The Express.
London, England, 1867-09-12 00:00:00

THE AUSTRALIAN COLONIES.

Great preparations are being made in all the
Australian colonies for the reception of the Duke
of Edinburgh.
It is thought probable that, in consequence of
the determination expressed by Mr. Parkes in the
legislature of New South Wales, that Sydney
should be the terminus of the three routes of postal
communication, Victoria will withdraw from the
whole arrangement. No system will, it is said, be
accepted by Victoria that does not make Melbourne
the terminus of the Suez route.

The new Tariff Bill was assented to by his excel-
lency the governor on the 4th July.
The additional estimates, proposing fresh ex-
penditure to the extent of over 200,0001., were
presented to the Legislative Assembly on Tuesday
the 23rd July. They were strenuously opposed
by the opposition, who objected to their tell!
considered until the treasurer had made a supple-
mentalfinancial statement. The debate was con-
tinued for thirty-one hours, and ultimately the
consideration of the new votes was postponed until
the 30th of July. One of the principal causes of
the opposition was the proposed vote of 20,0001.
to Sir Charles Darling, which the minority in the
Assembly seems determined to resist by every pos-
sible means.

A select committee has been appointed to con-
sider certain charges of corruption brought against
several members of the Legislative Assembly on
the strength of a statement made by Mr. liar-
greaves, the first discoverer of gold in Australia.
So far as the investigation has been pursued, i:
appears certain (says the Argus) that the whole of
the charges are without foundation.
Searle and Malan, the two men accused of the
murder of Mr. Burke, the late manager of the
branch of the Bank of Australasia at Smythesdale,
were tried, convicted, and sentenced to death at
the last criminal sessions at Ballarat.

Great sympathy has been expressed in Melbourne
on behalf of the unfortunate sufferers by the recent
calamitous floods in New South Wales. 2,5001. has
been subscribed for their relief.

The steamship Great Britain had arrived from
Liverpool in fifty-night days.
The following report from the gold-fields is pub-
lished by the A rgus :

Much interest has been excited during the month by the
rapid progress of the gold workings at Alexandra, on the
Goulburn River, and by the discovery of new and
payable ground at Myers'-flat, near Bradlee. The
workings at Alexandra consist both of alluvial ground and
quartz reefs, and in the former case the sinking is remark-
ably easy, iarying from six Mabee to twelve feet The
golds heavy and coarse, and most of the claims have
proved remunerative, while in many instances the ground
has turned out very rich. One man is reported to have
washed out, with a common dish, U. worth of gold in a day,
and another is said to have obtained seven pounds weight
in a week, which
ri.represents more than 300/. sterling. The
quarts reefs are cher even than the alluvial workings,
and their character may be gathered from the following
reports of crushing, which have recently taken place :
Rglinton (prospectors') claim, 100 tons, 3oz. per ton—total,
300 oz. No. 1, Lucky Line, 50 tons, Nos. per ton
—total, 400 oz. • No. 2, Lucky Line, 100 tone, 16oz.
per ton—total, 1,400 oz. • No. 4, Lucky Line, 50 tons,
fica. per ton—total, 400 oz. ; Connelly's Lead, 45 tons,
3oza. Odwt. 5 gr. per ton—total, 1350 z. It is computed
that the population of the place is now about 2,000, but
by some a higher estimate is arrived at. Fresh discoveries
are being constantly made, while the number of miners
on the ground increases daily, and the gold field promises
to become one of considerable importance. A distinct rust.
has set in to Steele's Creek, which is situated about eight
miles from Alexandre. The ground is very shallow, from
two to six feet. Several nuggets weighing over an
ounce have been discovered. The gold is of a heavy
ebony description. The ground is reported to be very I
rich and is taken up for miles.
The Myers'-fiat rush has already attracted a huge popu-
lation, and we are constantly hearing of fresh arrivals. The
sinking here seems to run from thirty to forty feet, and
the results obtained have been very encoursging. Tents
are going up in all directions and further signs of per-
manency are seen in the ereCtion of blacksmiths' shops,
butchers' shops. and beer shanties, and these will no doubt
be at once followed by stores. There seems to be little doubt
that a permanent gold field has been discovered. In most of
the other die,ricts of the colony mining operations are
being carried on with great success. The yields at Bal-
larat, as well as in other districts, have been exceedingly
good; one company, the Hand and Band, obtaining no less
than 1,5000ze. of gold in two days. The dividends paid
by registered mining companies in this district last week
amounted to nearly 13,000/., and the average of the last
five or six weeks would give an annual revenue from divi-
dends alone of over half a million sterling. Favourable
reports have been received from most of the other dis-
tricts in the colony, and mining affairs generally may be
said to be increasingly prosperous.

