The Express.
London, England, 1861-07-17 00:00:00

AUSTRALIA.

We have received papers from Melbourne to May
25. The political news is unimportant. The
ministry were making slow progress both with the
estimates and with general legislation. Respecting
the gold fields we are informed :

The yield of the precious metal continues steady, though
considerably below the average of last year sod of 1859. Up
to the present time the quantity of gold received by escort
has been 727,281 ounces, to the vale* of 2,908,124 E., against
791063 ounces, valued at 3,167,8521. for the correepoodrog
LeZdsof last year. The shipments for the same Period
amounted to 711,619 ounces, worth 2,848,59E4,
against 822,942 ounces, valued et 3,291,7681. for the same
period of 1860. Large parcels of gold are being b ht for-
ward for shipment in the Greet Britain and Suffolk, of
which vessels are announced to 'ail in a few days.
Reports from the mining districts continue favourable.
The reefs at Inglewood are said to be as satisfactory in their
yields as ever. A new reef bas been discovered between
Amherst and Blacksmith's Gully, which has been called the
Saturday Rest. From it two tons were crushed, yielding
11 oz. lbdwt. The Deep Lead, in the Mountain Creek (11.1
trict, is increasing in favour. The prospect of the district,
as a who_ is becoming valuable, for quartz mining is be-
coming daily more encouraging.
Mining affairs at Indigo have improved. The miners are
now busily engaged in washing up, and from the more oleo-
tiful supply of water the practice of reworking abandoned
claims is resorted to, and with very successful results.
Wabguoyah is also more prosperous than it has been.
A rush has taken place to a locality three mile* from Red-
bank. The correspondent of a local journal gives the fol-
lowing account of it :—" It is with much pleasure that I am
able to state that the prospects of this district as a goldfield
are daily improving, and likely to improve for a lengthy pe-
riod to come. On Thursday and Friday a considerable rash
took place westward of the town, a distance of about three
miles. The sinking is only twenty feet, soil the yield 2i
dwta. to two nailcans full of wsshdirt. On Friday bow
there could not be, at the lowest estimate, less than 1,809
miners on the ground, including the usual attendance o:
shepherds, according to the magnitude of the rush. Every
probability now estate that the whole flat—which stand'
between Redbank and the ranges which divide it from
Navarre—will be torn up during the next twelve mce.ths,
and no doubt with the most satisfactory results, judging
from all present indications. Another discovery has been
made on the Avoca-road, where at the depth of twenty-
four feet stuff was obtained giving from I to 1 oz. to the
load."
Of the state of New Zealand we read :

Shoe our last summary was written New Zealand affairs
have assumed • new aspect. Then them was a gene al
feeling that the war had been brought to • close, and that
the rebels had been awed into terms of peace which it was
thought would prove lasting. It would appear, however,
that the anticipations of pence have been somewhat pre-
mature. The rebels have withdrawn their forces from
Taranaki, but in the opinion of some it would seem only
for the purpose of renewing hostilities; in other parts of the
island. On General Pratt's departure there were good
grounds for supposing that the war had been brought
to a final Moue ; but it appears probable that something
may be yet left for his successor, General thimeron,
to do- William Kiwi and his rebel followers have retired
from Taranaki, and further hostilities in this quarter are st
an end for the present ; but there are very threatening ac-
counts from the north of the island, and it is generally sup-
posed that the next scene of operations by the insurgent
natives will be Auckland. The natives in the north have
hitherto behaved peaceably, and have obtained large por-
tions of the spoils without having to bear the brunt of the
war. The troops are now congregated in mud about Auck-
land. The southern natives are represented as anxious to
accept the governor's terms, but there is an opinion abroad
that the rebels, with the cunning which is so characteristic
of them, have to real peaceful intentints, and are only
waiting to gather strength to resume hostilities in the
northern parts of the Lama

The Australian moil brings addresses of condo-
lence to her Majesty oa the death of the Duchess of Kent
'Tom both houses of parliament at Melbourne
SUNDAY TRADING AT MANCHESTER.—The watch
committee of the corporation of Manchester, in consequence
of repeated memorials from shopkeepers who wish to
observe the weekly day of rest, have been attempting to put
an end to the extensive practice of Sunday trading in that
city. last February, it was found there were 2,218 shops
open on Sundays; after warnings from the police, the
number wee reduced to 453 in U.. following month, but
lately it has risen again to about 2,000. Yesterday, half-a.
dozen shopkeepers were summoned before the city magis-
trates, and though the cases were not fully proved, and dis-
missed, It was intimated that more vigorous proceedings
might be looked for if the system continued.