The Express.
London, England, 1853-10-29 00:00:00

NEW ZEALAND.

Our advices from Auckland are to the 13th Of
July. They contain literally nothing but election
news. Lieut.-C.)lonel Vinyard had beat elected
superintendent of the province. He received 922
votes; his rival, Mr. Brown, 820. None of the
council elections had been decided.

VAN DIEMEN•S LAND.
LAUNCESTON, Avt.t,T 16.

A aced deal of internt has been excited in lEbart Town
by the rause! of Mr. li:.-clay, •f that city, ti pry the rate
and empling hb refusal i y a threat to shoot the rate col-
/Woe, should he latent; t to levy upon any articla on Mr.
Barelay'e premises. The threat so far succeed.d in inti-
midating that functionary that he weaved, at the relict-
cdAce, he was afraid to renew the experiment.
The 1- Line-Hag, which the ladies of your city presented
to the hauacestonians, errs healed down on the evening of
the 10th August. It was righey thought that no more
fitting occasion could be chosen for the perfarmance of such
acerematy.

There is no change in the market. Wheat m:y be quoted
at lls. ; dour at 28/ ; cam, Um. 6d. to Ile.

We have received the Yen Divraen'e Land I'a?crs to the
lith inst.

Mr. N ,rtie, the Irish state prisoner, hu revived per-
mis.ion to reside in the district of Brighton, under the usual
parole restrictions.
The Cornwall CAA:wiles states that on Friday :ant, two
female emigrants. who arrived in this colony under the new
Emigration Act, applied to the police magistrate for special
clearances to proceed toMelbourne in the steamer Cairene,.

'the police magistrate refuse•! to grant th.!:!neuments with-
out a certificate from the emigration agent; alleging as a
reason, that the agreement into which they had entered
bound them to remnin in the colony a stipulated period,
(which period Las aut yet (-spine:), or to pay a por-
tian of the:: parasite money oskr to the emigration audio-
ities:

We have received by the Overland Mail despatches
from Sidney to the 28th t,f July; Melbourne, to
the ':rd of August ; and South Australia to the Bth
of August. alley were conveyed to Singapore by
the Chusar., avid contain nothing that is nut to be
found in the whim:sof the Argo.

EXT/LACTS FROM PRICES ( URRENT, de.,
RECEIVED PER ARGO.
[From R:s iew of the Markets of Victoria, by Jacob
Monte ti Te and Co.-11rilmurne, August 16
We had last this pleasure on the 12th ult., since
which nor markets have been ear tearised by a in
depression, anainz from a variety of exusea operating at
the saw* time. Foremost ainmAst thts.., we must mention
• rapidly increasing stock of goods brought in from neigh-
bouring markets, toe natural result of the prices
lately ruling here; the large thipments advised, as shipped
from the home markets; end a general a,,prehen,ion that
the extravagant prices of April and May will induce rill
further and heavier supplier. 'theft impression,. acting on
a market which is always dull at this season of the year,
and eoml6-..id with a great scarcity of storing ICC:111010111%.
tiara, his induced new arrivals to inapt any terms, l'AlLlf
than incur the (Tonneau charges. The old established
bowies, however, Woo do not feel this pressure so much,
prefer holding goods for fair prices. eunflient in the bony-
'lacy of the market, and of a general revival immediately on
Oa opening of the roads.
Gold supplies come forward steadily, and we annex par-
ticulars of nen/in.—Gold received siace our laot
Per Government Escort.
Mount Al:xand..: and Bendigo. Baliaarat. Ovens. Melvin
23,149 8,87 s 16,39)
Per Private Escort.
Mount Alexander and Ecadigo. Mayor.
29,901 8,336
Total, 218,218 ounces.
The amount received this year is larger than that of the
same period last year, though latterly the moutuly re-
ceipts have shown a decrease on the same periods of 1652.
We have the pleasure, howtscr, to r.i.te an improvement
during the past few week', and a general 6 (Tog prevails,
that as the season advances, and the diggers become more
ended, we shall have an extended production. Until this
peeled the miners have been unsettled by political slit-
lerences, and hampered with bad weather, but the extended
prospecting has resulted in the discovery of several new
mines which are highly spoken of. The price is now firm
at 31. 17s. Oil. to U. 18s. 31., at which it becomes a mere
qu.eion of nnsittance.
The bankitg and monetary interests of the colony could
not he in a np.re satisfactory state. We append an official
return of the ;..sitila of the five banks of Melbourne, from
which it will be observed that the bullion and specie on
band is no leas than 4,700,0001., while the deposits bearing
no interest are at this period not leis than 5,500,0004
1852. 1653.
Circulation (notes)
Deposits not bearing interest
Total Liabilities 2,698,866 .. 7,560,381
Paid-up Capital 1,918,35n) 2,275,450
Reserved profits
Dividends paid
Specie, coined money
Bullion, une4ned metals 137,151 1,691,150
Debts and discounts due to banks 823.615 .. 1,744,691
Total assets 1,G33,345 6,723,756
. .

