VICTORIA.

Southland Times, Volume III, Issue 14, 9 December 1863, Page 3

VICTORIA.

OUR OWN (!*HtRF.SF6*rt>F.NT.)

MELBottB&E. find DUO. 1863

fh\i will reach you by the ifero, the new steam Clipper recently imported by Brißht Brotj^js aY)d V.&. expressly for the New Zealand trade* to which she will prove an immense acquisition '; at her trial trip in th 6 Bay proved her to be the fastest thing afloat here— her speed being nearly equal to the great Himalaya — while Ac character 'of her accommodation will always ensure her a preference as a. passenger vessel. Truly, the Alhainhra — sVilful and popular as het stopper is — will have to look to her laurels ; but it T!s to be hoped that this additional competition will lead to something like punctuality in dispatch, in which all the boats are alike wanting ; the Post Office notices declaring that the mail will go on a certain day,'when nine times out of ten, two or three days elapse before its actual departure, the agent's notice of sailing being at direct variance with the official announcement in the same paper. Thus in Monday's Herald the Post Office declares that the Hero's mail closes at haff past three that day, while in the front page is the advertisement by Bright Brothers and Co., postponing the sailing till this day at two o'clock. Some reform is wanting, as it terribly misleads intending passengers from the interior, who are put to unnecessary expense remaining in town during 'the interval.

The Ireland nnd Duffy pension jugglo is now in course of performance, Mr. Fellows having — on behalf of the former — obtained a rule nisi before the full court on "Wednesday last, calling upon the Treasurer to show cause why he refused to pay. As a matter of form the Crown will appear, but it is well understood that the whole affair is a farce, as is evident from the fact of the mover, Mr-F-flHows, being himself the Ministerial leader in the Upper House, and from the remark of the Chief Justice that " he <Jid no« think the court could go behind a warrant undtr the seal of the colony *' to test the validity of the regulations, upon which latter point the whole hinges. It is clearly a foregone conclusion, and the plunder will be secured. So satisfied does Mr. Duffy appear of the result, that he lias announced his intention of visiting Ireland — the Kingdom, not the knave — so thai we shall have the pleasure of periodically remitting him fundsto gallop over green Erin, and, of course, «buse everything Sa-voji — f.vcept the money. How -such b gigantic swindle as pensions for two year's scr-vice— and that not consecutive either — was ever foisted into tho Constitution J*,et is incredible-; but, without repudiation, there is no getting rid of the incubus, as twothirds of both Houses must concur in any proposed alteration, and there are too many placemen in the Upper House to render that pfobabte. ":L»st MnniUy being the minhers^Tv of the proclamation of this same beautiful Constitution, the Government pnzetted it as a 'holiday, but the Banks and -efher mercantile offices repudiated it, which caused great confusion in business circles, and, of course, considerable grumbling amongst those employes who were "kept at wcrk. 'Observing the day is generally looked upon as an wbsurdity, and certainly, looking at the pension arrangement and the irresponsible character of the Legislative Council, we have little cause to rejoice. Separation Dav, on the other hand, is r& legitimate subject to do so, as we were fhwF' finally manumitted from the despotism of the Svdneyites, who swallowed our revenues and insulted us into the bargain.

The qualified verdict ret-yrnefl Against Gsddard mid Branch has miglrtily. "disgusted the sensationist portion of the public, whom nothing short of the gibbet would have satisfied, and they are indemnifying themselves in some measure for the disappointment, by making a heroine of the girl M«ry Fraser, several meetings having teen held, and a committee appointed to collect subscriptions on Jicr behalf, on which are the names of men whom I should "have given credit for better ■sense. Looking at the evidence given by her at the trial, which was at variance in many i nportant particulars with that of the Police Office — that for a long time she concealed the fact of there having been two men in the house, and endeavored to screen Branch, although slm admits that she knew him to be a bigamist, and also a thief of money which she iherself had been accused of taking; and, more inexplicable than all, that she did not implore liis protection when his confederate was assaulting her — I cannot but arrive at the conclusion that she is by no means the injured unsophisticated vestal which these amiable but credulous philanthropists would make out. It is no gracious task at any time in cast a damp upon pifolic or private sympathy, but in this case it appears to me, if not maudlin, misapplied. The legal point in reference to the above criminals will be argued to-morrow, having been postponed from the absence of counsel. Should the resnlt be favorable to them, they will be re-arrested and tried on the charge of burglary. The death of the Hon. W. Thompson has created a vacancy in the Ch-tirmanship of ■Committees in the Upper House, and of course rumors are rife as to his probable successor. The Herald has been expending a great deal of superfluous wrath in paragraphs and leaders, -as to the non-advisability of conferring the post upon the hon. J. P. Fawkner, ignoring tho fact that lie is not a candidate, or intending to become one, for which I have his own personal assurance. The hon. Charles Vaughan, is mentioned as the party upon whom it will fail, as it is matter of notoriety that severe losses in bnsiness of late years, have materially altered that gentleman's pecuniary position, which would render the emoluments of the office an object, while the very negative quality of his politics, would render his impartiality unquestionable. A still farther reason why J. P. F. does not think of it, is the 'fact that his term o( office expires next year, and it is at present ■uncertain whether he will seek re-election. As an old and tried public servant, he ought to go in unopposed ; it will be a poor return, to put him at his age, to the turmoil and expense of a contested electron.

