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THE CLARENCE AND RICHMOND.

WE take the following extincts from tho Grafton Examiner, of tho 4th aud 18th

instant :

Wo hear that our rospected townsman, Mr. Fisher, is about to throw out a whaif from the Ferry Stores, 120 feet long, so as to allow of tho heaviest vossol employod in the trade coming alongside. Mr. Fisher also contemplates the ereotion of a flour mill; and should he succeed-of which, from his well-known active habits there can be but little doubl-ho will confer one of the greatest boons possible on the farmers and residents in the district.

We hoar that our friends at fbo Elbow ave working away at tho recout coal discovery, with tho most satisfactory results. They have already sunk a shaft 20 fool, and from the formation of tho strata through which the sinkers have passed, thorn is every like- lihood of Lawrence being soon known as having within its boundniits an important

coal-liekl.

A small building, for a Custom-houso, has been erected alongsido of Mr. Fishor's stores, Ferry Wharf

The second monthly mooting of tho mem

bers of the Building Society was held on Saturday evening, in the School of Arts. Nearly £50 was paid in, and there can be no question now as to the success of this im- portant institution. To the young men no better opportunity could offer in which to invest their savings, and those who are anxious to secure a roof over the heads of themselves and families, will do well to re- member that by the payment of a very small sum to the society, monthly, in the shape of rent, they will eventually secure all that they desire. At the next meeting the Directors will be prepared to advance upon shares, so that we trust the members and those who intend joining, will not fail to be present.

It is to be hoped, now that Grafton has been declared a Port of Entry, that our en- terprising friends and neighbours in Queens- land will lose no Itime in pushing a trade

with these districts.

Tho weather during the last week has been one continued downpour of rain, which has thrown a gloom over the mercantile portion of our community. Our river, too, shews symptoms of a heavy fall of rain up-country, as there is a rather considerable fresh just at present, but not of such a height as to cause any danger of a flood.

The correspondents of our contemporary

write as follows :

ULMARRA.-We have been visited during the week by two gentlemen from Grafton with a petition to which they were gathering signatures. Tho signatures increase very rapidly, although many here view it as of little importance. Now, the annexation of this district to Queensland will benefit the farmers of Ulmarra as much, if-not more, than any class on this river. As we can only judge of Governments by their past actions, we may readily deduce from the policy the Queensland Government exhibi- ted to other ports on navigable rivers, that we could have moro attentive assistance from Queensland than we have, or expect to have, from our present Government. Wo could form a valuable and important part of the new colony-be better represented in

the Legislative Assembly-and most likely ? be to Brisbane what the Hunter has been to Sydney ; still, what has Sydney done for the Hunter?-in fact what has been done for any of the far-placed districts? Nothing. They have boen, and will bo, so many places for collect- ing all the money possible, to be forwarded to Sydney and swallowed up by that place and its pet environs. We hope that the Ulmarra farmers, to a man, will attach their signatures to a petition fraught with so much that promises to benefit them. A memorial was forwarded to Sydney some months ago, praying that this port should be made a free port of entry ; so much in- terest does tho Government manifest to- wards us that this boon has at Inst been granted. Now that it is a free port of entry, what, can prevent our farmers carry- ing-on a trade with both Sydney and Queens- land? Nothing, I believe,-for the latter Government are prepared at least to send a steamer here. The quantity of produce to bo sent from hero can now be divided be- tween the two markets, without reference to other places, by which the farmer will obtain a more remunerative price for his produce. This will immediately crush the monopoly of the Clarence and Richmond Rivers Steam Navigation Company : and in truth we really required this to be done above all other things. There is another petition expected hore for signatures-in favour of a separate colony. This, I trust, will not get many signatures, for to create a colony of this district would be like put- ting boots and spurs on an infant in a cradle. Let every colony have its growth. Because Moreton Bay is made a colony it does not reasonably follow that this district should he a colony ! We may bo approach- ing a transitory state, but the time is not yet for us to stand alone-separated from other colonies. Let us join that Govern- ment which is the mildest and least expen- sive, and save ourselves from a direct tax which will make us pay twice over for that which has been lavished away-far away

from our district.

