Australian News.

Thames Star, Volume VII, Issue 2001, 3 June 1875, Page 3

Australian News.

COOKTOWN AND THE PALMER

GOLDFIELD.

Cooktown, via Brisbane, May 18. Fifteen splended samples ot stone have arrived at Cooktowri: from the Palmer. They were obtained at depths ranging from 16ft. to 90ft. from the surface.

The blacks are very troublesome on the Normanby rush. Five bullocks have been speared by them. ,_Jffilliam Smith, a carpenter, has been HjKwned in." a well. It is. supposed he cwimitted suicide. He leaves a wife and family in New Zealand. The Tom Morton, s.sv, has landed 560 Chinese at Cooktown. The Chinese pay large prices for land, and are erecting a number of stores. ; • ; ~

All is quiet at the Palmer, and ho collision is expected between the Europeans and Chinese. . .

Horses are in good demand, and business generally is brisk.

; ; TOWKSVILLE^ MAT 19. News has been received from Cooktown to the 15th instant.

The Tom Morton had arrived from Hong Kong with 450 Chinese and a small cargo. The steamer reported that the rush from China had received a decided check, in consequence of 'a telegram from Brisbane stating that the Queensland Government intended to levy a poll tax of £4 per head on all Chinese immigrants, and to charge Chinemen £8 for a miner's 'right. ' :"■ ;..' ;■■■ '. ;■ ■: : ,:;.:; :'n /:. \-. In consequence of this many refused to embark in the Tom Morton, preferring to forfeit their deposits of passage money, and vast numbers were deterred from shipping. • As advices, however, state that two more »teainers may be expected from Hong Kong shortly with passengers and cargo, it. 4s believed that more trustworthy telegrams'i had been since received at Hong Kong from Brisbame, and the influx of Chinese to Cooktown may be expected to continue. All the Chinese who landed from Hong Kdng;have left for the Palmer •diggings ." The latest intelligence from the Palmer •tates that-a large amount of gold was being obtained along the main creeks and gullies, but ho new rushes were reported. The" Chinese were gradually encroaching On the best part of the field, and have already entered the Oakey Creek bend.; < The A dria and Naomi, from Sydney, left .Cooktown ; ;for Hong Kong on the 13th inst.' The? Naomi took 50 Chinese pasgengers, 3,000.0z. gold,. andr£l,ooo in specie. -■Complaints we're general at Gooktown of the inefficiency and carelessness of the present Customs: officers, and the Chinese merchants were much disatisfied with the treatment 'they3received;-^-Australasiari.; 3