Mr P. Hanna, the unsuccessful candidate on two former occasions, for the Eastern Province, has again come forward for the seat vacated by the untimely decease of Mr Thompson, and has complied with the various requirements of the new Electoral Act — this being the first election under it. Mr George Urquhart and Mr Patrick Turnbull are also spoken of. Should both these gentlemen go to the poll, it would in all probability secure Mr Hanna's return by dividing the Scotch interest -, but until thewrit hs issued there is little certainty, as it is a common practice with the Melbourne newspa-jers to announce parties as candidates who are themselves quite ignorant of the fact until they see it in print; and on my asking an influential man some time since if it \vas tr3r that he was up for the Province, his reply was, " I really don't know, but I'm told so in the papers." Sir Charles Darlint? has shifted his quarters from the dreary mausoleum, erected in Great Collins-street east by Mr C. H. Ebden, under the delusion that it was an eminently aristocratic dwelling-house — to the regular viceregal residence at Toorak, which has been reembellished and decorated to sutt his taste, as we shall find by the next Estimates. What with rent and repairs, this same suburban villa lias cost more, or nearly as much, as would have erected a suitable residence in the Botanical Gardens Reserve, as originally contemplated ; but then a job would have escaped the ruling powers at that time, who were too keen to let it pass. After all. it was not so flagrant as the renting of John Thomas Smith's, Queen-

street, house for a Treasury, which had such a marked influence upon that immaculate senator's votes just then.

The township of Epping has been as full of commotion lately as its British namesake is of sausages, touching the appointment of a postmaster for that loyal and indignant locality, Mr Fellows having appointed a blacksmith to act in the capacity, while the choice of the residents was a Mr Zeven. What the particular objection to the son of Vulcan was does not appear, bnt on Monday a deputation (those e»erlasing deputations,) waited upon thePostmastorGeneral, accompanied by n<> less tlmn four hon. members — Messrs. Bear, Power, Bennett and Kirk— when, after hearing the particulars, including, of course, the merits of Mr. Zevin, Air. Fellows quietly yielded to the pressure from WftllOllt, Cancelling hisfirst appointment 111 favour of that individual. What tide hon. gentleman's original predilection may have been, is not for me to guess; but should he travel that way> and his horse cast a shoe, he'd better not stop at Epping to be shod, Cyclops being furious at the affront. A meeting of Poles resident in Melbourne was held, last week, at the Globe Hotel, to consider the best mode of assisting their countrymen at home in their struggle for freedom. A similar meeting was held three months ago at 'the St. George's Hall, but beyond empty speechifying, nothing had been done. Ultimately a Committee was formed, consisting of eight gontlemen, to co- operate with the English one in the collection of funds, and t) communicate w'fth Poles resident in the interior. While wishing tho movement every success, I ft:«r that long 1 before any aid sent from here can be madeavailable, the. contest will be decided. In any case, money without men will hardly do mnoh, and the Polish element in the colony is so numerically small, that recruiting hero is out of the question. From a statement made at tho me 'ting', it Bcem9 that eleven natives of that country, some time sinei>, loft Melbourne and joined their compatriots in the war, but that one of the adventurers had been unfortunately captured by tho Russians, and hanged — not a very encouraging incident, one would think to relate upon such an occasion. Tho usual settling after the Tulf Club Meeting, took place at the Albion Hotel on Monday, but was not of n very satisfactory description, some of the bookmakers bping heavily in arrears for tho previous Jockey Club Race as well, the depression of the monetary world extending equally to the sporting ns well as commercial circles. Cremorne is finally dismantled, the whole of the statuary bcinrj removed. Mr J 11. Brooke, M L.A. wa« (ho purchaser of the Laocoon Group, which he has presented to the Geelong Botanical Gardens. Of course there is not the slightest connexion between this donation and the coming dissolution, when the lion member will have to face his constituents of the Pivot, whore he is not more popular than elsewhere. Doubtless, it is a mere coincidence, and by no means premeditated on the part of so notoriously straightforward and disinterested a ma".

