The Express.
London, England, 1864-10-17 00:00:00

SOUTH AUSTRALIA.

The following despatch from the Victorian go-
vernment to the Chief Secretary at Adelaide sug-
gests interoolonial action for the purpose of pro_
hibiting all communication between the free colo-
nies and the convict settlement of Western Aus-
tralia ; themail steamers to coal at Kangaroo Island
instead of King George's Sound. "The feeling here,"
says the South Australian Register, "is strongly in
favour of any practicable legislation, which will
stop the influx of convicts."
Chief Secretary'. Office, Melbourne, August 18, 1864.

Sir,—l feel that I need offer no apology for calling your
attention to a subject of such vital importance as the con-
tinuance of transportation from Great Britain to Western
Australia. lt will doubtless be within your know-
ledge that in continuance d the efforts previously
made by this colony to obtain from her Majesty's go-
vernment the cessation of transportation to any part
of Anstralie„ in fulfilment of the promise made by his Grace
the Duke of Newcastle, and in justice to her Majesty's
subjects in this part of the empire, resolutions passed by
both homes of legislature were transmitted to the Secre-
tary of State for the Colonies in March last. In reply to those
resolutions his excellency Sir Charles Darling has received
a despatch, which from its terms, coupled with the pasting
of the Penal Servitude Bill by the English pailiaraent, for-
bids the hope of our receiving that oonaideratiou which we
had a right to expect. It his become painfully apparent
to the government of Victoria that something more than
mere remonstrance is Deeded, and that the time has arrived

which makes it imperatively necessary for the colonies of
New South Wake, Queensland, South Australia, New
Zealand, Tasmania, and Victoria—whose interests are alike
involved—to take prompt sod efficient measures for
their common protection, and such as will show
her Majesty's advisers that the inhabitants of these
colonies are determined by every means in their power ►o
free themselves from the injury inflicted upon them. It is
unnecessary for me to use any arguments in favour of the
desirability of effecting the absolute termination of trans-
portation to Western Australia at a very early date, sod
that whatever action be detensised upon should be with
that end in view. Nor need P point out how utterly in-
coosistent is the policy now adopted by her Majesty's go-
vernment with the policy which governed her advisers
' when transportation to Van Dieraen's Land was abolished,
because it was objectionable to the adjacent colonies. In
inviting the 00-operatioe of the government of South Aus-
tralia in this matter, which so deeply concerns the Austra-
lian colonies gerierslly, I do myself the honour to inform you
that at the present moment it appears to this government
th►t the object to be pined will be best secured by joint
legislative action, prohibitive of all intercourse whatsoever
with Western Australia, by which means the stigma of
being the only convict colony in Australia would be visibly
fastened upon her. To do this effectually it will, of course,
be essential that the m►il steamers should no longer be
allowed to call at any port within the limits of that colony.
It may become necessary to consider the propriety of again
making Kangaroo Island the place of call ; but whatever
may be the ultimate determination on that point, this go-
vernment is so fully impressed with the necessity of imme-
diets action in the matter that the outgoing mail will con-
ray to the Secretary of State a formal notice from this go.
Torment that we insist upon compliance with such a am&
tion by the Peninsular and Oriental Company, and that, in
the event of refusal, Victoria will withdraw, not only her
proportion of the present subsidy, but also her offer to join
in contributing to a fortnightly service, in reference to
which L have addressed you in a previous communication.
ahmild the proposition of the government of Victoria meet
with the coocurrence of tho colonies concerned, I would sug-
gest that the details of a msesuritto be submitted to their re-
' s pective legiskturet would be more easily arrived at by a meet-
, lag of representatives from each government, and with that
view the government of Victoria will be prepared to send
their representative to any place and at any time that may
be thought desirable. Ia oondcaioo, I would observe t►at,
as it is important no time should be lost in arriving at a de-
cision as to the course to be pursued, I hope to be favoured
with the views of the government of South Australia at as
early a date as possible.-1 have, das., JAIILS McCUlLocri.
The Hon. the Chief Secretary, Adelaide.

Mr. Hargreaves reports that he has not found
any payable gold-fiell in South Australia, though
there are some promising spots upon purchased land
near the Onksparinga.
An expedition, under Major Warburton, Com-
missioner of Police, is to be despatched by govern-
ment to explore the country torth-west of Mount
Margaret.