Current:

Northern Star (1837-1852), 27th November 1852, Edition 2 of 2, Page 3, N0 vember27.] the star of freedom. 243

Page 3
Page 3
3 of 16

On this page

  • Departments (1)
    • IMPERIAL PAELIAMENT.
  • Text (4)
  • Transcript

    • Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software. The text has not been manually corrected and should not be relied on to be an accurate representation of the item.

      Additionally, when viewing full transcripts, extracted text may not be in the same order as the original document.

      Hews Feom The Gold Diggings. The Followi...

      ^ Ttasurtaae from Melbourne Bendigo was £ 160 per ton ! during the dry S 2 r it had been from £ 12 to £ 20 . I had a capital horse , and Xa * \ Hi vhat vas a f V * ^!& t au advautage 5 a first-rate companion , ! ^ lr . B —> one of the ^ oldest and richest colonists ; he is worth # ut iut iSl 00 , 000 , andhad . been up to see the diggings , as he is goinghome ' to E % Eo fflaud in the firSu St f amer that arrives out - He ^ w the country erfe ( Meetly , as years since he had owned cattle stations in the vicinity . We s % e sorted on a Thursday mornmg , came to the Porest Creek digo- ' mo-s , five milesand the

      iWhWi thirty- , stopped night at a friend ' s store ; J ^ ietf day to the Bush Inn , forty miles ; and the third to Melbourne , . av . av thirty-five more . In many places the horses sank to their luiutiiaunclies in the mud , and we had to swim the creeks . I had a bag cout coutammg SMb . weight of gold , hanging by a cord round my neek into into the breast-pocket of my pea-jacket . By the way , I am certain Eot not one of you would have known ine . How I wish you could have peer seen me in my ' bush toggery . ' I had on a pair of riding boots which fiiti entirely covered my legs , a blue pilot pea-jacket , a black felt sombrero

      a all this would have disguised me pretty well ; but you must know fur further , shaving is not practiced at the diggings , so that a pretty lar ; large mustache and heard put the finishing touch to my ' makeup , ' am and taking me altogether , I believe I was rather a rough-looking civ : customer . 'We arrived in Melbourne on Saturday evening , and stayed at at Mr . L—' s _ On Monday I found a ship sailing the same night for A ' . Adelaide , so 1 went about town at once , in order to sell my horse . He w : was sadly knocked up by my journey down , but I was lucky beyond in my expectation , as I sold him for 14 ? ., and I had paid hut 151 . for him .

      0 On the seventh day I arrived here . F— did not expect me , so you iv may guess it was a joyful surprise . In conclusion , I may as well give y you an idea of the « prices current' at the mines -when I left : —Flour , : 2 20 / . per sack of 2001 b . ; oats , 21 . 5 s . per bushel ; bran , 21 . per bushel ; j potatoes , Is . Gd . per lb . ; onions , the same ; tea , 3 s . 6 d . per lb . ; sugar , 1 is . Gd . ; bread , 3 s . Gd . the 21 b . loaf ; ham , 3 s . 6 d . per lb . ; mutton that i ro ? s 2 s . the quarter , now 5 s . Gd . ; beef , 6 d . to 7 d . per lb . ; very ini different brandy , 11 . per bottle ; and for a pair of riding boots I paid 10 / . At Melbourne the rent of a middling dwelling-house is 2001 . per annum ; firewood , 31 . 10 s . to 41 . per load ; and everything else in proportion . "

      The accounts from the Australian gold-fields up to the end of August last contains news of tho most exciting nature . All that could have been expected during the prevalence of the wintry rains of June , July , and August was not too great a decrease in the yield of gold . The floods which for the tsme spoilt some " diggings , " opened the hidden weal , h of others ; new gold fields were found , and astonishing resuits obtained . Mount Alexander sent down 22 , 402 ounces to Geelong in the last week of July , and in that week Ballarat sent 1 , 572 ounces . On the 3 d of August the Mount Alexander escort had

