SOUTH AUSTRALIA.

New Zealand Spectator and Cook's Strait Guardian, Volume VII, Issue 604, 17 May 1851, Page 3

SOUTH AUSTRALIA.

[From the Hobart Town Advertiser.] By the South Australian papers we find that in the hurry with which the Electoral Bill passed the council, so many omissions were made that it is impossible to carry out its intentions, and that the council will have to be again convened to remedy the errors which as it at present stands render it nugatory. In fact the hurry in which the Electoral Bill was carried through at Adelaide, is but one more instance of the truth of the old proverb, “ The more haste the less speed." The Anti- Transportation Memorials. —The active secretary has informed us that up to this day these petitions have received from Adelaide and the suburbs 10,200 signatures. We wish that a portion of the earnestness now displayed may have a favorable effect on the subscriptions necessary for cariying out the objects of the memorials. — Observer, March 8. M On the 27th March was held the “Old fflColonists’ Festival,” the words “Old Colopjfist” being defined to mean all who arrived in Bhe colony before 1840. About 700 persons ©[tended the dinner, which was held in a temfporary pavilion erected in Adelaide. Mr. J. 11. Fisher presided, supported by the Judges, the Colonial Secretary, the Bishop of Adelaide, &c., the centre table being more especially appropriated to the oldest colonists. ®The Governor was absent, being unwell, phe Chairman, in proposing the health of the fcovernor, took occasion to remark that he (the Chairman), as first Resident Commissioner, presided at the first sale of land in .South Australia, fourteen years ago that very Jday, and that the land on which Adelaide was Blow built, and which then realised £4,000, how yielded an annual rental of above y|£l 35,000, and was worth, at only ten years’ ! purchase, nearly a million and a half. The papers are filled with reports of election meetings in the different electoral distiicts, and many strange and odd scenes are reported as taking place. gg, Burra Burra shares were quoted at £195 cash. || Effects of the Drought.—The Murray has become fordable at nearly all points Above Moornndee, and can be crossed with £ase in a spring cart. In some places the channel is not more than 15 or 20 yards wide, find on the upper portion of the river the influence of the salt springs is becoming perceptible. In like manner the sea water is gradually encroaching on the fresh at the conflux in Lake Alexandrina. Notwithstanding ®ese circumstances, and despite the barrenof the land, which presents an appear- . * l,ce l*ke one vast road, the stock on the riffler are doing well. In some districts, however, more especially in the densely populated country to the eastward, considerable mort a hty has already taken place among both catlie and sheep.— Observer; April 12.