NEW SOUTH WALES.

Lyttelton Times, Volume VI, Issue 394, 16 August 1856, Page 7

NEW SOUTH WALES.

THE NEW GOLD FIELDS. The discovery of uew and rich diggings on the Rocky River and Stony Creek has now given the pas to New South' Wales over Victoria as a gold producing country- The characteristics of the new diggings are identical with those of the earliest; great good fortune, high flown reports, thronging diggers, immense excitement, and general disappointment. ( From the ' Empire,' July 30th.) STONEY CREEK. A correspondent writing from Meroo on the 22nd instant, informs "us that, in addition to the 2Mb nugget found at the Stockyard Creek on the previous Saturday, another large nugget, weighing 190 oz. has since been found. It has been handed over to the Gold Commissioner in the district for safety and to be forwarded to Sydney by the escort leaving on the 26th.* In consequence of the demand for the. means of transport, both by storekeepers and diggers shifting their quarters, freight from Bathurst and Mudgee to Meroo has risen very considerably within the last few weeks. About a month ago, horse teams could be obtained from Bathurst at 7s ; but,,up to the date of writing, the charge had been increased to 12s. Carriage from the Meroo to Louisa Creek was from 8" to 10s, and; to Stone}. Creek—a distance of only ten miles—2os to 255. Provisions, as a natural consequence, were also advancing in price, but no change had taken place in drapery, ironmongery, saddlery, and tinware goods, as there was a large stock on hand. Money appeared to be plentiful at the Ston iy Creek and Mookerwa diggings, as a person who went thither about the beginning of the month to purchase gold could obtain only 16 , ounces. ROCKY RIVER. "(From Yesterday's Maitland ' Mercury.') Mr. Cohen, who arrived in Maitland from the Rocky River by the mail, on Sunday eveniug last, has brought down with him 700 ounces of gold dust, the produce of those diggings. It was currently reported in Maitland that the gold brought down by that gentleman weighed 1501b., and that it required two men to carry it from the coach into the store. This was, however, too good to be true, and upon enquiry, the 1501bs weight of gold turned out to be only 6'Bll>s. soz.

En Route for the Diggings. — Our streets begin already to show signs of bustle and activity among the diggings population. Many mechanics and labourers are abandoning their wonted avocations, and departing either for Stoney Creek, or the Rocky River. Among the''most' prominent instances which have come under our notice is that of the Journeymen Bakers, of whom some seventeen or eighteen have either left or are about to leave in se'ach of aurifeious treasures. Some six or seven of the Water Police have given the customary notice and "are about to depart for the diggings. The Steamer Yarra Yarra brought yesterday afternoon altrge number of diggers from Melbourne, who are bound for our g_old' fields. Movements of the Mmmg1 Population.— The Melbourne Herald a? the 23rd instant, says, "It was reported in Melbourne yesterday that a steamer ■was to be laid on daily for Sydney, and that more applications for passages were made then than could be taken.on by Monday's steamer.

THE CENSUS OF 1856

Though the returns are rot yet prepared'for publication, we learn that the important work of "'numbering the people" has been completed. The grand total is much smaller than the result was gii er.illy tx ectsd to exhibit. The aggregate of tlie population is set down at 268,737 persons of which number 2,-542 are "unclassified," being on shipboard or in other respects undenizened. The census returns taken on the Ist March, 1851, gave a general total of 187,243, so that the population has increased during the last five years by 81,494 persons.— Empire. SYDNEY MARKETS. Friday, July 25. • Messrs. Barker and Co. report that owing to the very limited supply of wheat and the increasing demand for flour, an advance of 20s. per ton has this day taken place : fine being now 25/., and seconds quality 23/., per ton of 20001b. A few small parcels of wheat have arrived coastwise, but little if any by the road. Good samples of wheat arj worth Bs. per pushel. Bran, Is. 3d. to Is. 6d. per bushel.—Mr. Breillat: vory" little wheat has lately come to market; and, the demand for flour continuing to increase, a further advance of 20s. per ton has taken place—fine tlour being now 25/., and seconds 23/., p«r ton.—Bran ls.6d. per bushel.—TheTChili Flour Company quote fine flour at 25/., and seconds at 23/. per ton; wheat, Bs. 6d.; bran, Is. 3d. to Is. 6d._Victoria Mills. There is no alteration m the quotations of flour from last woek; say, 25/. for fine, and 23/. for seconds. Bran is ntitl in demand at Is. 3d. per bushel wholesale. There has been a further advauco in the price of wheat, 9h. 3d. having been given for flue quality. There has also been a great demand for flour at our quotations this week. Bread.—6d. per 21b. loaf. Oats and Barley.—Stocks are very light, and good samples would readily sell at from 4s. to ss. Wheat and Flour.—Our anticipations of further improvement in the price of flour havu been realized, and an advance of 1/. per ton, at least, on last week's quotations! in

fully established, at which a fair amount of business is doing, with a tendency .Htill favourable to sellers. Wheat has beon brought forward in mere driblets, and readily taken by the millers at 6d. to Is. per bushel advance; so high as 10s. to 10s. 3d. having been ;paid for one or two choice samples.—" S. M. Herald."