The Sun.
London, England, 1857-07-27 00:00:00

AUSTRALIA.

MALTA, JULY 2L
The Peninsular and Oriental Company's fleet
steampacket the Simla, E Cooper, commander,
and Commander Keatley, RN., mail agent, de-
spatched from Sydney on the 25th 'of May, reached
Suez on the 12th July with 35 passengers, and gold
on freight to the value of 40,5801. She brought a
mail of 178 boxes and bags, of which 159 are for
Southampton and London, 17 for the overland route

(including those for France and the Continent),
and two for Malta.

The next homeward mail is advertised to leave
Sydney on the 15th June by the European, to be
followed on the 15th July by the Columbian, and
on the 15th Aug. by the Australasian.

The Great Britain left Melbourne on May 21st
with 101,600 ouuces of gold and 34,000 letters
from Victoria.

We take the following summary of news from the
Melbourne Argus of May 29 :
" Since the publication of our last overland sum-
mary a steady supply of gold has been received from
the mining districts, but the average weekly yield
has been below that of the past year. The employ-
ment of larger numbers than at any former period
of the mining population in deep sinking and quartz
mining, their consequent withdrawal from the im-
mediate production of gold, and the protracted dry-
ntss of the season account for the falling off in the
escort re urns. When the labour of the deep sinkers
has been consummated and the hoards of the shal-
low sinkers have passed through the process of
washing, the average of the returns of the current
year will be brought up to that of last.
" The steadiness with which the quartz reefs are
being opened up at a heavy c-st of labour and of
money, and the large sums expended in machinery
for extracting the metal, are sure indications of the
faith entertained by practical men in the hidden
'riches of our gold mines. Wo have stated that at no
'former period have such numbers been employed in
sinking. This remark applies especially to the dis-
tricts surrounding Ballarat and Beudigo. •At Bal-
larat shafts are being carried down at the Durham
and Delter leads, at the Gravel-pits and Specimen-
gully,s and all these localities promie to yield hand-
somely for the labour that has been expended on
them. The quartz reefs at Bendig'o are yielding
.fabulous quantities from the small extent opened
up. 'At Dunolly, water, which has hitherto been
scarce is now plentiful, and large quantities of th.-,
by comparison, poor • " washing-stuff" will now be
passed through the mill. A new lead is reported in
this district, about one mile and a half from the
Post-office, in which gold has been struck at a depth
ofso feet. At Maryborough gre vier activity prevails.
At the Avoca another powerful enginees the third on
the Avoca lead, is nearly complete, and will in a
short time be at work i❑ keeping.the water under
command. At Mqvor the puddling-machines are
again at work. The favourable accounts from the
Ovens are fully borne out by facts. The weekly
escort returns have averaged 6,540 ounces for the
12 months past, while large quantit es have been
sent down from this district by private hand.
" The following comparative statement of the
receipts by escort, and the shipments during the
first three months of the past four years, shows that
the year 1857 is second only to its predecessor :-
1851. 1855. 1855. 1857.

Oupces. Ounces. Ounces. Ounces.
Receipts by escort 482,091 407,391 748,209 527,154
Shipments

6 6 POLITICAL.

" When our last summary was transmitted to
England we were in one respect in a position pre-
cisely similar to that which we now occupy. List
is to say, we were at the latter end of a month's
Parliamentary recess consequent upon a change of
Ministry then, and we are in a similar position with
respect to a second change of Mwistry now., But
here the similarity ends. As we predicted some-
what more than a month since, Mr. O'Shanassy's
Mini.try was one that had no reasonable hope of a
permanent existence. There were then already
sufficient signs of the times to show that an over-
whelming majority, both in Parliament and
throughout the country, had no confidence in the
new Administration, and that it was doomed to
early destruction. So it proved.
"The sittings of Parliament were resumed after
the last recess on the 15th of April, only four out
of the seven Ministers having secured seats, the
Attorney-General (Mr. Chapman), the Solicitor-
General (Mr. Wo )d), and the Commissionerof Trade
and Customs (Mr. Greaves) having been rejected
by the constituencies to which they severally
appealed, although Mr. Wo-xl subsequently suc-
ceeded in securing his election for the Ovens dis-
trict.
" On the first day of the meeting of the Assena-
' bly Mr. Fellows, who had held for a brief period
the office of Attorney-General under Mr. Haines,
gave notice for the following day of a vote of
want of confidence in the O'Shauassy Government.
Mr. Fellows moved the resolution of which he had
given notice, declaring the then Executive t ) be
without the confidence of the house, and their con-
tinuance in office under these circumstances to be
unconstitutional.