From the gold fields in New South Wales we
have the following intelligence :
Ttie late severe floods have in many places brought
mining operations to a complete standstilL At Barran-
dong and Araluen the diggers have been flooded onto( their
claims, and in many cases out of their home'. At the
latter place about 300 men have been rendered homelessand
penniless, and have been forced to accept of government
and private aid. By this time, however, the diggers have
again returned to their work, and are clearing out their
In some cases this is a severe task, as the water
leaks in as fast as it is pumped out, but in others the boles
are pretty dry. About half the miners are getting gold
once mom, but the remainder are still engaged in clearing
the claim, of water. A prospecting party at Sheep station
creek, near Araluen, has struck upon good payable gold,
and there has been • rush to the place. It is seid that the
new field is turning out well, and that there is every pros-
pect of the supply continuing to be good. At Reidadale,
too, another prospecting party have found gold, and are
sanguine as to the richoeu of the ground. Some quarts
reefs have been opened in the eastern ranges of the valley,
and the results are good. The new diggings near
Mudge' are prospering, and there is now a
large population upon them. Ratioue are cheap.

Gold is readily obtained in payable quantities, and the
diggers on the whole are doing remarkably well. The
diggings at the Two-mile Flat, near Bathurst, are nos
turning out well, and the deep sinking has proved abor-
tive. Not more than half the claims are payable, and
they are barely so. The Emu Creek Gold-field still main-
tains its character, and supports a large mining popula-
tion. The yield of gold there seems to be improving.
Strange to say, while in every other part of the country
the diggers have suffered from too much water, in New
England they are crying out about the drought. They
cannot get sufficient water to wash out the Anil, and;
per consequence, they are lying idle and getting into debt
with the storekeepers. The diggers at the Rocky River
seem to be very badly off indeed Just now.

On Tuesday night a great win& was held at Car-
lisle, under the auspices of the Carlisle Reform Associa-
tion, in celebration of the passing of the Reform Bill.
Captain FERGURSON presided at the meeting held after tea,
supported by Mr. X Potter, M.P., Sir Wilfred Lawson,
Bart., and other influential gentlemen. Apologies were
read from the Hon. Charles Howard, LP. for West Cum-
berland, and the Mayor of Carlisle, for their nen-appear-
anoe.

THE ROYAL ALBERT ASYLUM AT LANCASTER.-
Mr. Walter Morrison, M.P., presided on Tuesday at a
meeting held at Settle, for the promotion of the move-
ment for the establishment of an asylum at Lancaster for
the idiots and imbeciles of the northern counties. The
chairman reviewed the circumstances under which the
movement was originated, and stated that a site, com-
prising 67 acres of land, bad been obtained, and that the
buildings—capable of accommodating 500 patients—were
now in coarse of erection. Nearly 40,0001. bad been ob-
tained, and 20,000/. more is required to complete the
buildings, and tit them for the reception of patients. Dr.
De Titre and the Rev. D. Davis explained the objects and
the organization of the institution, and the Rev. J. Robin-
son proposed, and Mr. J. Hartley seconded, a resolution
pledging the meeting to take vigorous steps to promote
the Royal Albert Asylum. An influential local committee
was appointed to obtain subscriptions in the neighbour-
hood.

