TASMANIA.

Lyttelton Times, Volume IX, Issue 588, 23 June 1858, Page 4

TASMANIA.

nature.

The 'Empire' of the 4th instant gives the following abstracts from the Hobart Town papers of' the 28th and Launceston of the 29th ultimo. '

The 'Hobart Town Mercury' gives an account of the visit of Mr. Innis, the Colonial Treasurer, to Victoria, in order to arrange with our Executive in reference to the telegraph between the two colonies. The route determined on is as follows :—" On the Victorian side, the telegraph wire is to be extended from Geelong to Cape Otway, each colony bearing one-half of the marine cable will then be laid down from Cape Otway to Cape Wickham, on King's Island. The telegraphic wire will traverse this island as far as Sea Elephant Bay, when it will be again connected with the marine cable, which will stretch to. the islands known as the Three Hummock Islands; after crossing these, from thence to Circular Head; and from Circular Head to Low Head, George Town. It has not, however, been positively fixed whether the cable shall stretch from the Three Hummocks to Circular Head, or whether it shall be connected with the wire at Torquay, on the River Mersey. Which of these routes will be eventually adopted depends entirely upon the result of the soundings, which will be at once taken."

The following are the main features of the arrangement :—

The total expenditure of the whole line of communication from Geelong to George Town via, King's Island and Circular Head (or Torquay), to be borne by the Governments of Victoria and Tasmania in equal proportions.

The Government of Tasmania to carry out the works as originally arranged. The custody and maintenance of the marine cable from George Town to Victoria, as well as the telegraphic wire across King's island, to be with the Victorian Government. Tasmania bearing one-half the expense. All revenue derived from inter-colonial messages, either in Victoria or in Tasmania, to be equally divided between the two colonies.

An extensive embezzlement has been brought to light in the office of the Tasmanian Steam Navigation Company. It seems, as far as we can gather, that the auditors discovered some error in the accounts of about £14, which being of a suspicious nature, led them to demand the cash book suddenly from the clerk, in whose possession it was. On going over the cash and comparing it with the books, a deficiency of between £80 and £90 was discovered. On taxing the clerk, Mr. Frederick Dawson, with the defalcation, that person at once admitted the fraud. Subsequently a meeting of the directors was held, at which there were fifteen present, independent of the chairman, when the matter was- discussed, and the question as to whether the Company should prosecute Mr. Dawson was debated, on its being put, there were seven in favour of the prosecution and eight against it —the chairman declining to vote at all.

Emigration to New Zealand.—We have not hitherto noticed the movement of this nature now £?oing on, but we are aware that several colonists have recently visited New Zealand with a viaw to inquire into the advantages there offered in connexion with pastoral pursuits. We hear of more than one who is about to proceed to some of the settlements with sheep, Amongst others Mr. Benjamin Dowling, a brother o£ the worshipful the Mayor, has chartered the barque India, now in harbour, and which leaves to-morrow. The ultimate destination of the vessel is uncertain, but Mr. Dowling will pliably select Otago. He takes over 1300 sheep and some horses. Amongst the sheep are five hundred pure merinos from the wellknown superior flocks on Mr. Youl's estate at Symmon's plains, and which Mr. Stewart was compelled/ owing to the devastating fire on the esfcate,to part with. Sheep are valuable stock in New Zealand just now as might be expected, if indeed they are to be had at all. The pure blood which Mr. Dowling takes with him will doubties prove, therefore, a profitable investment. The accounts received respecting the pastoral advantages of New Zealand are somewhat conflicting. That there is plenty of land, and land well adapted for pastoral purposes, there can be no doubt, Mr. Kermode holds 300,000 acres at a nominal rental. He has

20,000 sheep on a small portion of this track. So bare is the land of timber that his manager has to get wood from a distance of 30 miles, and pay the natives'for it. At Christchurch, the younger sons of English peers are driving their own bullocks! Horses are scarce and command high prices.— Launceston Examiner,