New-York tribune., 1868-12-17

and impede the view Imagine Broadway an unin-
terrupted arcade, high, lofty, and light
Tbrouchout Melbourne thereis evidence Of wealth,
and of abundance of capital. The stores are large
handsome and well filed; yet the cost OF living IS
not hiQh good meats can be had at from hye 10 mne
cents per pound and other necessaries are almost
equally cheap Luxures only are dear. The public
buildings, too, are commensurate with those that
have been built by private enterprise; and among
them the most prominent are the Post-Ohice, PuDhc
Library. ard Parliament House. These are commo-
dious structures of the highest architectural preten
sion and any of them would be much more than an
ornament in any of the finest cities of Europe.
may here remark that the contract for erecting the
Post Office was taken by the Associated Masons at
time when strikes were most fashionable in the Col
Ony. This association undertook to complete the
work with little or no other capital than was com
prsed in their own labor. They began rghJ wen,
and the workingman's member of AssemDly-Who
sat in Parliament for COllingwoOd-m be seen
there chipping stone in the morning as preliminary
TO his Legislative duties i'll the evening. But the ex-
pertinent did not succeed. The members OF the AS,
sociation soon began toquarrel among themselves I'll
and so this handsome building is not, as was thought
il would be, monument of successful cooperation
The railways in Victoria are constructed upon the
English plan and are as finished and permanent as
fhe hest lines in the old country An idea was once
started of introducing the American railway cars out
they were generally condemned, ana the Engish sys
The longer railroads and some OF the shorter lnes
TOO, were constructed by the Govermnent-chleiy
with money obtained on debentures, and the colony
has had no reason to regret the obligation 1t is ex-
pected that ere long Melbourne Will be connected by
n good permanent double line with Sydney, the capl
tai of the nelghboring colony OF New sonth wales
The length of such line would be about 0OO miles,
hut t would be only IN part OF system OF cOnmunl-
cation which will in few years extend from bIls-
bane in the North, TO Adelaide, In South Auslah3
aud of which several portions are already completed
besides those between Sydney and Melbourne.
As in many other large cities especially sea,ports
large section of business men reside IN the suburbs
These are extensive and varied rOund Melbourne
and comprise chiefly the municipalities OF ST. hllda
Brighton, Richmond. PTahran, Collingwo0d, fltz
Brunswick Williamstown, and 1andndge. 10 most
of these railways have been constructed and trains
run at intervals of Is or 20 minutes throughout tho
day The facilities TINS offered for getng access 10
the country have vastly increased the value OF prop
ertv round the city, and given great impulse 10 the
Improvement Of the various neighborh0Ods, many OF
which rival some of the rural suburbs OF London
in beauty and Opulence. "
The river Yarra Yarra. upon which Melbourne
stands is naygable only for vessels not exceeding
200 tuns that most foreign ships are compelled TO
come to an anchor in the bay at distance ~ water
of not less than ten miles from the city. For many
years this n serious dctriment TO tho shlpplng
interests, and means OF many profits TO the boat
men of the port but now a railway runs out some
distance into deep water ships OF the largest size
lie alongside they are unlOaded by steam cranes and
the heart of the city Indeed in all matters affecting
the substantial interests of the colony The NlctorlAns
have been fully alive and il must be acknowledged
that theV have expended the large capital that mas
been at their disposal in works which VIII be Of i'm
mense pubic utility for many generations. 49,
Victoria has never been q convict colony; ana IL
has ever been careful to exclude as Tar ms posSlbe.
the epopulatiOn of Van Dienens Land The majority
of the immgrants-eyen of those who were attracted
thtber by the gold ields-weTe generally OF supe-
riOr kind. chiefly English and Scotch. Many pros
perOus cOlOnSts are German; some Americans, too,
have done well there, and few Irish but for these
last Australia seems never 10 have had many attrac-
In, Mall rrrr1a fg
of good society. following almost IN their lnteglty
the ethics of the old country. Education hasrcceyed
its full share of attention. There are good schools
for both of the highest order and the UDlver-
sty of MebOuTnefounded upon the principles OF the
University of LOndon-grants degrees which already
are highly esteemed in the parent country Literary
and scientific societies aEe numerous, and there ~
fine botanic garden; and good. though at present
limited geological collection adjoining -.
The people of Australia arc essentially holiday
makers. Every good excuse Tor recreation Is Slze'
and at frequent intervals through the months OF
Summer and Autumn-theTe il no Fall for all the
trees are evergreen-busness is brought To stand
still the stores closed and everybody JOINS gcnl-
ally in picncs, excursions or outdoor SPORTS AS in
England cricket boating. and yachting IN Summer,
and football in Winter are the national games, but
athletic exercises Of all kinds are popular ana III
many places the gymnasium has become an almost
essential institution Fully alive as the people are
10 business they ever ready to lay aside Tor the
measures of public holiday.
IInon the cold fields there is The same warmth OF
spirit and social order has been seldom broken; al
though unjust aspersions have sometimes Dcen cast
part Of the colony where there has been greater Sc
curity for both person and property than upon the
gold fields.
ment led in the first years of gold. to somewhat
serious outbreak at Balaarat, but with that eXcep
ton the history Of mining here presents nothing but
an even respect for law and order. 49,
The Chinese have gone in large numbers TO Nle-
tOTa and when their numbers first increased some
iealousies were exhibited, but almost exclusively by
foreigners The legislation for the Celestas has not
always perhaps been regulated by strict justice but
it has siced to to them tolerable protection.
At first these people, Of whom there are about 40OO
i'm the colony, were allowed 10 pitch their tents
where they pleased, and TO live as they chose. bnt
a different system, and one that worked very satls,
factorily was afterward adopted. Upon each gold
field site for an encampment was marked out Dy
government surveyors every street beng about 5O
feet wide, and rules were enacted under which the
tents were arranged in order, each or IT'S own defined
lot Provisions also made 10 secure cleanliness
and to promote health, and the Chinese themselves
were intmsted with the carrying ont OF these local
regulations. Upon each encampment was ponce
Office, and two policemen were stationed there, ana
although this may seem small proportion 10 per,
very rarely called into requisltlon
When il was announced the Chinese expressed
some reluctance to this system of encampment; but
they no sooner experienced its merits, ana ieit the
advantages of fresh air and cleanliness than they
entered heartily into the spirit OF the
till their little town was invariably the most orderly
place upon the gold field TIER conduct was, us q
body exemplary but doubtless their own system OF
organization tended very much TO relieve the ponce
of occupation. AS soon as an eneaInpment was
formed the Chinese selected chief magistrate OF
their own. who, in turn, divided his people INTO
wards, each Of which was presided over by % head-
man. For any petty ofense among themselves the
criminal was brought before the hcadman of his d.
vision and duly punished-sOmetimes with the bam-
boo-in accordance with Celestial laws The system
worked admirably the Colonial Government seldom
or never interfering; and the Chinese themselves
were uniformly satisfied with the regulation.
The entire population Of all the Australian Colo
nies may be set down in round numbers at about
million aud half, of which rather more than one
81 I,-tn I,o in 1. latu a.