WESTERN AUSTRALIA.

Southland Times, Volume III, Issue 14, 9 December 1863, Page 5 (Supplement)

WESTERN AUSTRALIA.

(From the Perth Independent )

The news brought by the mail with respect to transportation in no respect differs from that we received in September. There is noihing, we believe, in any official Turm to favor tae supposition that there is any change in the policy of the Imperial Government. On the contrary, there is every indication of continued, if not increased action ; for illusion is indirectly made, not only by the projected departure of the Dalhousie, but <f another ship to follow. Private advices however, mention the strong but unreasonable opposition of the representatives or the neighboring colonies, and speculate upon the ultimate result of the pressure upon the Government.

The criminal sittings of (he Supreme Corrt were held on the 7th, Bth, and 9th instant. The cases t ied were twelve, four of tnem for murder, the criminals being aboriginal natives of the colony. One of the prisoners was the principal in the nvnvder of Charles Storey, a shepherd, at Jeeramungup, near Albany, for which crime two of his -confederates were found "(Juilty," and executed on previous occasions. A verdict of "Guilty" was returned? the murderer was sentenced to death, and executed this morning. A native named Hosketh, near Albany, was acquitted by direction of thj Court. The other cases were of less gravity.

No further intelligence has been received from Nicol Kay. The journal of Mr l.efroy's expedition to the eastward of Yovk "has been published. It is very long but Mr Leftoy has evidently taken much pains, and the information il contains may be accepted without doubt as regards matters of fact. Mr Lefroy's estimate of the character of the country, and of its adaptability for agricultural and pasture, has not however, been so readily received, but we are liappy to state that an effort has been made to test the value of the eXplorer's conjectures by Messrs Monger and Co., of York, who have despatched a small party upon Mr Lefroy's course, for the purpose of ascertaining the extent of available country, and. of discovering if possible, whether there is any permanent water. Mr Lefroy himself, however, distinctly states that* there is no permanent water. Kowiteh, the native who accompanied that gentleman, is also attached to the present expedition.

There has been no arrival of Im migrants free ov bond, since the departure of tho September mail, and consequently thero lias been no extraordinary progiess in public works. 'Upon the arrival of the I alhoiiMO oar toad gangs will be maif I'ially strengthened, and enable us to report more active proirres*. The return sales of country lands for September are as follaws': — Number of acres 470 i amount realised L 23) ; against 570", acres, and L 404 2s, in August. The intelligence from the mining district is very satisfactory. The Gv.alhi mine is turning out ore in quantity, and of vpry superior quality. The mine ro ently pui chased has also been openod, and tho ve-iult has been highly gratifying to the speculaiors, both as regards the amount and the per ceutage of the ore. The Fortune Mine is turning ojtwell, and has shippel -largely per Hastings; and From tbo Wsmerenockn mine, al>ont 100 tons of copper ore will be dispatched to England per Robert Morrison. \ v e are glad lo find that there is to be a resumption of ihe timber trade, so far as n shipment on account of 'the Scinde Railway is concerned, a vessel being ex-pected from Adelaide for the purpose. We ure informed that there is a large quantity of timber at the Vasse awiiting orders. The prospects of the agrirul urist and t lie stockholder are very rheiring, the crops generally looking weH, and the supply of giass being abundant. During the past week we J:ave had some heavy rains, ■which were much required, though not altogether expected, the season bjiug so far advanced.