NEW SOUTH WALES.

Lyttelton Times, Volume IX, Issue 585, 12 June 1858, Page 4

NEW SOUTH WALES.

The Sydney Legislature have passed a vote of confidence in the Ministry, by a large majority. The chief business before the parliament was an Electoral Bill, which elicited much discussion both in the House and in the newspapers, the columns of which are filled with correspondence on the subject. Dr. Lang takes an active part in this paper warfare. The principal feature in the bill appears to be a provision for a more equitable apportionment of representation to the various districts of the colony. In regard to the " golden prospects " of the country, the ' Sydney Morning Herald' of the 15th ult. delivers the following editorial opinions:— The quiet progress of our gold fields, the gradual but constant increase of the quantity produced, and the approved methods of production, all announce the approach of a great change in the relative position of this territory as a gold country. We are not in any way surprised by new discoveries: we have been amply prepared for them by the strong assurances of the most eminent geologists, especially, the Rev. W. B. Clarke. .

All that has been required is enterprise and numbers. The following figures show the steady advance from January to April, 1857, the quantity brought by escort was 44,042 ozs.; but for the same months in 1858 we have 69,000 ozs. This, of course, is exclusive of the large quantity which finds its way over the border, or is delivered by private hand. As to the exhaustion of the gold, that will be the work of centuries. In one field alone—Araulen—there are supposed to be quantities beyond anything yet indicated. They are merely scratching upon the surface, while the riches are below. It is the same in other places. We have seen a private letter addressed by a young man to his friends, from Tambaroora, who states that he has been offered £5000 for his portion of the claim, and that a single tub yielded twenty ounces. We have hitherto hesitated to dwell much upon this important branch of colonial industry. We wish to see no feverish excitement, none of that confusion and disaster which results from gold mania; but, notwithstanding all this, we augur, from present indications, that 1858, before its close, will see this country take a. high and permanent rank among the gold countries of the world. Every shopkeeper and tradesman will be benefited by the stimulus. Every mechanic will find the demand for his labour increased, and the produce of the farmer will meet with a better market by the opening of new centres of extensive consumption. . The blacks appear to be very troublesome at Moreton Bay, where they have lately committed various depredations, accompanied with several murders of shepherds, hutkeepers and others.