The Sun. — 1859-09-14 (London, England)

NEW SOUTH WALES. (From the Sydney Morning Herald of Julyl3.) The last mail brought out a commission to Capt. Loring of her Majesty's ship Iris, as Commodore of the Second Class, in which capacity he now commands on the Australian station. Two other vessels of war are shortly to be added to the force on that station, which will thus become very respectable in point of strength. The Cordelia has left, with Sir William Denison on board, for Norfolk Island, and it is understood that in the course of her trip she will look in at Vanicolo and inquire after the murderers of Captain Prout of the Maid  of Australia, and his men. The principal portion of the railway works now in progress in this colony is that undertaken by the agent for Messrs. Peto, Brassy. and Betts, the full particulars of which we have given in former summaries. The entire length contracted for by that firm is about 45 miles, consisting of continuations on the Southern, Western, and Northern lines. A commencement was made on the Southern line immediately on the completion of the contract, two months ago. The portion between Campbelltown and Menangle accordingly begins to exhibit considerable progress in the cuttings and embankments. The various processes ,connected with railway construction are in full operation. Bricks are being made for a long viaduct which will carry the railway over the Menangle river. In the course of two or three months, however, a substantial portion will be completed, and it is likely that the Great Southern Railwal will bG open for traffic as far as Menangle in the ditrly part of nextyear. The Western extension from Blacktown to Penrith, is also in progress, the first sod having been turned on the Gth inst. About 250 men are employed, scattered about different parts of the line. Shops have been put up and all the requisite materials have been brought to the ground, so that the works can now be pushed on without delay. The work on this portion is also tolerably heavy ; theres see are to be three large wooden viaducts, beside veral culverts and under.bridges. Messrs. Peto and Co. have not yet commenced, preparations on their portion of the Northern line, from Lochinvar to Singleton. There are two years before•them for the completion of their contract, and, considering the speed at which English contractors are accustomed to make railways, the delay of a month or two on starting is of no consequence. The line between Paramatta and Blacktown, carried on by Mr. Gibbons, is in •a very forward  state. Trial surveys are being proceeded with in the Grose Valley for the best direction for the proposed continuation of the Great Western line to Bathurst. The range known as the Blue Mountains offers very serious impediments to the extension of a railway westward, and the work of finding a practicable line for its construction is consequently one of great labour and difficulty. Mr. Rhodes is pursuing with great industry and good management his important mission. The Customs revenue collected at the port of Sydney during the month of June amounted to £45,356 18s. 7d. During the corresponding month of 1858 the receipts were £43,931 16s. 3d. There is therefore an increase of £1,425 2s. 4d., or about 3 per cent. on the past month. For the first six months of 1858 the amount of duties received was £260,878' Bs. 2d. During the same period of the! present year the receipts have amounted to, £308,030 10s. 2d., which is an increase of £38,152 2s. or nearly 14 per cent. in favour of the present year. . . • Some fine specimens of gold, discovered at Coro