The Maitland Mercury & Hunter River General Advertiser (NSW : 1843 - 1893)(about) |
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Saturday 25 August 1855
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THE SYDNEY RAILWAY.
We had only space in our last to record in a brief paragruph that on Saturday last the first railway train travelled from Sydney to the terminus near Parramatta. It was a kind
of experimental trip, arranged by Mr. Run- dle, the contractor. The Colonial Secretary, Colonial Treasurer, Mr. C.Kemp, and about sixty persons in all, were passengers in the train. The trip to Parramatta (fourteen miles) occupied 39.5 minutes, and the return trip 47 minutes, the train having stopped for a time at the Newtown station.
The party sat down to a handsome lunch, on their return, in the Chippendale station. From the speeches then made, we select the following extracts, of general interest;
Mr, Wallace: Whatever system of rail- ways might be adopted [for the colony], he felt sure that ultimately lines of good, sound, and perfect construction would be the most beneficial. What remains to be seen in re- ference to the railway so near completion was, whether it would be profitable. Of that
he had very little doubt. He believed it, would be as remunerative as almost any of the English lines of railway.
Mr. Randle: Ever since he had conducted
heavy works, he had been convinced the grand secret was to get a good staff of officers
and men, and he might say he had in his employ a body of as fine fellows as ever were seen in Great Britain, so that he had no hesi- tation in asserting he was in a position to ac- complish as much work as could be accom- plished by any staff of men equally numerous in any part of the world. If they would give him the contract for 100 miles of railway, they would mike it in two years. His only fear was that he should not be able to em-
ploy those officers and men in future. If he could see his way clear to do so, he should be very happy indeed. He thought it was of the utmost importance railways should be
pushed into the' interior." Any undertaking at all practicable, with such men and officers at his command, he was in a position to carry
out.
Mr. C. Kemp : Much had been said nboul cheap railways. He, however, must confess he had very great doubts of their being car- ried out to the extent some persons imagined possible. When it was recollected that (he mere macadamising of George-street cost £20,000 per mile alter the street was formed, it would appear almosfa matter of impossi- bility that railways could be had for three or four thousand pounds per mile, as some sup- posed. He did think, however, that in many favourable districts a properly constructed single line of railway might be laid down for £10,000 per mile, and that would be the cheapest road which could be made. To all present the proceedings of this day had been most gratifying. To himself and a large number of the assembly the charm of novelty was added. Many were probably unable to form any decided opinion upon the nature of the works over which they had travelled, but the directors of the company bad in- spected them, and he never heard men of scientific knowledge express an opinion un-| favourable of the works, but on the contrary, he had heard many who had seen the greatest works of the age, express their opinion that the line from Sydney to Parramatta was in every respect equal to any line in any part of the world. Much was undoubtedly due to the energy and ability of Mr. Rändle, the contractor. He (Mr. Kemp) had had many opportunities of seeing the conduct of that gentleman since his urnvul in the colony, and he had no hesitation in expressing his opinion that his arrival had been of the greatest benefit to the community generally. He had introduced a large amount of energy, zeal, and ability in carrying out large works which had not before been witnessed in this colony. And he believed him to be in every way a most valuable colonist.
CORONER'S INQUEST.-An inquest was held on Monday alternoon, at Woodward's Hotel, before R. Waugh, Esq., on view of the bones of a human being, the discovery of
which we noticed in our last issue. William
Dunn, a constable of the Goulburn police force, deposed that on Thursday, in conse- quence of information be had received, he proceeded to Tyrl Tyrl, where, on the banks of the creek, which appeared to have been swollen at no distant date, he found the bones produced. There were some patches of clothing still adhering to the skeleton, but they were so rotton that it was imposible to bring them away. From enquiries he had made, it appeured that a crazy man, who was in the habit of going about the district, had not been seen for the last sixteen months. No other parties were missing, so far as he could learn, and he had used his utmost en- deavours to obtain inlormulion on this head. The name of the idiot was not known. Mr. Albert Wm. Hanford, surgeon, gave evidence to the following effect:-I have examined the bones now produced; lam of opinion that they are those of an udult male, of be- tween 30 and 40 years of age ; there are no marks that would lead me to suppose that any injury had been inflicted, the skull being perfect, and such of the bones as are pro- duced ; from all appearances I should say that they have been exposed for a consider- able time ; the skull I believe to be that of a European. The coroner informed the jury that this was the whole of the evidence that would be brought before them, and it was seen that there was no proof to show when or by what means the deceased had come by his death. The jury returned an open ver- dict.- Goulburn Chronicle, Aug. l8.
