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The Southland Times. WEDNESDAY, OCTOBEB 14, 1868.

Arrangements hare been made with a gentleman connected -with the French press, to supply regular correspondence on continental topics to this journal. The first letter appears in our other columns, under the heading of " Parisian Gossip." The ability of the writer— an Englishman, and the diversity of subjects touched upon — is a guarantee that the information furnished in the form of " gossip," will prove acceptable to our readers. In consequence of pressure of local matter, we hare been obliged to hold over the letter until our present issue. About 320 acres of land were sold on Tuesday, the 13th inst., at the Land Office. A correspondent, writing from Port William, Stewart's Island, under date 30th September, says : — " Three men, known as ' Buckley's party, are mining in a gully which leads on to a beach about a mile and a half long, near Smoky Cave. They have been working in this locality for the last two months, and they informed me that they expected their returns would be from three to four pounds per man per week, but they could not say positively, as they had not washed up, and did not intend to do so for two months more. There is another party of two, prospecting along the beach, who say that they believe there is payable gold in other gullies than the one being worked. The ketch, Batcliff, of Melbourne, arrived from Dunedin, under the command of Capt. Britt, on the 29th inst., on a fishing cruise round Stewart's Island- The vessel is fitted with a large well to take the fish alive to the Dunedin market. It will be seen from our advertising columns that a meeting of the Directory of the Southland Agricultural Association will be held at the Prince of Wales Hotel, on Friday, the 16th inst. We understand that the ship Chili will bring the first batch of immigrants, under the resumed assisted immigration scheme, to Southland in November next. It is rumored that the best available legal talent that Dunedin can produce, is engaged to appear in the forthcoming railway tender case. A correspondent informs us that a local magistrate is much required at the Bluff. It often occurs that brawls and disturbances take place on board vessels, when there is no means of punishing the offenders without great trouble and expense. No later than yesterday, our informant states, a most disgraceful scene occurred on board a vessel on the point of sailing. The captain and mate had an encounter — one using a piece of iron, and the other a knife — to the great disgust of the people assembled. The Government should recommend the appointment of some gentleman qualified to act as J.P. It is usual in New Zealand for the Collector of Customs to appear in the commission of the peace, and no better selection could be made than in appointing the gentleman acting in that capacity at the Bluff. He is popular, respected, and an old and trustworthy public officer. The Otago Museum, Dunedin was opened on the 15th ult., and it is computed that during the first nine days after its opening upwards of 1100 viators were admitted. Information reached town yesterday afternoon of the destruction by fire of the premises lately occupied by Captain Clare, at the New "River Heads. The particulars are not to hand, but we understand that the whole of the household furniture &c, "has been totally destroyed. In consequence of th§ non-arrival of the Melbourne steamer, the performance of the Japanese Troupe at the Theatre Royal is postponed until Friday next. A correspondent, signed " Tradesman," writes feelingly on the miserable condition of many of the streets of the town. We quite agree with him that something should be done at once to render our highway 8 passable, but his censure upon Governments, General and Provincial, are too strong and abusive for publication. In answer to his question " why are the deep drains allowed to remain in a state of dilapidation and filth, creating poisonous gasses, and rendering the town unhealthy, to a degree hitherto unknown," we can only answer, that the Government has not the means at its disposal to make the improvements required. All that could be done by prison labor has been done, but until the citizens move in the matter of Municipal Institutions, they cannot expectto obtain all the advantages of a well drained and healthy town. '

