The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1853-11-13
INTERESTING FROM AUSTRALIA.
SOME ACCOUNT OF OPHIR NO. Q
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ONE OF THE LATEST SYDNEY LETTERS.
Our Sydney Correspondence

SYDNEY August l6, 1853.
Situation Of the City-Hs Business Prospects
Public Buildings-The Erchange-Post ONce
Holds Theatrs--Negroes in Awsfral'a'-
Drinking Hotsses-Nex sp Ipers-dmer.c0m En-
terprise Needed in Australia-Ihs Gold Fields,
etc., etc.
Australia is the fifth, or as the late Sydney Smith
has denomnated il, the "pick pocket quarter ofthe
globes" it is now growing rapidly in importance, not
only In the estimation of its own denezans, but in
that of the rest of mankind. Knowing the gre in
terest that is felt at the time In regard to it
by your readers, propose to give you for their
benefit, some account Of the sayings and doings Of
this rising people, and to keep You duly advised of
all matters of interest transpring here. This city, SO
far regards location, has perhaps no superior on
earth-it is situated on bay of exquisite natural
beauty, having on every side fine depth of water
to it's very shores, with harbor in extent sufficient
to accommodate the commercial marine of the world
Sydney has within her grasp most of the
clements to insure her speedily becoming
great city; her geographical position, noble
harbor, delightful climate, large capital extensive
stone quarries at her very door, her immense back
country now rapidly being peopled by the Anglo
Saxon race, her increasing foreign commerce, and
the inexhaustble treasures of her adjacent GOLD
felds-all combine to point ont her destiny and tel
the story Of her future grandeur. 1t needs no pro-
phetic eye to that long she will be entitled to
the speculation Of "Queen Of the Southern Ocean,"
Business, to an American, seems to be conducted
in slow and limping manner; yet the aggregate is
large, for few Of our extensive merchantslcan call
Their profits for the last year less than from ELS 900
to $40 900. No horse power nor steam engines are
called in requsition in the discharge Of cargoes;
manual labor alone does the work, and have known
in San Francisco clipper Of the first class arrlve
discharge, clear, and be on her voyage in a less
space of time than is required here for one of half
her size to give delivery Of cargo. have nine
men hosting single barrel of flour into the second
story of warehouse. This tells a tale of inertuess
and reflects upon the character of o commercial
people.
Another instance Of the want Of Yankee goahead-
iveness manifests itself in the fact that although
rents have increased enormously, and great want Of
comfortable accommodations, both for residences and
business purposes exists very few buildings are now
being erected to meet the Increasing demand. The
only excuse given is, high price Of labor and mate.
ras both Of which, if employed at their present max
imum, would give an immediate interest of twenty
to twenty-five per cent per annum on the investment.
The capitalist thinking the laborer not worthy of
his hire, wants to reap fer himself all the benefits
arising out Of the new regime; but the lowly me.
chanic and the man of toll begin to and feel that
they too human beings entitled to something
than mere beegarly existence have taken the mat
ter into their own hands, compelling the rich proud
man to bend to their demands, and with the coming
pring season lively business in the bull ding line
will commence. The houses here are generally Of
sandstone, on field Of which the city stands but
little taste is displayed in their style Of architecture
and with few exceptions the city can boast of no
handsome edifces either public or private
The Government House is, par excellence. the
building Of the colony. Its proportions and style
are really beautiful, and in good taste throughout
1t stands in the midst of lawn, overlooking the
magnificent harbor, adjoining which are the govern.
ment domain and the farfsmed botanical gardens,
gemmed, even now in the midst Of our winter, with
part Of the known world, presenting scene of quiet
beauty to the eye of the vster not to be surpassed
even in Europe or America.
The Exchange, 80 called, is miserable affair."
very badly conduc'ed-opeus late and closes early,
and always has the very latest news-so late that
most business men have it ia advance of their books
have seen the agent placing upon its files foreign
papers three days after arrival and have known
ships telegraphed early one morning. not to be re-
gistered until late next afternoon. superb edifce
ls now being constructed, however, to supply its
place, and with it hope will commence better
The Post Office is not much better in its manage.
ment; in this respect it is second San Francisco.
Letters are not unfrequenty detained two or three
days in its dark repositories to the great annoyance
of the merchant the Spectator, and the lover.
This being almost o free port, but little room
u required for custom house, The building stands
m Circular Quay, is ample and convenient in its
an @ for business purposes is surmount
There is an abundant supply Of churches in the
market for the present demand many, no wever, are
in an unfinished state, some having one side OF eabor
Cathedral (Episcopa) which was commenced more
than twenty years since on grand scale, stands now
in half finished and rooless condition, quite re-
Election on the religious character of the wealthy
desperate effort by the people, seconded by the in
luence of the Bishops of New Zealand and New Cas-
lie, to raise funds for its completion; they have
eeded, and ere long the church will have roof, and
he new Bishop covering for his heal. The Roman
Catholics manage things better; they are numerous
lere, and have the finest houses Of worship.
The Victoria" theatre is the only one in the
ity; it is small and badly constructed, and, until
bad management, and the low character Of talent
mplOyed. Quite change has now come over the
pint OF the people, induced BY the appearance Of
s sa Un MS aah arrival the New Orleans
verything American, he could not obtain an en-
sgement; that feeling towards him has now been
vercome, and he is playing every night to crowded
ouses, and making fortune Stark has improved
Immensely since he LETT the Eastern States, and is
ow unquestonaby one of the first actors of the day.
aturay OF fine mind, i'm sginaton, and good taste,
has by his temperate habits and hard study, be-
me beautiful reader, whilst his genius has placed
conception Of character BIZ side the best delinea-
rs on the English stage.
The market Is entirely bare of the better descrp.
pms Of hotels; an importation Of first class Ameri-
n, would pay handsomely, say from three to five
hin cas- per week. The Royal is the largest house,
well located in George street. Of good dimensions
fairly planned, but is a most filthy place Of So
irn, with high charges, bad fare, incompetent ma
gers, ADD impudent and lazy servants; and this
eat hotel is rented by the week. The Ex
ange, kept by Johnson, "ngger," is beyond
question the hotel Of Sydney it is upon
American plan, beautifully furnished and the APP
yro--the clerks and employees white men. What
uld young Southern STAKEHOLDER think il he
Q fine looking moustached white man bending