QUEENSLAND.

Colonist, Volume III, Issue 265, 4 May 1860, Page 3

QUEENSLAND.

We refer out* readers to a clever comment on this article from the pen of the talented editor of the Melbourne Argus, in our fourth page.

(From the Melbourne Argus.) (PROM OUR OWN CORRESPONDENT.) Brisbane, March 15. The quiet little town of Brisbane, clothed as it is at this time of the year in a garb of luxuriant vegetation, and surrounded by inviting woodland scenery, presents a striking contrast to the dusty, bustling, and business world of Melbourne. The capital of Queensland resembles very closely one of those nice little market-towns in the country districts of England, such as they were before railways had destroyed their rustic character. So tranquil and devoid of excitement is the place, that one can almost fancy the little knot of loiterers, which are daily lounging at some corner publichouses, to be awaiting the airival, as in old times, of the mail coach, the great event of the day.s The houses and public buildings are of the same unobtrusive order—the storekeepers' wares here modestly retire within the precincts of the shop, instead of flaunting over the footway—for pavements there are none—and forcibly attracting the notice of the passer-by. The shrill whistle of the locomotive is all unheard in Brisbane, and the little river-boats embark and disembark their passengers without noise or excitement, while not a cab or an omnibus exists to endanger the lives of the inhabitants, or to cut up the grassgrown streets of the miniature metropolis. But for the grotesque appearance of the aboriginals, who congregate in large numbers in the public thoroughfares, .the gigantic leaves of the banana trees which completely hide from view the smaller tenements, and the peculiar foliage of the indigenous plants, there is little to remind the visitor of colonial life, in the usual acceptation of the term. Nor has the slight acquaintance I have made with the Queenslanders at all dispelled the illusion. As yet the shadow which is usnally cast by coming events has not deepened sufficiently to effect any change in the order of things. Beyond an occasional discussion on the probable, provisions of the forthcoming Land Bill, but few political topics are entered upon. The electoral rolls will be completed on the 4th proximo, and the new Parliament will assemble on the 22nd of May. Until the elections take place next month, no particular excitement is therefore to be expected. One or two meetings of a so-called liberal association have lately been held in 'Fortitude Valley, one of the suburbs of Brisbane; but I have not yet had time to ascertain the principles they advocate, or the political importance attached to the movement. Preparations are being made for the temporary accommodation of the new Assembly by the renovation of a wing of an old building in Queen-street, constructed for convict b'arfacks in the early settlement of the colony, and-latterly used for public and other offices. The chamber which is being fitted up for the 2G legislators to conduct their debates in, is 8& feet in length and 28 feet wide, and is situate in a portion of the building which has hitherto been appropriated to the purposes of a savings bank. On either side are the Speaker's, reporters', and committee rooms, which are, as may be supposed, of similar Lilliputian dimensions, the Upper House being— somewhat to the astonishment of those who are uninitiated in Parliamentary mysteries—provided for on the lower floor. Sir Chas. Nicholson is expected here shortly to initiate the proceedings, and to assume, pro tern. r the position of President of the Legislative Council. As there are, owing to the limited space, no visitors' galleries in course of erection, a good deal of disappointment will no doubt at first be felt by those whom the novelty of the occasion will attract; but to compensate in some measure for this deficiency, rumour affirms that a daily paper will be started as a medium for communicating the result of the Jegislative proceedings, there being at present no journal of sufficient size and importance to give a fair reflex of the debate. It is said that the Moreton Ban Courier will be enlai'ged to suit the increasing literary wants of the population. Again, it is asserted by a provincial paper that Mr. G. D. Lang, the late member of Tumut, and the son of Dr. Lang, is coming up from Sydney to take the field as a journalist.. Besides these on dils, it is advertised that a new weekly, to be called the Guardian, is to come out on the 31st instant,, and as this paper is in the" hands of Mr, W". C* Belbridge, an old press-man and a practical man^ it is probable that it will receive a large share o public support. The principal topic cf conversation at present is the projected establishment of a Queensland Steam Navigation Company, which it is hoped will check the monopolising tactics of the Australasian Steam Navigation Company, and lower the present high rates of passage. The local board has not yet been formed, but I understand that negotiations are pending with Messrs. Towns and Co. for the advance of a certain amount of capital, and that the list of shareholders is filling up rapidly. The charges now made by the old company are in a great measure prohibitory, and complaints are frequent that a trip to Wide Bay can only be undertaken at a cost of £3, although only 12 hours distant. Whatever may be the success of the scheme, the proposed competition has already caused the old company to issue return tickets to Sydney at i>l4, and tlbif proprietors of the North Australian, in their last issue, announce receipt of a letter from the company's agent, which states that a further reduction of £2 pound has been made. The new coal seam at Hedbank will greatly facilitate steam communication with this colony, by doing away with the present tedious delay at Newcastle. The Botanical Gardens of Brisbane are very prettily situated in abend of the river, within five minutes' walk of the town, and are being laid out With much taste. ; Some fine specimens of. native

grasses and plantation shrubs, and the rank growth .of the bamboo, are .pleasing adjuncts to" the floral cjmliellislimeiits of tlio ehclosux^. I'.'S 'fine site for si new Government house, upon'- an eminence which commauda'a view of the ~>vlvole^'.tovvn, has already been fixed upon, and the building, as also the new Parliament Houses, will be commenced as soon as the necessary funds are- forthcoming. In the meantime, all these works are in abeyance until, the vox pppuli, through the> representative Government, shall have decided upon their Order and extent. A goo'J deal of jealousy exists on the part of the Queenslanders on the subject of "the few appointments which have already been made, whenever the situations applied for have not been filled by candidates who are native and to the manner born. The several departments of the service are, therefore, but thinly worked, .pending the meeting of Parliament. " We have a nice little School of Arts here, which is a credit to the place. Mr. Douglas and his family gave, last evening,a species of dramatic entertainment; it was, however, but poorly attended, on account of the rain, which has continued to fall in heavy showers for the last two or three days. 'inhere are no theatres in Brisbane, and sports of a, public nature are either very scare, or they do not just now occupy the attention of the people. There are rifle companies, foot and mounted, some of the members of tho latter corps being at present engaged in newspaper warfare on some question of drill and discipline. From the country towns the late news is not very important. The nominations for the Ipswich municipality are to take place on the sth April, and the elections on the 12th. The projected steam navigation company is there,' as in Brisbane, a question of much interest. 2,600 ewes were sold last week at 11s. 6d., and 2000 wethers at 11s. per head. In Brisbane, flour is selling at 265.; and potatoes are difficult to obtain at 203. Fruit is abundant, but vegetables, are unusually, on account of the ravages committed on the youngplants by the insects, pumpkins and sweet potatoes are almost the only species to be procured. The natural herbage of the country is, notwithstanding, peculiarly luxuriant; and the verdure of the landscape around Brisbane exceeds anything I have seen in the other colonies.

Although upon the few subjects I have touched, I have been able, since my arrival, on Sunday last, to glean but scant information, I forsee that, as I become au courant to the topics'of the day, I shall have much interesting matter to communicate, and, upon the assembling of Parliament, some lively and exciting scenes to record, in the new colony of Queensland.