COLONIAL EXTRACTS.

New Zealand Spectator and Cook's Strait Guardian, Volume VI, Issue 506, 8 June 1850, Page 4

COLONIAL EXTRACTS.

Lockyersleigh Mine. — We are happy to find that the experimental workings of this mine are going on satisfactorily* The silver ore is of the richest description ; as a proof, from one ounce and a half of the ore reduced to powder there was a yield, after destroying the lead, of one ounce of solid pure silver. Should the incredulous doubt the fact, Major Lockyer informs us that he will cause a similar operation to be performed in their presence. The copper ore is equally rich and abundant. The shaft has been sunk only fifty three feet, leaving at the sides a body of silver and copper. Two tons of the ore, a very fair sample we should say, have already been raised and the workmen are continuing their labor through the lode. — Goulburn Herald, April 27.

M'Leay River. — On Monday the 25th March Jast, about mid-day, the township of Kempsey was visited by myriads of grasshoppers of a large size, and to give some idea of their countless numbers, a square foot con- | tamed about 200, being two and three deep. Wherever they alighted vegetation became immediately destroyed, and to prevent this. as much as possible, every means was resorted to that could be thought of to pi event their settling ia gardens or reserved grass paddocks, such as hunting them off with dogs, whips, smoke, fire-arms, &c, this occupation appearing most ridiculous. In the afternoon, however, a breeze springing up from the northeast, they took flight proceeding regularly and steadily up the river. Such was the immense body of this plague of insects, tbat their arrival was announced by a noise similar to a hurricane, and horses two yards apart could not be seen through this close and compact body. Great destruction has been caused to the late crop of maize by them, and it is to be hoped they will not pay us a second visit. — Herald Correspondent.