The Sun.
London, England, 1857-06-09 00:00:00

AUSTRALIA.

NEW SOUTH WALES.
Our Sydney papers are to the 11th of April.
The two most notable measures of the month had
been the somewhat sndden prorogation of the Par-
liament of New South Wales, the first elected
under the constitution giving responsible govern-
ment to the colony, and the opening of the Great
Northern Railway. The speech of the Governor
in proroguing the council and assembly was in a
strain o congratulation. His Excellency had
praise for what the legislature had done, and ex-
cuses for what it had omitted, and great hopes of
what it would, do, with its acquired experience
and confidence. The public service, he said, had
been improvect,-The municipal principle strength-
ened, and the administration of justice rendered
more efficient by the bills which the Parliament had
matured and enacted. The credit of the colony was
in a highly satisfactory position ; and the country
had been blessed with a season of abundance and
•
prosperity.

The opening of the Great Northern Railway from
Newcastle to Maitland took place on March 30th.
The line has hitherto been called the Hunter River
Railway. It was commenced in Nov., 1854, and
its completion has consequently occupied nearly two
years and four months. The length of the line is
16i miles, and the cost of its construction ave-
rages 10,0001. per mile. The cuttings, except in
one or two instances, are not very heavy ; but
there are numerous bridges, one or two of which
were necessarily expensive. The line generally is
through a level country, but there are several gra-
dients, two of which are pretty severe, being 1 in
66 ; another of lin 100. Although in ascending
the two former a slight deficiency in speed is per-
ceptible, it is so small as to be no impediment to
the general character of the line. The amount of
earthwork performed is 418,000 yards, and the
sharpest curve on the line is one mile radius.
The line was originally surveyed by Mr. Hyam,
and his survey has been adhered to in the construc-
tion.

The train, which consisted of seven carriages of
the first and second classes, and which are admi-
rable and handsomely constructed and fitted,
started at seventeen minutes past nine from the
station, amid the cheers of the men and the waving
of handkerchiefs of the women, and the demon-
strations of rejoicing at the event and of respect to
his Excellency were continued at intervals, where
population could be collected, throughout the
entire trip.
The first mile and a quarter was completed in
three minutes, the engine being below its average
speed. At Throsby's Creek the train was stopped
to afford his Excellency the opportunity of exami-
ning the bridge, which is of some dimensions, and
his Excellency expressed himself highly satisfied
With the solidity of the work. The detention at

this spot was six minutes. The whistle having
sounded, the train proceeded at a much more
rapid pace, accomplishing the first seven
miles in twenty-one minutes, inclusive of
the stoppage, being at the rate of twenty-eight
miles per hour. Another stoppage of 21 minutes'
took place at Iron Bark Creek, the bridge of
which is built on piles over the creek, and is 132
feet across. The first and only station, at Ilexham,
was reached in 131 minutes, where the train stopped
for his Excellency to inspect the arrangements for
nine minutes. The, remaining distance, to the
station at East Maitland, was done in 201 minuts,
the time including stoppages. being 521 minutes,
and 35 minutes for the 161- miles of nett running.
The line is beautifully steady throughout, and the
trip was thoroughly enjoyed by every one of the
numerous passengers.