected with the cause that called"them into operation niust form an important picture in the future history of Australia. The gentleman alludeu to observing a large crowd of men collected on the Bakery Hill on Thursday last role up to see what was going on. On arriving there he found a tall flag staff erected, on which was floaunga blue flag with a white eras upon v. 1,, each corner of the cross, and in us centre was a blue siar-the five stars renre sent,,,*, he was informed, the five AustXn coWs. Aroand the flag staff, the di^e* n £ lands' 01''17 T^'^"" 1 with i -then hands or revolvers at their side 1,, the centre a large open circular space was left i»f which, at the foot of the flag staff Vil I bS' t?J T mUtee of the ""ed'aSSn. Wage. The leader, or principal man of the

, committee now mounted the stump, and culled upon all present to swear allegiance to the flag that waved over them, and to acknowledge no ! other. This ceremony bei/ig gone through nearly every one present then went to the slump and signed a large document of some kind The leader was a tall, good looking man, aii Irishman, who evidently had seen something o f military service somewhere, most likely, from his accent, in Mexico,—and who spoke in a tone of authority, and displayed good temper and much ability. With him were two or three foreigners, also genteel, military-looking nien who took a very conspicuous part in. the pro' ceedings. After all had signed the paper at the stump, the leader again ascended the stump and in a mild but firm voice said it would be necessary that organisation should immediately be effected, and requested that the requisite number of volunteers for the first Company should step forward- To this request a number of men acceded, when the committee havingl selected an officer and eighty of the candidates all armed with a rifle or fowling piece, a space was opened in the ring, and the leader again mounting the stump, said, " Comrades, assist me to pray for the safely of these men." He then requested them to march off in the direction of the Gravel Pits, and calling upon those present to follow his example, he bared his head, knelt on one knee, raised his rifle and face to heaven, and said, " Bless these men that go to fisrht for their rights and liberties. May heaven shield them from danger." The second, third, fourth, and fifth companies were formed in similar manner, the fame benediction being pronounced on their departure from the stump. On the formation of the sixth company being attempted, it was found that there were about a dozen men short of the eighty, for want of mu=kets or rifles. The leader immediately ordered the deficiency to be made up by those who had revolvers. About a hundred presented themselves, and twelve were chosen to make up the company, who marched off in the same manner as the others had done. My informant who, from a personal and private intimacy with many present, had been allowed to remain a spectator, was now requested to sign the paper as the others had done. Declining to do so, some angry and threatening language was used, but through the intervention of some of those he knew, no violence was offered. He however thought it prudent to withdraw in time. Three o'clock. PS. —A great many persons of all classes attended at the police office this morning, to be sworn in as special constable.". The Volunteer Fire Brigade turned out for the purpose in full uniform. The Mayor intimated to the people that they were not expected to identify themselves either with the Government or the diggers ; but simply to act in unison for the defence of their families and their properties. He did not, he said, expect that it would really be nenessary to call them out; but if so, the signal would l>e the ringing of the church bells, when they would all please repair to the public barracks for instructions how to act. The usual number of exaggerated reports continue to be flying about this morning in reference to affairs at Ballarat. A mounted trooper arrived express from Melbourne with a request from the Government that no powder should be delivered from the magazine : and none should be allowed to leave town for the diggings, if possible. The appearance of the trooper's reeking horse induced some one to suppose what his errand was;-and it was confidently rumoured shortly after his arrival that the diggers had again attacked the military, were getting the best ol the fight, and would likely be in possession of the Camp before the reinforcements from Melbourne would arrive. The passengers by thecoaches report variously —some that they think the physical force party have had enough of it at present, and will bide their time for a more favourable opportunity; others, that they are thoroughly satisfied ; while i some say that the organization of fresh hands is being proceeded with, and that strong reinforcements are expected from Bendigo, Creswick's Creek, &c. Among the killed are reported to be two well known characters, one an Italian named Carvelho, who held the office of brigadier in the Roman army, and acted as Secretary to the celebrated Mazzini at the siege of Rome; l^ie other is a Mr. Ross, a Canadian, one of the deputies appointed by the diggers. Several 01 the wounded have arrived in Geelong, and MN being cared for. j