The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1853-11-19
Australia.
OUR MELBOURNE CORRESPONDENCE.

Australia.
OUR MELBOURNE CORRESPONDENCE.
MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA,
August 20, 1858.
Voyage from Neso York to Melbourne Melancholy
Incident-7he Birds of the rop'cs--7he Aneri-
can Consulate Of the Port-I}ade and Emgra-
tion-Advice to Ship OUners-fHs "Diggins"-
Melbourne Morals-Pxblic improvements and
Popular Discontent--An Infant Republic, &c.
sailed from New York in the bark Oregon, Capt.
Higgins, for this port the 22d Of March last. We
had about two hundred passengers on board, gath
cred from Canada, and most Of the States of the
Union, Western, Northern and Southern. We had
passage Of one hundred and six days, having ar
rived out on the 9Th of June. We made straight
course for this port, and never saw land from the
time we left Sandy Hook until we saw the head
lands, not far from Port Philip We had no sickness
on board beyond seasickness, and Capt. Higgins
(irom the Old Domnion) was very clever to all on
board and as testimonial of his kindness, we, the
cabin passengers, presented him with silver trum
pet, to be purchased In New York by Greenway
Brothers. GO
Our voyage presented few incidents worthy of de.
TAIL beyond those usually encountered during
similar tedious journey. We had the misfortune to
lose one passenger poor Irish boy, by the name Of
Maloney, recently from the factories OF Connecticut.
He fell overheard and was drowned. His melancholy
fate was seriously regretted by all on board, whose
spirits were much dampened by the accident. The
beauty and splendid pumage of the tropical sea
birds we're admired by sll. We caught several as
they came near the vessel when rounding the Cape.
caught one albatross, which measured eleven feet
from tip to tip of his wings.
among Americans, to know who will receive the ap-
pontment Of Consul to this port. There are several
American residents in business here who have made
application for It. The Office has become one Of
mach importance, and promises to be lucrative.
| Whoever the fortunate man may be, trust that he
shall boldly act up to the principles OF repuoli.
can institutions, and display sufficient courage to
keep the stars and stripes flying over his head all
the time. 1t is great relief to an American to see
his national celors flying in the breeze of distant
land. Yesterday, for the first time since have been
in the country the American colors were uOiurled.
! The American merchants, go called by the Ameri-
cans, but by the English, " Yankee merchants"
are at least all who have capital sufficient to operate
on, succeeding though there is great falling
Off in trade, especially in merchandise, owing to the
great quantities which come in from America and
from England. The emigration to this place is enor-
nous, and reaches an average Of from 500 to l 900
people per week every week since arrived here
the bay Of Port Philip. Her passengers have not
yet been landed, but will be in q few days. There
are now about 500 ships laying in the bay, and a
and high. The charge at presents about thirty shl
lings per tom / would advise shippers to this pOr5
70 contract to have their goods delivered on the
wharf at Melbourne. Some consigners have hal to
pay heavy sums1 on Ighterage, or tt. abandon the
cOnsignments.
As the HERALD is read everywhere, not exec ting
Australia, Jour readers no doubt wish to learn ali
they can from the gold dggings.
Some OF my friends have this day returned from
the mines, bringing with them very dscouraging &C
counts, while others speak more iavoraby of them.
Some have been quite unsuccessful, while others
have made living and something over. But the
truth is the business of gold digging appears to me
to be mere lottery. l would as soou take 81 900
and bet it against faro bank worth IS 900, with
view Of breaking it, to expect to make fortune
in the mines digging gold.
Both the city and country infested with robbers
toan extent never heard Of in any other part of the
world. 1t is almost dangerous for man to step out
after dark in Melbourne, or to cross over to Colng
wood just across the river and which contains &c.,
600 inhabitants.
1t is pleasing to announce that the colony of Vic.
toia Is rapidly increasing in wealth and population
way or are projected. Among others, there is q
railroad now under contract from Breton to this city,
and also another from Williamstown to Melbourne.
Notwithstanding these and other indications of ad.
vancement there is widespread discomfort amongst
the ceonists generally. This not confined to Vic.
toria but the inhabitants Of the neighboring colo
MES are holding public meetings, and discussing their
grievances. Public meetings are also held TO dis.
the new constitution, proposed for the
ance Of the British Colonial government. The peo-
pie Of this colony, heretofore, have paid but little
II,
beginning to open their eyes, and think, from all
can learn from the most distinguished and influential
men, that the colony Of Australia will ere long be
compelled TO declare its Independence, and set up
new republic Of its own. And, may that day soon
roll round There almost enough Americans in the
colony with the hearty cooperation OF the mass OF
people to succeed.
The chief obstacle which keeps the English back
in their movements is they say, that they fear the
Yankees, in case of success, would take the island
from them. This, think, they hardly need fear at
present. as it is almost too far off for annexation.
There is now petition in cir :ulatioH for the pur-
pose Of putting down the odious tax gold diggcrs
and in favor Of it's moderation if its demolition is not
practicable. The people propose the substitution Of
tax on the gold actually obtained by the diggers,
and TO let those unsuccessful in its search go free.
II this reasonable change be not granted, you may
rest assured that determined resistance will be the
consequence. ALLEGHANY.
AUSTRALIAN AFFAIRs-NAvIGATIoN OF THE RIVER
MURRAY.
From the London Times, Nov.
fresh blue-b0Ok on the affairs of Austr ALA which
has lately been issued, furnishes the materials for
resume OF the steps adopted up to the present time
for accomplishing that vital object forahe develope
ment Of tbecountry-the introduction Of steam navi
CATION on the river Murray. 1t appears that the
navigation of this river for steamers of light
draught has been ascertaned to be practicable for
distance Of 800 miles from the peighborhood OF
its mouth in the colony OF South Australia, through
territory Of undisputed richness, which constitutes
the respective frontiers Of the colonies of Victoria
and New South Wales. An obstacle, how ever, ex-
lists to the conveyance ofproduce fsm these districts
to the sea at Encounter Bay, South Australia in
consequence OF the surf the beach where the river
discharges itsef which renders exit or entrance i'm
practicable To obvate this difficulty IL has therefore
been proposed to construct tramway from the bay,
seven miles In length, up to that part of the river
where the impeachment ceases, while at the same
time prizes have been voted by the lie sisative cou-
Gil Of South Australia for the first two steamers
that shall successfully navigate the river to the
point of its junction with the Darling, distance OF
49O miles. The construction of the railway has ap-
peared to Sir III. Young the governor to be the first
and most important object to be accomplished, mas.
much the opening up of the river by steam vessels
would be of little use without good facilities for
poston ,om the y VIZ tovnsneone at dsasds Ip
fear that the shipping trade Of that place may
be rivaled by new port, 80 near to II that the
authority was obtained from the home government
for carrying II into effect. The estimated cost Is only
Ell 900, and IN to be betrayed from the crown
land fund: hut althounh fhe aanefion Of fbo