It ie with pleasure we note the rapid advance and antis•
factory position of the local Bank of Victoria, the able
management of which has brought it into general favour.
Money is worth 10 to 12 per cent. on mortgage ; the rate
of diacount for bi;:s under ninety days is 6 per cent., above
that period 7 per cent. In Sydney,6 per cont. is the cur-
rent rate, but the London Chartered Bank have intimated
their intention of reducing it to 4 per cent.
Credits have experienced a slight check of late—the late
heavy fall in prices, combined with existing high rents and
the dulne-s of trade, having caused the stoppage of soma
small houses, and the circulation of rumours reapecting
others of more standing.
We are of opiaion that this limitation of credits is a wise
precaution on the part of the beaks, and will be likely to
bring about a better system of businese than was general
of late.

The insplrt of specie for July era 220,1001., and up to
this dste sn August, 3j,11001.
The revenue of the colony is indicative of gigantic pro-
gress, and continues to iacresse every quarter.
1852. 1863.
Revenue for quarter ending June 30, £2.111,499.. £967,176
year 1;714,679—L2,440,235
Increase on the quarter Lits2,l4o
11 year £1,736,566

Our population is now estimated at not less than 240,000,
the balance of arrivals over departures for this year being
32,312 up to July 30, since which, 3,793 persons have been
added to our population.
The labour market is well supplied, but the great demand
for sk.lled artizans and agricultural labourers settee to
maintain Ligh rates of remuneration.
Dottie servants, especially females and worried couples,
are readily engaged. Clerki and shop assietauts are still in
excess of the demand.
The mining population is estimated at 80,000 to 100,000,
and as a body are doing tolerably well. Considerable peli-
lead feeling has of late been manifested, but, as a rule, they
are an orderly and well-disposed class. It is principally in
the towns that we hear of cases of robbery and intent.
During the past month two daring robberies have been
committed ; one of a box of blank forms of the Union Bank
notes, most of which, however, are recovered, and the
offenders in custody. The other was the robbery of the
private escort of geld and specie to the value of 9,000/.
None of this has as yet been recovered, but several of the
suppose,' culprit. are in the hands of the pulite.
Land continues a favourite speculation and investment;
we note no decline in the high prices advised in our last.
Rents are still on the advance, but building 'operations
are prosecuted with vigour, and before next winter the city
of Melbcurne will present a very different aspect.
On the whole we consider our position as most 'satisfac-
tory, and we look confidently to the future for a brilliant
development of our political and commercial position. For
Lisa moment trade is limited to the mere bane and mouth
wants of toe towns, but stocks at the mines are very light,
and immediate on the opening of the roads we shall see a
brisk revival in every department. We do not anticipate a
return of the extreme rates lately ruling here, but it is to
be surmised that shippers will wait for the results of their
late large operations before sending any further supplies ;
and it is not improbable that the close of the summer may
find us run bare of many articles that are now almost un-
saleable.
Customs Duties.-All spirits, 75.; wine, is. per gallon;
tobacco, in all, forms, 2.1. per lb. ; tea, 3d. per lb.; coffee,
10s. per cwt. All other goods free. Ports all free.
Rates 01 Eachange.-Banks issue bills at 30 days' eight on
London at 2 per cent. premium; ditto purchase, par; ditto,
issue sight bills, Sydney and Adelaide, 1 per cent. premium.
Insurance.-Gold, per steamer to London, 21 per cent.
