The Express.
London, England, 1853-12-13 00:00:00

A' tcr()ltt.t.

the following summary of the position of the
col,iey of Victoria is extracted from the Mellmurne
of the 2:Ir1 of Scptember
THE 11. LI, FIELDIA.
it. .v.iarat reported in our last seminary has be-
„se mond.. ided. The teualtmuu diggings, from which
femur accOlitlta were received ateast five weeks age, have
sot Wailed the
e.peion at first formed, though retest
.flootroit e a alOre favourable view of them. They
• war weeding over 3 largu eau et of territory, and • con-
,,,uresle =nese of diggers seem determined to give them c
biz uo.l. Omit things are expected of the Ovens during
the ra.o,sa room. r. Besting° also con'inues to maiataio
as ',rdium. But the chief talk of late ha. been about
hailers:, the not of our gold fields, and mill worthy of being
reeked smote the best. At the close of last month several
digger, there tame upon what they called a regular "table
of ate those who were so fortunate as to strike the
liar took almost fabulous quantities out of their claim.,
Oats, tam their richness, received the appellation of the
jorelisrs' shops." The escort retires having confirmed
the earnest reports, • " rush " was the immediate oonse.
camas; thosgh, from the mature of the new diggings in
that quarter, mul•itudes will be doomed to disappointment.
Ali the 'navy tiods bare been obtained by deep
'Weiss: and the reader will see that the term is
aisd with ore degree of propriety when we in-
form him that the depths of toe holes is frequently
man 80 to U 0 feet, and that many very productive
ears have lately been above 100. The gold is found
is the beds of what may be called subterranean creeks—
that is, creeks which have formerly he= on the surface, but
are sow Moiled beneath the deposits of more recent times.
Ilsi• beige the ease, there is nothing on the present surface
'vindicate the direction of the aboriginal channel. As de-
rma= by the diggers themselves, the gold is found in •
four trim .111 to eight feet wide at the top, end two to
Warr het wide at the bottom. 1; is obvious that there
nest be great uncertainty in finding gold where it is con-
Iced to lath a narrow and capricious line. At this too-
wet some are sinking for this gutter over a width
at 300 yards. The reoult of such • mode of operation
is that not more than one hole in fifty bits the
has, and the rest are what the diggers call
thieen." Some of the holes in Cassell= gully have
been estimated to yield gold to the value of 2,0001. per
paw foot, bet this is probably en exaggeration—at least
we have it ea good authority that one hole (one of the
richest) was valued at 8001. per running foot, and as
the gutter was 10 feet wide, it would give 110/. for the
moan foot, instead of the I,'SOO/. or 2,0001. mentioned by
a contemporary.
Esperiments in deep sinking have alsi been going on for
some time at Seedily, with the view of reaching • second
bottom; and, should experience confirm the conjectures of
sperulatios as to there being several isriferous bottoms, we
shall enter upon a new era in gold-digging. There might,
te that case, arise a necessity for a different set of regula-
tions for the management of the goldfields. Mining would
sane to be followed as • profemion, in which capital sag
cooperation would be indispeasable requisites to continuos
todu,try and success.
Since the date of our last summary (August 16), the et
ecets have brought down 268,927 ounces. The returns show
a reedy weekly increase, with the exception of last week,
which exhibits a shortcoming of no less than 12,000 ounces,
tskieg the average returns for the preceding four weeks.
ibis as attributable, no doubt, to the recent agitation in
tart locality, which has thus cost the thirster. about 50,0001
It ray have appeared small matter, looking only at the
time, to devote • day to • great demonstration ; but
mikes • different figuee when considered statistically.
Std the statistics of sndu-try been always preserved with
se same accuracy, and =ea so immediately resolvable
ate • demonstration of pecuniary profit or loss, the Indus
sal closes might have received many a salutary lemon.
la the table of receipts which we subjoin the returns by
'le private escort should be added to those from Bendigo
tad M'lvor, but as we are unable to giro the exact share
doe tench we enter them separately :
GOLD RECEIVED BY ESCORT PIECE AVOl'aT 13, 1853.
Aug,2o. Aug. 27. Sep.3. Sep.lo. 8ep.17.
Indigo, etc—.
I'leor
?nests escort
Liam 4,738 6,91.5 8,377 13,257 13,615
Omni

Ws!ban

20%1
01: IL WOOL.