REPRESENTATION OF THE EASTERN DIVISION OF
THE TOWER HAMLETS.—A deputation waited on Mr. J.
D'A. &elude, 51. P., on Tuesday morning, at his works,
Isle of Dogs, Poplar, and presented him with a requisition
signed by between 4,000 and 5,000 electors of the new di.
vision of the Tower Hamlets, desiring him to become •
candidate for that borough in the next parliament. Mr.
Samuda, in reply, after thanking the deputation for the
honour they had done him by asking him to stand for •
borough which was, he believed, the most populous in the
kingdom, and whose interests and trade were second only
to the City of London, if even to that, referred to his long
connection with the district where he had been engaged as ,1
a large employer of labour upwards of 20 years, and assured'
them he wee fully prepared to accede to their request, and
with the strong support they had afforded him he looked
forward with confidence to the realisation of their mutual
hoes.
RATIONAL ASSOCIATION FOR THE PROMOTION OP
SOCIAL SCIENCIL—Tbe order of proceedings at the ap-
proaching meeting of the Social Science Congress has now
been finally settled. The arrangements are, on the whole,
satisfactory, and, so far as can be judged at present, the
meeting is likely to be a •ery successful one. A large
number of papers are —many of them on ques-
tions of great importance to Ireland, and many interesting
discussions may be anticipated. AS our readers are aware,
the aittings of the congress begin on Wednesday, the 18th
September, and will be continued till Wednesday, the 25th.
Lord Dufferin, as president, will deliver his opening address
in the Ulster-ball on the evening of the first day,'Firadnes-
day, and on Thursday morning Mr. Justice O'Hagan is to de-
liver an address in Elmwood Meeling.house. The various
departments will thereafter meet for the discussion of
the first special question set down for each. On Friday
morning an address will be delivered by Dr. Andrews, in
Elmwood Meelindionse, after which the departments
will meet for the discus ion of the second Riedel question,
and in the evening the mayor is to bold • reception in the
Ulster-hall. On the afternoon of Friday there will be •
flower show in the Royal Botanic Gardens. On Saturday,
the address will be given by Professor Sir James Y. Simp-
son ; and the departments will meet to hear voluntary
papers till two o'clock. In the afternoon two excur-
sions are proposed—one to inspect the Messrs. Bar-
bour's Works, at Hilden, near Lisburn, and the other
to the salt mine of Duncrue, near Carriekferm
which is to be illuminated by the electric light.
Ulster Archery Club are to hold a prize meeting at
Ulsterville. On Monday morning the proceedings will
be begun by an address by Sir Robert Kane • and in
the evening a converse:loos is to be held in the Ulster.
hall. On Tuesday, the Master of the Rolls will deliver
the address and in the evening the president's dinner
takes place iu the Ulster-hall. On Wednesday, Mr. John
Mulholland will deliver an address in Elmwood Meeting-
house, and the depattmente then meet for the discussion
of voluntary papers. This finishes the barbels proper of
the congress ; but it is in contemplation to have several
excursions to some of the numerous places of interest in
the north of Ireland—the chief amongst which will, of
Dowse, be the Giant's Causeway—on Thursday, for such of
the member. of the congress who may remain in town.
During the sittino of the eseociation all the public
places of interest in Belfast—the minufsotories,
the Museum, the various public institutions, the Botanic
Gardens, &c.—will be open free to members and aaso-
Mates. A good many papers in all the departments
have been already promised. In the jurisprudence depart-
ment papers are promised by Professor Leslie, Professor
Levi, Sir J. Eardley Wihuot, Dr. Parkhurst, fx. Serjesnt
Pulling, &e.; while in the educational department papers
will be forthcoming, among others, from Dr. Down, Dr.
Kidd, Dr. Duncan, Professor Nesbitt, Professor D'Arey
Thompson, Dr. Hodgson, Mr. Goidwin Smith, Professor
SPCosh, Rev. Canon Norris, Rev. Dr. Whim., Rev. Dr.
Arnott Bellis, and Rev. J. Scott Porter. In the health
department, Dr. Lankester, F.R.S.; Dr. Elliott, Dr.
Cumming, Dr. Mapother, Dr. Hardwicke, Dr. Stevenson
Macadam, Dr. Browne, Dr. Beveridge, Dr. M'Crea, Dr.
Ransoms, Mr. W. H. Michael, and Curgenven have
given notice of papers ; and in the economy and trade, Mr.
Edwin Chadwiclr, C. 8.; Mr. Caulfield Heron, Q.C.; Mr.
Luke Christie, Mr. W. Mulholland, Str. John Hancock,
Mr. Dix Hutton, Mr. W. Ewalt, jun., Mr. J. Blithe, M.Y.
Dr. Hancock, Mr. P. H. Rathbone, Mr. Heron, and several
other gentlemen will contribute to the business of the
department. Mr. David Dudley Field, and other leading
gentlemen from the United States and the continent, are
expected to be in attendance. Mille Mary Carpenter will
give an address on India (whence she has recently re-
turned) at one of the evening meetings. The promises of
support from all quarters are encouraging, particularly in
Ireland, where the inducement to come is increased by
the facilities offered by the various railway companies in
the way of cheap fares, and the attractions in the town
during the leisure from the business of the Congress.—
Northern Whig.
THE BOUNDARY DOMMISSIONIRIL-011 'Tues-
day Lieut.-General Sir R. MIMS, K.C.8., and Mr. Ser.
jeant Tindal Atkinson, the assistant commissioners ap-
pointed to inquire into the boundaries of the eight West
Riding boroughs, sat at Sheffield. The sitting was very
short. The commissioners found it was unnecessary to
extend the borough in any direction, and there was no
application or opposition from any quarter. They elicited,
in a conversation with the mayor and borough officers,
that the parliamentary and municipal borough and the
perish of Sheffield are oonterminous. The parish is one of
the largest in England, comprising not only miles of
large works in the valley of the Don, but considerable
quantities of agricultural land in other directions, and
an ample margin in every pert for the utmost extension
of trade that can be expected for very many years to
come. The commissioners have no power to decrease
the limits of • borough ; hut if they had, it would have
been shown that on all the rivers and watercourses