FLOUR AND WHEAT -We are in receipt
of advices trom the West Coast of America
to the 28th May, from which we learn that the market for breads-tuffs was firm, with even an upward tendency, in consequence of the recent heavy demands for the Australian markets. It is mentioned that from the 1st January to 28th May, 17,000 tons of wheat and flour had been shipped to Melbourne and Sydney ; about 12,000 of which was to
the former market. There was about 800
tons flour then in course of shipment by the following vessels, viz. : Mary Emma, 250 tons ; Malcolm, 400 tons ; and the Highland Lady, 200 tons ; for Melbourne. The Lalla Rookh, 150 tons, was the only vessel laid on for Sydney. We also learn that the Royal Saxon, which arrived at Valparaiso on the 1st May, had taken a charter to convey 300 to 400 tons flour to Melbourne, and was then on her way to load at Tome. The only ves- sel now on the way from the West Coast with wheat (except the Cluther, 250 tons, for Adelaide) is the Packet, 130 tons, which sailed about the 20th May. By the Jenny Ford, which arrived to-day from S-ui Fran- cisco, we have received 1958 bug» and 300 tons of wheat; 891 bags and 5 tons of oats; and 229 bags of harley.-Commercial Articles of Herald and Empire, Aug. 21.
THE WEE WAA DISTRICT.-The gentleman in this district who favours us with an occa- sional correspondence, furnishes the follow- ing information in a letter, dated August the 16th :-The weather here has been generally fine, although we have at times some very severe frosts, which, in many places, bave had an injurious effect on the pasturage. The lambing, however, is going on success- fully, mid there is every prospect of a large increase to our flocks. Labour here is very scarce, and the wages, especially of shearers, are very good. Many persons have offered us much as 4s. per score with rations. We have just had an official visit from the Com- missioner of Tamworth, and some of his fiolice. The latter have succeeded in nppre
lending a notorious aboriginal named " Billy Cubby," on the charge of having committed a most brutal murder, some five or six months ago, at the station of Mr. Munro. The warrant was issued immedi- ately after the commission of the murder, but by some inexplicable means pr other the prisoner managed to get employed on a re? mole station, where he remained incog, up to the time of his apprehension. It would he a great boon to the community here if the
Commissioner could be induced to visit us more frequently; which, however, I am afraid is impossible, in consequence of the .wide range of country-extending several hundreds of miles-over which his duty ex- tends. I have also to inform you of the mysterious disappearance of a man named " Tom Tucker," a stockman to Mr. Lloyd. The last that was heard of him was his having left the Rock public house in a state of great intoxication. His horse was subse- quently found at Ban Baa, but no trace of
the rider has as yet been discovered, although | the circumstance of his sudden disappear- ance occurred some six or seven weeks ago. When last seen he had a considerable sum of
money in his possession.-Herald, Aug. 22.