      10 , 145 ounces ; and on Monday and Thursday following tho amounts transmitted were 71 , 145 and 18 , 174 ounces , making a total of 107 , 384 ounces in the first seven days of August , and from one locality ! The amounts transmitted from Ballarat in the same space of time was 2 , 0 G 6 ounces , and Bight ' s escort brought 34 , 676 ounces , so that a grano total of 144 , 207 , representing about £ 432 , 621 , were received within seven days at Geeldng . This enormous sum does not , however , represent the whole of the -weekly yield of the Victoria niiues , for large quantities of gold had accumulated at the diggings ; the roads

      were had , and the means of conveyance limited . The total amount transmitted up to the 14 th of August was 53 , 998 ounces from Ballarat , Mount Alexander , and by Bight ' s escort . On the 19 th of Aujvusc Ballarat sent to Melbourne 1 , 000 ounces , and 3 , 84 a to Geelong , while 1 , 000 ounces were left behind , for want of means of conveyance . On the 21 st of August 36 , 985 ounces came irom Ballarat and by Bight ' s . On the 25 th of August Ballarat sent 4 , 167 , and Mount Alexander sent 042 ounces . At that date a large quantity of gold was left behind at Ballarat ; and the next escort , if it could get horses ,

      was expected to bring down above 10 , 000 ounces . On a rough calculation , which is rather under than over the mark , the "Victoria ingoings yielded in the month of August about 246 , 000 ounces of goldand this , too , in the rainy season , and with not a very considerable increase of their mining population . What the figures will amount to when the population nt the fields is doubled—and doubled it soon ¦ will be , in the prrsence of such exciting news—it is difficult to foretell ; hut judging from the result already obtained , the quantities of o-old ' which will he dug out are perfectly bewildering .

      Every man brings fresh marvels . In addition to the enormous yields of the mines whose names are already familiar to the British public , new spots , teeming with the precious metal , are continually being discovered ; and every file of papers introduces ns to some new , and until then never heard of locality . Thus , for instance , there are several spots in the vicinity of Forest Creek which have acquired a sudden and brilliant fame . One place , a " fiat , " between Adelaide Gully and Wattletree Fiat , on the road leading from Forest . Creek to Fryer ' s Creekhas obtained colonial celebrity by a party of four

      Ade-, laide men , who had gone there " prospecting , " turning up 1501 b -eieht of pure gold in one morning between breakfast and dinner . That is to say , £ 0 , 000 worth of sterling money obtained in one hole in the course of one morning . Another hole has , of course , been sunk immediately , closely adjoining " the claim" of these lucky fellows , and here , too , the daily yield averaged from six to nme poun ds weight oi « aH In the whole line of the gulleys and flats m that vicinity , the dWers have been eminently successful . Many in the neignhourhooa h-TetakeaO 12 , and 20 pounds weight in " peckers , but , ot course , above stands yet unparalleled in

      tho 150 uounds of gold we quoted as tV historf of sold finding . It is high time to revise the Arabian MaM EMakiwnt Pillars of gold and baskets filled with precious stir- cannot dazzle the imagination ot the rising generation , when STSlS ^ S rf romance ° are left behind by <« Hp kee matter oHact rSity ^ Seven tons of gold were lying idle at Adelaide Gully r w " h rses to take thenfto Melbourne and more was tefc a * - u ^ uSting At Sew Bendigo Flat , Forest Creek , one " party took S wel from one hole , and four Germans gamed 211 b of gold m one wk AtWey Gully , in the upper part oi forest Creek , 100 ouLIs tretaken out by aparty in one week , a * d --yoto diggers in that vicinity are digging the old deserted holes and doing veiy

      The ravers before us contain a very interesting document , a price eu ^ tSnt published bya Mr . fehet ^ ^™ $ g * office , f coursethe ^ r ^ ^ Zr 4 Jrn M 707 ner annum , with rations ; shepherds , 38 / ., hutnients at Go / , to / w . pt : i duum"' T + ? , ' rooi- 17 i * k and on keeners 30 / bvllock drivers , 50 / ., or by the week , Ll . l « s ., aiia on turns . ItfaitevaSte can have engagements ^ ™ " j > ™** mails at 2 W , nursemaid 1 M , eooks and laundresses , 2 , Z , incluimg rations . ,

      N0 Vember27.] The Star Of Freedom. 243

      N 0 vember 27 . ] the star of freedom . 243

      ™ T ™^T-T>V A Mpptino- Of A Portion The ...

