The Express.
London, England, 1852-08-23 00:00:00

VAN DIEMEN'S LAND.

Extract of a letter from an officer of the 99th Re-
giment, now quartered in Van Diemen's Land:
Hobart Town Barracks, March 13, 1852.
This is a delightful country, and as healthy as one
could wish to be in, but it has one fault—being subject to
hot winds, which blow freluently during the summer
months, and make a person feel quite uncomfortable.
We are very scarce of officers, having only five at
head-quarters. I marched some men to Launceston
a short time since; it is a distance of 120 miles. We
were six days marching, and all suffered a great deal.
However, I amused myself shooting Posella parrots,
which abound along the roads in millions, also a species
of beautiful bird called the bronze winged pigeon;
bat this sort of amusement has its drawbacks, for the
grass swarms with snakes of all descriptions, some of
which are very beautiful, and others full of malignant
poison. Whilst on the march, one morning, at six o'clock,
I perceived as immense one, on whom I managed to steal,
and succeeded in killing ; he measured six feet in length.
One of our men brought him with him, and at the next
halt sold him for a ' nugget' of gold, valued at 21., to a
digger who happened to be passing; but nuggi.ts are plenty
here. You may call this a curious country. I know many
gentlemen who have been obliged to sell their horses for
want of grooms to mind them. You cannot get a coach-
man for even 2001. per annum. Lady l'edder told me yes-
terday that Sir John offered his coachman 2001. a year, and
yet could not induce him to remain. Policemen are getting
six shillings a day and their rations, and this will not coax
them to stay ; and the governor has to employ as constables
transported felons, taken out of the penitentiary. All our sol-
diers who can go, are going; in fact, the awful state of Usings
here is indescribable—every one leaving. As for trades-
men, you can get nothing done—no one can be got to stay.
Boots are now 21.124., and those made by inferior hands ;
white trowsers, 11. Bs. a pair. You cannot get any sort of
a coat for less than 71. or 81., and everything in the same
ratio ; and the people here have become so purse-proud,
you dare not dictate to them. All say the diggins' is very
hard work ; but for the diggers, as soon as they have made
some money, they all come back and spend it in a most ex-
travagant manner. To give you some idea of things here,
there is a very rich gentleman of my acquaintance who
said to his butler, whom he heard was about to leave
for the diggins,' John, I will give you a half-
crown a day more if you'll stay with me. His answer
was, I'll see you hanged first ; in a short time, when
I return, I will give MOM than that if you become
servant to me. We are very badly off for men. Captain
B— has gone to Melbourne with a hundred pen-
sioners, as we had no men to give. Gold has now been dis-
covered at a place called Campbell Town, about 60 miles
from here. I marched through it the other day, when they
were prospecting for it. I saw a lump of gold yesterday,
which a man found, valued at 1,6001. Think of that. One
young fellow, who was a clerk in the Australian Bank, at
1401. per annum, left for the diggings, and has just return,d
with an immense sum of money. In consequence of the
' extravagant price of everything here, I find it hard enough
to rub it out. We have, on an average, to pay 2,55. a month
over our pay, as contributions to our mess and bawl, and
that without indulging in the slightest luxury whatever.
Col. Despard has written home to have our pay increased,
as we cannot live on it. One poor fellow is ruined by it
already. Lieut. —, of oars, after aevea years' service,
threw up commission and all, sad went off to the diggings.
lam afraid if something is not done, the regiment will
soon be without officers or men "

HORNO•BI.I.II.—(TREAT HORSE FAlL—This great
mart for horses is now being nearly brought to a close.
Buyers lave been plentiful for good animals, and first-rate
horses were eagerly sought (or at extraordinary prier'.
Hunters and perk horses have fetched 1001. to AU. each,
and in two or three instances higher prices than these were
obtained. Connie@ horses, well matched, 1801 to 300/. per
pair. Ready customers for good hones are always found at
this fair. Superior dray horses, 501. to 601. each, and if
well matched they realised more money. Hacks and har-
ness horses, 251. to 301., and If superior, 401. to 501. Fumy
ponies were scarce, and fetched high prices. Messrs. Potter,
of Melton Mowbray, brought forty-six Irish trained hunters
—their paces and leaping were tested in the Queen's Head
paddock, which was fitted up with a pole fur the occasion;
they found customers for nearly the whole, at good prices.
Large arrivals and a good demand have continued through-
out the fair. Colonel Wingfield, of the Royal Horse Artil-
lery, Colonel Laureation of the 17th Lancers, Colonel
Showell of the 80e, Mr. ilex of the Greys, and Colonel
Moore, of the 6th, are beyioglarge numbers for their res-
pective regiments; and Colonel Mundy and Captains
Drakes and Fell are also purchasing for the army. This is
the largest fair we have witnessed for the last ten years.—
Stamford Mercury.
HER MAJESTY'S JOURNEY TO BALMORAL.— GLOU-
011ailta, SATURDAY.—To-day • special meeting of the town
council of Gloucester has been held, to take into considera-
tion the measure. which should be adopted fur the
fitting reception of the Queen on her way through Glouces-
ter to Balmoral on the 30th last. Mr. Sanders, the
manager of the Midland Railway, has placed himself in
communication with the Mayor of Gloucester, and the ne-
cessary arrangements are in preparation for the fitting re-
ception of her Majesty. In consequence, however, of the
unruly conduct of the public on the occasion of the last
visit of her Majesty to Gloucester (in the autumn of 1849),
no persons, except officials, will be admitted upon the rail-
way platform on her Majesty's arrival. It has been re-
solved by the council to-day that an address shall be pre-
sented to her Majesty and Prince Albert, and this will
constitute the principal feature of the demonstrations of
loyalty to be made on the occasion of the expected royal
visit. Accommodation, however, will be provided along the

line of railway adjacent to the station fur the public tirview
the royal progress.
THE CONVOCATION OF THE CLERGY of the pro-
vince of Canterbury was duly prorogued on the 21st
Inst., by the Vicar-General of the Archbishop of Can-
terbury, pursuant to the royal writ, until Friday, the 22nd
day of October.
Tim NEW CRYSTAL PALACE.—Mr. Owen Jones
and Mr Digby Wyatt have set out on en artistic tour through
France, IWy, ar d Germany, for the purpose of collecting
' illustrations of architecture and sculpture, the histories of
which arta are to be represented by ancient and modern
specimens in the New Crystal Palace under the directions
of the gentlemen in question. Lord Malmesbure has fur-
nished Messrs. Jones and Wyatt with letters to the different
ambassadors on their route, expressive of the sympathy of
the government in their proceedings, and desiring that
every aid may be afforded them in the prosecution of their
design.