The Sun.
London, England, 1854-12-06 00:00:00

AUSTRALIA.

The arrival of the remaining portions of the
Australian mail, overland, furnishes details of the
markets and of general affairs.
The fifth session of the Legislative Council was
oponed on the 2d of August. The following was
his Excellency's address :
" Mr. Speaker and Gentlemen of the Legislative
Council—ln meeting you on this occasion of the ordinary
annual session, I am well assured, from the general
manifestation of the public sympathy which is now in
progress, that you entirely participate in those senti-
ments of devotion and loyalty to her Majesty which so
cordially animate every breast on the subject of the just
and necessary war with Russia in which her Majesty
has engaged, for the maintenance of treaties, the honour
of her Crown, and the welfare of her people.
"2. All the official despatches which have reached
me from her Majesty's Secretary of State, together
with a satisfactory communication from the naval Com-
mander-in-Chief, through the senior naval officer on this
station, will be lad before you. These documents and
other public intelligence indicate, in my opinion, how
very improbable is the contingency that hostilities may
be extended to this remote part of her Majesty's
dominions.
" 3. I have, however, to inform you that the rumours
of war which reached this colony through the public jour-
nals in January last induced me to send an application
at that time to England for additional arms,- and also
for one of her Majesty's vessels of war to be stationed
in Gulf St. Vincent, in order that, whilst confiding in
the superiority of her Majesty's forces by sea and land
as an ample safeguard against any open or serious attack
from the enemy, ti -• bravery and loyalty of the colonists
aggressionpproed dofestehreipir tibonear e
might be furnished with a timely supply of the most
marauding efficient and
tfhsarmansd, to repel T
any
this application no answer has as yet been received, but
may now soon be expected.
" 4. I have directed a bill to be laid before you for
organising volunteer corps of rifles and artillery ; in the
event of legislation for this measure meeting your con-
currence, the military, as also the armed police, will,
in case of need, be enabled to receive such an augmenta-
tion of force from the patriotism, zeal, and manliness
of the volunteers aS will ensure protection against any
hostile assault. The biil also provides for the eventual
formation, when necessary, of a general body of militia.
" 5. In closing the last session of this council, I ex-
pressed an opinion that the present meeting of the Leg's-
'attire might-probably take place under the new consti-
tution which you had framed. I have not, however, as
yet received any communication on the subject. The
delay which has hitherto taken place may, with great
probability, be ascribed to the European events which
were imminent when our local legislation was trans-
mitted.

" 6. I have much pleasure in informing you that the
public finances continue in a prosperous condition. The
remittances in 1853 for immigration were 140,1631.,
and in 1851 they will soon reach to 265,0001. ; whilst
the remittances for 1855 will probably not be less than
162,0001.

"Daring the current year, 4,344 Government immi-
grants have arrived. The population of the colony is
now 81,752. The increase during the last 18 months
has amounted to rather more than 13,000.
" The Crown moiety of the Land Fund, after provid-
ing for the survey and other local charges appropriated
to that fund, contributes in 1854,in aid of the general
revenue, 144,0001. ; and in 1855 the aid may be reck-
oned to be 60,000/., exclusively of the previously men-
tioned quota appertaining to the Emigration Fuad.
" The general colonial revenue in 1854 will amount to
about 190,1361., and is reckoned at 228,6511. for 1855.
"7. The estimates of revenue and expenditure will be
duly submitted ; and I have directed a bill to be laid
before you to constitute a trust for Port Adelaide to
raise a loan of 100,000/. for certain purposes of improve-
ment in deepening the harbour, and in removing its
muter and inner barn, as set forth in an address which
reached me at the clove of last session. It is proposed
that, in the first instance, the loan should be provided
for out of the general revenue, and afterward be repaid
by such means as may appear most appropriate and
effectual.

"A bill will also be laid before you to raise 250,0001.
for the construction of a railway between Adelaide and
Gawler Town.

"Also a bill to make the deposit of original deeds
equivalent to registration ; and another bill to amend
the Supreme Court • Act, as recommended by their
honours the judges.

"Some other legislation, comparatively of less pnblis
importance, will also be submitted to you ; and on other
subjects which I may have occasion to bring to your
notice, I will communicate with you in the usual form
by message.

" 8. In conclusion, Mr. Speaker and Gentlemen, I
would offer to you the expression of my cordial desire
that the mutual co-operation between the Executive and
the Legislature which has happily characterised our in-
tercourse throughout the whole period of my admini-
stration of the Government may continue uninterrupted
to the end of it, which the rules and regulations of the
service lead me to expect will now shortly be attained.
" H. E. F. YOUNG.

" Government-house, Adelaide, Aug. 2, 1854."
The reply to the address was, as usual, a mere
echo of its sentiments, and 'was passed without op-
position. The must important measure that has
been before the council is one to provide for the do-
fen ceuf the colony. The Govern or had already writteu
to England asking fora sten m frigate for th e protection
of the colony, and:as() forsome pieces of artillery and
2,000 Minie rifles. To this reclut.s.. a reply hasalrealy
been received, stating that the exigencies of the
uervice do not enable the British Government to
spare us a frigate, and that the Imperial arsenals
have been exhausted of thrir Minis rifles to supply
the wants of the troops, but that two field pieces
and six howiLe.:s would be sent out forthwith, and
that our order for 2,000 rifles had been forwarded
to a manufacturer with instructions to execute it
as Teedilyaspossible.