Viewing the greatness, the activity, and the opUicne9 of Melbrnmi^ of the present day, such reminiscences as the following, supplied by the Hon. J. P. Fawkner, are interesting, as reminding ub of the unprecedented rapidity of our growth. : — ' Melbourne completed its thirty-third year on Saturday last. On the 29th of August, 1835,. the first landing took place, on a small rising ground on which our tent was pitched on the evening of August the 29th. Our horses were then landed, . and set to gr»ze. Early in 1835 I resolved to attempt to settle in Port Phillip, having been one of those who landed on Point Nepean from the Calcutta, under Governor David Collins, to colonise at Pert Phillip. This was on October 19, 1803. Governor Collins declared the place unfit for settlement, and took the whole of the people to the Derwent. I sought out some j friends to come with me in 1835, and five persons agreed to help to found the new colony. Their names were Kobert Hay Marr, "William Jackson, ' Samuel Jackson, Captain John Lancey, and . George Evans. They all deserted me. Some went away, and the others took to sheep-farming, and I alone remained to found the famous city |of Melbourne. I purchased a schooner, the Enterprise, to bring my horses, cattle, and household goods, and in Bix days after landing had five acres of land ploughed and sown with wheat. This produced 100 bushels in January 1836. A wilderness in 1835, a fine flourishing colony in 1868, though only thirty-three years old !" A new goldfield has been found near Stieglitz, Victoria, which promises to turn out very well. The ' Geelong Register' gives the following account of the new rush :— " The gully wherein are the diggings was always known and designated as Fox's Gully. It is situate about two miles and a half south of Steiglitz, and branches off the Long Gully to the eastward. The Pox's Gully rißes gently from the Long Gully to the table land above Anakies, and is in its course east and weßt, and is in breadth about 60ft, and i.i length, about one mile and three quarters. The Long Gully, from which it branches, is about six miles in length, and runs north and south, commencing opposite Stieglifcz and leading out to the plains towards Geelong. There are many gullies branching off the Long Gully quite as li kely for containing gold as the one now being prospected. The Long Gully has never been pro perly prospected, as the water was found to be too strong for a small party. There are many miles of very likely country in the neighborhood which may now be prospected, as gold in payable quantities has been obtained. The sinking at 'New Gympie ' is about 20ft., and there is water in the last 4ft or sft of sinking, and in the water the shafts require to be slabbed. The water, however, is useful for washing purposes, and not strong in the ffow to hinder the working of the claims very much." The following items of Victorian intelligence, are taken from the ' Argus' : — " The preservation of meat for the London Market is now going on here on a large scale. — The prospects of the harvest are favorable. — The wool season will bo early, the first of the new see son's clip being to hand already. — Trade ia slightly improving, and the goldfields continue to yield well. — The Dayspring, from Hong Kong, has arrived, after a long passage, in which many Chinese passengers died, apparently from scurvy and want of food. Proceedings were taken against the captain, which ended in his committal on the charge of manslaughter. — A new and more protectionist tariff is in operation ia Tasmania to supply the deficiences of the revenue. A Eailway Loan Bill has been passed by the Assembly. It gives authority for the borrowing of £2,107,000 in the " English market, in debentures at 5 per cent, redeemable in twenty-five years. Of that sum, £1,720,000 is to be set apart for a railway from Melbourne to the river Murray at Belvoir (opposite Albury), via Essendon, EHmore, and Wangaratta. The remainder of the sum will furnish the purchase-money of the short Essendon line, and also for necessary additions to the Spencer-street station, and other railway purposes. The operation of the 42nd clause of the Amending Land Act has been extended by proclamation to lands within thirty miles of any goldfield. This practically gives the right of free selection before survey over one half of the colony. The new regulations come into force on the lßt of October.

Permanent link to this item
Hononga pūmau ki tēnei tūemi

https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/ST18681014.2.8

Bibliographic details
Ngā taipitopito pukapuka

Southland Times, Issue 1038, 14 October 1868, Page 2

Word count
Tapeke kupu
1,507

The Southland Times. WEDNESDAY, OCTOBEB 14, 1868. Southland Times, Issue 1038, 14 October 1868, Page 2

The Southland Times. WEDNESDAY, OCTOBEB 14, 1868. Southland Times, Issue 1038, 14 October 1868, Page 2

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