AUSTRALIA.

Lyttelton Times, Volume VI, Issue 423, 22 November 1856, Page 7

AUSTRALIA.

The " Monster Louisa Creek Nugget."— An advertisement, headed as above, appeared in our issue of Saturday, statinir that this, "the largest nugsjet in the world." was to be seen at the Royal Hotel daily for the charge of two shillings. On proceeding to the exhibition room to inspect the nugget, which from the description in the advertisement was inferred to be a larire mass of gold, it turned out. to be a mass of quartz weighing about 4i- cwt. Over the surface of the quartz, at w de intervals, were dispersed a few insignificant specks of gold, which, with the aid of a powerful magnifying glass, were perceptible. If the whole of these auriferous specks were aggregated, it is not unlikely that they would weigh an ounce. As for the mass of quartz, if is like all other masses of the same mineral— possessing no very singular or striking features. — Empire. Oct. 20. In relation to the crops, the ' Adelaide Times of the, 26th Sep. says :—" Great expectations are indulged in with reirard'tothe expectations of the coming harvest. In the Gawlcr district, the crops all have a most promising appearance. One fanner in Gawler, whose name we could mention, and whose word is reliable,states that, out of the 200 acres he has under crop, he expects 150 to return him at the rate of thirty bushels to the acre. Supposing this to be

general throughout the colony, we may indeed look for good times before long."

The 'Times' of the, 25th says —" It will be remembered that the Leichhardt was brought out from England in pieces, and that the materials for completing another steamer, the facsimile of the Leichhardt, were also landed from her. These were taken to Mr. Fletcher's yard, whore, under the superintendence of Mr. M'Donnell, they have been put in frame ; and on Tuesday next it is intended to launch the new vessel. From her peculiar construction and build, she will prove, it is hoped, a valuable acquisition to the River Murray trade. She is built of iron, and when loaded will not, it is said, draw three feet of water. Rut we withhold any further description of her until she is in her proper element." The ' Register' of the 27th has the following—'Among the various valuable mineral productions which every day is bringing to light in South Australia, is the primitive limestone .which constitutes marble. A fine specimen of this stone has just been brought into town from Mr. Simillie's farm at Nairne. It appears to be uncommonly well adapted for ornamental work being susceptible of a fine polish, and would doubtless make very handsome chimney-pieces. The only use to which this stone has been put as yet is to burn into lime, which has been done by Mr. Rolland. at '.he Eliza Limekilns, Nairne/' The want of a fish market is thus spoken of by the 'Times'—" 1* is a matter of -surprise that, whilst the waters around our coast are swarming with the most delicious fish, there is neither market, shop, nor stall in Adelaide, at which tb.re is the certainty of even getting a smell of such an article. It is true, a man with a fish cart may be seen wandering about the streets at some unseasonable hour; but so uncertain are his visits, that those who wait for him would be doomed, nine cases out of ten, to go without their dinners/ -" The subjoined notice of the production of oakum, from a native plant is from the ' Register'—A very fine sample of onkum has lately been exhibited at the Port, the production of Mr. Tolmer's new discovery. Several masters of vessels have pronounced favourably of this specimen." With "respect to the season and the weather in Tasmania, the "Daily Advertiser" of the 26th of September, says ■;:

-—We hear from various parts of _ the country the most favourable accounts of the season in reference 10 the condition and progress of the grain crops, of which, and „ especially of wlieat, a large breadth has been sown in the principal grain-growing districts. Judging from the gardens iv and arround Hobart Town, we should be inclined most emphatically to indorse this opinion, as there is every indication of a large crop of fruit and fine vegetables. The. weather, however, is vaiiable. with occasional slight frosts at night, aud warm and sunny days. On Tuesday the temperature in" Hobart Town was very warm, almost sultry, with lowering clouds gathering over the sky, and the barometer gradually falling, until two o'clock, the sky was overcast, portending a change, which took place in the afternoon, and a copious rain fell, which continued for some time. Yesterday, the day was very cold, with, occasional showers of sr.ow, hail, and rain."

Norfolk Island.—By reference to our Shipping Intelligence, it will bo seen rlu-.t. i~ the date of the departure of the brigautine Vixen, a few days since, the Pitcairn Islanders were iv a very 'disconsolate aud disconr;'g:fg situation—without bread, or bread-stuil's. vegetables, or any other than animal teed, of widen they have, heretofore, been accustomed to p.trV take hut sparingly. They were. also. ih-iirisnt in clothing: and had, beside*, expressed uim-U

regret at being obliged to leave a very largo portion of their domestic conveniences and creature comforts at their former place of abode, Norfolk Island is represented as being a wilderness—its fields run waste —its gardens destroyed —the fruit trees torn down —and not a single article of green food, save lemons, to be found. Making every allowance for the effect produced change"of scene and residence upon these primitive aud kindly hearted people, it must be quite clear, we think, that their wants have been by no means carefully considered or adequately provided for. Something in alleviation, it is true, has just been done, and a few immediate supplies have been transmitted by Bishop Sehvyn's schooner; but Auckland^ we imagine, only requires to be told that the Pitcairn Islanders stand in need of her assistance to bestow it bounteously; Potatoes, pumpkins, flour, bread, clothing, field and garden seeds would be of the utmost" importance ; and these xmder careful management we do not question would be abundantly and cheerfully provided; and, from all that we can learn, we do not think there would be any difficulty in finding a means of transport. Norfolk Island ought to be a natural and a kindly dependency of New Zealand. We are her nearest neighbour. Her colonists and ours have fraternised together on the nigged shore! of Pitcairn. And now that the opportunity has arrived, we feel persuaded they will rejoice to be enabled to repay iv tenfold measure the kindness and hospitality which, without stint, was in bygone years lavished upon them.— New Zealander. Oct. 11.

Invitation to thb Queen to Visit Canada—Mr. John Hillard Cameron, of Canada, has proposed that the Queen of Great Britain be invited to visit her dominions in Canada. A New York paper states several objections to her visiting Canada direct from England, but suggests that she should do so via New York, and concludes an article on the subject with the following words:—" In fine, we will take upon us to say, that the country would receive the British Queen with all honour, and the eclat due to her station as head of the British Empire. We could try how far a republic could discharge the duties of hospitality. We could send the Adriatic for her Majesty, and escort her with two of our new war steamships. In eight days she would be safely landed in New York—a delightful voyage for one so fond of the sea as herself. The Metropolitan, or St. Nicholas, or the Clarendon might be fitted up for her reception, resigned entirely to her suite. A first-class inland steamer—such a boat for instance as the Commonwealth —might be placed at her disposal to show her the Hudson, to take her to Philadelphia, to Washington, and round the coast. When she had seen all here, she might he taken to Niagara, and there surrendered into the hands of the Canadians, to be returned at the line near Richmond, when she had visited her province. The whole trip need not occupy over sis weeks, exclusive of the ocean passages; it would be interesting, novel, and instructive to the Queen and her family; and they should want for nothing that money could procure.