Freight.-Gold, 41d. per oz. ; wool, Id. to Id. per lb.
Charges.-Lighterage, 40s. to 455. per ton; cartage, Bs.
per tun ; storing, 4s. per too per week ; bonded goods, 551.
per toss.
(From Price Current of Shellinglaw and Wilson, Mel-
bourne, August 11.)
Since the publication of our last circular by the Chum,
which left this on the 2nd inst., we arc unable to record any
improvement in our market. The greatest depression still
prevail. in almost every branch of trade, with a downward
tendency in many articles which up to the present time
have maintained a steady and highly remunerative price.
Credits, both on the part of hankers and merchants, are
greatly curtailed, and much more caution is exhibited.
Thee, though causing a temporary inconvenience to some at
the outset, will doubtless lead to a much sounder and more
wholesome state of things in future. The depressed state
of affairs may be accounted for by the rapid increase of our
imports, whereby (at this season oi the year especially) the
supply has been far in excess of the &maul ; and this evil
must necessarily exist until the supply and demand are
placed on a more regular footing, which can scarcely be
effected until we have an established and continuous open
means of transit to the miuie aid the interior-all inter-
course thereto during the winter months being almost com-
pletely cut elf in consequence of the bad state of the roads,
or ratner the total want thereof.
From the above circumstances, coupled with the great
want of bonded accommodation (causing forced sales), the
prices of many articles quoted in the d circular may
be considered as merely nominal. Sales, except to supply
Immediate want., are not to be effected, and those only at
Mooed rates. In the spring, however, we anticipate a
change, and brisk trade, at remunerative rates; but the
high prices obtained before the winter set in, must not be
again expected.
Freights from the Bay, owing to the great scarcity of
lighters, still continue exceedingly high-4.55. to 30s. a
' ton being the common rate. This, combined with the high
price of storage, and] difficulty 01 obtaining the same,
causes parties to accept reasonable cffers rather than hold.
Gold, owing to the demand for shipment, has advanced
to 31. 17s. 91. to 31. Its. per ounce. The supply still con-
tines steady-99,781 ounces having been brought in since
the 2.5 th July, and tho accounts from the various diggings
on the whole satisfactory. Reports have reached town of
new digriogs having been discovered of a very rich kind,
Out as yet we have nethii.g authenticated on the subject.
LABOCR IKARILET AT MELIJOVR24II.
Rates of Wages for the week endiag Aug. 11, 15.53.-In
consequenre of the large arrivals of immigrants this week
the supply en the labour market has been full, and the de-
mand scarcely corresponding. A considerable number of
hands were therefore lett unemployed, and a strong effort
has been made to reduce wage., but as yet they remain firm,
and quote ae they did last 'seek, which is as follows, viz. :-
Married c mp:ts ;without family), per annum with rations,
701. to 100/.; ditto, with family, 601. to 901.; Shepherd.,
' per annum, 3.51. to 401.; hutkeepers, ditto, 321. to 35/. ;
general useful servants, with rations, per annum, 701. to 751;
bullock inia ers with rations, 21. 10s. to 31. per week on
farms ; bullock d , for the roads, per week, 21. lee. to
31. 10s. ; gardeners, per annum, with rations, 70/. to 801. ;
ceoks, max. 21. to 41. per week ; waiters, per week, from
20s. to 300. ; grooms, from 60!. to 701. per annum ; carpal-
ten, good house, town work, per day, 20s. to 255. ; masons,
255. to 30s. per day ; wood splitters and fencers, 15s. a day,
with ration+ ; stock keeepers, ditto, 551. to 751. ; black-
smiths accustomed to country work and to horse-