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Nelson Evening Mail, Volume XIII, Issue 65, 16 March 1878, Page 4

* _ I I lil. The following graphic description iof an Australian scene Ja from "Sir Gilbert Lisigh" a novel by Mr Rees M.H;R. :|— To those who have never Witnessed an Australian sunset, a fair description [of the eky and clouds would appear extravagant. The pale blue melting aw[ay ; into infinite azure, the rolling banks; of golden and ember clouds which, , like reefs and islands of fire, studded the illumitable ocean to its distant horizon; the long rays of light which shot out from the unseen sun to all quarters lof the heavens, all aided in producing; a picture which those who, upon the vast plains of Australia, have once seen it, will never forget. The air was redolent with the odourSjflnating.lazily from the flowering gums and from a email group of wattle-trees. The scene was not still or lonely. Near the back of a lake, whose placid surface blushed rosy red beneath the tinted clouds, Bt-obd. three bullock-drays already, covered with tarpaulius for the .night. Ata little distance from the drays, but by tbe water's edge, was a large flock of sbeep, which must have numbered many thousands. Two or three shepherds busily gathered dead wood from beneath the timber which fringed a part of the lake, and were placing it in heaps at different spota around the flock. The teams of bullocks had been unyoked and hobbled, and were now scattered at some little distance from the camp, cropping the plentiful grass with! a brisk appetite, aud at every movement filling the air with tinkling melojdy from the many-toned bells slung around their necks* A large fire was already lit near one of the drays, and on it the cook was just placing an iron pot for tee, while another man was unpacking i froma large wooden chest a goodly array of dampers, mutton and cake, tin pannikins, platea and knifes ; while two or three more lazily hobbled their horses already unsaddled. Dennis Markham and the American were walking by the side of the lake, watching the dying tints of the sunset on the still surface. One who seemed to be a leader among the party was carefully, tethering.a very fioe black mare, which was eagerly deouring a few handfuls of oats from tbe bottom of a bag. At length the glory of the western clouds began to fade. The stars, one by one, came out, pale and still, upon the evening sky, the flush faded from the surface of the lake, the tinkle of the bullock-bells grejw mellow and soft ac their bearers wandered farther and farther from the camp, the men, in answer to the summons jof the cook, clustered round the fire apd ate and drank as men who have a hard day's work." | The Brisbane Courier's correspondent boarded the mail steamer and interviewed Mr Morton, of the Sydn-ey Museum, who has been in Goldle's party, and accompanied him in searching for gold. He has specimens jof good coarse gold washed out of the black sand, and gold in quartz. His statement mainly verifies Mr Lawes, report, and there are no further dia--1 coveries. He states,. that he first discovered gold fifteen miles from tte coast, and followed it up sixty miles. The correspondent feels quite certaiu after.conversation with Mr Morton and seeing the specimens, that some large fields must be opened. The black sand is very plentiful in the river bed, and the formation is bluestone and slate. Mr Morton left Cape Moresby January 19tb, and reports a severe drought all along the New Guinea coast, from Port Moresby to South Cape. The plantations were destroyed, and even the forest trees were killed by it. On January Ist sighted the missionary lugger Mayri, Captain Dunfield, who reported as follows ;-r-" "While anchored at Stacey Island where the Rev., J. ChaWrs and wife and four natives teachers are stationed, on the afternoon of Saturday,[29th|December, sent three of my black crew. to cut wood, myself and another native only remaining! on • board. One Stacey Island native oa,me t off to barter, I told the cook to giye

bitn [food, and he lay down in the cabin. Alter a few minutes a spear was thrown - into the cabin acd struck me on the -: left side, pinning me to the deck. Another went into my light thigh. On turning round for my gun I received another spear in the left shoulder and pnother through the hand. I fired , several shots and <ried to get on deck. There I found six or eight natives, And received a wound in the foot, severing all tbe tendons ofthe toes. We wounded several, and killed one. They then left, and on going on deck I saw two or three hundred natives on the shore. Mr Chalmers came off and informed me that the natives were launching wer canoes and insisted upon my leaving, i I pressed him to come with his wife and i the teachers, bub he refused to desert his post. Mr Goldie's party returned ] upon hearing this, and grave fears are entertained for the safety of Mr Chalmers and party.' Captain Dunfield is maimed for life. ; " Silence in the Court ]"> thundered a Kentucky Judge the other morning ; " a halfdozen men have been,convicted already without the Court's having, been able to hear a word of the testimony;"