The Express.
London, England, 1863-10-15 00:00:00

AUSTRALIA.

Melbourne advices extend to August 25.
Having completed their ranks by the election of
Mr. Michie, the Minister of Justice, the M'Culloch
cabinet met parliament on the 4th. The ministe-
rial statement of the chief secretary was remarkably
brief, promising that, as it was desirable to bring
the session to a close, no measures should be intro-
duced save those actually indispensable—bills for
amending the Land Act and the Electoral Act, •
new Volunteer Bill, and a few other of minor im-
portanoe, which, in addition to completing the
Municipal Reform and Local Belt-Government
Bills, constituted the programme. The finan-
cial statement of Mr. Verdon, the new treasurer,
was regarded with unusual interest, as it was
known that owing to the decrease of the revenue
from land sales (necessarily inteirupted pending
the amendment of the Land Act) the Treasury
account showed an enormous deficit He esti-
mated the total expenditure of the year at
3,147,6751., which on comparison with the esti-
mated income would leave a balance of 473,9511.
The chief items, by the saving of which he pro-
posed to meet this, were 60,0001. for an iron-clad
vessel, 70,0001. for "special appropriations ;" the
interest on debentures for public buildings,
20,0001. of which would not he required ; an over-
estimate of 20,0001. for road boards, and a
saving of 15,0001. on the interest of the railway
loan. Adding to these the estimated savings
on the year at 120,0001., he anticipated a total of
309,3591. Altogether, he believed that, whatever
debit balance existed at the end of the year would
be extinguished by savings not contemplated in hie
estimate. The land policy of the new cabinet at
first excited still greater interest. Mr. Healer's
bill provides for free selection over the agricultural
areas of the present system, amounting to ten
million acres, retains the plan of deferred pay-
ments, but requires the purchase to be completed
in six years. The chief points of difference from
Mr. Duffy's bill are in reducing the amount of the
first instalment from 10s. to 54., and in retaining
the crown grant until all the purchase money is
paid. It requires also, as an indispensable condi-
tion, a bonA tide residence of three years upon the
land ; without this no crown grant will be issued.
The bill has already passed the second reading, and has
undergone some alight modifications in committee,
but the prevailing impression was that, although it
may pass the Assembly, it is certtin to be rejected
or emasculated in the Upper House. "In all this,
however," lays the Melbourne Herald,

There hi Bathing which should &homage the emigration
of those in the aid country who have resolved upon ending
their lot in Victoria. The Viotceian load Aet cif MIL
sow so familiar to British readers, is still the law of the
land, and say material departure from its liberal principles
h simply iseposible. The impedimotts which have hitherto
prevented its ensametal operation US we► only es might be
mooed frees the attempts of the squatters and capitalists
to Mein Yrir monopoly of the patine estate ; but it is Dow
the setae! law, and the only change lie legislature is likely
to authorise will be made in the tittered of the boot tide
Mdse.

But few incidents of any especial importance
bad occurred in connection with the gold fields of
Victoria daring the month. No new rush of any
consequent)e has taken place, but the auriferous
renames of the colony are being steadily developed,
and in most districts the miners appear to be
remuneratively
employed. Moat of the large
mining companies on Ballaarat continue to realise
very satisfactory returns. Amongst those most
worthy of mention may be noticed the Great
Extended, the Koh-i-Noor, the Defiance, the Cos-
mopolitan, and the Great Republic. The dividends
of these companies have ranged as high as from
M. to 1001. per share per week.
A large public meeting has been held for the pur-
pose of expressing sympathy with the Poles in their
present struggle for independence, and organising
subscriptions in their behalf. A Polish Sick and
Relief Fund was formed, and several donations
were received.
The theatrical event of the month has been the
production of the " patent " ghost at the Hay-
market and Princess's, Melbourne. The Haymarket
was the first in the field, and introduced Professor
Pepper's illusion in the drama of the Castle Spectre,
and subsequently in a dramatised version of
I Dickens's " flaunted Man." At the Princess's,
which establishment was recently reopened under
the management of Mr. George Fawcett, a drama,
founded upon Min Braddon's novel, " The Captain
of the Vulture," did duty as the vehicle for this
remarkable effect.
A new set of immigration regulations has been
granted by the government. The applicant desir-
ous of obtaining a passage for his friend or friends,
can obtain warrants on the following terms :—For
males under twelve years of age, 41. ; 12 years and
tinder 40, 8l.: 44 years and upwards, 91. The
passage warrant will entitle the person or persons
named therein, except unprotected single females,
to be conveyed to Melbourne from the port men-
tioned in such warrant, by a ship to be named by
the contractors within one month of the receipt by
them (the contractors) of a request for a passage in
terms of such warrant ; but unions a nominee shall
leave the United Kingdom within nine months from
the date of his warrant, such warrant will not be
recognised.

NEW ZEALAND.