within the borough there are grinding and manufacturing
establishments, and that the farms within the borough
would be valueless were it not for the neighbourhood of
the town. The parish comprises 22,830 acres, and con.
taine 230,000 inhabitants. In 1866 and 1867 the municipal
voters were 24,143, and the parliamentary voters 9,518;
the parliamentary voters under the new Reform Act are
estimated at from 28,000 to 30,000. From 18.51 to 1861
the population increased 50,000; since 1861 the in-
crease has not been quite so rapid. The watershed
supplying the borough is at a great elevation to the west-
ward of the town, and the drainage follows the natural
course of the valley of the Don to the eastward. Mr. J.
S. Dugdale, barrister-at-►aw, and Captain Wilson, Royal
Engineers, assistant commissioners appointed by the
boundary commissioners, under the provisions of
the Representation of the People Act, 1867,
held their court in Shrewsbury. In opening
the proceedings Mr. Dugdale explained that
the object of their inquiry was to ascertain
whether the boundaries of the borough should be enlarged
so as to include within its limits all premises which ought
—due regard being had to situation and other local cir-
cumstances—to be included therein, for the purpose of
conferring upon the occupiers thereof the parliamentary
franchise for such borough. They had no power to con-
tract the boundaries of the borough, nor did it come
within the scope of their inquiry to hear an 7 political
matter urged in support of the views of any witness who
might wish to give evidence, and if such irrelevant matter
were introduced the commissioners would feel bound at
once to stop the speaker. The inquiry then proceeded,
the only suggestion of importance made being to the effect
that the boundary line should be definitely fixed at a circle
of two miles from the centre of the borough. In the after-
noon the commissioners personally inspected the position
of the existing boundary line.
SHONBLACKB AND COMNIASIONAINNAL —By the
new Metropolitan Traffic Act the Commissioner of Police
can appoint shoeblacks and commissionaine, and appoint
them stands, and persona obstructing them or imitating
their dress are liable to a penalty of not exceeding 406.

[STAMPED. 11. ADDITIONAL.]

THE PAR-ANOLICAN SYNOD.

-- -
The following prelates have signified their
intention of being present at the Conference :
England.—Tbe Archbishop of Canterbury ; the Bishops
of London, Winchester, Chichester, Lichfield, Oxford,
St. Asaph, Llandaff, Norwich, Lincoln, Salisbury Ban-
gor, Worcester, Gloucester and Bristol, Ely, dimmer,
Rochester, St. David's.
Ireland.—Archbishops of Armagh and Dublin ; the
Bishops of Meath, Cashel, Down and COIMOI4 Kilmore,
Limerick Team. (The late Bishop of Deny had also
consented to be present.)
Scotland.—The Bishops of Moray and Ross (Primus),
Argyll and the Isles, Brechin, St. Andrew's, Aberdeen,
Glasgow, Edinburgh (Coadjutor Bishop).
Colonial.—The Bishops of Montreal, Nova Scotia,
Quebec, Ontario, Huron, Antigua Capetown, Grahams-
town, Sierra Leon, Kingston, Antigua,
Christchurch,
Newfoundland (Assistant), Gibraltar Bombay, Perth,
New Zealand, Niagara, Imbuan ; Bishops Smith, Tenser,
and Hobhouse; Missionsry Bishop of Orange River.
United States.—The Bishops of Vermont (President),
Ohio, Massachusetts, Illinois, North Carolina, lowa, New
York, Rhode Island, Texas, New Jersey, Ohio (Assistant),
Minnesota, Arkansas, Alabama, Tennessee, ittsburgh,
Louisiana, Indiana (Assistant); Missionary Bishop -of
Western Africa.
A prelincinert meeting of the bishops will be held en
Tuesday, the Lth inst., at 12 o'clock, at the house of the
Society for the Propagation of the Gospel, ,5 Park-place,
St. James's-street. The conference will be held at Lambeth
Palace on September 24, 25, and 26, according to the
following arrangements :