" The debate commenced by Mr. Fellows was
adjourned at midnight till the following Tuesday,
but was not actually resume] till the thy after, the
much-lamented death of Lady Barkly, which had
occurred in the meantime, and the fact that her
funeral took place on the day appointed for the re-
sumption of the debate, having caused a tempo-
rtry suspension of Parliamentary business. On the
Wednesday, however, the Asssembly, after adopt-
ing an address of condolence to his Exc.sllency, re•
sumed the debate on Mr. Fellows's. mo!ion. The
debate was prolonged till seven the following morn-
ing, when a division occurred, and the Ministry
were defeated by 34 votes to 19. Mr. O'Shanassy
tendered the resignation of himself and his col-
leagues.
" On the next day of meeting of Parliament,
the folowing Tuesday, the announcement of the
names of the new Ministry was made on t'aeir be-
half by Mr. Sairgood :—Mr. Haines, Chief Secre-
tary ; Mr. M'Culloch, Commissioner of Trade and
Customs ; Mr. Ebden, Treasurer ; Mr. Michie,
Attorney-General ; Mr. Moore, President or the
Board of Land and Works ; and Mr. Knows,
Solici•or-General.

" The only new measure of any importance that
has yet been brought before Parliament is one for
the imposition of duty of 10s. per lb. on opium—
a tax which may be regarded as a sort of supple-
ment to the capitation-tat on the Chinese. Mr.
Miehie (the Attorney-General) has given notice of
a motion for abolishing State aid to religion.

" AGRICULTURE.

" The question whether agriculture will pay here
is still raised by a few of those who adhere to the old
system, and whose farms, being near the coast, are
open to competition from the neighbouring colo-
nies. In the interior, near the goldfields the ques-
tion is never asked at present. The higher prices
obtained for their produce enable the cultivators of
farms in these new districts to pay the current
wages without difficulty. The statistical returns
not being yet complete, we do not know exactly
how much additional land has been brought into
cultivation during the past season, but there is
little doubt of the quantity being large. Complete
returns have been received from five districts and
counties, and in all these except one there has been
a large increase. In the distirct of Bendigo there
were 5,052 acres under crop last season, to 1,439 in
the previous year; in the Ovens district 4,045 acres
in 1856, to 2,211 in 1855 ; in the county of Nor-
manby 2,730 acres in 1856, to 1,329 acres in
1855 ; in the county of Dundas 918 acres in
1856, to 480 acres in 1855. In the county of
Follet there has been little change, as there
is nothing grown there except what the squatters
raise for their own use. The numbers are 128
acres in 1856, to 123 acres in 1855. These five dis-
tricts are in different parts of the colony, the Ovens
being at the extreme north-easv, and the county of
Normanby at the south-west extremity, and will
afford a fair idea of the average produce. In 1855
the average yield of wheat for the whole colony was
28 bushels to the acre ; the average of these five
districts in 1856 is 26 bushels, and we may expect
this to be about the general average for the year.
" The best criterion of the prospects of the agri-
cultural interest here is to be found in the constant
demand for more free access to land. A Laud
League has been s'ablished with the object of ob-
taining greater ficilities for settlement on land fit
for agnculture, and the farmers are petitioning Par-
liament for the opportunity of obtaining the use of
a portion of the grazing lands. A petition is also
being extensively signed through the country
distracts for the establishment of a Board of
Agriculture. The want of a recognized head
through which information of all kinds might be
obtained is much fel*, as also the want of a
good museum, containing specimens of the m st
modern implements and machinery, and a library
of the best and latest agricultural works. Thee
are now many local societies springing up in differ-
ent parts of the country, and something like orga-
nisation and union is wanted among them. This it
is proposed to bring about by having meetings true
a-year, or oftener, of delegates from the several
societies, t gether with certain ex officio members
of the Government, the Professor of Natural
Sciences to the University, agricultural chemists,
and other persons devoted to sciences affecting this
pursuit. It is to be hoped that something will be
done this session towards the formation of this de-
partment, and it isimpossible
from tit. Theoforesee
callilmthateeadof-
vantages we may derive
Australia is suited to the growth of many valuable

