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?' QUEEN'S LAND.'
I -«
(FROM THE ARGUS CORRESPONDENT )
BRISBANE, FEB. 6.
News of every description is just now at a
great premium in Brisbane. This is chiefly
owing to the extreme heat, which robs men of
their energy and takes away all inclination to be
up and doing. The thermometer has been nearly
up to blood heat in the shade, with little or no
change for more than a week, and an universal
languor prevails. Umbrellas are quite as necessary
now to shelter passengers from the sun as
they are in winter to protect them from the rain
and but few people venture out of doors unprovided
with so useful an appendage.
The Governor leaves for Ipswich to-day, in
order to lay the foundation stone of the New
School of Arts.
The corporation are at work in repairing some
of the worst streets in the town, and have commenced
to drain a swampy portion of it, called,
not inappropriately, " Frog's Hollow," with
what success will not appear until the rainy
season sets in. Pavements, we have none as
yet and gas is commodity unknown in Queensland
but these are blessings which are not to be
looked for at present.
The judge and a large posse of the legal fraternity
are at Ipswich, the assizes having just
commenced. The criminal list contained only
four cases.
His Honor has published a lengthy correspondence
between the Colonial Secretary and
himself, in reference to the attempt made by
the Legislature, and sanctioned by the Government,
to alter his position and reduce his salary
under the new Judicial Act.
For the benefit of intcndingimmigrants.Ihere
give a return in round numbers of the land open
for selection at the present time in this colony.
Independent of the new agricultural reserves
lately proclaimed, there are no less than 33,600
acres of land which have been put up for sale
and not bid for any which are open to the public
at the upset price, with this advantage that the
purchaser is not subjected to the fencing and
other regulations, affecting the reserves. In
Brisbane there are 14,450 acres in Ipswich,
15,370 ; Drayton, 503 ; Warwick, 1,234 ; Dalby,
360 ; Condamine, 82 ; Callandoon, 70 ; Maryborough,
541 ; Gladstone, 1,012. The survey
offices have lately undergone a thorough repair,
and several necessary additions have been made.
These include a large room for the draughts-
men and some smaller compartments, the whole
being enclosed in a neat fence, with rather a
stylish gate, which gives an air of increased
dignity and respectability to the building. It
is some credit to this department to be able to
say that the deeds for every acre of land sold in
1860 were prepared and forwarded to the Governor
for signature during the month of January,
1861.
Captain Meohosk's explorations have resulted,
as far as I can learn, in confirming what I
stated in my last. He has discovered the locality
of two small gold-fields, and ascertained
the probability of an extensive one to the north
of Keppel Bay. About the time of his arrival
in Brisbane some fine quartz specimens were
brought down from Canal Creek, in which the
gold was plainly visible and I believe Captain
Mechosk is about to proceed in that direction,
to see what payable reefs really exist.
Mr. Cooke has returned from his inspection
of the line of tramroad, and surveys are to be
commenced at once. A sufficient number of
shares for working the tramroad have been
subscribed in the colony. The remainder will
not be disposed of unless at such a premium as
the directors may think fit.
Mr. R. G. C. Master has been appointed
usher of the black rod and librarian to both
Houses of Parliament, in place of Colonel Gray.
Great discontent exists in reference to the conduct
of Sir George Bowen in influencing this
and other recent appointments.
$