SOUTH AUSTRALIA.

Southland Times, Issue 1289, 5 August 1870, Page 3

SOUTH AUSTRALIA.

, Adelaide, July 21. The Government intend bringing in a i bill for the construction of a railway north of Port Augusta, and abandoning the , guarantee principle. \ i News from the far north is of a very , favorable character. Messrs Dalwood and Darwent have ; signed their contract for the ; northern » portion of the overland telegraph. Mr Eounsevell's contract for the southern i portion is still unsigned. The report of the Adelaide Marine and r Fire Insurance Company shows a loss on I the half-year of £14,500. 3 Exciting news continues to be received I from the gold-fields. Mr A. Kightley, a L Melbourne man, telegraphshaving washed

out of tbe Criterion cLiim lib. weight of gold to about one quart of stuff. The corn market remains firm. The news by the Californian mail is not likely to alter prices. July 22. Parliament re-assembled to-day. The total revenue for the past quarter is £135,000, and the expenditure £14*8,000. The Treasurer, in hia speech, spoke mainly in reference to the Melbourne Conference, regretting the actual want of any practical result to this colony. He stated that with regard to steamers calling at Kangaroo Island, they would communicate with England on the matter by the next mail. He complainel of double dealing on the part of the British Anglo- Australian Telegraph Company in negotiating with Queensland simultaneously with South Australia. Mr Hay condemned the Treasurer's speech for its absence of local matter, and blamed the delegates for signing the appendix to the conference report in reference to the exodus from this colony, the truth of which he denied. The Land Bill was read a first time. It embodies the land resolutions of last session, including concessions to German emigrants. The Government gave notice of the Introduction of an audit bill, and bills for the amendment of the Constitution and for constructing the Port Augusta Bailway. The financial statement is to be made next Tuesday. Mr Kaunsevell refuses to sign his contract for the southern portion of the overland telegraph, and the Treasurer stated to the House., that Government would carry out the work themselves. Ndtice was given of an additional loan of £20,000, which is required for the Northern Territory. . ■-.-■■ The excitement respecting the new finds at the gold-field continues, and the G-overnment have so far recognised the importance of the rush as to send up additional troopers last night. The Mercantile Marine Insurance Company's first balance-sheet shows a profit of £10,600. Archdeacon Bussell has been appointed vicar-geheral in the room of the deceased I'ather Smythe. j . . . J ul y 2--3 Supplementary Estimates show an increase in the expenditure of £43,000 against savings amounting to £14,600. Favorable news continues tobereceived from the goldfields. The recentlyreported good find is now more generally believed in. The Adelaide corporation has voted £100 to their Mayor towards his expense* to attend the ceremonies at the opening of the new Town Hall in Melbourne. A telegram has been received from the Blinman Coppermine to the effect that a new lode has been cut, yielding 25 per cent* of copper. The lode is 5 feet wide. ;- "~ K July 25. The old Tatala smelting works at Alberton were completely destroyed by fire this morning. They: were - leased to Messrs Braddocfc for the manufacture of chemicals, and the fire was caused by the boiling over of a cauldron, and the liquid taking, fire. Braddock is uninsured. A little girl has been shot dead at Kapunda by a boy of 12 years old. Serious depredations have taken place from the Victoria Eegia house, at the Botanical-gardens. The house will, consequently, have to be closed to the public, except on certain days. A fine display of gold specimens has been received from the Criterion claim. • Gold has been found in the ballast of the Koh-i-noor, from the Northern Territory. The corn market is quiet, and holders firm. . . July 26. The Treasurer in his opening speech shows a deficiency in the Estimates to the end of 1870 of £200,000, which he proposes to make up by the issue of longdated bonds. The Estimates for the next year will be laid on the table in a few days. Mr Hughes, the late Treasurer, maintained that £100,000 would suffice to cover the deficit, and this sum should be raised by the issue of Treasury bonds. The farewell dinner to Mr loung, late manager of the National Bank here, and now manager at the head office in Melbourne, takes place on Friday next. It is stated that the Government have received offers for the formation of the Port Augusta Kail way at a lower cost per mile than hitherto offered. The proceedings of the city Council have been brought to a somewhat sudden termination by CounciUorßaphael, again st whom the civic officials have brought charges of undue interference. Business is very quiet, in expectation of a change in the tariff. . .