      ™ t ™^ t-t > v A mpptino- of a portion the elec-Scotland on Monday evening .

      Imperial Paeliament.

      IMPERIAL PAELIAMENT .

      House Of Lords.—Liomay, Nov. 22. The Duk...

      HOUSE OF LORDS . —liomAY , Nov . 22 . The Duke cf Newcastle presented a petition from Alexander Addison and other inhabitants of Glasgow , praying for the removal of all indirect taxation , and for the imposition of one general income-tax . He also presented two petitions , one from the mayor , aldermen , and burgesses of Auckland , in New Zealand , and the other from the burgesses of the same place , The first prayed for the removal of the regulation which imposed a tax upon the colony for the purpose of making good the losses of the New Zealand Company , and the other complained of the same grievance , and , furthermore , of the mode of legislation adopted towards New Zealand . Lord Derby , in reply to Lord Panmure , stated that he thought there was no objection , under proper regulations , to the opening of the Crystal Palace at Sydenham on Bandars .

      f he Earl of Shaftesbury wished to know the intentions of the Government with regard to Convocation . The Earl of Derby replied , that no deviation from the ordinary practice was contemplated . When Convocation next met Her Majesty ' s answer to the Address would be laid before it , and it would then be prorogued , As for the Committee which had been appointed , in his opinion it was null and void . The Marquis of Cla ^ uicarde wished to know the nature of the business proposed to be transacted before the Christmas recess . The Earl of Derby replied that the object of the House in meeting before Christinas had been to consider the expediency of any alteration in our commercial system , and to close for ever the controversy with regard to Protection and

      Free Trade . The result of the late elections had convinced him that , though a large number of constituencies were well disposed to support the Government , they were determined not to assent to an alteration in our recent commercial policy , and that any such attempt would be negatived by a large majority . Under these circumstances he had felt it his duty to advise Her Majesty to declare that the principles of unrestricted competition ought to be adopted . After malting this explicit statement the Government might have rested , but it went further and announced its Budget for an early day , from the details of

      which the country would be enabled to judge of the sincerity of the Government and the wisdom of its policy . An attempt had be , en made , indeed , in the Lower House to anticipate discussion by a resolution to which no member cf the Government could agree , but it would be well if those who were about to support that motion would consider not so much how to overthrow the Government , bu how they could form an Administration if it were overthrown . Having said so much , he would now answer the noble lord ' s question , and state that it was not tho intention of the Government to propose any other important measures before Christmas .

      After some further observations from Lord Clankicardb , and a rather warm altercation between Lord Wodehouse and Lord [ Derby , which ended in an explanation , the House adjourned .

      HOUSE OF COMMONS . —Monday , Nov . 22 . EDWARD MURRAY . Lord D . Stuart presented , according to notice , several petitions in favour of Mr . E . Murray . The petitioners stated , that after being imprisoned for three years in the Roman States , Edward Murray , who was a British subject , was tried by a secret tribunal and condemned to death ; that tliis sentence had been commuted to imprisonment for life in the galleys—a sentence which they thought even more cruel than the original one ; that they had reason to believe the unfortunate man had committed no offence of any grave character , or such as had not been amply atoned for by his long incarceration , and that they thought it would be disgraceful to this country if any British subject were subjected by a foreign power to a degrading punishment ; they therefore prayed that the house would take such measures as they deemed necessary to induce the Government of Rome etulier to adduce proofs of his guilt or consent to his liberation .

      TRANSPORTATION TO AUSTRALIA . SirW . Moeesworth presented a petition from the chairman of the Australasian League against transportation , showing that in the years 1851 and 1852 the representatives of the inhabitants of the four great colonies of New South Wales , Victoria , South . Australia , and Van Diemen's Land had in their legislative assemblies passed resolutions against the continuance of transportation to Australia , and had addressed their respective governors to recommend those resolutions to the early consideration of Her Majesty ' s Government . The petitioner prayed for the immediate cessation of transportation to Van Diemen ' s Laud , as a course not only necessary for the welfare of that depeudency , but essential to the tranquillity of the Australasian colonies in general , and to the du e authority of the British Crown . The Law Procedure ( Ireland ) Bill was brought in and read a first time .

