The Express.
London, England, 1862-07-10 00:00:00

DIMINISHING YIELD GP GOLD IN
CALIFORNIA.

The Californians are anticipating the time when
they shall be compelled to turn their attention to other
pursuits than gold digging. Placer mining in some parts of
California has already ceased to be profitable for white
men. In 1852 gold diggers weed 10 dollars per day, and in
1862 they are obliged to be contented with 2. dollars. It is
estimated that if she fruitfulness of the gold mines continues
to decresas in the earns ratio as it has done for the last ten
years, in 1872 no white man will be found at work in the
gold minas. American writers express an opinion that in a
few years California will get rich by carrying timber to
China. The latter country having been densely populated
for ages, is hare of timber, and the monster forests of
California could furnish that product fur oenturiee to come.
California could also supply the fiesta of steamers which will
be required for the Chinese riven.
" The Chinese," says a Californian paper, "are alive to
1 the benefits of river steamers, and to the advantages which
shipments on European vessels give in safety and certainty
of insurance. Before the pintas made the voyages of the
junks almost impossible, the Chinese merchant calculated
to lase one venture in three. He now avoids the risk by
freighting in foreign bottoms. The opening of the rivers
will call for the construction of a fleet of light draught
steamers, which California can supply. We have faith the
trade may be ours if the efforts be made to secure it, and
that as our mills increase, and labour diminishes in value,
we may make steady shipments of lumber to China's great
valley, and, if we will, that the return vessels may be
loaded with a product which will give employment to Cali-
fornian looms and spindles. Our northers forests will re-
sound with cheerful industry, and our shipyards give forth
the productions of ingenious labour. Youthful California
and Oregon will spare to aged China the surplus of their
forests for the products of her plains, made true of wood
by the wants of centuries of a dense population."

MtIRDZR BY A. LUNATIC AT WITMOUTH.—An
awful murder was committed on Tuesday at the village
of Sutton, near Weymouth. It appears that a man named
Cox had been labouring under a brain disease for some
time, and was under treatment of Mr. Puckett, parish
surgeon. It had been determined to remove him to the
county asylum, at Fenton, but unfortunately it had been
expmeed in Con's hearing. On the day in question Mr.
Puckett went to Cox's house with a man named White,
to remove him ; but on hearing Cox had threatened to
murder him, and had been very violent, White was sent
for a cart whilst the doctor went into Cox and
endeavoured to quiet him ; but the lunatic directly
darted at him, and said be would kill him. Mr.
Puckett immediately ran outside the door, and held the
handle to prevent Cox getting out, on which Cox tried
to jump out of the window, but was prevented by
some iron bars fixed in frost. The doctor iocautimasly let
go the door, when Cox rushed out and felled him to the
pound with part of • bedstead ; after which he dragged
the body into the house, procured a saw, and deliberately
sawed off the unfortunate Man's heed, right band, and
right foot. Cox's father and mother were outside, but se
terrified se to be incapable of rendering any assiatenee. He
also threatened his sister, who was iu the boom, but she
ran up stairs and bid herself. Cox afterwards rifled de-
andpocts, threw the severed members into the rood.
kicked them about most fiendishly, and thee an away.
After a short time be was captured at the Plough Inn.
Oamington, and conveyed in safety to Weymouth. The
deceased's remains were taken to the Ship Inn, Sutton,
where they remain for en inquest. Mr. Puckett was over
'lO years of age, and was highly respected by all who knew
him.