TIN sues which cireamstanees have caused as to devote
it the present summary to other matters' 'reeled's u from
eattnag at lay length upon the subject of minor products
tithe esieny. We know, however, that B toteresto
wen fat lavolved in the article of Aostralian wool that we
mu prepared some information with reference to that
ntick, *lnch will doubtless prove interestwip.
IN Moral with which we have been favoured by the
einem authorities at the undermentioned ports of this
easy, we have been enabled to compile the following cam-
pestivetable of *sports of wool, which before the discovery
if geld MS oar staple psodection :

TOOL •HIPPED DV WINO THE TEAM =DING JOLT 5.
1852. 1853.
lbs. IA•.
lbousa
Grolos'
Part Fairy
Portland 1,752,800 3,080,460
18,647,•567 11,310,294
TIN avian a ban in 1852 was 66,634; and in 1853,
MICK

bat it would be wrong if we did not apprise oar British
"aim that a mums is going out, of which we have before
Loud rhea, sad which may one day serieuly affect the
reprly of wool which they now draw from them shores.
The value of t►e carcase is so steadily g•iaing upon that of
it. Ante as naturally to affect the care with which each is
notched by tlie settler. Fiat, fat, large-sired sheep now
holseatly sell at 30s each, the current price before the
tr.. 4 discovery hiving been 10.. to 12.., w►ile the deem has
warmly improved in talus at all. KJ fart, too, is the pro
Irma between meet end Masontown altering, that higher
!twee still tot the camas, are reas..nebly to be looked for.
Besides thus, that terrihle scourge of the sheepowner,
be slab, is spreading rapidly through oar flocks, and the
hq► tap./ labour prevent. the sqeitten from grappling
with it es they ought. bheep are run is bock/ of ennui-
memble vise, frequently camped out, and allowed to wen-
d.,, and, incept when brought up by wide rivers, this
theartatian disease progenies almost unopposed.
£ coutaiuous high prig•: of wool in the English markets
141 afford a great escours;ement to the settlers to struggle
sit► these two tendencies so greatly deteriorative to oar
wail; sad the reinuticturen of Oust Britain will have to
stood that eaceurigeraeo., oh they must gradually teach
themselves to look elsewhere fora supply.

GRIN.
For I supply of breadstuff' we must still neonate
e.nelves to looking abroad. Our own production is a
uttv drop in the bucket compared with our consorith-
tm , and so numerous is our population becoming, and
anti large consumers are they of all the metonyms. of
that the supplies of all adjacent colonies, New
,taland included, mint for • long time be uttcily
4idenatite to our rs nairemente. We have considerable
"oaks of American dour on hand ; but shipments
frm the ports of th, Cutted States appear now to havo
r ea nearly euenended ; and, as is always the case
.4 a rapidly-damn ding market, low prices have for a
Las, prevailed, and we begin to fen • possible scarcity
before our own hassests come round. It is rather • (earful
thought to those who do not deal in dour, and therefore
havt mu ju'esest in high price., that a community like ours,
accutomed to extravagant consumption, is so far distant
from all extrusive sonny. of supply. The cosine of post
with Lultithal and America neoesearily occupies many
month', and between the te rinds of orders being sent and
utile executed them setts. quite a pcssibility of prise"
Raging from a rata that will he ruinous to shippers, to s•oe
utt, short of (amine to the e oweinier. While fodder con-
:son so high that oaten hay has ling kern. pound fo.,r,
Pound dearer than wheaten dour, our agriculturists will
genitally avoid turning their attention to the production of
nem. And in the meantime, probably for many years, the
supply of these colonise with breadstuff' will constitute a
trade very well worth the careful attention of the merchant.
of Gnat Britain and America.
?RADII AND CONNERCR.
The market is still overstocked with goods ; but our ex.
traordiaary powers of consumption have prevented any-
thing lige • &tided g'dat, while symptoms of a firmer
failing are beginning to .eobear. Credit and confidence
an unshaken ; and setivitv is discernible in every elcoart-
tient of industry and tato-prise. Building operation. are
''rend OR to a 'ennui' g event, and the town is, c
„trendy, spreading out in all directions, end eababitiaz on
aproventent in external appearance which would reflect
!edit os older cities. A new hotel has been opened. '
uP is a style of at eat magnificence. An arcade
41 been intend ia the centre of the city. l'ublic