Notwithstanding tlio discontent evinced a f the proposed Volunteer Keview on New Year's Day, the authorities do not appear to be inclined to yield the point, but have, so far relaxed n>! to have consented to hold it in tbe rear of the Barracks at. Prince* Bridge, nt. an early hour, so as to release the Volunteers in time to witness the match with the English Eleven, which is to commence on that day. So far as cricket £009, this is all very well, but there are scores of other engagements with which tho Keview will interfere siidly, and this pertinacity of the officials is very poor cnc our.i«etn<3nt. to our local heroes.

The third meeting in the estate of P. A. CO'Farroll, tho attorney, was held on Wednesday, when tho assignee reported that no schedule hud been filed either by or for the in.iolver.t, who hal left, the colony; thatth'3 books nnd papers wevo a mass of confusion ; nnd th-.tabillof silo existed over fhe ollice furniture, but which had been sold and tbe money attached. Altogether, them doe.? not seem tho most remote chance of a dividend. The sudden bretrk ur> of so flourishing im establishment ns this was recently, is inexplicable, particularly in Roman Catholic circles.

The Great. Victoria, sisfer ship to tho Grcit Britain, arrrvcd here on the 2<3th, wi<h over four hundred passengers in the second cabin and steerage, exclusive -of somn sixteen in the. snl'»nn, none of whom are old colonists, who serm tn liave preferred the latter vessel. This fine addition to the Black Ball Line, was originally tho French .f.ioqnard. troop-ship, but was purchased by .Limes Raines ana Co, who "have "had her lengthened by Pn^erfon and Co, the eminent shin builders of Brislol. Her present, tonnage is 2(>00; the saloon is capable of accommodating one hundred firstcliiss passengers'; (he 'tween docks fuGr h in Irvl nnd fift?, find as might bo expected, she is fitted up with nil the mrclern appliance-9 of comfor t :wl luxury, which rruike a Ion? vnyago ondur.-ible. S'ie was brought out bT Captain Price, formerly of the Donald M'Kav, but has not. made a good pas<;ag», being seventy-six dsys out, but thia has been mainly occasioned by the machinery pi>Kin ■; out of order, which is commonly the case with :ill now engines when first brought into iise, in addition to which she has had to encounter head winds during a great part of the way. Her sea-going qualities are, however, pronounced to be first-rate, and slit; will, no doubt, soon became a "favorite like her sister, though what they both want nt tbe sime end of the line at oTio time, is best known to the owner 9, it hnrintj always boon understood that the intention was, that th'.-y should respectively leave Liverpool and Melbourne us nearly as possible, simultaneously, on account of the pi^senger tral'C

It is creditable to the charitable tendencies of the cnlonist-s to bavp to record that the subscription list i i aid of the widow and family of Pearson the Railway porter who lost his life while rescuing a boy wh) fell into the sea at Sandridge Per, now exceeds £500 (of whicm the ITobson's IJav Knilwav Company contributed £00), tho balance of "Which, after establishing the widow in some small way of business, is to be invested by trustees for her benefit.

His Excellency has forwarded a cheque for £5, in aid of the fund raising for Mary Fraser, as a contribution from Lady Darling and hitnselt, which will add a fresh impetus to the popular delusion on this subject, already o'erleaping the bounds of common sense.

A reward of £100 is offered by Government for the apprehension of the murderers of Seloy ana Bennett, the hawkers. Rather ft trifli-ig amount for an offence of so atrocious a character, J- EL Jfuir, formerly clerk to Hcnty and C>, was fined £20, for publishing a libellous pamphlet. reflecting; on those gentlemen, without any printers name attached thereto, contrary to the ssc >nd section of the Printers' Act. Only four copies had in fact been distributed, and these were, sent to Messrs W. and ET. Ilenty and Messrs Balfour nnd Stewart. The defendant pleaded hard for mitigation, but as he had written to Mr Hentv some months previously, threatening the publication, the Bench refused peremptorily. The Keans bavins departed for Sydney, our threatrical world is in a state of quiescence* their attraction at the Hayroarket being more than made up for by the engagement o t Jpfferson, the American actor, who is about to visit New Zealand, and whose genuine talent and gentlemanly demeanour should make him welcome anywhere.

