SYDNEY NEWS.

Southland Times, Volume 2, Issue 90, 15 September 1863, Page 5 (Supplement)

SYDNEY NEWS.

(From the 3iail.) Ax Australian at Oxfoup. — Letters by the Juno mail state that Mr Charles James Manning, son of Mr E.-lyc Manning had passed a successful examination as a competitor lor honors at Oxford. Mit W. C. Wehtworth.- Letters by the mail state that the Duke of Newcastle had promised to recommend Mr Wentworth to her Majesty for a baronetcy, and that Mr Wentworth intended shortly to return to the colony. Silver CiiAMnoN Rifle Belt. — With the view of encouraging rifle practice amongst the volunteers in the Hunter lliver District, a very handsome belt of the finest silver, and moat elaborate workmanship, has been manufactured by Mr AVilliam Keir, fiS, Williamstreet, Wooloomooloo, for the West Maitland Company. It is mado to the order of Mr W. H. Mullen, a gentleman long resident, and highly esteemed in the district, who, with praiseworthy liberality, intends to present it ;o tho members of the corps, to bo shot for by them at come future day, but under what c< nditions has not yet been publicly made known. The belt, which weighs 24 ounces, was yesterday kindly submitted to our inspection ; and. whether as regards the design or the execution, itis certainly worthy of all praise. It is composed of sixteen engineturned plates, so joined together as to be perfectly flexible, and to take easily the shape of the body. In the middle is a richly chased shield, the centre portion of which is taken up with the etching of a rille match— and a pretty piece of scenery it is, and very cleverly brought out. This is encircled by a wreath of native flowers, ferns, and other foliage ; surmounting the wreath are two rifles crossed ; and on a ribbon beneath is the following inscription: — " Champion belt, presented by W. 11. Mullen, Esq., to tho West Maitland Volunteer Rifle Corps." On the right of the shield an emu stands out in bold relief ; on the left a kangaroo. The Company may well feel proud of such a gift. The Railway Bridge at Penrith. — We learn by the late mail that a contract for the ironwork for the tubular girder railway bridge across the Nepean, at Penrith, has been taken in England by Sir M. Peto aud Co. There ■were six or seven tenders in reply to the advertisement, and tlie lowest was accepted. The contractors have undertaken not only to provide the ironwork, but also to bring it out and fix it. The amount of the tender is about £2,000 below Mr Whitton's estimate, and there was a difference of £20,000 between the highest and the lowest tenders. The girders are to arrive in the colony in March next. Military Settlers for New Zealand. —The conditions of the New Zealand Government respecting the granting oi land in the Waikato territory to military settlers, seems to be regarded with some degree of favour as already more than eighty eligible candidates for military service have been accepted by the Sydney agent, ancl it is understood that many applications, from persons resident" in the interior, have, also, been received at the offieoe in Bridge-street.