The Express.
London, England, 1857-07-28 00:00:00

AUSTRALIA.

ova cam

SYDNEY, MAT Mt
The fatality which woad seem to attach to all
attempts at establishing deem rota communication
between these colonies and England now thwarts
the em! ire of the European and Australian
Comps's% Hy the mail which left this place on the
llthMarch. >ou will have learned the mishap which
betel the pimieer steam-ship ere she had well lost
sight of the Australian shore, and her subsequent
detention for the space of tine month at King
Georges Sound. Of course, the matter will be
thoroughly sifted by the proper authorities at home ;
bat the gam•ral feeling here is that the Oneida
ought nut to have been sent out in a state which
rendered an accident such as that which occurred a
not improbable contingency.
The second ship, the Simla, was due at this port
on the 9th instant, but did not arrive till the rs•
morning of the 19th, being ten days over her si.
contract tine, which will make the delivery of her st
homeward mails very uncertain. The losses, there- r,
fore, which the company sustains at the outset are it
very heavy, and the opinion is almost universal that
the penalties incurred should be exacted, in strict as es.
eordance with the terms of the contract,
• • • N
Somewhat remarkably,st a time when the OnCIIIA s
Castor had shaken one faith in the European and Oa
Australian Compani, Mr. Champion Wetton the
agent of the Royal West India Marl Company, made
his appearance with a proposal to run a monthly
line of steam. rs between Sidney and Panama, selling si
at Auckland on the outward, and at Wellington cm s.
the homeward voyage, for a subsidy of 60,0001. a
year, if for seven years, and 80,0001. if far five only, w
of which sum the New Zealand Company offers to In
contribute 13.0001. S.
Several public meetings were held in this colony, I'
and a deputation waited upon Sir William Deanna it
to pray the executive government to take the none it
-
sire initiatory measures during the feces' of oar t.
parliament. The government is now in communica-
tion with those of the adjacent colonies on this sub- Lt.
ject, with a view to secure their co-operation, and I a
am inclined to believe that an arrangement will be
effected with Mr. Wetton. I think I may venture ,4
.
to affirm the the Parker Cabinet does not relish the is
scheme, end only defers to public opinion and a fear I::
that the opposition might make it a partys
measure mat session. This sounds almost in-
Credible, as the country cannot but benefit I:
by thc.adoption of this route; and the only reason I at
can =for the repugnance of the government for :L.
the ition, is their dread of too close a con- se.
action with the United States, and consequent im-
portation of democratic notions.
The only objection, so far as I;cen see, to the et.
scheme is the delay which must occur ere it can be It;
carried into effect, as the contract it not to come into is
active operation for two years from the date of !
agreement ; but perhaps this feature may be modified.
The advantsgvs which Sydney as a terminus would n
derive from the establishment of this line are too ob-
vious to need comment, and the impetus it will *-
give to our commercial relations with North :44.
and South America cannot be questioned. It is te
stated that in the transit between Sydney and lo
Southampton, 32 days only will be occupied during it
eight months of the year, and 33 during the remain-
owe
mg four. When the telegraphic connexion is corn-
pleted between England and America, we shall be *
brought within from 30 to 33 days of you.
The Royal y West India Mail Company also propose II:
to run a steamer monthly between -Auckland and s•
Melbourne fur 15,0001. a-year. is
It would appear that an Anglo-Australian Com- s
pony is projected for the purplae of establishing
telegraphic communication between Australia and
England eel the Indian Archipelago. The matter
will be brought forward when the legislatate
assembles. _

Considerable interest has been recently excited so.
by the pretended revelations of a convict named
lft.rbut, now uuder sentence at Cockatoo Island, par et
-
porting to throw light upon the fate of Dr. Leichhardt. is
According to his story the lamented explorer is still
alive, but detained a prisoner in a remote part of the et.
interior. where there is a flue, fertile country, inha. s
bited chiefly by runaways and refugees from the
earioas'eettlements. with which they still keep t se
an intercourse by means of sack-horses. is
amiable exiles are married to black women, grow
their own corn, and grind it in steel mills. Dr.
Leichhardt employs himself in teaching the yellow elt
children, and is well treated though carefully
watched. 49
Sir A. Denison himself examined the man Garbut,
as did also some gentlemen who had taken part in fe
the search after the lost traveller, and it is under- s
stood that they attach no credence to his statements.
It is felt, however, that more ought to be done in le.
the war of exploration of the interior, and I hare
no doubt that an organised system of expeditions
would lead to many valuable discoveries. se
In South Australia they arc about to despatch an 99
exploring party inland, and if the different colonies U
could he brought to act in concert, something on • m
large sonde might be accomplished. st.
In our commercial affairs there is a decided im-
provemeut occasioned by the intelligence received l•
per Simla of diminished shipments to these col°. U
nice, as well as of the high prices commanded by our "
produce in the home marketo. Credit is good, and a
healthy tone prevails in business. A considerable &
rise has taken place in the spirit market, Martell's
brandy being now held at 16s. 6d. to 17e. Ham is us
firm, N 3 to 30 overproof being held at Se. 9d. to r.
Geneva advancing. In been there is also mice •
briskness, Brass'o ale and porter being sold to ex- ;I;
rive at 104. 6d. to 10'. 9d. for quarts, and 71. Sd. for Me
pints. Bias and Allsopp's beer in bulk fetches u.
81. Se. on the average. Oilmen's stores are looking
up. Belmont sperms No. I have been sold for 16d.
and 160. se
In groceries great activity prevails. Dried fruits
in demand, and stocks low. Currants, 71d. to 81d.
ltaisi+ s, ltd. to 81d. Butter is improving. In boots et
and shoes, well selected invoices obtain from 10 to
25 per cent. advance. At
The drapery trade is steady, and seasonable pack- w-
ages fetch about the same advance as above.
SI.
Hardware is in fair demand.
Extreme rates role for Eastern produce, 61. 10s., for
and more being asked for conFous. Ilysonskin
61. Se. to St 10s. Coffee advancing. Sugars also, it
Fampanga being quoted at 421. per ton. Patna rice I 2
is held at 30e. per bag.
Flour is quoted at 181. per ton for best.ss
LSO
In wool there is little variati'm on the spot, the rise tee
having been anticipated. There is little tallow in w;„
the place, and hides have declined, 31s. being an
- outside price. Freights on London are low, being Is
for wool id. per lb., hides 20s. to 235. per ton,
tallow Sus. et.
Exchange on London—Selling rate 2} per cent. w
prem. ; buying ditto, 1 per cent. to If per cent. )1
perm.
The amount of gold received in Sydney by escort 11:
from 14 January to 2'2lid May, has been 63,588
ounces.
The quantity imported into the mint was 50,802 t.
ounces, and amount of gold coin loaned 202,50 W.
The government have advertised for tenders for 98
50,0001. of transferable and remittable debentures, I
bearing S per cent. interest.

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