ADRELJA DILUIR.-Among the numerous artistes of different descriptions who haye been attracted to Australia by the glister of our gold, Mademoiselle Dinner deserves a place in the first rank. Hitherto the stage danping has been of a very inferior description : there has been more resemblance to the vigorous efforts of the performers at a booth in a country fair, than the graceful elegance which characterises the Ellslers pr Ceritos of the European theatres. Last year a German lady appeared at the Victoria as a dancer, and displayed great physical powers, but no grace No one would care to witness her performance a second time. Mademoiselle Dimjer is the first dancer who has afforded to the Sydney play- goers an opportunity of witnessing that description of dancing which has of late years obtained such celebrity. A pupil of the Academy of Paris, the first school in the world, she has bad the advantage of the same tuition which has led so many to eminence and celebrity. Young, with good features and a graceful form, well taught, and evidently a strong attachment for the profession she bas adopted, she has all the requisites for winning applause. Her dancing is indeed the " poetry of motion," aud in the ballets which are being prepared at the Victoria Theatre she will have an opportunity of displaying abilities of a
- - --i -"- r". '" ,. *-.'** "uwv:1 character entirely novel in this eolonyr 8he has been warmly applauded at the Vlotoria every night on which she has appeared, and in La Gitana she was encored in a whirlwind of applause. Her engagement at the Viotoria, notwithstanding the many counter attractions, is likely to prove a successful one.-Herald,
Aug.lS.
FROST AND SNOW.-During the past nine or ten da> s the severity of the frosts has ex- ceeded anything in our colonial recollection. We have seen ice, the produce of one night's frost, l£ inches thick, taken ont of a bucket ; and a gentleman, who has recently passed over the mountain«, informs us that he had broken ice upon Mount Victoria, in a small water-hole, fully 2$ inches in thickness.
The mountains have also been covered for several days with snow of from a foot to . foot and a half in thickness, and the belt of
elevated country extending from Orange, the Canobla», and King's Plains, by the head of Campbell's to the sources of Ihe Fish River, has been thoroughly saturated with snots* and sleet, whilst the plains have been com- pletely parched up.-Bathurst Free Press, Aug. l8.
ANOTHER MAIL ACCIDENT.-The mall which left Sydney on Tuesday last, met with n very serious accident in the neighbourhood of'Picton. Just at the coach commenced the descent of the hill, on the Sydney side of Picton, about 3. o'clock on Wednesday morning, the pole-pin dropped out, and the vehicle consequently pressing forward upon the back9 of the wheelers, all the horses be- came unmanageable, and started at a furi- ous pace down the declivity. About half way down the bill, the leaders swerving, the vehicle was dragged up a steep bank and
capsized. There were 11 or 12 passengers in, the coach nt the time of the accident, besides a number of mail-bags, and a large quantity of luggage. With three exceptions, the whole of the passengers susttiued very serious in- juries, several of them being rendered sense- less by the fall. An old man, on his way to the Ovens with his family, had three of his ribs broken, and his bead mach cut. The youngest child (about 5 years of age) had a most miraculous escape. He fell just under the vehicle, and, but for the interposition of a mail-bag, must have been crushed to death. The coach was very much injured, and also some ol the horses. The traces having been cut to release the horses, the vehicle wal drawn by the passengers into Picton, a dis- tance of about a quarter of a mile from the scene of the accident.- Goulburn Chronicle, Aug. l8.
IPSWICH AND WARWICK.-The inhabitants of Ipswich, with a spirit of independence worthy of general emulation, have called for tenders for clearing a portion of the River Bremer (a tributary to the Brisbane), it having become so blocked up near the town- ship, as almost to impede the navigation. This will give Sontherners a little better opi- nion of Moreton Bay spirit and advance- ment. At Warwick, too, the inhabitants are all astir. The road lending from that place to Ipswich-and which, by-lhe-by, the Go- vernment should look after-is in such a
state that traffic upon it will be inevitably suspended, unless it be »peedily repaired. Seeing this, the principal inhabitants and squatters have held a public meeting, ap- pointed a committee, and entered into a subscription to repair the road. I am happy to say that the contributions already amount to £350, to which many Ipswich and Bris- bane merchants have subscribed their quota. If it were not that it would be taking too much of Government work out of Govern- ment hands, I could wish that the inhabi- tants of Brisbane would follow the same plan with regard to some of their streets which have almost assumed the appearance of a ploughed field. Perhaps something will be done when a Government official breaks his neck ; just as in England, they look more particularly to the management of a railway when two or three of the directors have either been killed, or severely mangled. - Empire's Moreton Bay Corre- spondent.
