The Sun.
London, England, 1853-08-15 00:00:00

BT GOVERNMENT ESCORT.

Ounces.
April 2.—From Mount Alexander 6,337
„ 9.—From ditto
„ 9.—From Ballarat 5,789
„ 9.—From the Ovens
„ 9.—From ditto
„ 16.—From Mount Alexander 9,464
„ 16.—From Ballarat
„ 16.—From the Ovens
„ 23.—From Mount Alexander 32,906
„ 23.—From Ballarat
„ 23.—From the Ovens
„ 30.--From Mount Alexander 19,991
„ 30.—From Ballara,t
„ 30.—From the Ovens
May 7.—From Mount Alexander lO,BOO
„ 7.—From Ballarat
„ 9.—From the Ovens
„ 10.—From Mount Alexander 11,715
„ 11.—From Ballarat 4,396
„ 12.—From Mount Alexander 9,858
„ 15.—From ditto
„ 16.—From the Mlvor
„ 19.—From Ballarat ........
„ 19.—From Mount Alexander 13,756

Total .

.. 200,032

BY PRIVATE ESCORT.
April 2.—From Mount Alexander...
~ 9.—From ditto ...
„ 30.—From ditto ...
AI ay 7.—From ditto
~ 15.—From ditto ...

Total ... ...
By Government escort

17,947
13,982
2,963
6,628
7,000

. 48,520
200,032

Total brought down by escorts ... 248,552
To this must be added 20,121 ounces brough,
down last week, completing the returns to the 25th
of May, making the whole amount for April and
May 268,673 ounces. The weight of gold shipped
to London from Victoria in the present year al-
ready amounts to 37 tons 11 cwt. 11b. 9oz. ; value,
at 31. 15s. per ounce, 3,382,9531. 15s. sterling.
The operations of the mining companies have not
yet gained for them the entire confidence of the
public in the colony. It is the general opinion
here that for some time to come it will be impos-
sible to keep a sufficient body of workmen together
to render mining on a large scale profitable.
There are peculiar influences in the colony that
tend to break up any organisation for gold mining
not formed on the principle of share and share
alike, both in the work and its profits. It is not
the best system, but perhaps the only one practi-
cable at present. Unless the companies can give
the highest rate of wages men can make, or even
hope to make, at the open diggings, they will not
work for them long ; skilled miners are even less
likely to be retained by employers than any other
class ; they will be tempted by very high offers to
become leaders of these small mining parties, to
whom their experience will make them invalu-
able. As to enforcing agreements by law in the
colony, it may be possible to a certain extent,
but not for any length of time. Compelled
service will soon be found worthless ; and though
prosecuting their men may afford some degree of
satisfaction to a board of directors, it will not pro-
duce dividends. Such is the character of colonial
predictions ; though the possibility of mining for
gold profitably on a regular system, in any other
state of society, is fully admitted. All the condi.-
tions of the labour market are thrown into confu-
sion or reversed, and all undertakings that require
intricate and permanent arrangements are sus-
pended or cannot be commenced. One mining
company here, is already, it is rumoured, on the
point of being broken up ; and Mr. Hargreaves,
the Crown commissioner for exploring the gold
districts, in his last report to the Colonial Secre-
tary, dated the 10th of April, says—" The Great
diligently
endeavouring Quartz Vein Mining Company is
endeavouring to ascertain the extent and value of
their claim, and is in the course of establishing
more extensive machinery than is at present in
operation ; it appears extremely doubtful that the
vein will ever repay the capital that has been ex-
pended upon it.' For expressing this opinion, the
secretary of the company, Mr. Mitchell, has called
on Mr. Hargreaves to state as publicly on what
data or special knowledge he founds his opinion.
The question has not yet been answered. Of the
six gold mining companies five are noted in Bar-
ton's Share List without any quotation of a price
for their shares in the colony ;of one—the Great
Nugget Vein Company—the last London price of
its share is alone given.
Her Majesty's birthday, the 24th of May, was
very loyally observed by, the citizens of Sydney ;
the shops were closed, and a general holiday kept.
The Governor-General
held a levee on the 24th,
and gave a grand ball at the Government-house on
the following evening.
Rents continue to rise in Sydney, to the dismay
of all who have only fixed incomes and no lease.
Provisions, though far below Melbourne prices,
are high, and the large importations do not appear
to bring them down, as the purchases for the Mel-
bourne market are extensive. The great mass of
immigration goes to Port Philip ; but the real na-
ture of the work required for successful gold-seekhiong
is becoming more known in the colony, and t
to
who cannot undergo severe toil are compelled
find other employments. Wages have probably
reached their highest rate. This cannot be pre-
dicted of house-rents, as there is comparatively_
little building going on. Capital makes a quicker
return in other investments, and skilled labour
cannot be procured in sufficient quantity to con-