COLONIAL INTELLIGENCE.

Nelson Examiner and New Zealand Chronicle, Volume II, Issue 61, 6 May 1843, Page 243

COLONIAL INTELLIGENCE.

We received by the Essex Melboiirne papers to the 12th of April, and the Geelong Advertiser to the 10th. We subjoin a few extracts :— Bark Export. — The whole amount of mimosa bark shipped from Port Phillip during the year ending 31st December, 1842, was 414 tons. This statement will, we doubt not, excite considerable astonishment, and were it not incontestibly proved by the Customs returns, its accuracy would perhaps be more than doubted by many. Fortunately, however, these returns place it beyond dispute. Late advices from London, per Agostina, impart the pleasing information that, partly arising from the decreased supply in Europe, and partly from the increasing estimation of its properties, mimosa bark had advanced to £14 per ton. Let no one, then, treat our recommendation lightly when we urge upon the attention of the possessors of country lands, and, we may also add, licensed settlers, the advantages to be derived from the cultivation of this bark as a staple. Here, from an almost neglected article of consumption ; principally by the foresight and enterprise of one gentleman, an addition has been created to our export trade of the past year of the value of nearly £6,000. No description of tree is more easy of cultivation than the mimosa; indeed, instances have been known, when paddocks have been cleared of timber, but the seeds of the mimosa having been carried to the land by the winds, a very short time has elapsed ere it has been covered by a forest of spontaneous growth. During the last four months Mr. Hull has shipped, sold and contracted for an amount of bark nearly equal to the whole exported in 1842 ; and for this, we understand, he has incurred an outlay of upwards of £1,200. What is equally to his credit, hu has afforded employment, during the same period, to more persons than any other two establishments in Melbourne. Formerly, bark was shipped as dunnage. Mr. Hull now packs it in compressed bales, averaging 5001bs. each; which, although not quite so convenient for stowage as when shipped in the old way, yet tends to preserve in a greater degree the valuable properties of the bark. — Port Phillip Patriot. Dry Docks. — A dry dock for the reception of vessels needing repairs is in process of formation on the south bank of the Yarra, a little above the tanneries. Something of this kind has long been needed, and although our shipping trade has wofully diminshed, yet, looking forward to its revival, we cannot but deem a dry dock a very desirable accquisition to our commercial capabilities. The dock now being formed is 120 feet in length, and 35 feet in breadth ; its uniform depth at low water will be ten feet. It is to be completely planked and boarded with New Zealand pine,— -its entrance will be secured by folding gates, impervious to water, and strong force pumps being provided water may be admitted or elected at will. — Ibid. The Bushrangers. — Information reached Melbourne on Saturday last that the bushranging prison-breakers had passed. Mr. Burchett's out station on the road to Portland Bay a few days since, and in about two hours after their doing so they were followed by eight mounted policemen, who, being so close upon their track, have no doubt before now got the ruffians in safe custody. —Port Phillip Gazette. Fish-. — A quantity of fish has recently been brought from Geelong to Melbourne, which have been found to produce poisonous effects upon the individuals who have eaten thereof. Whether this arises from bad condition, owing to the weather and long keeping, or from some noxious quality in the fish, we are unable to ascertain : but we know that similar effects were produced in numerous instances by fish procured from Geelong about a twelvemonth ago. — Ibid. The Melbourne Banks have reduced the rate of discount, from eight to ten per cent., which makes money cheaper by twenty per cent than formerly. This will be a very great benefit to the trading community ; and the Directors certainly deserve the thanks of the public for the liberality they have displayed. We are sincerely glad they have done this, and done it also in such a handsome manner; they doubtless might have been able to maintain the high rate for some months longer, and the evident desire of the Directors to promote the public good will no doubt be fully appreciated. The banks will soon perceive the trustworthy and industrious traders, and give them, we hope, the encouragement which industry always deserves. Henceforth, we hope to witness a reciprocal feeling of goodwill between the banks and the trading community : this will go far towards the restoring of public confidence, which has for some time unhappily been unknown. — Ibid. Cape of Good Hope, January 4. — The colony was favourably progressing. ' The exports for the year 1842 exceeded the previous year by £32,000. The export of w001wa5£73,497 ; of flour £10,890. The Boers on the north frontier were still insurgents. The Kaffers on the eastern border were committing numerous depredations.— lbid. The Police Magistrate of Melbourne has made an attempt to induce the Town Council to bear a portion of the expense of maintaining the police. The Council refused, to contribute to its support, unless they had control over it.