The Liverpool Standard and General Commercial Advertiser.
Liverpool, Merseyside, England, 1844-10-08 00:00:00

AUSTRALIA.

Papers have been received from Sydney, reaching to
the 20th of May, and these give rather more than usual
premise respecting the prospects of trade, the markets
having recovered in a slight degree from their late de-
pression, and the mercantile interest exercising caution
in all their dealings. Wheat and domestic provisions
generally were very abundant, and the value of stock was
increasing. At a late sale working bullocks had fetched
£2 2s. to £2 17s. 6d.; cows, £1 7s. 6d. to £2 10s. ; and
the remainder of the herd, including calves, 18s. each all
round. These prices were regarded as satisfactory in the
present state of affairs. The recent land regulations were
still the subject of debate among the colonists, and the
inhabitants of Bathurst had held a meeting to forward
their petition atainst the measure. The Sydney papers
contain accounts from Perth, Western Australia, as late
as the 23d of March, at which date the manufacture of
glass, potash, vinegar, and the collection of gums and
dyewoods, were engaging the notice of the settlers. with
the view apparently of increasing their export trade, al-
ready exhibiting symptoms of improvement. Adelaide
papers of the 28th of April have also arrived. Local im-
provements were the order of the day in South Australia,
and as the rainy season was approaching, the state of the
public thoroughfares was a matter of some anxiety. The
question of political representation had been revived, and
the papers give the topic every advantage for discussion.
Of the expense of government loud complaints are made.
It is stated that the wenith and capital of the colony may
be estimated at £2,000,000 or £2.500,000 sterling, and
the annual profits of its employment about £10,000; but
yet to support the official staff £30,000 a-year is expended.
Without some reduction takes place, the fear is expressed
that the real prosperity of the place will remain undeve-
loped. Several appointments of £6OO and £BOO a-year,
it is said, are enjoyed by persons who have little else to
do than see that. subordinate clerks properly discharge
their duties. These offices, it is suggested, could be abo-
lished or amalgamated, and an immediate reduction effect-
ed, though it nevertheless appears that to properly revise
and regulate the matter as wished by the parties who have
taken up the subject, the whole civil list must undergo a
similar ordeal.

Since the above was in type further advice. have been re-
ceived via Bombay to' the 29th June. The examinatic n
of Mr. 'Spark, the insolvent manager of the Bank cf
♦ustralia, had elicibed the curious fact, that he, in course
of lour years, with his influence as deputy-chairman,
drew from it £45,000, the only equivalent appearing to be
a mortgage on part of his proper ty, valued at £B,OOO.
Some of tin other directors. it also_ apneared_lusit aupra.—
pristed =Owes to their own use in a similar n.ianner. The
colonial revenue for the quarter ending thit 31st of March
was returned at £61,161, being 416,817 deficient, corn-
pareil with the same period last year. A good deal of
excitement prevailed both al Sydney and Melbourne on
the subject of the eeperation of the latter province from
the government of the older colony. The town-council
had refused to petition the Queen for the desired disineea-
berment, seven voting whist six.

ARRIVAL OF THE " PETREL" FROM RIO DE

JANEIRO.

REDUCTION OF TONNAGE DUTIES IN THE BRAZILS.

By her Majesty's packet Petrel, Lieut. Cresen, arrived
et Falmouth on Saturday week, we have dates from Rio
de Janeiro, of July 28; from Bahia, of August 14; and
from Pernambuco, of August 21. Her freight is valued
at £45,000, in gold, gold dust, and diamonds. The fol-
lowing were her passengers :—Mr. Dale, British consul-
general at Monte Video). lady, and son ; Mr. S. Chap-
man ; Mr. A. L. Bonaffe, Mr. T. G. Borozzo, Don D.
Uriatto, Mr. T. F. Pereira, and Lieut. Suckley, R.N.
Her Majesty's packet Linnet, next following, Lieut.
Dicken, arrived at Rio de Janeiro, July 23, and would
sail on her homeward voyage, it was anticipated. in 14
days, consequently she may be looked for at the close of
this current week. The Alfred, with Commodore Purvis,
was at Rio de Janeiro. The Ardent, steamer, left Rio
for the coast of Africa on July 27. The Racer arrived
August 11, at Bahia, on a cruise, and sailed again next
day. The British barque Gwalior, from London for
Bombay. had put in with loss of topmasts, at Pernam-
buco, and sailed for her destination on August 21.
The Petrel's detention was from the pending negocia-
tions existing at Rio relative to the treaty with Brazils,
now about to expire; but it is confidently stated that it
has not been sent to England by this packet. The Linnet,
it is supposed, will positively bring this commercial desi-
deratum. The Royal family was in good health ; and the
Emperor maintained his popularity. No change has
taken place in the administration.
A material reduction is being about to take in the Bra.
zilian tonnage dues, to commence the 6th of November
nest, of which the following are the particulars: