The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1854-05-28
Australia.
oUn MELBOURNE CORRESPONDENT.

QUIZ hhLoOuhNk tohhkSPONDkSoE.
MELBOURNE, Feb. 90 1854
D',clpl1giHg Accounts from the M,ncs-GycIt
MANNERS at The Victoria Diggings- Emigra-
tom 10 Participation on the australian Climate
-Prerol'u DISEASES Politics, Trade, and SIP
Nrps.
forward you this letter via Callao for the unlted
States, through Adams 4 Co.'s express.
Unless some new gold fields be discovered, and
those before long these Australian colonies will de-
cline very fast They are, in fact, now declining in
prosperity in consequence of the gradual and con-
tinued falling of in the yield from the various
mines. The once famous Bendigo diggings are near
ly worked out and have been comparatively de-
serted for Deighboring spots called Tarragower,
Mcintyre and Bryants Orange; but we are without
authentic reports to the results. The great ma
jorty of the dggers in poverty stricken state.
and eagerly follow any rumor which promises to
better their condition.
There are at least l50,0 900 the Victoria dig
gings whose individual average gains after deducting
the license fee do not exceed ten shillngs per week.
while it costs them double that sum to command
the bare necessaries Of fe it follows that large
number of persons are losing money, and there are
very few who get anything beyond bare living, con-
sequently, much distress and disappointment exists
aud the price of labor is reduced below the proper
level, although wages are now higher than they
have been for some time past.
Immigration has nearly ceased, compared with
what il was, the arrivals for the past three months
having been few.
There is good deal Of excitement here, caused
by the news from Caao. A large number of per-
ons, Chiefly Americans have sailed, and have taken
heir passages for the above port with the view OF
tying their fortunes in the Peruvian gold mines.
here now eleven ships up, which are rapidly
ling and If the receive confirmation, there
,il be d general clearing out, for there is >harlly
an who is not disguised with the uncertainty OF
he Australian gold fields, and with the tyrannies
md robberies to which he is subjected by corrupt
aid dishonest clique of individuals called the gov
erEment.
How many innumerable and barefaced lies have
been circulated throughout the civilized world
respecting the Australian climate II is the
surprise of every one in the colony how they get
circulated and believed. In the face of such mass
0flying and corroborated and believed statements
feel diffdent in stating the fact but know am
backed mp by all the deluded "charms," and shall
be borne out by every candid man who has expe-
rienced the Australian climate. The Australian
climate IS one OF the worst and most unhealthy in
the world the Coast OF Africa and other similar
places. We soaked with constant rains one halfof
the year, and are scorched up by brong sun the
other half, without drop of rain. AT the time
write there is not blade of grass to be seen in
the colony, and all the water we have is that OBJ
tanned from the muddy river Cara. The excessive
heat operates with potent effect upon pestilenria
accommodations and the reservoirs, substitutes for
aud large number OF persons are carried of by
cholera and dysentery which have been the epidem-
ics here for the last three months The measles and
small pox also do their share towards thinning the
densely crowded and sinking lodging houses and
tents. Two or three times week we are favored
with shot winds" which generally last for some
hours, and resemble il their effects the air from of
furnace They are conjectured to flow from off
some rocky plain desert in the interior. We have
also summer storms violent winds raising clouds
OF dust. which afterwards fall and render Mel
bourne, whilst they last, nearly unnhabtable by
beings having human lungs.
during the present year, up to the 18th instant,
225 ,264 ounces of gold have been brought into Mel
bourne-the past week showing the unusually large
return OF 40,700 ounces.
The markets are wen stocked with goods. Trade
Is very dull, and will continue until next October,
the commencement of the spring. As the st ,res in
the diggngs are gluted, and the roads during the
winter being nearly impossible, very little will be
sent up in that season.
Fine -four continues steady, at f33 per ton; sec
oads at fSl. L is said We shall want $4,000 add.
kona tons for the present year.
American water-tght pegged boots and shoes are
demand, as they are being bought up by the deal
yitfor the winter.
One or two of the American houses here are Civ
hg up business and clearing out OF the colony.
The Legislative Council are preparing constitu-
ton for the colony based upon property qualidca-
ton The squatters and the rich convicts having
got INFO this Council-which does not represent the
people OF the colony or the diggers-are determined
to keep all the power to themselves: but nobody
seems to care. The political apathy here is very
great.
would caution American merchants against the
statements put forth in these colonial newspapers
which exist only for the benefit of the storekeepers
and auctioneers here, who prey upon the yitals of
the foreign exporter. Every statement as to the
prospects of trade and of the gold mines if not alb
soluteiy untrue is always highly colored and equi
vocal. The reporters and correspondents are also,
generally speaking, rs corrupt as their employers.
The steamship Golden Age arrived here last week
from Liverpool, after fine run of fifty-one DAYS
thee hours, running time. She has created "quite
a sensation" here. She leaves for Sydney to-day.
| should not close this letter without mentioning
that the dysentery has carried off Mr.. Walker Jr.,
OF the firm Of Walker & Sons, of philadelphia q
merchant, and gentleman highly respected.
hr. Tarleton, the American Consul, arrived by the
Colleen Age grand banquet is to be given him.
A. w. IL.