The Express.
London, England, 1853-08-15 00:00:00

THE EXPRESS, MONDAY EVENING, AUGUST 15, 1853.

AUSTRALIA.

Sydney papers to the lath May received at Sin-
gapore announce the departure from that port on
the 12th of the steamer Harbinger for the Cape
and England. There had been but little of inte-
rest to engage the public mind since the departure
of the Chuban's mail in April. The arrival of the
Harbinger—outrunning the Royal Mail steamers—
and that of many sailing vessels, with late news
from Europe, had conjured up subjects for specula-
tion, and somewhat sot:ened the disgust everywhere
manifest at the miserable failures of the Australian

Company's— steamers. Political matters were again
engrossing public attention. The Legislative Coun-
cil was opened on the 10th May by Governor-
General Fitzroy in a neat-turned speech full of
promise and hope. The Governors speech re-
vealed the fact that despatches had been received
in reply to the grievance petitions of the house, and
conceding, on certain conditions, all, or nearly all,
their demands. On the 11th these despatches were
laid on the table of the house, and had caused a

feeling of satisfaction at the prospect held out by
the future of self government. The chief condition
imposed—namely, that the legislature be new-
modelled, and divided into two houses--is considered
satisfactory, but, u remarked by the Empire, the
constitution of an upper house is really a ticklish
point, in regard to which the greatest danger of
disagreement existed. With regard to the lower
house, the Empire inclines to the opinion that no
conditions will be insisted on, and that it will

remain as it is, the nominee element being re-
moved. The present composition of the council—
the preponderance of the squatting interest—af-
forded some room for suspicion that morally
it was not competent to mend the distribution of
electoral representation. The Governor-General's
speechdtd not overlook the gold mining question.
At present every male of more than fourteen years
of age in the proclaimed gold fields, even fur the
briefest purpose, and that most remote from the gold
digging, must pay thirty shillings a month, though
not there more than two days, and though not
occupying an inch of ground. Further, every
occupant oT a plot for trade must pay a rent for
that plot of thirty shillings per month, and a
thirty shillings poll tax for every one in his employ.
The anomalous nature and offensive character of this
charge, its want of all parallel with the nature and
amount of that paid for the squatting tenure, advan-
taged the latter interest st the expense of the former,
and to the prejudice of the public revenue.
The non-arrival at Sydney, for several weeks, of
ships with merchandise had considerably impeded
the course of trade. High prices still rule, nor was
there much expectation that goods would descend,
except by slow degrees, to former rates. Bank and
other shares were at the same value as reported by
the Chusan's mail of April 2. The shares of the
Bank of New South Wales continued at 55 premium ;
those of •he Commercial Bank at 59 to 60; and those
of the Joint Stock at 30. The mining companies
stand, Bathurst Copper Mining at 130; the Great
Nugget Gold Mining at 35 and 75; and the Gold
Mining at par. General trade was equally pros-
perous.
After the foregoing was written, the Peninsular
and Oriental Company's steamer Shanghai arrived
at Singapore on the afternoon of July 4, just as the
steamer Malta was leaving with the English mails.
Is order to save the mail, Captain Parfitt did not
run into Batavia with the Shanghai, but landed the
mails for Java at Anjer, and reached Singapore two
hours before the sailing of the Malta. By the
Shanghai news from Sydney has been received to
the 2nd June. There was little news of interest.
On May 24 the Queen's birthday was celebrated at
Government House, when there was a very large
attendance of gentlemen to display their loyalty on
the occasion. The Australian Agricultural Com-
pany's colliers at Newcastle had again struck for a
large increase of wages. On May 30 a very
handsome and large silver salver, with a purse of
340 sovereigns, was presented to Captain Parfitt, of
the Shanghai, given as a testimonial by the bankers,
merchants, &c., to reward that gentleman for the
energy he displayed in steaming for Galle direct in
November last, and thereby insuring the delivery of
the mail in London in 69 days. The intelligence from
the dining*, as also the state of the markets, con-
tinued very satisfactory. Gold was selling at 765.
to 765. 6d. per ounce.