      CASE OP MR . PAGET . In reply to a question put by Jtfr . 31 . Milnes respecting the seizure of the private papers of Mr . Paget , at Dresden , by the Austrian police acting in Saxony . Lord Stanley said it was true that Mr . Pager , who had been resident for two years at Dresden , had had his house entered and his papers seized by the police ; but it was not true that the seizure had been made by the Austrian police , but by the police of the country in which he resided . The result of the remonstrance made to the Saxon Government was that Mr . TageVs papers had been restored , and the police who had entered his honse had received a severe reprimand . In answer to a series of questions by Sir B . Hall ,

      Mr . Walfole stated that the Government were of opinion that there ought to be an . "effectual reform of the Ecclesiastical Courts , hut that no bill should be introduced for that object until the whole question now under investigation , had been fully considered ; that the Crown had no power to prevent what Sir Benjamin had termed " Komish" proceedings in the Church , the best mode of check " in" which would he found in the good sense of the people of this country ; and lastly , that he did not see that the Government ought to interfere with the lifeincomes of any of the Bishops . At the instance of Mr . P . Peel , Sir 5 . Pakington explained what he had stated on Friday on the subject of the constitution for the Cupe of Good Hope .

      CALL OF THB HOUSE . On the motion by Sir J . Walmsley , in the absence of Mr . Hume , that the House he called over , Sir R . Isgiis objected that the call would be a brutum fulmeti , and a waste of time , and said he should take the sense of the House upon the question . Mr . Cobden thought , that as the notice seemed to have had some effect , the motion should not be pressed . Mr . Walpole and Lord J . Russell concurred in the same opinion , and Sir J- "WAoislby withdrew the motion .

      IRELAND . —LANDLORD AND TENANT . Mr . Napier moved for leave to bring in a bill to facilitate the improvemento landed property in Ireland . After noticing the difficulties which beset the framing of a cede of laws to regulate the relations between landlord and tenant oi Ireland , he observed that the present circumstances of that country , while they rendered the adjustment of the land question indispensable , offered facilities for its accomplishment . He gave a sketch of the agricultural history of Ireland , in

      the policy which Englar . il and the Imperial Legislature had pursued with reference to the Irish land question , and of the various Parliamentary investigations which that question had undergone . He then developed the objects he had in view to remedy the agricultural evils of Ireland , in the bills he proposed to introduce . The first was to enable owners themselves to carry out fully improvements of the soil , by drainage , & c . The second was to facilitate the making of beneficial leases and contracts , and agreements for compensation for improvements oi'lands which would promote concord and harmony betwixtlandlord and tenant by

      showing that they had a common interest , while the tenant would enjoy full le « al protection , and the landlord ' s just rights would be secured . A third bill would simplify , consolidate , and amend the existing laws which regulate the relation of landlord and tenant , founding that relation upon the principle of contract , and providing facilities for effecting such contracts , along with remedies more prompt and effectual than those now existing ibr violation of contracts , withholding of rent , burning of lands , and other wrongs , simplifying , at the same time , the law of ejectment . The last bill wouldprovide compensation

      to tenants for improvement of their holdings , a large portion of the land in Ireland being held by tenants from year to year . It was not intended to interfere in any way with the tenant-right of Ulster . It was jjroposcd to enable the tenant to " offer to undertake improvements , unless the landlord chose to avail himself of the means of effecting them , which vonld be jfaced in his power ; and retrospective improvements , made by the tenant before the passing the law , ' ould be provided for by a compensation for their ' unexhausted value , without resorting to schemes that would lead to the compulsory adjustment of rent Mr . Napier explained at much length and with gteat particularity tho

      House Of Lords.—Liomay, Nov. 22. The Duk...