plants and the rearing of many animals not yet in-
troduced, and systeniatiCaction in this direction,-
alone will greatly increase'our means of developiUg
the natural re:ources of the colony.
" The scarcity and dearness -of horse corn
have led to the trying of all sorts, of expedients
to supply the deficiency. Oats are enormously
high. Barley is scarcely to be had in suffi-
cient quantity for seed. Maize is scarce *and
dear, so there is a demand for oatmeal, gram, and
split peas. The only grain we have in abundance
is wheat, and this, being so much the cheapest, is
coming largely into for feeding draught horses.
"LAJBOTTR.
"During the past month there has not been •
much change in the state of this market. Good
mechanics have little difficulty in obtaining work,
but there are still too many labourers and unskilled
workmen unemployed, and the wages of this class *,
have been gradually falling. As wages fall the
demand increases, and the number of men unem-
ployed is not so great as it was. The late rains also
have enabled many of the employers of labour on
the goldfields to resume operations, and we now
Lear little of a want of employment in the interior.
Most of the men seeking work congregate in town,
and their ranks are constantly increased by the new
arrivals. Of these there have, been some
within the last few days, and we have-
seen instances of their being engaged on
the first day of their seeking employment ; but
these must be looked on as exceptional cases.
Many of them have to seek it in vain for many
days. For a short time female servants were more
numerous than is usual with us, and" their wages
fell about one-sixth—instead of 301. a year, ordi-
naty general servants had to accept 251. ; but the
number of those unengaged is again decreasing.
As far as the working classes are concerned, our
politicians have chosen au utifitrtunate season for
their Ministerial changes. These changes, and the
strong opposition to the Government measures
which preceded them, have caused a delay of three
months in e commencement of publlc works at
a period of the year when many of the labouring,
classes have nothing else to look to. After the
conclusion of harvest most of the men thrown on_
the market have no otber resources until there is
water enough on the goldfie!ds to allow of the
`dirt' being washed up, and the precious metal-
obtained. This channel is now open, ancl is
absorbing mos; of the unemployed men of the'
country, and the inconvenience and difficulty
arising from the suspeus'on and delay in the com-
mencing of public works cannot continue much.
longer. All classes seem to be strongly opposed
to any further waste of time, and the first work.
that will be expected from Parliament on the re-
sumption of. business will be the passing of the.
estimates and a definite settlement of the railway'
qu-stion, so that the works may be commenced
firth with.

"From the English papers lately received there
appears to be a strong feeling among the unem-
ployed in favour of emigration to Australia ; and
the btoppage of our grand scheme for the formation
of a large department, with plenty of money to
spend in forwarding labour to the colony will cause
much disappointment. This project is not likely
to be carried out as was originally intended. Be-
fore the arrangements were completed, our states-'
wen were stsrtled to find that, from soma cause
unforeseen by them, we could not employ the work-
ing men already in the country. This circumstance
was taken advantage of by the so-called popular can-
didates in attempting to se cure their re-election. They
pointed out the impropriety of sencl.ng money
away for the introduct on of more labourers when
there were so many idle men among us for whom
we could find nothing to do. But they either did
not see or were not honest enough to acknowledge
th tt the dearth of employment arose solely from a
want of foresight on the part of those entrusted
with the expenditure of the public funds, them-
selves among the number. The Parliament, and
by their authority the Executive Government,
very much influence the state of the labour marketi
and the unskilful use of this power may lead to
serious results. It was expected that the railways
and other works would draw so many men from
the regular branches of productive indu-try as to
cause quite a derangement of the business of the
country ; but while measures were being taken to
guard against the anticipated evil an unexpected
one arose. This again is likely to drive us into
the other extreme, and to prevent any mear4
being taken for the introduction of labour."