The Polytechnic is at present the scene of Professor Bushell's Electro-Biological exhibitions, which are certainly of no ordinary character, and baffle all conjecture us to how such very singular results are obtained, not that the public care much for scientific deductions, so long as they are amused.

A feeble attempt hns been made hero to emu--late Albert Smith's "Mont Blanc. &c," by the production at the St. George's Hull of what is miscalled an Entertainment, •' Christmas in Old England," feeing merely a very clever series of pictorial tableaux, painted by " Chevalier" and other eminent artirts, of the principal events of the season in the home country, beautifully executed, and certainly worth the price of the admission. The literary department is assumed, or rather usurped, by no less a personage than a Mr Edgar Ray, ex-Efchiopiao singer, principally known to fame as the introducer of the two or three urinals occupying the centre of Collins and Bourke Streets, called "Indicators," Laving boon originally intended to support illuminated clocks. As a composition, the attempt at descriptive illustration is a most mplancholy affair, destitue alike of point or novelty, rendered still more dreary by the utter lack of talent on the part of the exhibitor, who, in point of capacity, as much resembles poor Albert Smith, as a tadpole does a Tweed salmon.

A tradesman at Hamilton, named Henry A. Normnn, has been committed for arson for having on the 18th October, wilfully burned his premises, with the knowledge of bis brother John, and sistpr Harrietta Annie, which never would have come to light in nil probability, but tor tie new system of holding fire inquests. A solemn instance of the truth of the Scriptural axiom, that " In the midst of life we are in death,"

was aiTordcd in the midst of Collins Street, on Saturday last; a man named David Nott, a turn key in the Western Gaol, heinjj seized with a fit, and dying shortly after his removal to the Hospital.

A grand trial match of cricket between two picked Elevens of the Melbourne Club and the Provinces, has just come off— the object being to ascertain what up-couutry players wore most oli<jihlo to form part of the team to moot tho Englishmen in January. The result was largely in favor of tb,e Metropolitans, who beat the "Joskins " in oho innings, with over an hundred runs to spare, Coftiek alone scoring 108. Liberal allowance must, however, be made for the constant practice of the M.C.C, and the fact that they were Upon their own ground, which i 3 now turfed to perfection, and to which of course they were well accustomed. Th.-i Sydivsvites have at 'length finally declined to play this year, — all tllC better, for as I>O^l>erry SiIJS, •' whea you .ne-ot with n ccrltnn rlesc-ripiion of iniVici.lual, lot him go and thank Got! yon are quit of a knave."

In answer to an application from Adrinirl" no to upon what terms the Knglish Eleven would visit that city, Mr George Marshall demands £-20iJ0, with first class pa^sn^os to arid from tho colony, with board and lod jin-» during their stay. Whether this will be acceded to i.^ doubtful, as the cricketers of South Australia are neither numerous nor affluent.

A Grand Concer 1 -, under the patronage of His Excellency, was held in tho 15>trtnici! G-i'.'di'ii*, on vjturday, for the bfmTit of the liencvident Asylum; Mmlamo Caramliui, Miss Octuvia Hamilton, and Messrs Whavton and Sherwin, beinj; the principal vocalists; upwards of from two tv three thousand persons were present, the fair s-ex of course predominating, whoso £ay dresses, contrasting with the varied (lowers and foliage of this delightful spot, nulde the scene worthy Ihe pencil of a Wntteau — and in some measure atoned for the musical part of tho aff.iir, which was very indifferent, bur, being for a charitable purpose, criticism is of course dumb.

The unprecedented variableness of tho weather has produced an unusual amount of illness, both in Mnlb mrne and tho suburbs, and dipfheria is stated to be racing in. Hallanifc ; one thing is certain, and ran be Ixvne out by every colonist of old standing, that Victoria 'is every year becoming loss salubrious for now co:ncrs.