REPRESENTATION OF THE STANLEY BO- ROUGHS.-Mr. John Richardson, who once reprebented the county, has come for- ward, on requisition of the electors for the Stanley Boroughs, the representation of which lins become vacant by the resignation of Mr. Russell. I do not anticipate any op- position to Mr. Richardson'« return, the shortness of the time during which the seat can now be held being likely to be considered not worth the trouble of a contest for it. Mr.
Richardson's abilities as a legislator are but small, judging from his former career in the Council, but be is tolerably attentive to his duties, and, as I hear he intends to reside in Sydney, he will have no excuse arising from distance and the uncertainty of conveyance for neglecting them. The difficulty of getting residents of the district who could afford to spend so large n portion nf their time in Syd- ney ns the adequate discharge of their duties as legislators required them todo, has always been the bane of Moreton Bay representa- tion, and has added as much force as any- thing else to the cry for separation. Herald's Brisbane Correspondent.
LAW LIBRARY.-An adjourned meeting of both branches of the legal profession was held in the Supreme Court, on Saturday, for the purpose or taking measures for establishing a Law Library. A resolution was adopted to the effect, that a bill should be prepared to be submitted to the Legislative Council. A report was also read, proposing a scale of fees to be paid for the institution and maintenance of a library, and containing other recommen- dations.- Empire, Aug. 20.
THE VOLUNTEER ARTILLERY.-On Saturday afternoon, the Volunteer Artillery corps assembled at the court house, Darlinghurst, whence they proceeded lo the Victoria Bar- racks, to receive their first practical lesson in the art of gunnery. The spot selected for the purpose, was the vacant ground at the rear of the barracks; two light six pounder ßeldpieces were here placed in posi- tion, and a target made of canvass, stretched over a framework of iron, was erected uf. a
distance of two hundred yards. A. company of the Xlth Regiment commenced the pfapr tice, and fired four shots, two of which passed through the target. The Volunteer Artillery; men followed, and fired about six or eight rounds; their practice was very good, and the target was completely riddled, severa) of the shots striking the bull's eye; nnqther target was then placed at the distance of five hundred yards; four shots were dis- charged at it, but none of these bit their mark. This closed the day's practice, and the guns being wheeled back within the barracks, the corps left the ground. Jt }« greatly to be regretted that so few shoal;} frave enrolled themselves as members of ¿ corps whose services would be found most invuluable in case of uctual danger.-Empire,
Aug. 21.
APPREHENSION OP A SUSPECTED MUR-
DERER. -' Yesterday afternoon, Inspector jiggins, of the Sydney pojice, apprehended a man named James ¡Lynch, by virtue of a warrant charging him" with, the murder of Honqrah Wilkes und her two children, aged respectively nine and eight years, at Peep Creek, Richmond ; the murder was pomp milled on the Silt Aprjl loaf., and jp copse; quence of a communication made by the elder child shortly before his death, suspicion was attached to Lynch, who had been a resi- dent in that neighbourhood ; a reward of £150 was offered for his apprehension, but he has remained undiscovered until yesterr day, when, from information recpiyed, a warrant was issued by Mr. Dowliug the Ppljpe Magistrate. Lynch is a taijor by trade, and is an expirée from Norfolk Islapd ; be wag formerly tried in Sydney for horse stealing, but was acquitted ; he will be brought up for examination at the Police Court this day. Empire, Aug. 22.
THE DEFENCES 07 PORT JACKSON.-The
Sydney Chamber of Commerce having taken up this subject, a meeting of the citi- zens was held yesterday at the rooms of the Sydney Exchange Company in order to address the Government on the matter.
