NEW SOUTH WALES.

Lyttelton Times, Volume VII, Issue 460, 1 April 1857, Page 4

NEW SOUTH WALES.

Byway of Wellington; we have Sydney papers' to March 6th. Ther,e was no later news from England than that received by vs, per Eliezer, to the 12th December. - There appears to he little stirring in the political world'of Sydney, thongh the Parliament'was still'in Session,

The well known .daily, newspaper, the ' Empire', is advertised to, be sold by Auction by direction of the holder of a mortgage upon the property to the amount of £11,<XK). The difficulties in the practical working of the paper arising from the intended sale, have operated unfavourably to the size and appearance of this previously first class paper. We notice that public sympathy was enlisted so strongly i n favour of Mr. Parkes, the proprietor, that a public subscription was immediately set on foot to release the ' Empire' from its embarrasments, and a large sum was at once collected. The Weather.—During the former portion of this week the weather has been very unsettled, and a considerable quantity of rain has fallen! Scarcely had the rain ceased, when we,'were visited with strong winds from the southward and eastward, which carried clouds of fine, dust about in all directions and rendered locomotion , out of doors particularly unpleasant. An indescribable kind of oppressive heat has added to the various other discomforts ; and even out of doors during the pervalence of the rains, a sense of oppression was experienced in all the organs, particularly in those forming the respiratory functions. A favourable change as regards atmospheric temperature took place yesterday, and there was reason tq hope that we should be' favoured with agreeable weather for the remainder of the week.— Empire, Feb. 20fch. The Fruit Markets, George-street.—So abundant has been the yield of fruit this season that the two markets devoted to the sale of that article have not been found sufficiently capacious to admit of its disposal. The space between the markets has been literally piled and crammed with fruit, and has presented a scene of bustle and activity never before witnessed in the colony; indeed, so great was the sale of fruit last Saturday that that portion of George-street fronting the markets was thronged with vendors and purchasers during the early part of the day, and the footpath was covered with baskets and cases. Whilst on this subject it may not be amiss to observe that a little more regard to cleanliness in and about the markets would render them all the more .pleasant for visitors and decidely more healthy for these dealers who spend twelve out of the twentyrfour hours there. Sometimes the sour putrid smell of decayed and decaying vegetables is so offensive as to be sufficient to prevent many delicate persons from " passing through or near the markets.— lbid. Open Air Preaching.—We learn that the plan adopted last Sunday, by the reverend Mr. Cuthbertson, of holding a short service on the 'Race-course' (Hyde Park), in the afternoon,, will be repeated to-morrow, and that not only the reverend gentleman above-named, but , several other ministers are engaged in the proposal. We have also heard that it is the intention of some of the Congregational ministers to carry outthe practice rather extensively on future occasions. We approve of the course as one^ likely to contribute much to elevate and purify the_ minds of the populace, and most heartily wish 'it success. There is a necessity for everything that can be done, to counteract the ravages of intemperance, and to promote virtuous habits of mind among the people.— Ibid.