Mr MLeart, Inspector of G ivernmenf. Works in Gipps Land, is r.liont to patent a va'uable invention to make the screw of a stenm vessel self clearing, by fastening on thestorn plate, forming the run, sharpened steel plat s of suiticiuut strength, and keenness ofed^e to cut. any ropes, or even chains, of moderatj size, thus prevenling tho fouling which so often elo^ the movements of screw propellers, as evinced iv the case of liic Federal th-ct at Vicksbui-ff, and pnrtiully in. tbo ship-.vreok of tlio Royal Charter, a name which no Victorian can write without a si^h for th« fato of many estimable colonists of all ranks, sexes, and agfs. who porishe 1 in her. Tho breach between Mr Williams, the conch builder, nnd bis men, still continues with little signs ff yielding on either side. All elas.-cs of mi'chai ics nre uiviniimuis in as>istini» to n a niain the Eight Hours regulntion in its integrity, and the men. who are acting with fie erre-uU'st prudenco and iifdomtion, have both tho press and public on their side. Billa have idso been published in tho capitals of the neighboring colonies, apprising tho workmen thfre ot Hie struggle, and calling for their co-operation. In the mean! ime. the railway carriage works are at a stand still, until the misguided obstinacy of this vehicular nutwnt sli:ill abate. As an instance of tbe business like character of this movement, the men have just published a balance sheet up to the 2 1st Nov., by which it appears that the collections in nid nmonnh-r] to Ll(J^ Is IJ, and alter dijstrSbu tin^ LIOO ll'S 3d ani'tiij tlio turn-outs, ft'i.l inivment of incidcntnl cvciiscs, a balance of L"J 1)j SI remains in hand.

Tlio Herald has boon umvi?(? enough to it Nek the Government on tlio sco:-. 1 of the unfair division of their advertisements amonn; tno Melbourne journals, asserting its own enormous circulation, as an aggravation of tlio injustico : and Mr G. (.'. Lcvev, AT. L.A , entered into a 1 o ; . jj correspondence with the Tiviiswry nn the subject, and received a rcjilv, that " it w.is nol" considered udvisublo to nller the existing arrangement," couveved in the driest siyle. of dtfii'ial suulibiujj. Purely if die ni'.por be so thiivii)';, it was unnecessary lo plead iii mix; r !ri»' liai,i, for a few jmltry iu^cr ions of public notices, particular! v to political opponents. John F. Nuke* of Halhirat, has b.'.Mi finally ncquiited of tho charge of causing the death of Irs infant son, aa allhou^h showing tjrew-; neglect and inhurnnnity, the (jvident-e did not hour out th< criminal portion of it

Somi> of tin; pi-ovineiil pupers state that G inert unil Gardiner liiwc been seen in Casilemaine, B.'eehworlh, and other places but no relhnee is t.> be placed upon tliese ivp<ir:s, although if is probable that New S-mth \Vales is at ln<t ireltinj foij hot rorfhfui; buf t'> oin« info VioiorJi v ou!c! bo oat ol" the frvinji-paii into the lire with :\ veiioven il' they aban.lone I \\\nt partieulav vocKtinn ; i;i ii'li itiou to whk-h il. is al.r...st rcr!ai;i that the latter worthy lias made a. tita 'Ij ilight from Australia alto^olher.

Not . J atisii.'d with champion races, the Tj.tlhirat people, have been ("lj.jving the in selves with a regatta upon Like L ur.u >:ith. \vh ; ch tonk place on Monday, and went >ff with great eclat — at least, so wnvs the Post, the attendance being very numerous nij.l the -.via', her splendid. The rowing did not, ho^e-.-er. appear to cxeife much in I ores t except in a li"iiied low, r.Ulingh 'ho competitors were first-rate puller-:, nnd :hp l> .:it.s sp.'f .-ill v sent up hv Edwards, the 1, 'lr'on builder-, now located at Pi-tru-c'rf lii-H^e — perfect inndels of aquatic architecture, worlliv of O'a\ Father Thames.

A melanclu'lv suicide took place at S-'Uth Yarra on Sf.aday m >1r f i i 1 1 lc las'"-, a Mrs Ann (.' ipeiand, a lady of forty-Seven years of age, having iu"i:itl« <1 herself in an outho.se. Tl,r inediciil ;it timlanL deposed that (lie deceased had su.'ler^ I l\\>in acute congestion of the liver aud other ailments lending to pri'dns-e h'w spirit, which h,l tnlct-Ti I lie I'.irin of religions delusions. the uiiforl unale lady being persuaded that should a j>:ui ic tlui- sister q uit her, d -vils would have ht, audit was during the temporary absence of the former thai she cjui:ied her bed. utipercuived by another sister who slept in the same room, and put an end to her existence. The usual verdict of temporary insanity was recorded.

An inquest was also held on Monday, on the body ot Mrs Ellen (■Julls'ford, who died from serous apoplexy, at the residence ot' her niece, Mrs Ellen Ticrni-y, D 'pu!v lio^istrar Flinders Street, iv!ict of the late d'M-for.

