The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1854-01-08

Oar Australian Correspondence.
Melbourne, Sept. AZ, 1853.
Condition of Vietos1G-- Gold Diseoreiss-1ne
Markets-Ihs climste-- OPENING Of the Lsgisls-
fics Couasil--Ag aGtlon Of the Dtggrs for the
Abolition Of hs Lissxse Fss-Grterous Restric.
ttens os the Sale Of Lands, &C., Re.
send you this letter by the Shanghai, which sails
to-day, and which will reach you by the overland
route. 1t generally believed here that the mails by
thisroute will reach London quicker than these sent
the steamer Victoria which left here on Saturday as
she has to sAn st Adelaide and the Cape. have,
however. sent papers by beth steamsrs in order that
your readers may have the benefit of the earliest
arrival.
The affairs Of the c0lony-I mean Victora-are
in very abnormal state, commercially socially, and
politically: an enormous and continual influx Of
population, the ustuation in the prosperity OF the
gold fields, and the wretched policy Of an oligarchy
calling itself government, are the causes Of
this condition. Perhaps, with the exception of
Turkey and some other European States, this i'd the
worst governed country in the civilized world.
The price of gold rates at f3 les. Cd. per ounce
one-third advance has been paid for gold for imme.
date shipment The greatest "dsvelopement' which
have to report in the gold line is the discovery Of
large mine at Balaarat, one hundred miles from
Melbourne, fortnight since. Twelve hsles were
sunk down upon it, and the yield was at the rate Of
81 200 per foot. These twelve Jewellers shops
rival, II not exceed, any previous gold discovery
made in Australia. Old Bendigo still holds out to
the knowing Ones" but generally proves failure
to "new chums" We received last week. from b.
larat IL, l62 ounces Mount Alexander and Ben
dgo 26 SO8 ounces, and from all the Victoria dig
gngs total of Al ,227 ounces Up to the past week,
49, Al. .,uk 49, AL
tracted from the colony Of Victoria alone is II tons
8 cwt ORE ozs, which, at 75s. per ounce, gives
f6,429 40S. This does not include the product of
| the New South Wales mines.
The markets are glutAd with almost every descrip-
ton OF goods; even building materials have ceased
to form exception. Flour has risen in price, it
| is believed that American merchants will be very
chary in shipping that article, after their recent
sacrifices Fine -four sells at f33 f35, and
| seconds ut $50 f33 per ton. Boots and shoes,
clothing Of all sorts, and firearms are selling at
ton, and in many stores, at less price than their
original cost in England and in America. ! On told
| by friend, member Of large mercantile firm
here that this glutted condition Of the markets will
continue for the next six months 30 large have been
the part of merchants to hold in the hope that the
approaching spring, bringing with passabe roads
into the interior, will pus another face on matters
but this is very questionable. The thing is overdone.
| This colony, 30 far famed for its beautiful and
lovely and charming and healthful climate, does
not bear out its reputation. The rainy season
commenced in the early part Of May, and is not
yet over. We have had five months winter.
During the present month it has rained almost nces
sanity, making the unpaved streets very disagree
able and the roads impsssable in these "roads there
| are large boys. and when bullock team and dray
get into one there is chance Of their sticking
there for weeks. But we have escaped the usual
winter floods which turn Melbourne into little sea,
| and our numerous wooden houses into Noah 8
arks. When we do get fine day, it is as warm as
an English summer one, and the flowers being in full
bloom and all the trees evergreen the deception is
| complete.
There is o great deal of disease here Rheuma-
| tsm cramp, dysentery and typhus fever do their
work, especially in the diggings where they carry
of large numbers land when the summer comes, with
its intense heat and hot Winds and accelerated by
our crowded. and, in many cases, filthy habtations
| we expect the cholera morbus. We can easily get
this vsiter from India and as we have no sewerage,
| no drains, baths or washhouses, and but little
water, and that obtained from the muddy organic
Yara Yarra, it is very probable it will fsvorus with
The Legislative Council commenced its sittings in
St. Patricks Hail. on the 3Oth ult. An enthusiast Of
'the old tin KETTLE" i. the British Constitution
school, would have gone into ecstacies. The farce
was complete, save IN the upper House." Governor
| La Trobe arrived at the door of "The House" in q
carriage, accompanied by guards of honor and bayo-
nets thick in number As the prckles on the back
of hedgehog; he was attred in military costume,
and alighted amid the firing Of artillery and the
flourish of trumpets, but also amid the groans and
Kisses OF meagre crowd Notwithstanding the polit
/
| intent are they upon money getting the political
| conduct Of the Governor has been 30 contemplate
that his name and presence have become offensive.
| He is "squatter," and has acquired property of
100000. He leaves the colony in few weeks, upon
tho arrival OF his successor. His Speech to the
House astonished almost every member of it, by the
Inconsistent and vacillatng course of policy it pro-
pounded. There are about sixty members one third
Of whom are nominees" The debates are carried on
in miserable STYLE without much regard 10 the rules
fsyntax on the one hand or those Of political econ
omy on the other. To hear them discuss the forma-
ton Of CONSTRUCTION for the colony which power
the home government has conferred upon them,
| will be treat
The diggers at Bendigo and the Ovens have
by their agitation for the abolition Of the license
| fee Of thirty shlings month Large and violent
meetings have been held in the diggings end in
Melbourne, and active and passive resistance TO the
enforcement of the license fee has been resorted to.
Troops and artillery were ordered up, but 10000
armed diggers were prepared for them. Thanks to
the government no collision took place; and pro-
clsmation was soon afterwards posted up that the Ii
cense fee would be altered in this case For once
under British regime might happened to be on
the fright" slide.
But the policy of the government has been 80 ex-
traordiDary and amusing that | cannot forbear
stating it, 70 show your readers in what hands the
most important Of England's colonies Is placed. On
the LIST ult La Trobe wrote despatch in answer to
one received from the Governor OF New South Wales,
advising him lat all hazards to maintain the license
fee in bis colony; and in his Ua Trobes) speech to
the House, to which have alluded, he recommended
its entire abolition and the imposition of an export
duty on gold-.an impracticable measure unless
adopted In all the three Australian colonies, and
which in any case, will meet with the most deter
mined opposition by the merchants. A bill for the
reduction of the fee 10 e. for three months-as an
initiatory step-has been just passed.
The great cry here is Unlock the lAnds.' How
many thousands of persons have come to this country
in the expectation Of investing their little capitals ia
land, and have been most bitterly disappointed! No
land for you, gents-all in the hands Of seep squst
teri, who roam tracts Of territory extending ia
some cases to ninety miles for which they pay f10
year. There men the capitalists OF Australia,
while p, or dare not anywhere erect tent for
the covering Of himself and his shvering family with
appropriating the smallest piece OF wood which he
might find on the Crown lands, he is fined 40s.
which penalty is vigorously enforced. When the go
vernment do unlock" they will sell by auction