SOUTH AUSTRALIA.

Nelson Examiner and New Zealand Chronicle, Volume II, Issue 87, 4 November 1843, Page 347

SOUTH AUSTRALIA.

We have lately received a file of the Adelaide Observer, and are indebted to the kindness of Captain Finnis, of the Joseph Albino, for some late numbers of the South Australian Register, and a copy of the " South Australian Almanack, for 1843." It appears from the whole of these publications, that this important colony is fast recovering from the evils which over speculation and bad government had entailed on it, and the experience of the last two years has shown the great capabilities of the country for agriculture, which had been previously much neglected. A table is given in the Almanack of the amount of land cultivated each year since the formation of the colony, by which it appears that there were Acrei. In 1837 73 1838 . . 81 1839 443 1840 2,724 1841 8,168 1842 21,545 . Nothing can convey a more useful lesson to young colonies than the above figures. It shows that the colonists of South Australia, after striving for five or six years to live on each other, were at last compelled to give the thing up as useless, and to betake themselves to the land to escape starvation. Had this been done at an earlier stage, instead of wasting capital in building a town now half deserted, how different would have been the present condition of the colony. Although a new colony may struggle on for a few years, producing little, and exporting nothing, such a state of things cannot last, and a " crisis " must sooner or latter be brought about. The land cultivated in South Australia last year has relieved the colony from all outgoings for the staff of life, the advantage of which will be understood when we state that the grain imported the previous year amounted in value to upwards of £26,000. Nor is this all, as in addition to an abundant supply for home consumption a considerable quantity has been exported, and at a price to compete with the foreign produce. This sudden change from an importing to an exporting grain country has caused some perplexity, and the question which the South Australians are now asking themselves is, what shall we do with our surplus produce ? For another year or two New Zealand wiD probably be one of the best markets, but with the superior capabilities of this country it is impossible that a longer time can elapse before we shall produce far more than we can consume. The Adelaide Observtr meets the question boldly, and tells the colonists that the only certain market for their grain is Mark Lane, and thither it recommends that a cargo should be sent the ensuing season as an experiment to ascertain what return it will yield. The crops are stated to be very promising, and an abundant harvest is expected.