The crops of wheat are progressing favour ably, more particularly those portions sown on forest land. The brush ground wheat, though presenting a more luxuriant appear- ance than the former, is not likely to yield such a good crop ; and this is accounted for by a fact well known to experienced farmers -that very rich land will force the growing crop of wheat to such an extent that (to use an agricultural phrase) it will be all straw. But this evil can be remedied in a great measure by feeding it off with sheep or cattle, or by mowing and carting it away. I would recommend tho latter method, when practicable, having seen it tried with sue coss in the southern districts. The land sowed with wheat, in the parish of Ulmarra alone, cannot be less than 600 acres. This fact is worthy of notice when we consider that two years since it was a forest, in all the uncultivated wildness of nature.

The yield in the wheat crops of last year, from the faims of Messrs. Blanch, Leeson, Newman, and Cavanagh, was from 28 to 30 bushels to the acre ; and on a farm at Swan Creek, the property of W. Small, Esq., J.P., the yield was even greater. Thus setting forth the capabilities of the Clarence as a wheat growing district.

Tho greatest inconvenience-and one that will be most acutely felt, should tho growing crops bo safely housed-is the want of a flour mill. Could somo enterprising capi- talist be persuaded to supply this desidor atum, he would not only benefit the public, but would, in the course of a few years, de- rive pecuniary profit, and bo tho means of retaining within the district a large amount of capital, now annually expendod in the importation of flour.

The schooner Albion will call on hor road to Rockhampton, and load with maize and other produce for Sydney. The farmers will do well to avail thomselvcs of this opportu- nity of getting away some of their surplus stock, and make arrangements with the cap- tain to fi eight the vessol on her roturo.

CASINO.-September 14.- An alarming fire broke out on the premises known as the Durham Ox Inn, occupied by Mrs. Meanly, between the hours of 11 and 12 o'clock on Wednesday night last. The fire originated in the kitchen, and extended to the store, and post office. The alarm was soon raised, and a number of the inhabitants were soon on the spot, and succeeded in keeping the firo from the dwelling-houso, bar, and taproom, besides saving ii great quantity of goods from the store. The account books, and tho whole of tlio contents of the post office wcro also saved. Great praise is due to the inhabitants for their exertion in res- cuing the propei ty from the fiamos. In

about two hours from the timo the firo was

discovered tho btorc, &c, wore lovelled to tho ground. The origin of the fire is not known, as tho fiio in tho kitchen was ex- tinguished by Mrs. Moanloy herself before retiring to iost. Had tho firo extended to tho bar and lap room, tho loss of pioperty would havo been immense, as all the lest of the buildings would havo been consumed. Foi Innately the wind was blowing from tho opposite iliieclion, which considerably chocked the pi ogress of the flames. Tho loss of property is estimated at about two hundred and fifty jiouiuls.

TOOLOOM.-Sept. 1st.-The monotony of our oxigtonco hero remains unrelieved ; still

.vrejog on from day to day forgetful of their names, and even oblivious when the Sabbath returns. Small rushes occur now and then, but the languid character of our mining population, together with? their small number, prevent any satisfactory Tesult.

We have experienced dreadful weather for many weeks, and have been inconvenienced by heavy floods which cut off all communi- cation with the stores for many days. Happy was he who possessed a good dog, and could supply himself with a sufficient amonnfr of kangaroo until the waters were assuaged.

It is a pity that these gold-fields appear to be deserted, and that a combination of capital and intellect is not formed to dis- cover the untold hidden wealth of this ro- mantic district. At Canal Creek (some distance from here) there is a quartz reef containing gold plainly to be seen at nine feet sinking, yet, apparently, it is neglected : those parties who were at work there having no means to develop the heavier metal which analogy declares to exist in the bosom

of the reef.

Our church affair is a total failure. All the attempts of Mr. Commissioner Addison to spiritualize the diggers being in vain ; they having unanimously declared that the only consolation required was spirituous ! When will millenial glory dawn ?

In conclusion I cannot but regret that so little has been done by the Grafton people to open up a connection with these portions of our gold-fields, as the trade with thom arising from the transit of passengers alone must be considerable ; not less than 130 diggers from these fields havo àeparted

from Lawrence Town within the last fort- night. Most of tho trade of these fields now goes to Ipswich, and if Grafton does not arouse itself the trade with this locality will be entirely lost.

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