SOUTH AUSTRALIA.

Lyttelton Times, Volume XII, Issue 736, 26 November 1859, Page 3

SOUTH AUSTRALIA.

We have South Australian papers, by way of Melbourne, to the 22nd instant.

The quarterly return of exports and imports had been published by the Government. The period embraced extends from July Ist to September 30fch. The return, in the departments both of import and export, indicates increasing commercial activity, as will be apparent from the following comparative statement of the imports and exports of the corresponding quarter of the last three years:—

Of the exports of the quarter fully two-thirds in value are produce of the farm. The cereal produce, butter, cheese, eggs and potatoes, exported during the quarter alone amounted in value to £185,494. Copper and copper-ore add something above £80j000 to the value of the exports, arid the next items of most importance are wool, butter, and horses. .

The' South Australian Register' has an article in favour of the principle in the constitution of that colony, by which changes in the ministry may take place without reference to constituencies. "The grounds," says that journal, "on which the requirement of the re-election of a popular representative on his acceptance of a ministerial office was based, have passed away. No new reasons in support of that requirement have arisen from the altered state of, political circumstances. Consequently, an obsolete and now purposeless system is perpetuated with no other effect than that of creating embarrassment, expense,-and delay. The nominal service of the crown is really the service of the people; and in all ordinary cases at least, it is simply absurd to ask the people to pronounce upon the fitness for public service of a man whom they have already declared to be fit by their choice of him."

Some time since the Crawler Institute offered a premium for the best prize poem on Australia. No less than 93 competitors responded to the invitation, and the judges, after some difficulty, awarded the prize to a production by Mrs. C. J. Carletou, of West Terrace. .

The Volunteer Rifle Corps were becoming very popular, and a good deal of laudable rivalry was arising among the various members. - The evils of the immigration system were also exciting some attention. It:appears that the plan of adopting remission certificates had been productive of great disadvantage. ■. The ' Register' advises the adoption of the New South Wales system,

The following is a copy of Mrs. Carleton's prize poem :—

THE SONG OF AUSTRALIA!

[BY SIRS. 0. CArfr,ETON, WEST-TEEKAOE.]

There is a land where summer skies Are gleaming with a thousand dyes, Blending in witching harmonies; And grassy knoll and forest height Are flushing1 in the rosy light, And all above is azure bright— Australia I

There is a land where honey flows, Where laughing corn luxuriant grows, Land of the myrtle and the rose; On hill and plain the clust'ring vino Is gushing out with purple wine, Arid cups are quaffed to thee and thine—

Australia!

There is a land where treasures shine Deep in the dark unfathomed mine For worshippers at Mammon's shrine; Where gold lies hid, and rubies gleam, And fabled wealth no more doth seem The idle fancy of a dream-

Australia! There is a land where homesteads peep From sunny plain and woodland steep, And love and joy bright vigils keep; Where the glad voice, of childish glee Is mingling with the. melody Of nature's hidden minstrelsy—

Australia!

There is a land where, floating free, .From mountain top to girdling sea, A proud flag waves exultingly; And Freedom's sons the fanner bear: No shackled slave can breathe the air, -Fairest of Britain's daughters fairAustralia!

We take the following from the 'Argus 'correspondent:—

The report of the Burra mine is again very satisfactory; though the works are conducted at greater expense, the produce is steadily on the increase. The workings at the Moohatoona copper-mine have been very successful lately, and shares have risen high. ;

Clark's mill and brewery were offered to public competition yesterday, at an upset price of £4000; but there was not, a bid. Mills have been falling in value lately, from the deficient harvest not producing enough of wheat to keep them going. The brewery is the most extensive in Adelaide, and can make from 40 to 50 hhds. a-day, but it has riot been at work for some months. There is also a biscuit bakery attached to the mill, and, of course, included in the property. ; Mr. Delamere , has made a large purchase of stock and run between the Murray and the Burra. Part of this country has been taken out more than once, but abandoned, on account of the want of water. The sheep and stations were bought from Mr. Levi for £30,000, and the extent of the run held from Government is 1200 square miles. Mr. Delamere has sent out 20 men to sink wells, &c, for if lie can only get a permanent supply of water, there is no want of grass, and the run is within a hundred miles of tlje town. It is a property that only wants the judicious application of capital to make it very valuable.

Flour, is at present unsaleable; I believe it ha.s been offered at £19.

Quarter ended Sept. 30, 1856 Ditto ditto 1857 Ditto ditto 1858 Ditto ditto 1859 Exports. jf] 95,336 301,522 244,531 290,636 Imports. .. .tf 292,489 ..■'. 300,832 .. 323,217 .. 364,126