VICTORIA.

Lyttelton Times, Volume IX, Issue 576, 12 May 1858, Page 4

VICTORIA.

I We have news via Sydney to the 29th March f from which the following are extracts : — Chakles Dickens. —The 'Argus' of the 29th says :—We are enabled on reliable authority to state that Mr. Dickens contemplates a visit to Victoria, with a view to making a tour of the gold-fields, and acquainting himself by personal observation with the phases of society in Victoria. We believe that he may be expected by the next or the succeeding overland mail.

The late Count Dembinski. —We regret to have to announce the sudden and unexpected death of Count John Dembinski, whose communications on Quartz-Crushing and other scientific subjects have frequently appeared in our columns-. He was son of the celebrated General Dembinski, who also, in his retirement at Paris, devoted himself to scientific pursuits. The deceased came to this colony about two years ago on what appeared to be a sort of semipolitical mission, being an ardent believer in " Panslavism," and aiming to give it practical effect among the Poles " scattered abroad in this colony."— Argus. The chief item of importance is the opening of the railway tenders, which took place on the 29th. .

The ' Argus' says:—" Yesterday afternoon the tenders for the two main trunk lines of railway were opened by the Chief Commissioner of Land and Works, in the presence of his Excellency the Governor and of the Executive Council, the contractors and the representatives of the press being also present. There were three tenders for the entire works; by Messrs. Cornish and Co., for £5,449,202, payment in cash and debentures at par i by Messrs. John Musson and Co., for £5,826,223, payment in cash and debentures at par; and by Messrs. Handle^ and Holmes for £7,010,324, payment in cash, A tender had been delivered in by Mr. Gabrielli, on behalf of Sir Samuel Morton Peto and Co., but as, it was not framed in accordance with the instructions issued by the Government, it was not received. The Avhole of the tenders were, at the conclusion of the ceremony of opening, entrusted to the charge of Captain Pasleyj Mr.- Darbyshire, and Mr. Ligar, in order that a careful analysis of the schedules of prices may be arrived at before the acceptance or rejection of them can be determined on. The following is a copy of the tender delivered in by Mr. Gabrielli :-—

A. Gabrielli, Esquire.

Dear Sir, —As you are about to proceed .to Australia, we beg to state that we are willing to authorise you, on our behalf, to agree that we shall construct the Avhole of the railways upon such terms, both as to amount of charges and time of completion, as may be mutually settled by engineers eraploj-ed by the Government of the colony and by ourselves, with power, in the event of difference between us, to refer the same, as was done in the case of our contracts in Canada, to the decision of Robert Stephenson, Esquire, M.P_, or, if preferred, to any other engineer of high standing, to be agreed upon between the Government of Victoria and ourselves.

We deem it right to add that we have already constructed upwards of 600 miles of railway for the Province of Canada, upon a similar arrangement, and also for French, Austrian, and Sardinian Railway Companies; and further, that we have already entered into the like contracts to execute the raihvays required in Algeria, and Avith the GoA-ernment of Portugal, for the construction of its great arterial chain of railway.

We are, dear sir, yours very faithfully, ~F or partner and self, S. Morton Peto. 9, Great George-street, Westminster, London, 13th January, 1851.

DI^COTEET OF CoAIi NEAE PATTEESON.— A discovery of a very important nature Avas made on tbe 2nd ultimo, viz., two large seams of excellent coal at a spot about fifteen miles from Cape Patterson, or rather within fifteen miles of the nearest point of embarkation. It will be remembered that a reAvard of £1000 Avas offered by the Government for the discovery of a coal-field which should be easily accessible and yield au abundant supply, and it seemed that the peculiar geological formation of the country about Cape Patterson rendered that the most likely field for investigation. A considerable time since a- shaft was sunk on the spot where the recent discoveries were made, but only three small seams of coal Avere discovered. The sinking Avas abandoned until Mr. Davis, the discoverer of tlie new seams, contracted with the Government for £110 to carry the shaft further down, he being convinced that there were large seams at a greater depth. The works were carried on vigorously, and after passing through a rock vein of coal mixed with clod, lour feet five inches thick, he came upon a Ream of pure coal of excellent quality, three feet two inches in thickness, and of such extent as to he sufficient for the supply of Melbourne for many years to come. The entire depth of the shaft is 90 feet, including nine feet of boring at tbe bottom. Mr. Pa"vin intends

claiming the reward of £1000, aud confidently affirms that the whole district around Cape . Patterson abounds in coal of very good quality. The only drawback to the discovery is the distance of the pit from the nearest available spot for shipping the coal —fifteen miles. Mr. Davis affirms thafc-a wooden tramway would not cost : more than £25,000, and that the coal .could be . brought up to the pit mouth at a cost of 7s. 6d. , per ton. The tramway would be carried over a flat country, presenting little or no difficulties to the work. Should Mr. Davis's anticipations be correct, and the coal seam as extensive as he describes it to be, the discovery will prove a most valuable one for the colony.— Argus. The ' Age ' states that the Geelong and Melbourne line is not paying expenses. It is a great drawback not having the line -opened between Williamstown and Melbourne; but it is believed that, under our gallant system of epauletted engineering, that portion of the line is so thoroughly bungled that it is doubtful whether it ever will be opened." Another large slice of embankment has disappeared in the swamp—sunk down, and gone out of sight! An embankment made of sixpences and half-sovereigns would, it is alleged, have been as cheap, if there had been an engineer competent to look after the foundation. It will take the half of the proffered loan that Providence and Gabrielli have thrown in our way, to finish that one little bit of road. When we are to get to the granite tunnel at Castlemaine is farbeyond present calculation. The'Argus'of the 29th says:—lt appears, notwithstanding the reports to the contrary that have recently appeared in the Sydney papers, that the Royal Mail Company have by no means abandoned the intention of opening up a line of steam communication between Southampton and Australia by way of Panama. Three large paddle-steamers of 3100 tons burthen and 800-horse power are in the process of construction, which were ordered for the company specially for this service. The great1 demand.for steamers, caused by the Indian rebellion, led the company to entertain other views as regards the use to which these new steamers would be put, which the restoration of peace may again cause to revert to.those entertained at the time that the lines of the steamers were laid down. The cheapness of money in the London market must, of necessity lead to the prosecution of many undertakings of this character, especially after the impetus given to steamship-building by the same event which led the Koyal Mail Company to depart from their original resolution. It is certain, however, that not only are the large steamers being constructed, but the small coasting steamers for the New Zealand service are also on the stocks.