VICTORIA. [From the Empire, July 25.]
By the steamers Argo and Chusan last eyeing, we have Melbourne papers to the 2 1st instant, but our files are incomplete. The meeting of the Legislative Council has been prorogued to the 30thrAngust. The Argus reports a meeting held on the 14th at Castlemaine, to protest against the present system of gold license. A memorial was adopted, requiring a reduction of the license to 10s., and also a number of other conditions of less importance. Amongst the grievances enumerated was the following : — •' That, in consequence of the squatter land monopoly, a successful digger who desires to invest his hard earnings in a portion of land is debarred from so doing." Delegates attended from Bendigo, and the number altogether present amounted to six hundred. The Argus says, that as many as six or seven thousand have attended sorae other meetings that have been held with the same purpose. One of the speakers said that, taking into account the increased number of diggers this year, the production of gold has fallen off 33 per cent. Intelligence of some authority had been received at the diggings to the effect that it was the intention of the Governor to issue a proclamation, which would be published in the Government Gazette, to the effect that in future no squatter's licenses should in any way interfere with any mineral land in the colony : and further, that all land in the neighbourhood of the diggings should be exclusively set apart for the benefit of the diggers, by way of commonage. The Argus states that the new Colonial Secretary, Mr. Foster, had received no intimation before leaving England as to the person likely to be appointed Governor in place of Mr. La Trobe. Hence, the Argvs infers that Mr. Deas Thomson, or Sir George Grey, will be appointed, and, adds — " wi.h either, we believe that we should get on very well ; but a glance towards Van Diemen's Land and a single thought of William Denison, are not to be ventured upon without a shiver." The searches for coal, near Geelong, have been encouraged by the discovery of another small seazn, the third in one sinking.
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New Zealand Spectator and Cook's Strait Guardian, Volume IX, Issue 843, 31 August 1853, Page 3
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364VICTORIA. [From the Empire, July 25.] New Zealand Spectator and Cook's Strait Guardian, Volume IX, Issue 843, 31 August 1853, Page 3
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