The Sun.
London, England, 1853-01-12 00:00:00

fabric occupied two men three days in bnibling it. Al-
though they should be no more than a month on the
ground, they were determined to make themselves com-
fortable during that period. They have now been here a
fortnight, during which time they have been sinking holes
of the usual depth, but have not yet succeeded in finding
any gold. They have not yet much reason to complain,
however, for before another fortnight they may hit upon
a hole which will abundantly pay them. With the pros-
pect of obtaining a moderate share of the gold to be
found, I will venture to assert that the party are happier
and more contented in their humble abode than the
proudest and richest man in the colony."
The following is from Mount Alexander and
Bendigo :
" Most of the old diggers are now off home for a few
weeks from the effects of the late heavy rains that have
fully swamped the gullets and flats, which previously
were turning out very rich both at Forest Creek and
Bendigo. Little Bendigo and Wattle Flat are favourite
spots at the former, but they cannot be worked effectu-
ally for some weeks from underdrifts of gravel and sand.
The roads are in a desperate state, especially the Black
Forest and its neighbourhood. Bush-ranging is still
prevalent. Four men on horseback, on Saturday week,
" bailed up" the proprietor of a coffee shop on the Keilor
Plains, robbed him of 101., and used him in a most
brutal manner, finishing by smashing a bottle of milk on
his head. On Sunday they robbed another poor old
man on the edge of the Black Forest of a quarter pound
of tobacco and a few shillings, all on his person. On the
other side of Kyneton they robbed a traveller of 235.,
and not being satisfied with that, they shot the poor fel-
low's wrist off, which, with other wounds, ended in his
death on the following day. We are glad, however, to
learn that the police are in hot pursuit, and likely to
succeed in the capture of the ruffians. The diggers
greatly complain of the exorbitant extortion of the road
innkeepers, especially the Coliban and Deep Creek, but
the particulars of these numerous complaints are at pre-
sent too voluminous for our purpose."—News of the
Week (Geelong.)
The same paper also contains the following letter
addressed to the Director of the Anaki exploring
party with reference to the Anaki Gold Field
" Anaki Ranges, 9th Sept. 1852.

" Sir,—Enclosed I. beg to hand yOu a sample of gold
obtained by the party under my charge, on Sharpe's
Run, near a Creek that empties itself into the Marra-
bool River, about four milies from where we got the
gold. There is at present too much water in the Creek
to sink so near its bed ; but in all the holes we have
sunk in this locality we have found gold, though, as
will be seen by the sample, it is rather light. I have
no doubt, that had we not been troubled with too
much of what is rather dear at present in Geelong,
namely, water, we should have come to something
heavier. But as we were sent out to explore this
part of the country in search of a gold field,
and having found one that will pay, rather than waste
our time in baling out holes to little purpose, I think it
more the duty of this party to ascertain the actual ex-
tent of the gold field, which we know at present to ex-
tend a number of miles. It only wants a large " mob "
of good and determined diggers to establish, in my hum-
ble opinion, as Ballart, the Mount, or the far-famed
Bendigo. We have not only found gold by sinking, but
on the surface, and when the weather takes up, so that
sinking in the beds of the creeks and gulleys, will become
available, the yield will be equal to the expectations of
the most sanguine. This day I have been out, and found
another place more in the vicinity of the Marrabool,
which I think a likely place, and I intend to quit this,
and camp there, which I intend to be our last remove,
till we start for town.
" As regards the gold field we have found, being sup-
plied with water for a summer digging, I have only to
say that there will be no scarcity of that article, if those
who may think proper to come out will not think it too
much trouble to cart the stuff three miles, when the
water in the creeks fails.
" Hoping that we stand some chance of not only ob-
taining the promised reward, but the good opinion of
the inhabitants of Geelong, I conclude with saying that
you may look on this as my last letter on the subject,
for it is my intention, after exploring a circuit of four or
five miles round our intended camp, to return to town.
" The men composing the party under my charge,
have acted strictly up to orders, and as men determined
to carry out the grand, object they were sent out for, to
the satisfaction of those who sent them.
" Hoping that the Gold Field which we have found,
which is only twenty-four miles from town, may prove
a benefit to Geelong.—l am, &c.,
THOMAS OLDMAN."

THE SYDNEY GOLD FIELDS.--Mr. Cohen, a Sydney
gold broker, expresses a confident opinion that, on the
return of the fine weather, there will be a very great and
productive reaction in the yield of the gold fields of
New South Wales. He states that this opinion is based
on positive information, and so confident are the Sydney
miners that many who have temporarily ceased opera-
tions, continue to pay for their licenses until spring fairly
sets in.—,Geelong News of the Week.