      nature of those several measures , conceived , he said , in a liberal and generou spirit , with due regard to the rights of property , and the provisions by which he proposed to carry them into execution , and expressed his hope that , by this code , he might he able to give freer scope to the industry of Ireland , and work out its great resources . Mr . Coxolly spoke warmly in commendation of the proposed measures . Mr . Serjeant Shee said there appeared much in these hills which was well worthy the consideration and adoption the House ; but he was convinced that the last bill would give no satisfaction in Ireland . That part of the bill whicfo related to prospective improvements was Lord Stanley ' s measure over again , and the portion referring to retrospective improvements would give no satisfaction . The hill made no provision for the vast amount of property accumulated in the north of Ireland , and he believed it would cause dismay and consternation if not disturbance .

      Mr . George , on the contrary , believed that the bills would give much satisfaction . Mr . Kirk commended the spirit , tone , and temper with which these measures had been introduced . After a few remarks from Mr . W . P . TJuquhart , and from Lord Naas , who denied that there was any similarity between this bill and Lord Stanley ' s , Leave was given to bring in the four bills . The House adjourned at half-past 9 o ' clock .

      HOUSE OF LORDS . —Hvwdax , Nov . 23 . The Lord Chancellor took his seat on the woolsack at 5 o ' clock , and there being no business before the House , it immediately adjourned . HOUSE OF COMMONS . —Tuesday , Nov . 23 .. Petitions were presented by Mr . Oliveria , from inhabitants of the metropolis , in favour of interposition in the case of Edward Murray ; also by Sir J . Shelley , from Westminster . f

      FREE TRADE . Mr . C . Villiers then rose for the purpose of moving the following resolutions : — "That it is the opinion of this House , that the improved condition of the country , and particularly of the industrious classes , is mainly the result oi recent commercial legislation , and especially of the act of 1846 , which established the free admission of foreign corn ; and that that act was a wise , just , and beneficial measure . That it is the opinion of this House , that the maintenance and further extension of the policy of free trade , as opposed to that of protection , will best enable the property and industry of the nation to bear the burdens to which they are exposed , and will most contribute to the general prosperity , welfare , and contentment of the people . That this House is ready to take into its consideration

      any measures consistent with the principles of these resolutions which may be laid before it by Her Majesty ' s Ministers . " The hon and learned gentleman explained in the outset the circumstances under which he , on the part of the great party whom he represented , had considered it necessary to bring forward a motion which should set the question of Free Trade finally at rest . He alluded particularly to the paragraph in the Queen ' s speech , of which he might say advisedly that he did not believe that any similar paragraph had ever been composed by a minister . With that portion of the speech he believed everybody was dissatisfied , and it was on that account that the house should come to some decision on the subject . He had been asked to postpone his resolutions to make way for the plans of the government ; but with those plans he considered he had

      nothing to do . As far as he understood that Minister last session , ho consented to be tried by his country ( hear ); he submitted himself—I will not use the irreverant expression he used—but he said he would be tried by his country . ( Hear . ) Well , Sir , I think he has been tried , and it seems to me he has been found wanting . (" Hear / ' and a laugh . ) But is it any answer to such a verdict returned by such a jury that , if this will not do , we have got something else V * ( a laugh ); that " certainly you differ from me in this matter , but if you will wait , if you will give me time , I have a colleague -of such extraordinary resources , of such astounding ability , that he will produce you something as a substitute that , you will be delighted with , pleased beyond everything ; if you

      will only allow him to produce it , it will be perfectly satisfactory to all parties . " I will not denyfthat is possible . There are many geniuses of that kind , particularly in medicine—persons capable of remedying all evils of that sort ; and I will not deny the possibility of the right hon . gentleman ' s having in his office , or in his mind some measures that will be universally palatable , and at the same time I hope he will really produce them ; hut , in the msantime , I think we must keep to the business for which we have assembled , and come to a decision on our future policy . The right hon . gentleman the Chancellor of the Exchequer comes to me and says , " Let me bring forward my measures ; let me have the precedence of you . ' We want to lay clown some principle . We want to determine what is

