Colonial Intelligence.

Nelson Examiner and New Zealand Chronicle, Volume XIV, Issue 66, 14 November 1855, Page 2

Colonial Intelligence.

SOUTH AUSTRALIA.

We have Adelaide papers to the 7th of October.

The Register of the Bth gives the subjoined particulars respecting the search for coal : — " The operations near the Windmill, on the North-road, are said to be very encouraging. They are conducted by a man of practical experience, Mr. Thompson, whoiswell acquainted with the collieries in Lancashire and elsewhere, and declares that the actual developments already made here under his superintendence would elsewhere be deemed sufficient to justify the putting down of a regular shaft instead of any further prosecution of the boring. The shaft was sunk to the depth of 87 feet before the boring commenced, and that process has been continued to the depth of 47 feet, of which 21 feet is through what Mr. Thompson declares to be * coal bine.' A specimen of this substance has been left at our office, and one portion of it contains some granulated iron pyrites, which is one of the substances usually found in the coal districts of England. Without venturing to give a decided opinion as to the probable success of the attempt, we may say that the confidence of Mr. Thompson, and the collateral proofs of his judgment and sincerity already produced, would seem to justify the further prosecution of an attempt, which, if successful, would entitle him and his supporters to the gratitude of the whole community. It is almost needless to say that the advantages of such a discovery as that of coal, especially in such a position, would be almost incalculable."

The same journal states that the undertakers of the Adelaide City and Port Railway confidently anticipate the completion of the works by the end of the present year, so as that the line may be opened at the commencement of 1856. The rails have been laid down from the Port to Alberton, and the engines and train carriages are expected shortly to arrive from England.

On Tuesday the 9th October a thunderstorm, accompanied with rain and hail, passed over the city of Adelaide. The lightning was first visible to the westward a little before sunset. As the darkness of night came on, the storm increased, and from 7 to 10 o'clock the lightning flashed incessantly from the west and south. Shortly after nine o'clock a fearful thunder-clap burst over the city ; and at the same instant the lightning struck the roof of the engine-station of the City and Port Railway, which it rent in several places. The roof is composed of corrugated galvanized iron, and the fractures made are from one to twelve or fourteen inches long. They lie in nearly a straight line, in a diagonal direction from the top to the bottom of the roof. The damage is but slight, but suggests the propriety of lightning conductors being erected on buildings which, like this, stand in isolated positions, with metallic roofs. We do not hear that any very serious amount of damage has been occasioned, but in some instances in the neighbourhood of Adelaide the vines have been partially stripped of their luxuriance by the hail. Eight out of the twelve convicts who recently escaped from the Dry Creek have been recaptured, and seven of them have been committed for trial on the charge of "prison breaking." "At the present time " remarks the Times, "whilst employment for the industrial classes of this colony is by no means abundant, it affords us much pleasure to be able to bring to their notice, more especially to those engaged in felling and sawing timber, the extensive field opened in consequence of the large contract entered into by the River Murray Navigation Company for supplying the Commissioners of the Adelaide and Gawler Town Railway with red gum timber. This contract, which is for nearly 2,000 loads, has been completed within twelve months, and we anticipate will prove the commencement of a most important branch of colonial commerce." From recent returns it appears that the total immigration to South Australia for the ! nine months of the present year amounts to 13,784 souls, against 3,528 that have emigrated within the same period, leaving a balance on the nine months of 10,256 increase to the population.