Fist Der.-:-Tueeday, Sept. 24, at 11 o'clock, a.m.
Prayers sad Holy Communion.—Sermon, by the Bishop
of Illinois. General subject for the Day's Discussion.—
" Interommannion between the chards= of the Anglican
communion." Opening address of the passides• r specify—
ing the general principles and roles of the conference, and
inviting any introductory remarks iron house metavpolr
tens and from distant bishops. General agreement as to
the arrangement of the time and subjects.
Revolution :—" We, bishops of Christ's holy catholic
church, profaning the faith of the pnousivc and undi-
vided churchwas based on scripture, defined by the first
four general councils, and reaffirmed by the father, of the
English reformation, now assembled by the good provi-
dence of God at the Archiepiscopal Palace of Lambeth,
under the presidency of the Primate of All England, de-
sire first to give hearty thanks to Almighty God for having
thus brought us together for common counsels and united
worship : secondly, we desire to express the deep sorrow
with which we view the divided condition of the Bock of
Christ throughout the world ,• and, lastly, we do here
solemly declare our belief that the beet hope of future re-
union will be found in drawing each of us for ourselves
closer to our common Lord, in giving ourselves to much
prayer and intercession, in the cultivation of a spirit of
charity, and in seeking to diffuse through every part of
the Christian community that desire and resolution to re-
turn to the faith and discipline of the undivided church
which was the principle of the English reformation."
Notification of New Sees and Bishops.—Resolution :
" That it appears to ns expedient, for the purpose of
maintaining brotherly intsroomninnioe, that all oases of
establishment of new sees, and appointment of new
bishops, be notified to all archbishorinscal , metropolitans
of the home and colonial church of d and Ireland,
the primers of the protestant episcopal arch in Scotland,
and the presiding bishop of the protestant episcopal church
in the United States of America."

Letters Oommendatory.—Resolnture:— That, having
regard to the conditions under which interoommtinion be-
tween members of the church paring from one distant
diocese to another may be duly maintained, we hereby
deem it desirable—l. That forms of letters commendatory
on behalf of clergymen visiting other dioceses be drawn up
and agreed upon, and that no strange clergyman should
officiate in any diocese without exhibiting such commenda-
tory letters to the bishop tinned. 2. Thata form of letters
commendatory for such laymen u may desire to avail
themselves of them be in like manner prepared."
The Benediction.

SeCOND DAY.—WednesdaT, Sept. 25.
General subject for the day's discussion, " Colonial
Churches "—Subordination to Metropolitans.—Resolution :
Thu it be a matter for the consideration of this con-
ference, and of the bishops of the colonial church ups-
eially—l. Whether it be desirable that such colonial and
missionary dioceses se have sot so yet been gathered into
provinces be formed into any promos ; and 2. Whether
any,i and if so what steps should be taken.
Discipline to be exercised by hietiopolitana.—ltesoln-
tion :—That, whereas schemes for conducting eoclesias-
tical 'Sidra and for the exercising of discipline here been
embodied in the letters patent granted by the crown to the
metropolitans of Canada, India, Australasia, New Zen.
land, and South Africa, it appears to us to be desirable
that the aforesaid schemes so embodied in the letters
patent be, for the present, and until the local authorities,
spiritual and temporal, have otherwise provided, as much
as possible adhered to; and that in all eases where the
power of coercive jurisdiction is not aceveyed by sash
letters patent it is desirable to provide by voluntary
agreement for the enforcement of discipline, and that
with a view to secure this end all bishops at their conse-
cration, and clergymen of those dioceses at their ordina-
tion or institution to the core of souls, should be re-
quired to pledge themselves to submit to the provisions of
such schemes.

Court of Metropolitans.—Resolution: That in the case
of any charges being preferred against a suffragan bishop
of any province, it appears to us desirable that the metro-
politan thereof should summon all the bishops of his pro-
vince to sit with him for the hearing of the use, and that
he should not proceed to the hearing of it without the aid
and concurrence of all the bishops of his province that can
be assembled. The question of any charge being brought
against a metropolitan should also be considered.
Question of Appeal—Resolution : That it be a matter
for the consideration of this conference whether, in cases
where no letters patent have been issued, any, and if any
what, appeal should lie from such provincial decisions.
Conditions of Union.—Resolution : flat it be a matter
for the consideration of this conference, in reference to
colonial churches not legally united to the united churches
of England and Ireland, what safeguards as to their con-
tinued soundness in doctrine and discipline be required by
the mother church as the condition of the maintenance of
all spiritual and ecclesiastical communion.

[TWOPENCE