baths are added to tly:•, list of our luxurits. We have now
a post-utfice which is a perfect model of conwiletentra and
convenience ; and, it the official management of the institu-
tion bear any analogy ta the mechanical perfections of the
building, we shall hear no more complaint. about postal
irregularities. We have the pleasure also of according in
this summary a decided mitres, in railway undertakings.
The Melbourne and Ilobasn s Bay Railway is in course of
construction, and is 'gaveled to be opened for traffic in six
or eight,montha. The terminus at the bay is to lie connected
with a pier, which will admit of large vessels coming along-
side for discharging their cargo. This will be of immense
advantage' not only to merchants, who will thereby get
their goods landed both at leas expense and in better order,
but also to immigrants, who will be saved from the vexa-
tions attending the present system. The wonder is that
such a work woe not undertaken sooner; but,once begun,
we hope that it will be pushed forward speedily to its cool-
pletioo.

nolltnaratON.
The immigration returns show a slight dimi•utien in the
number of new arrivals. Cases of dastitutiou are not so
frequent as they were, and tiomplainu on the part of immi-
grants of hardships endured during the voyage, or at land-
log, are not so constant as they uved to be. Instances, how-
ever, still occur. In our last summary we referred to a case
of misconduct on the part of • captain of a passenger vessel,
of • peculiarly aggravated character, and it will be 1,0010
satisfaction to lhoee whi read our former remarks to 'tun
that the delinquent has since been sentenced to three years'
hard labour on the clads. The owners of • vessel who could
entrust human lives to such • drunken ruffian u this man
was proved to be, richly deserve • similar fate.

Mat lOCIAL CONDI HUN.
There is one aspect of oar social condition respecting
which it is of essential importance that correct ideas should
be entertained in Eur.pe ; it relates to the supremacy of
law and order, the security of person and property. We
are far from saying that all is accomplished in this respect
that is desirable, or that every man who contributes to the
revenue of the state has a right to eapect.
Tee outrages is which we had so often to refer, eight,
ten, and twelve months ago, in and around Melbourne, are
now of comparatively rare occurrence—a fortunate state of
things. howeeer, which will not long endure if our legis-
lative council do nut make a vigorous st Ind against the un-
wise and mistaken interference of the Duke ul Newcastle
and the imperial government with the measure which the
council passed last anion against the unrestricted admission
into the colony of conditionally pardoned csnvists from Van
Diemen'. Land.

7 --
Provisions in general are not dear, in pr.iportion to house
rent; at least tee, sugar, butcher's meat, and potatoes are
at a reasouable ptice ; but bread, milk, butter, and such
vegetables as turnips, cabbages, eke., are still at a high
figure; the quarters loaf is Is. 64. It is evident, then,
that the first and necessary expenses which meet a man on
landing are very heavy ; but let not the sew comer be
therefore discouraged; if he is the sort of ma. suited to
the colony—sad elemental working and labomringuietkare—
he will soon be in a position to meet his expenses,
and also to put by money to join one of the
many building and freehold land societies which the high
pries of land and extravagant rents have called into
active existence within the lest few months. Ear
fish readers given to such pursuits as market-gardening,
poultry keeping, dairy farming, &c., will form their own
conclusions of the prospects of those following such callings
in a country with a range of prices like that quoted in the
market report. Battersea gardener., Surrey fowl Innen,
and the dairy people of Kent and Nine will probably lick
their lips at the thought of cauldloven at 2s. a piece, eggs
at 6'. per dozen, sad milk at 2s. per quart. We can assure
ono and all of such that we have room for thousands of
them; that these high prices do not arise from any native
scarcity ; that the gardener will Ina plenty of land, the
dairyman any number of cattle, and the poultrywornan fowls
innumeralme.

It must he distinctly understood, in spite of all the
" meshing" letters which have swarmed in the English
papers, that e Industrious workman may secure employ-
ment at high wages the very day he lands; while, at the
same time. the clerk, showman, or broken-down city idler
lingers about oar streets, dispirited, unemployed, and mise-
rable.