" MINING.
" It appears from our provincial contemporaries
that fortune still flings gigantic nuggets at the feet
of s.)me of her favourites. At the VVhipstick, on
the 30th ult., a nugget weighing 26 ounces was
taken up in the Scotchman's Gully, a short dis:-
tance from the claim where the 370 ounce nugget
was found, and on the day previous (Tuesday) an-
other nugget was taken up out of a different claim
in the same ground weighing 19 ounces. At
APltityre's a pers n named M'Evoy has a claim or,
,a quartz reef lately opened, and on Tuesday week
he took out from it two specimens, one weighing
1291 b. and the other 81b., 1371 b. in all. It is sup'
posed that about 401 b. efe quartz will be the out-
side, the remainder pure gold. On the following
dry he and his mate, a young boy, took out an'
other specimen weighing 1071 b., of which the be:ter
half is pure. gold. The claim is very little worked,
,nd the deepest part is only 18 inches. The finder
of the present lot is the same party who found the
nugget weighing 129 ounces 18 dwts. in No. 3
gully at M'lntyre's, which was the occasion of the
last rush. Of course these are the prizes in the
lottery of gold-digging, and there are plenty 9°f
blanks, of which we hear nothing. The gnarl°
reefs in various districts are yielding almost fabir
lous returns.

DEATH OF LADY BARELY.
" We sincerely regret to have to record the death
of Lady Barkly, wite of his Excellency the Go-ver;
nor. Her ladyship gave birth 'to a son on the Bth °.,,"
April, and fr ,m that time until her decease,
occurred on the 17th ult,, she suffered from a nervt
excitement, producing depression of spirits, fits 1"
hyst ria, and at length a complete nervous exhaljr
tiou terminating in death This melancholy event 10
cal!e I forth oue general feeling of regret for the
loss of a lady who had thus early succeeded in GI
l eating the respect and esteem of all classes, so
has also excited as wide-spread a sentiment of OP:
pithy for her bereaved husi and. The unpopulari%
acquired by previous governors had induced el,
pe )ple of Victoria to scrutinise with a watchful ain,..
suspicious eye the character and conduct of Si'
Henry and Lady Barkly, and it redounds, there;
fore, all the more to the honour of the decease:
lady to have won, as she did in so. short
time the confidence and respect of the people among
whom she came as a perfect stranger This she,ao;
complished by the-blended dignity and affability oi
her manner, her active and unostentatious further'
`ance of the objects of our charitable institution!,
and the cordial and intelligent interest she non'
fested in whatever promised to be of advantage t°
the colony and its inhabitants. And the excell.ent
qualities which were thus early developed in-t-"'"
too brief career of the deceased lady deepen and
tensify the grief we experience at her loss.
infant son only survived his mother for a fortnir
and his remains were deposited in the same gray
with those of Lady Barkly. .

The rains which prevailed during the sulnrcief
season have increased as the winter has advance,
It was expected that the moisture of the seis°,l
when dry weather usually prevails, would ""
counterbalanced by the dryness of the svaset,'
which is usually characterised by moisture.
Such, however, has not been the case.
nearly all prts of the country, the inforrnit:'be
is that a super abundance of moisture is
universal experience. Rains falling rivers riSificivo'
and creeks overflowing their banks, -tend-to deno
vast tracts of the country, and saturate the soirel ha
an extent rarely experienced in Australia. *dri,
result of this state of things is, that all those soot
cultural product,, to which an excess of rain is sot
positively detrimental, have exhibited a fruitftll°a
which is rarely equalled and never surpassed ;
the announcements of extraordinary yields are 0
th
Among other, one of the local papers gives
0;,,
tame of a farmer who succeeded in obtaining fto.
one acre of land upwards of eight tons of a' Pr
duA which is quoted in Sydney at 8/. to la ro..
ton. The cattle, tog, throughout the country
hibit the improving influence which the rains ha
re
had upon the pasture lands. " Mobs" of cage°to
sent to market, which are describe" as superiorble
any bred in the same districts fora considel.'„fa
period. In some localities the continued rains
had the effect which might be anticipated 10 e'ut-
ing au increased demand for land as P
poses.

GOLD CIRCULAR.
From the Sydney Morning Herald, May 23;
Memo .
Adelong... . per oz. £33 145 66
G
Tambaroora
3 14 1
Stoney Creek
" 3 3 u
,
Sofala and Turon
~ 313 0
3 12 13,
Braidwood SI 312 6
Hinging Rock
3 12 „6
Rockey River (clean)
Omeo l/
English sovereigns 4 per cent, premium.
American coins at a premium.
Chilian ditto at a discount.
French gold and silver ditto ditto.

The Netherlands Land Enclosure Con)13311;til.
issued a report preparatory to their meeting on ti.our
The operations of the past 12 months have been °Viola
ab'e, not only as regards the amount of additiooto nor'
redeemed, but also as to the crop obtained from the
ioru9t sown with i:olza last year.