SOUTH AUSTRALIA.

New Zealand Spectator and Cook's Strait Guardian, Volume VIII, Issue 645, 8 October 1851, Page 3

SOUTH AUSTRALIA.

[From the Maitland Mercury,"} On the 20th August the new Legislative Council was opened, and Mr. John Morphett, a nominee member, was unanimously chosen Speaker. The Governor’s address to the Council was a very long one, and referred to a great number of subjects of local interest. On the 21st a reply to the address—expressing in general terms the desire of the Council to cooperate with his Excellency in forwarding the interests of the colony—was moved by Major Campbell (nominee), and seconded by Mr.. Davenport (representative). No less than four amendments or additions were proposed, and a warm discussion, including some personal allusions, took place ; but eventually the amendments were all rejected, and the original reply carried. Considerable personal discussion also took place on some other motions, Mr. Baker, the member for Mount Barker, taking a prominent part. Mr. Dutton, the member for East Adelaide, spoke at the greatest length on the “ reply” discussion.

Heavy rains had caused extensive floods and inundation, and several bridges had been swept away on the Torrens and other streams, H be ihg stated that one (the Gawler) rose fifty feet in two hours. Great loss of property on cultivated and garden lands was feared, and many houses were said to be injured in their foundations.

The Governor’s Speech.—Sir Henry Young s address to the Legislative Council is much such a document as might have been expected, and except in a few, bat those not the least important particulars, will doubtless be received with general satisfaction throughout the colony. In every statistical criterion of advancement the information it supplies is most gratifying. The population is now above 67,000. During the past year the excess of immigration over emigration was 6,137. The value of the imports was £887,423 ; of the exports, £571,348. The export of wool was 3,289,232 lbs.; of copper meta], 44,594 cwt, ; of copper ore, 8,784 tons. The tonnage inwards and outwards was 168,468 tons. The extent of enclosed lan 1, 174,184 acres. The waste land occupied by squatters, 15,317 square miles. The places of worsbin in the colony are 102; the schools, 115. The general colonial revenue, inclusive of the balance of the previous year, and exclusive of land fund receipts, was £178,726, of which £102,523 was derived from the customs; the duties on wines, spirits, and tobacco, amounted to £57,606. 1 he general colouial expenditure, exclusive of land fund expenditure, was £136,304. The land fund receipts, including the balance of the previous year, were £114,467 ; and the land fund expenditure, £102,778. In little more than six years the population has nearly trebled itself. A clear surplus balance on hand of £40,000 may be calculated upon at the end of 1851. AU this presents a most gratifying picture of the financial, the commercial, the agricultural, the pastoral, the social progress of the community ; and justifies the entertainment of the most sanguine hopes and anticipations for the future.— Observer, August 23. Wreck of the Emigrant Ship “ Marion.”—The melancholy intelligence reached the Port late on Thursday night last, of the loss of the above vessel on Troubridge Shoal. The following authentic particulars, obtained from Capt. Kissock, may be relied on. On the 24th March, the Morion left Plymouth in company with the City of Manchester, and the King William, with 353 emigrants, and sighted Kangaroo Island last Monday morning, about 3a. m.; at this time the vessel was beating up the Gulf, and continued to do so uuiii Sue struck on the outer rock ofTroubridge Shoal, which took place about 8 o clock, a.m, on Tuesday. The lead was hove just before the vessel struck, but there was no sounding. She was in full sail at the time, and going at the rate of about four knots per hour. Shortly after the vessel struck she rapidly filled, previous to which the sails were backed to try and float her egain, but it proved unsuccessful. At this time there was a strong tide setting in on the Troubridge Shoal. Capt. Kissock then ordered the boats to be lowered (four in number) and all the females and children were put into them and made towards Yorke’s Peninsula, where two of the boats were safely landed, and the other two at Cape Jervis. Some of the emigrants were landed on Tuesday night, others on Wednesday, and the remainder on Thursday morning. A fishing boat rendered the sufferers some assistance by taking away several boat loads on Wednesday. Capt. Kissock having been informed that there was a small vessel at Yorke’s Peninsula, the Maid of the Mill, he sent for her on Wednesday morning, but the vessel was then on the beach high and dry. However she arrived at the wreck on the same evening about 5 o’clock, when the rest of the emigrants embarked in her with some boxes, and then left the wreck about dark, and arrived at the Port early on Thursday morning. At the time they left the vessel the water was within about 18 inches of the main deck. There is not the slightest chance of her ever being floated off again; she must inevitably become a perfect wreck. It is very probable that she has already gone to pieces, the weather on Friday night having been exceedingly rough. The loss of the vessel is attributed to the strong currents which set in on the shoal. All the emigrants have landed safe ; one infant, however, has since died.— South Australian Register.