The Southland Times. FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 6, 1867.

Southland Times, Issue 720, 6 September 1867, Page 2

The Southland Times. FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 6, 1867.

Bx the arrival of the Tararaa, we learn that another " crisis " of a political character has taken place in Victoria. " The Appropriation Act," to which was attached the grant of £20,000 to Lady Dabliitg, was introduced to the Upper House, and after a warm debate, was rejected by a large majority. The next stepwhich followed was the resignation of the M'Cttlloch Ministry. A dead lock then ensued precisely similar to what occurred during the time of Sir Charles Daeles'G. His Excellency Sir Maioebs Stjttojj" addressed a memorandum to Mr 3?ellows, asking for advice, which the latter gentleman declined to give. Fresh complications arose. The civil servants salaries were not paid, and generally the Governmental machinery came to a standstill. The Governor then sent for Mr Pbaseb, a member of the Upper House, in order to endeavor to effect a compromise, and Mr M'Ctjlloch consented to an adjournment of the Lower House, with a similar object in view. So the matter rests. Each party is strong in the determination to bring the "crisis" to a decided issue, and judging 1 from the excited state of public feeling, •which is in favor of the course pursued "by the Government, it is to be feared that if more moderate counsels does not prevail, the most serious consequences may ensue. Meantime, as far as the general prospects of the country are concerned, very satisfactory accounts are received. It is in contemplation to subsidise a line of ocean steam vessels which are to run between Plymouth and Melbourne, and an

English firm has undertaken to buildafleet j of steamers for this purpose, of an average of 2,000 tons each, -which would be bound to accomplish the voyage in six weefes^-from port to port. It is also con--templated fb^encourage immigration on a large-scale,^ and with that object in view Mr Veedost has been appointed Agent- Greneral of Victoria, and is shortly to proceed to England. On the whole, with the exception of the political deadlock, the accounts of the prosperity of the colony is most favorable.

Otjb readers will remember that some time since a discovery of platinum was reported in different parts of the province, and in some" instances indications of this valuable metal existing in large quantities was established. In order to ascertain its market value, Mr Louis Lo^gttet of Campbelltown, communicated with Messrs Johnson, Matheson and Co., of London, one of the most eminent manufacturers of platinum in Europe. ! By the last English mail Mr Longtiet received a letter in reply, which he has placed at our disposal. The following is an extract: — "We are duly favored with your letter of the 10th April, and have great pleasure in seuding you prompt information on the subject of your enquiry* The samples you enclosed to us aye varieties of impure native platinum, to some extent a rare metal, though the produce has greatly increased of late years . We need hardly say that any large discovery such as has now been made will naturally effect the market value of what now finds its way to us, antl we would be very glad to receive large arrivals. The market price has been for the last 50 years very variable ; sometimes 3s. per ounce, sometimes much higher. We ■ should be glad u> learn to what extent the supply is likeJy to extend, whether it can be sent forward in pounds, hundredweights, or tons. If you can forward to us a working sample say of one or two tons of the cleaned metal like your sample, we should be glad ; and for such we authorize you to draw upon us at the rate of fifteen hundred pounds (£1500) per ton (22401b5) payable in prompt cash upon receipt and examination of the consignment. The business if promptly takeu up by you might doubtless prove of great value, and be a satisfactory one in every respect." We understand that a company is about being formed for the purpose of collecting and exporting the metal to England.

A special meeting of the Kifle Corps will be held on Monday evening, to receive the report of the Uniform Committee, &c. A full attendance is requested. An " Otago Provincial Government Gazette" of the 14th inst has a notice reminding the runholdors of the Province that a return of small and great cattle depastured on the lands comprised in their leases must be lodged at the Land Office in the month af September, arid that the head money in respect of the same must be paid to the Receiver of Land Revenue on or before the Ist October proximo. Agricnltral statistics, showing the number of acres under crop, in wheat, oats, and barley, for the season 1766-7, have been published by the Canterbury Government. Tha Province is divided into three districts — north, of the Wai raakariri ; between the Waimakariri and Rakaia, including the Peninsula ; and south of the Rakaia. The total number of acres under crop is stated to have been 55,325£ ; and the following is the estimated yield of each crop 707,268 bushels of wheat, 863,176 bushels of oats, and 111,802 bushels of barley. The "Nelson "Colonist" of the Ist instant, sa j S . — Yesterday afternoon, another of the work ing party of convicts attempted to escape the vigilance of the overseers, and get away over the hills at the back of the Botanical Gardens. The party were occupied in levelling a portion of this reserve, when, about four o'clock, one of the gang named Thompson was observed by both the overseers to drop his barrow and run behind a rocky projection at the base of the hill. One of the overseers, M'Donald, remained in charge of the working party, while .the other, Macmahon, started in pursuit -of Thompson, who made off up the hill at top speed, availing himself of every corner and obstacle which the rough nature of the ground afforded, to screen him from tho fire of his pursuer, who, with musket in hand, was pressing closely after. On coming to a turn, Macmahon got sight of the fugitive and fired, but without effect. The chase continued to the top of the hill, without the distance — which the prisoner had obtained at starting, about 100 yards— being much lessened between them. Down the other side and up another rise went the pursued, and during this space Macmahon had made three more shots from his revolver, running all the time. On gaining the top of the second hill and plung-

ing into the scrub which covered the 6eo<in.d decent, Macmahon found that he had gained considerably upon Thompson, who now showed signs of distress, and at tho bottom of the declivity was challenged by Maomahon, who had still two shots left in his revolver, and told to surrender. Exhausted by his efforts, in a run which had lasted nearly lialf an hour, Thomson, on finding his determined pursuer so close upon him, threw himself on the ground, crying, " Shoot me, shoot me." " No," said Macmahon, " I'll not shoot you, but I'll take you baok." " Shoot me now," said the prisoner, " for I would far rather be shot than go back." A civilian had by this time arrived on the spot, and the prisoner then got up and quietly retraced his steps with his plucky captor, who shortly afterwards lodged him in the lock-up. Thompson was one of the party of three who were convicted of sticking-up Nicholas at the Buller, and in that transaction was the mate of Anderson, who, it will be remembered, himself made an ineffectual attempt a short time since to escape from Nelson by way of the Matai Valley, but was captured by Mr Smith at the G-orge. -,