QUEENSLAND.

Southland Times, Volume III, Issue 199, 8 January 1866, Page 3

QUEENSLAND.

[FBOM A COEBESrONDENT.] Brisbane, December 6, 1565. My Dear Mr. Editor, — Writing from this quarter of the world, I cannot vouch for the interest I may create in your readers at the perusal of my lucubrations on matters general, and the Queensland world in particular ; a world that has been painted by some infatuated correspondent at " home " as all couleur de rose, that here we lived in the extreme of luxury and elegance, undreamed of, even by the greatest enthusiasts and promoters of emigration, that the labouring classes here were better served and fared much more sumptuously than the incomed bourgeoisie of the old world could ever expect. It may, or it may not be so in some instances, but I'm afraid the majority would not be in favor of the flattering picture. To live in a sweltering climate, ivith the glass at 90 in the shade, and 120 in the sun is not the sort of comfort I should vote for ; but some* like it though, and seem to thrive in it. As for your humble servant he would prefer the shades and cool breezes of your invigorating climate, exempt from the thousand and one annoyances that torment poor mortals here in the shape of mosquitoes, cockroaches, llies of every conceivable form and shape, ants, beetles, kc, and the whole genera of venomous creeping things that are warmed into life by the expansive heat of thi3 semi-tropical climate. But, nevertheless, it is apparently a flourishing place, a go-ahead place, where even a titled lord may be found ranging amongst its pastoral tenants of the Crown — yes, as a lessee, appears the Earl of Macclesfield. So you see the squattocracy of this land have reason to be proud of theh* position, when headed by a peer of the realm. Well, I suppose, although a lord he has a right to scrape mousy together the best way he can, as well as " any oder man," and more power to him, I say. Well, what's all this about, you. will say, give us some matters of iact, and so here goes for a long string of incidents. First, and foremost, we have to congratulate ourselves on the breaking up of the drought. Accounts have come in from all parts of Queensland of refreshing rains and continued showers produced by the thunderstorms that are now of almost daily occurrence. Much it was needed, and thankful we ought to be for it. Even now, whilst writing, the lightning is very vivid all around the horizon, and the distant peals of thunder indicate a coming storm. A party of gentlemen, experienced gold-diggers, visited York's Hollow on Saturday, the 25th ultimo, for the purpose of inspecting the digging going on there. Tlieir impression was unfavorable to the locality where the men were sinking. The influenza has fatally attacked many horses at Breakfast Creek during the past lew days. The disease is reported to be spreading itself throughout the district. Two of the fallow deer that were presented some months ago to the AccclimatizaLion Society by Mr. Bisdee, of Hatton Park, Tasmania, have dropped fawns. A shocking attempt at murder is reported to have been committed on the Forest Vale station, in the Eomadistrict. The superintendent of the station, Mr. Simpson, was struck on the head with an axe on 17th ultimo, by a German shepherd. A few gentlemen of large means and high social stand have commenced an attempt to supplement our supply of beef and mutton, by the breeding and rearing of poultry on improved principles, and on a scale of magnitude hitherto unknown in this country. A man named Eamsay is supposed to have been murdered on the railway line, at a place called Holmes' Camp, about thirteen miles distant from Toowoomba. Three men haye been taken in custody on suspicion of being concerned in the murder. The Queensland Insurance Company have issued an advertisement, announcing a reduction in their fire premiums. Mary Toner, the woman who was arrested lately for having stolen notes of the Bank of New Zealand in her possession, has been removed to the Lying-in Hospital she being near her confinement- Her husband Patrick Toner, who is also in custody on the same charge, has been remanded for a week, in order to communicate with the authorities at Auckland. Three seamen deserted from the ship "Venilia, on Saturday last, the 25th ult. taking with them one of the ship's boat. Two of them were apprehended by the police the same night, in South Brisbane. The iirst gas was introduced into Brisbane on Wednesday evening, November 29. The streets are not yet lighted with gas, but the Corporation will no doubt avail themselves of it without loss of time. The quarterly meeting of the Caledonian Society was held on Thursday evening, November -30, at the Building Society's room. The secretary, Mr. Walker, read a report of the proceedings during the last quarter, and also, informed the members that arrangements had been made to secure the steamer Emu, on New Year's Day, to take them to Ipswich, and that a special train from thence would convey the party to Walloon. About 600 tickets will be issued for the excursion. The third annual meeting of the Queensland Rifle Association took place on Tuesday and Wednesday at York's Hollow. The shooting was of a very creditable description, and the various matches were closely contested. His Excellency the Governor and Lady Bowen were present on the second day, and appeared to take a warm interest hi the proceedings. The prizes were presented to the -rarious winners by Lady Bowen. After the matches were concluded his Excellency briefly addressed the Volunteers""! H.M.S. Salamander has just returned from a cruise to the North, and she brought with her two Chinamen from Somerset, the new settlement at Chpe York, being the only two remaining survivors of 327 Chinese passengers by the ship fit. Paul, wrecked seven years ago in the Louisade 'Group, in Torres Straits.

Specimens of gold have been discovered about four mile 3 from Brisbane, but as yet. nothing definite in regard to the paying nature of the locality has come to hand. Two insolvents — B. B. Marks and P. Cribben — who were tried last week, have been sentenced to three years imprisonment, with hard labor. A luncheon has been lately given at Drayton to the Hon. A. Macalister, Secretary for Lands and Works. The Mayor (Mr. Handcock), occupied the chair, and Mr. Groom, M.L.A., the vice-chair. The Florence Irving, from Sydney, has recently brought to the colony some fine ducks and pheasants consigned to the Acclimatisation Society. A man named John Wiley has been missing since the 17th November. He is supposed to have strayed into the bush while under the influence of liquor. All endeavors to find him have been as yet unsuccessful.