Several of the Ministry are tnkins: the advantage of the recess, and are starring it through the country- Mr lieales having received deputations, laid the stone of a Wesleyan Church and lectured on Total Abstinence at Warrnambool, while Mr Sullivan has been frying all over the raining districts and promising all sorts of improvements everywhere- One little item is Water Supply for Castlemaine, which he proposes to accomplish by raising a million of money <"i debentures. What will his colleagues say ? This is worse than Mr Heales' promised sites for new temperance halls, which according to the qnidnuncs is causing the disruption of the Cabinet.

Another victim has just been added to the list of those self-destroyed by Intemperance — John Wilson, a carter at Lai Lai — havinpr hanged himself with his horse's reins in a fit of delirium tremens.

James Barret {alias Birmingham, which it seems is the culprit's real name), the murderer of Mrs Beckinsale at Woodstock, underwent the last sentence of the law at the Centra! Gaol. The prisoner, who is an Irishman and a Ito.nan Catholic, was attended by the Rev. I)r Ble;isdale and J. G. Williams, who administered the last offices of their faith. The wretched man ascended the drop with a firm step, betraying no nervousness, although when he awoke at six o'clock he wept violently for some time, refusing the proffered breakfast, but ultimately regained his firmness. From his confessions made the nitjht prior to his execution, he hud been a soldier in the 3fith llcpiment and trans ported to Van Dieman's Land in 1848 for striking his sergeant- As to his career thence up to his arrival in Victoria in the middle of October last, he is silent, but his account of the murder is that on the 21st of that month he went into the bedi-oom where Mrs Beckinsale was putting m her boots and demanded what money she had in the house; she threw about £.(> in silver on the bed and commenced crying and making a great noise; I hat he then struck her with a tomahawk, following up the blows until he had killed her ; he then robbed the house of the silver, a watch and pair cf boots — that it was not true that he chased her round the house, everything taking place within it. Mr Beckinsale was away from home when the murder was committed, and had no knowledge of it. and that he used no weapon but the tomahawk. This statement, although at variance with some of the matters sworn to at the trial, is satisfactory , not ouly as establishing his- guilt, but the husband's entile innocence on which some eccentricities of expression had at first cast some slight suspicion. Not. ihc sligtHCEt'cxru-cstion of regict, or comp-

unction escaped him during his imprisonment, either before or after trial, beyond his saying that he had no intention to murder her, and when done, would have given untold gold to have brought her to life again. Beyond this his manner w.is stolid and brutal throughout, and a more callous aff.iir never was overtaken by justice, and it was not until the last hour, when all hope of a reprieve had vanished, that he could be induced to make thia tavdy and raeasre satisfaction to his spiritual advisers and the gaol officials.

The Castlcmnine Races commenced yesterday, but very few of the Melbourne turfites were present. The results Were: — Maiden Plate, Hurtle Fisher's Chrysolite. Great Centre Handicap, won by Shylock easily, beating the favorite Falcon, Flaicatcher, and three others- Ladies' Purse; — gentlemem riders, — won by Ida; and the Hack Race by Whistlebinkie. The meeting will conclude to-d aJ '.

The ?ienl of our gre»t unpaid was well illustrated yesterday at StKilda, where the Licensing meeting had to be adjourned in consequence of thenon-aftendance of the Bench, not a single magistrate being present;, although there are no less than twenty-eisiht living there, all of whom had been summoned, yet these same industrious and punctual gentlemen not long since indignantly repudiated the appointment of a stipendiary when offered by the Government.

The General Session for the County of Burke commenced yesterday, but I am happy to say the Calender is light, there being only seven cases and those not of a heavy character or possessing any interest to the public, which is quite a relief after the heavy crimes which occupied the last two or thiee sittings. It is to be hoped that the hangman's occupation is gone at least for a season.

Tlie City Council held their usual meeting on Monday, but beyond voting ten pounds for the purchase of articles to test for the discovery of adulteration, and voting that all claims to a sum of money recently bequeathed to a Corporation defaulter— S:\unders a rate collector, now a prisoner, — should be waived in favor of his wife and children, nothing particular transpired. The great motion for increase of salaries, for which a call of the Council had been made being postponed.

Our mining world is rlestitute of news, beyond the usual accounts of apocryphal nujjejets, an-'l tremendous rushes to now El Dorados, and of course, lots of grumbling from some of the disa- pointed who have left your diggings, which do not seem to have much weight.