The Sun.
London, England, 1861-02-13 00:00:00

AUSTpALIA.

We have received p ers from Melbmirne to
Dec.. 24, Sydney, Dec. 1, and intelligence from
A6laide to Dec. 26. -, _

The following is the list,of
.the new Ministry at
Melbourne :—Chief Secretary, Mr. Heales ;;Presi-
dent of Board of Lands and Survey, Mr. Brooke;
Treasurer, Mr. Verdon ; Commissioner of Public
Works, Mr. J. S. Johnston ; Commissioner of Cus-
toms, Mr. Anderson ; (' :..-rmissioner of Railways,
Mr, Loade- ; Mining Affairs, Mr:
Humffray ; Attorney-General, Mr. Ireland; Post-
master-General, —.
The Melbourne Argus says :

"We are now very near the termination of the
year, and still without that improvement or increase
in the yield of gold which was some time back so
confidently looked fur.
Anew gold field has been reported by Mr. Howitt,
the leader of one of the Government prospecting
parties, in North Gipps Land; and a rush on an-
unusually large scale has taken place to a locality
in the Maryborough district, known as ' Mackin-
non's Station. Some 12,000 people have congre-
gated there within two or three weeks, and the
reports at present are favourable. Another gold
field in the direction of the Ovens has been reported
by the leader of the Government party. His repre-
sentations of the character of the discovery are high,
and are at present) under examination. A fourth
new field is announced—in this instance in Kilmore
district—and extended claims are asked for by.the
proprietors. Quartz•crushing, however, is rapidly
taking the place of alluvial mining, and is extend-
ing over all the mining districts."
The Melbourne Herald says :
" The commercial features of the past month may
be stated in a few words. In connection with great
quietude, amounting at times to dulness, there has
been a growing firmness on the part of holders,
notwithstanding the lack of eager and large pur-
chasers, sellers have been steadily advancing their
demands, and in several articles rates more pro•
fitable to the importer have already been esta-
blished. The absence of activity in the market has
been owing to temporary and local causes, among
which the chief have been numerous holidays and
heavy floods."

Pram Sydney the news is unimportant. The
lierald observes respecting the gold fields :
" At no period has our great gold interest been in
a more healthy state'than it is lust now. Capital is
being invested in machinery to work claims in a
scientific manner, and as our diggers extend them-
selves over the country, we may expect to hear of
new fields and new treasures. Kiandra, perhaps,
has not fulfilled expectation, but the weekly escorts
prove satisfactorily that the average yield is two
ounces per man per week. The last weekly returns
per escort for the Western and Southern goldfields
amounted to 5,000 ozs., and this is considerably
under the yield, for much gold finds its way to
Sydney through private hands, concerning which
we have no account. In our next summary we hope
to be able to place before our readers the quantity
of gold received at the mint during the year now
just passing away."
The same paper has the following in reference to
the Now Zealand disturbances :

" Since the battle of Mahoetahi, no aggressive
movements on the part of our troops has been at-
tempted in consequence of the force at the disposal
of Mcjor-General Pratt being. divided, after that
event, between Auckland and New Plymouth. All,
therefore, that could be done was to act on the de-
fensive. This has been accomplished so judiciously
that few casualties of a serious nature have taken
place, and, the troops, although constantly on the
alert, appear to have been, to a considerable extent
at least, freed from that state of harassing anxiety
that prevailed prior to the engagement of the
6th ult.

In its commercial review the _Herald says :

" Since our last summary, dated 20th November,
the money market has continued tight, and great
caution is observed by parties having capital to in-
vest. The rates of exchange are without any altera-
tion, the buying rate for bills on London at 60 days'
sight being per cent. discount, and the selling rate
1 per cent. premium. The rates of discount remain
at '7, 8, and 9 per cent."

AFRICA.

THE KING OF DAHOMEY AGAIN.

The Royal Mail steamship Ethiope, with *the
mails from the West Coast of Africa, Teneriffe, and
Madeira, arrived in the Mertey at a late hour on
Monday night. A telegraphic summary of her
news Las been published.
Another barbarous affair had taken place at
Dahomey. The Tr'est African 1 crald publishes
statements from eye witnesses of the barbaric cus•
torn just perpetrated at Dahomey. In this fearful
narrative we learn that the grand custom of Bada-
hung, King of Dahomey, was one of the most
revolting which had ever taken place. Several
persons agree in stating that the number of persons
slain on the occasion was estimated at 2,000, but
another correspondent gives the number at 7,000.
He says he was present by compulsion, and that
the blood swept past him like a flood into a large
reservoir. Another gentleman, referring to these
inhuman butcheries, says--" I assure you it made
me quite sick, and at the same time I felt stunned.
The poor wretches met death with perfect indiffe-
rence." The 17erald, which gave Government
notice through its columns many months since of
I the intention of the King of Dahomey to hold an
unusual grand custom, in remembrance of the death
of the late King, concludes the recital of these
butcheries by stating that " Consul Foote has come
out with full powers to treat with the King 01
Dahomey as to the abolition of these human sacri-
fices."

The news from the Gambia is rather stirring.
The King of Badaboo, whose country is extensive,
and who exercises rule over 27 towns, the principal
of which lies about 60 miles above Bathurst Gam-
bia, has been at variance with the Colonial Govern-
ment of Gambia. The quarrel was occasioned by
his having plundered some of our merchants'
representatives who trade in his country. Repara-
tion for the injury done has been asked from him
at the hands of the Governor of Gambia (Mr,
D 'Arcy), and her Majesty's sloop Espoir, Commander
Douglas, has been up to the King's chief town to
endeavour to bring him to reason ; but as the King
treated such leniency with disdain, it has been
found necessary to make an example of him, and an
expedition.was being formed in Sierra Leone and
the Gambia for that purpose. The steamer Avon
was at Sierra Leone on the 21st January, and after
coaling, would proceed with the troops from the
various West India regiments now at Sierra Leone
to the Gambia, to cooperate with the troops there.
The force would consist of 1,000 men, exclusive of
400 Kroomen, to act as land transport. Draught
bullocks for the purpose of drawing the guns have
been sent for to Teneriffe, so that the expedition
was expected to be fully equipped about the 10th of
February.
Trade at Cape Coast was improving. The palm
oil season was expected to be very good.
Trade at Old Calabar was exceedingly dull, but
an improvement was expected in about six weeks
after the steamer's departure. River moderately
healthy.
Cameroons healthy, but trade was rather dull.
,11.M,5. Alecto was at Cape Coast Castle on jan.