Mr. T. C Breillat was in toe chair. Cáptala
Towns moved a resolution, to the effect that the most effectual plan of defending the har- bour would be to moor a number of ships in a line between the opposite shores, at the Sow and Pigs, so as to nearly block up the chan- nel, to sink theie when un enemy appeared, and raise them again when the enemy departed ; and that a committee be appointed to confer with the Government on the adop- tion of this plan. Captain Towns, in his speech advocating the motion, said he had now several useless ships, and expected in shortly some more, that these would be sufficient for the purpose, and he would pre- sent them to the Government if the plan was adopted. Mr. Piddington seconded the motion, although he did not agree with the plan if it was intended to neglect the fortifi- cations and rely on these ships only. Mr. E. C. Weekes moved an amendment, to the effect that the Government be requested to lose no time in carrying out the plan of for- tification proposed by the Governor General. Mr. Hirst seconded the amendment. After some remarks from Mr. Holt and Mr. F.
Ebsworth, Mr. T. W. Smith proposed a fur- ther amendment, in order to secure a fuller
meeting, that a committee be appointed to convene a public meeting of the citizens, to consider the best means of securing the early and vigorous prosecution of the de- fences of the harbour. Captain Wilkinson seconded the amendment. Capt. Towns, in reply, willingly adopted it, but explained that his plan was only intended as subsidiary to the scheme of defensive works proposed by the Governor General, and with a view to secure immediate protection from a hostile visit. This latter amendment was then put, and carried by a large majority.-Abridged from the Herald, Aug. 21.
BRANDY.-The brandy market is likely to be greatly affected by the news which reached England in the middle of May. The Morning Chronicle, of the 17th of that month, copies from a French paper, relative to the prospect of the vine crops in France, which reports as follows :-" Our farmers are in great anxiety in consequence of the re-ap- pearance of the scourge which proved so fatal to the vintage of 1854. Our brandy market is calm, but prices remain firm, and holders are but little disposed to realise, ex- cept to supply the immediate wants of their customers. Should the fears of the farmers of France be realised, of which, from the ac- counts we receive, there is no room for doubt, brandy must rule to a fubulous price. Since the decree of the Emperor, allowing the im- portation of foreign spirits into France, on a nominal duty, our distillers have been kept fully employed to supply the demands of France, and which, perhaps may, to some extent, be re-shipped in the shape of brandy ; but this can in no way affect the famed brands of Cognac, as the shippers of that distriot cannot risk their high reputa- tion by any manipulation of Irish, Scotch, or British spirits. If we look to the islands of Madeira and Teneriffe, for the progress of this unaccountable disease, we find that the vineyards have been gradually but entirely destroyed ; we cannot, therefore, be sur- prised at the anxiety of the French farmers, who are now threatened with the same dire- ful calamity."-Herald's Commercial article,
Aug. 21.
FURTHER REMEDIES TO CREDITORS BILL. -The object of this bill is to remove the dif- ficulty which is now felt in recovering debts from persons who have removed from one colony to another, and who, by such remo- val, endeavour to evade the judgments, de- crees, rules, and orders of any of the Austra- lian colonies. The first clause enacts, that a memorial of judgment, Sec, under seal of the supreme court of any other Australasian co- lony, filed in the supreme court at Sydney, shall be a record thereof, and execution may issue accordingly. The second clause states the particulars necessary to beset forth in the memorial ; und the third clause prescribes the mode of obtaining execution.-Herald, Aug. 22.
THE RAILWAY.-The directors of the Syd- ney Railway Company, and about thirty ladies and gentlemen, went to Parramatta and back on the railway yesterday afternoon. The time occupied in going was thirty-eight minutes. On the return several stoppages were made. We understand his Excellency the Governor General and family will go to Parramatta to-morrow morning;, at eleven, aud return in the afternoon. The carriages will then be taken off the line, and no more trains be run until the opening to the public, as the necessity of having the line cleared for a train to pass very seriously interferes with the ballasting and other works now in pro- gress -Herald, Aug. 22.