The market for colonial produce was dull, and,
notwithstanding the accounts from England of
better prices for tallow, there has been no rise.
This is, however, accounted for by the difficulty
experienced in obtaining vessels. Prices ruled at
501. to 551. for prime mutton, and 451. to 501. for
beef tallow. The arrivals of wool were scanty, and
prices were from is. to ls. 6]. per lb. The labour
market was better supplied, except for domestic
servants and suitable bawls for the agricultural and
pastoral districts, for which class of persons the
demand continued to exceed the supply. The rates
of wages ruled as follows :

" TOWN WAGES, -Printers' work, per week, from Si.
6s. to 3/. 12s. ; compositors on the stab,' 4/. ; Herald
morning paper, long primer, brevier, and nonpareil, equal-
ised, ls. Bd. per 1,000, and ls. 91. per hour overtime; the
Empire's rates are about the same; at these rates men can
earn, according to competency, per week, from 51. to
8/. ; painters, per day, 13s. to 16s. Bd. ; carpenters, 15s.
to 1/. ; joiners, 17s. to 1/. ; plasterers, 1/. ss. to 11. 10s. ;
plasterers' labourers, 12s. to 15s. ; bricklayers, 11.55. to
1/. 10s. ; ditto labourers, 163. to 18s. ; masons, 11. ss.
to 1/. 10s. ; ditto labourers, 103. to 12s. ; carters, Bs.
to 10s. ; quarrymen, 18s. to 1/. ; blacksmiths, 14s. to
16s. ; male servants, as cooks, and found, per week, 11.
to 2/. ; grooms, 1/. to U. 108. ; gardeners, 11. to
11. 10s. ; general work, 16s. to U. ss. ; female servants,
ditto, 10s. to 12s. ; cooks, 12s. to 15s. ; laundresses,
12s. to 15s. ; housemaids,
Ss. to 12s. ; nursemaids, 7s.
to 105.
"COUNTRY WAGES.-Farm labourers, 401. to 50/. a
year, with rations ; married couples, 60/. to 801. ditto ;
hut-keepers, 25/. to 30/. ditto ; shepherds, 301. to 401.
ditto •, stockmen, 40/. to 50/. ditto ; bullock drivers, 401.
to 601. ditto. The rations are-flour, 101bs. to 121bs. ;
neat, 10Ibs. ; sugar, 2lbs. ; tea, ilb. weekly.
" SEAMEN'S WAGES.-Coasting, 9/. per month ; New
Zealand, 9/. ditto • England, 12/. ditto ; California and
back, 81. ditto; China ditto, 8/. ditto; South Sea Islands,
81. ditto ; whaling, 120th lay, and 6/. advance."
We have been favoured by Captain Pascoe with
the following approximate return of copper and
lead ores raised in South Australia since the first
discovery of our metalliferous deposits :-
MINES (COPPER). Tons.
. 92,284

Burrs Burrs
Karlinita
Kanmantoo - 1
Ditto (leased portions)
512
Parings
300
Ditto (leased portions)
2000
Mon tacute ,
Adelaide 5OO
Enterprise 2OO
needy Creek 1,200
South /Clpunda ... 200
Kapunda
Princess Royal
North Rhine lOO
Port Lincoln 5O
Royal Mining Company CO
Dutton's Mine
Strathalban
Broadalbyn } .
Gloualbyn

250

115,520
MINES (SILVER-LEAD). Tons.
Glen Osmond 1,009
Wheal Watkins l,OOO
Wheal Gawler
Wheal Grainger 7O
Wheal Margaret l2O
Wheal Brothers
Belvidere

2,429
The value of 115.510 tots of copper ore, at 151 per ton,
w• 411,1 bc 1,732,500/.; and of 2,429 tons of silver lead or
at 12/. per ton, 20,141.

SIR T -HOS. TROWBRIDGE AT INKERMAN. Sever&
letters as; wed as the despatch have noticed Major Sir T.
Trowbridge's firm conduct in continuing to give orJere
after lie was severely wounded in a battery. But the
public are thus only half madcacquainted with his hernia
fortitude. His wound was indeed severe. Both aids feet
were knocked off by a cannon shot, and in that dreadful
condition he continued to eive his orders as if unhurt.
REPRESENTATION OF FERSIANAGIL—AII the local
" talk" of a contest for the seat vacated by the decease
of Sir Arthur Brooke has died away without leaving even
an echo of the loud noise it made for a few days past.
Lord Henry Loftus is to have a quiet walk over the
course. This resolve was taken at an influential meet-
ing of the gentlemen connected with the county, held
on Saturday last, at which a resolution was adopted, to
the ,effect that it was " inexpedient': to force on a contest
at present.