The Express.
London, England, 1851-10-06 00:00:00

AUSTRALIA.

The following, from the Sydney Empire of tho
31st of May, is the latest frum the Australian gold
diggings :

The following letter, from the nearest township to the
mines, addressed to ourselves, was ',mired by this morn-
ing's mail, bearing date three days ago :
" Manchester-house, Orange, May 28, 18.51.
Sir,—Let me beg of you not to drive the whole colony
mad about the price of flour at the gold wines. Price at
mines this morning, 4Gs. per cwt. ; and fresh mutton is sold
retail at Sil. per Pi., and beef' d. We also have plenty of
tea, sugar, and tobacco, at a little advance on the usual
prices. Can you tell me where the Bathurst gold mines arc?
The mines now open are only twelve miles from Orange,
and would be more properly called the Orange mines. Tho
only way that drays can travel in safety is through the
township of Orange. 'With regard to the diggers, some
persons are fortunate, but the greator part are not so. Many
perrons are leaving, not Icing able to get as much as will
pay for their rations. Very few shepherds src leaving their
masters at present ; all is going on pe:arably at the mines,
and we base not heard even a rumour of a roblevy since thu
mining cenuna c used.

" I am, Sir, your .arrant,
°JOU:: WooowAnn.
hear the mail will run to Wellingtou three times
• week."

_
A letter from a respectable stockholder within eight
miles of the diggings, dated 27th inst., received by a mer-
chant at Sydney, states I have not been at the gold
diggings myself, being busy at plough, Om., but 1 frequently
received intelligence from the scene of action. Gold con-
tinues to be got, and those who workgproperly arc generally
doing pretty well. If we can preserve the sheep I don't
much fear; but I confess I have my doubts th.tt the govern-
ment will be too lax. A few days will disclose their plans."
Another sheep-holder in the same locality writes to the
Wile gentleman, under date May 20th. "1 do not know
what to think of the gold diggings; I am persuaded that
the general earnings do not exceed 31. per week. Those
who came to the diggings without money or food, thinking
to make their fortunes, arc leaving with long laces. I saw
several of your Sydney folks yesterday on their way back,
looking for work as they went. Some hove dune well, but
some have not earned their rations. One man picked up
4201. worth in a few minutes, in small lumps, but I fear he
has gone mad."
The state of things described in these letters is certainly
not very cheering to those parties who are forsaking re-
spectable callings in Sydney, to try their fortunes at tho
mines, and wo are bound to state that the several letters
which we have seen this morning all agree, more or less, in
these accounts. _

Captain Ilindson received a letter this morning from
Bathurst, dated 29th inst., stating that Mr. Piper had, a
day or two previously, dug up a piece of gold one pound
weight. That gentleman hos another letter stating that
the gold brought into Bathurst averages about 11. per man
per day.
A letter from Mr. C. C. Forbes, of Bathurst, dated
May 29, states that he had been at the mines a week, and
had in that time got about 2 ounces of gold. Ile saw one
man dig out 13 ounces at once, and mote than a hundred
who did not earn over Ss. per day.
A letter received by us this morning, from a gentleman
at Scone, says : " Ali classes here are wild with the gold
mania ; Sour is not to be got for love or money; Mockmasttn
expecting ruin."