NEW ENGLAND SHEEP ON THE MURRUM- BIDGEE.-The little army of sheep, some 17,000 strong, in charge of Mr. D. Protheroe, of New England, will soon be with us. There were fears that these splendid sheep were diseased, and there really was much alarm in consequence. I am happy to say that the whole have passed the ordeal of an examination by the Scab-Inspector at the Murrumbidgee, and have been proved to be in fine condition, and thoroughly free from the much dreaded disenso. There are 14,000 Tat sheep, and some 3000 store. The fat animals are of the Leicester breed, and 12,000 out of the 14,000 are warranted to average upwards of 60 lbs. They are all sold, I believe, to a Victoria buyer ; they are pronounced to be the finest sheep, in one large lot, that ever traversed the Murrum- bidgee.-MAN DROWNED.-While crossing the Murrumbidgee River, a poor man (name unknown) was drowned. He had sought the protection of Mr. Marshall, of New Eng- land, then travelling for Victoria with sheep. His body was found some time afterwards, by Mr. Protheroe, and buried by his men. Edward River Correspondent of the Herald.
QUEANBEYAN.-The mutilated remains of a man, supposed to have been lately in the employ of Mr. Wright, of Cuppecombalong, in this district, were discovered last week, by Constable Green, on a range near Alum Creek, on Mr. Booth's station. The native dogs bad attacked the body, and little re- mained to indicate who the unfortunate per- son could be, as some wandering aboriginals, have received the credit qf helping them- selves to deceased's clothes and blankets. Au inquest was held before the Coroner, Dr. Morton, and a verdict was returned in ac- cordance with the foregoing statement. Goulburn Chronicle's Correspondent.
TURON GOLDEN RIDGE QUARTZ CRUSHING. COMPANY--At the adjourned half-yearly meeting of this company, held yesterday, the report of the directors, recommending the dissolution of the company, was adopted by resolution. The division of the assets of the cqmpany is to be made in the following pro? portions : 2Qs. each on the 4000, shares al- lotted to the qriginal discoverers; 5.3. each on the 6000 shares hought when Um company was formed ; and 20s. each on the 12,554 shares bought when the company wus ex- tended ; the two latter being the respective amounts paid up. Jjnless, however, a deed agreeing to this is signed by every share- holder, the final division cannot be effected till the resolution has been again passed at the next half-yearly meeting.-Abridged from tfyf Herald, Aug. 22.
RAIN AT LAST.-Unwilling to become the alarmist we have forborne stating the appre- hensions yindi have been felt by many as to the prospects of the coming season. For many weeks pa9t not only have the frosts been extremely severe, but their course has been unbroken except in one partial instance by a single shower. In many places the for- ward hay was growing sickly pale, whilst the late wheat ia some instances had sprouted in the ground, but for the want of moisture could not make its way to the sur- face. Happily, however, apprehension has been dispelled by an atmospheric .change, which brought us a welcome supply of rain on Thursday morning, gentle and soaking in its fall, and sufficient in quantity to prove permanently beneficial. Already the young crops have assumed a healthier appearance, and the changing hue of the plains tell of approaching spring.-Bathurst Free Prtss.
O _
LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL.-In consequence of the dangerous condition of the ceiling of the library of the L'egislative Council, the house, at its rising between seven and eight o'clock on Thursday evening last, was ad- journed until this day, in order that the ne- cessary steps might be taken in the interim to ensure the safety of honorable members. No doubts were entertained yesterday of the completion of the repairs in time for the house to resume at the usual hour, although extra exertion was necessary. The new ceil- ing is similar to the one recently placed in the council chamber in lieu of lath and plas- ter.-Herald, Aug. 22.