AUSTRALIAN MARKETS.
THE WOOL MARKET.
The second series of sales in 1852, comprising the first
arrival of the colonial clip of 1851, with the exception
of the 400 bales received by the Phenician, and sold in
February, commenced the 20th of May, and terminated
this day.
The quantities sold, were—

6,146 Bales Australian wool
8,994 " Port Philip
4,963 " South Australian
4,420 " Van Diemen:B Land

. 9
6,600
65

30,897

" New Zealand
" Cape, including 18 Port Natal
" Swan River

The attendance of buyers was very numerous, and the
biddings more than ordinary inspirited by those for
foreign account.
The stock at the close of the sales in February, was
nearly exhausted in the ports, and that in the hands of
dealers and manufacturers has been since gradually taken
into consumption ; of the small remainder, a considerable
portion was purchased just prior to the present sales on
foreign account, at a slight advance on rates, which
the dragging trade of our manufacturers had afforded.
Considerable anxiety has spread in Yorkshire as to
the result of the probable desertion of their ordinary
pursuit by the colonists for that of gold getting, and the
consequent insecurity of the clip of 1852.
Active, and we hope effective measures were taken, in
concert with parties in London interested in Australian
affairs, to supply suitable labour for the flockmasters, at
least for the next shearing—this movement had some
slight tendency to favour the expectation of an advance
in prices.
Money had been somewhat abundant, owing to the
continued expansion of the basis of the circulation and
a slight disposition to 'speculation has manifested itself
in different directions.
The arrivals, partly from a prevalence of easterly
winds, were less than had been expected, and at the
opening were 17,000 bales below the quantity sold at
this period in 1851.
These circumstances, together with a continued active
inquiry from abroad, combined to produce a competition
of real demand, which has stimulated prices to a range
hardly anticipated, and (without an advance in the price
of goods) higher than our consumers can afford.
All descriptions have participated in the improvement
in price, which may be taken in the average at 10 to 15
per cent., part was taken on speculation, whilst the
quantity for export to the continent is probably not less
than 6,000 bales.
Some few flocks which formerly have been received in
good condition, have come in grease, and realised fully
equivalent prices. Burrs and prickly seeds have also
been observed in clips of esteemed quality, though more
than usually overlooked by the buyers ; but generally
the care and energy of the colonial flock-masters, under
existing circumstances, is much to. be commended, in
having sent home many favourite clips in undiminished
splendour, and although a large proportion of wools
from Adelaide are still loaded with yolk i and dirt,
several brands in better condition have been received,
and realised satisfactory prices. ,
Scoured wools still find favour with the buyers ; and
it is hoped that :the increased cost in the expense of
washing and loss of weight is sufficiently compensated.
East India wool in large supply, but was readily
taken at an advance of about id. per lb. on previous
rates.
There are now here nearly 9,000 bales for the next
public sales, nearly all of which, though some arrived off
the coast within a day of the opening, have been very
seasonably withheld according to the wholesome and
established regulation of the trade, which last year pre-
vented an undue pressure and decline, and on this occa-
sion has assisted in securing the increased value, which
is only perhaps equivalent to the altered circumstances
and prospects of the supply.
It is breaking faith with the buyers and destroying the
market to exceed the limits agreed on, and to hurry on
wools not Out of the ships, just at the close of the sales.
A cargo, via Hamburgh, from Port Philip, has been
received here, as the most concentric market for sale
and distribution, even to the continent itself.
The continental wool fairs now taking place will
probably' contribute to establish a firm market at the
next series.

CATTLE AND
THE
In the cattle market, inMeßlbou.
177 head of fat bullocks and heifersMaße Melbourne, on EreMTSnso.oldadt
auction by Messrs.ya
of fourteen bullocks realised
and Son. The best pen
others went off at realised
91. Ns. per head, the
heifers, i n
prime proportionatecondi prices. Four pure
and although purchased condition,
sold at 9/. per head,
opposed him up to that ya. breeder, the butchers
we are correct in stating gantee We believe that
these are the lugheEt
prices obtained for fat cattle
since 1840, and al-
though we are informed that they must be
the
looked
upon to a certain extent as temporary' being
result of impassable roads, and a he demand,
heavy
still it would seem that the melting pot,ath tgreat
safety valve of our colony in the hour of need, has
seen its best days.
Messrs. C. J. Dennys & Co. have sold at their yards,
in Ryrie-street, inferior draught horses from 45/. to 50/.;
hacks from 251. to 351.; inferior ditto from 151. to 201'
Good draught horses are very much in demand, and as
the summer is about to commence the demand will con-
tinue to increase. Horses -and carts are fetching from
851. to 1201.
In the Sydney markets there has been a slight im-
provement, but the expectation of large importations of
all kinds of goods from England prevents a rapid advance,
Which would otherwise have taken place as the season