      the opinioji of this country as to the policy that ought to regulate our commerce and according to the expression in the House of Lords last night , that ou ^ ht to regulate ourinteresst ; " but , " says the right hon . gentleman , "before you do that , let me give you my measures . " Why , the right hon . gentleman asks me to assume that some mischief has been done—that some reparation ^ due . ( Hear , hear . ) I hear of converts on the other side—of persons honestly desirous to support the new policy , hut that persons on the other side are so factiously disposed that they try to prevent that new policy being fully carried out . Give us some intimation that you are honest converts—that you are inclined to adopt those views , and all the forbearances you can expect you shall receive ; but as far as we can make out at this moment , vou are no convr > rfa o * . nil ™ n „„« far as we can make out at this momentyou are no converts at

      all—, you are acting from necessity . ( A laugh . ) You dissolved the last Parliament—you get a verdict against you—and you do what you call "bow to the decision of the country . " ( A laugh . ) I must say a more convenient mode of dissolving Parliament and adopting a course afterwards , when you have been unsuccessful , could hardly be taken , because it ' s a sort of "heads , I win—tails , you lose . " ( A laugh . ) " If you are successful , we bow ; if we are successful , we adapt our own policy ; at all events we remain in . ' ' ( A laugh . ) My motion has already done some good ; it has done this good , —h has produced the amendment of the right hon . gentleman . ( Hear , hear . ) I assure the right hon . gentleman I derived very great satisfaction from it , —not that it is an amendment upon my resolution

      but upon the politics of the right hon . gentleman . I am told , and I received the information within a few moments of entering the house , that if it should be declared by a majority of this house that the repeal of the law which has had the effect the right hon . gentleman the Chancellor of the Exchequer hns stated and which I have so often stated in this house , will be unwise or unjust , we have a prospect of the resignation of this Government . ( " Hear , ' and .- / laugh . ) I can assure the right hon . gentleman and his colleagues that , whatever they may think of the motives of the person who proposes this resolution , I have not the smallest desire to see theai dismissed . ( " Oh , oh ! " ) I do not deny that the noble earl at the head of the government is a great authority of what is faction , He has been , as he stated hist night , 30 years before the public ; the public have had tlie

      opportunity of witnessing his conduct for the last thirty years , ( hear ) and I , as one of the public , do not dispute his authority In such matters i ( hear ) : but it is still possible , I can assure the noble earl , for a man to be single- . minded on a matter of this sort—to have but one purpose before him still I possible for a man not to he ready to adopt every principle and abandon every j party for the sake of power . ( Hear , hear . ) I care , however , very little , whether r sredit is given or not to the statement I have made by hon . gtntlemen opposite > and , do you know , I believe this great country would survive even the great it calamity with which , as I understand , it is contingently menaced by vHi hon i and hon . gentlemen opposite . ( Hear , hear , and laughter . ) I should V exl 5

      treaiely sorry to see it happen , but , though it happen , I am still not without tit hopes for the country . ( Hear , hoar , and laughter . ) I have heard of such things -s before ( laughter , ) and have seen such things happen without the result of any nv very fearful consequences . In fact , I myself am not disposed to attach so much ch importance to the existence of a Ministry as some people are . I have seen four lur or five Ministries in office since I have been in Parliament , and so f ar as I I have heen able to judge , there has been a very strong family likeness between sen them . The country never suffers very much ; those who accede to power , ver generally do that which they resisted in opposition , just as those they s ucceed eed did before them cud

      . My own impression is that no jrreat c-pninc . - „ L » ..-. j i i * oerore mem . juy own impression is that no great genius is required to i to ? administer government I believe that all the real business in the public offices ices , » donebyacertain number o public servants , of whom we hear very little , andandl that it must be owing to great want of judgment , or some defect of capacity -ity whenever a government becomes sufficiently unpopular to he displaced . That fit f [ may not he misunderstood , I re-state that in making this motion 1 have no * noi object of displacing the Mimstry . I do not act as a partisan on the occasion . sion .. At the ti

      same me , as gentlemen opposite do not seem satisfied with what I say iy if will add that , were that displacement to occur , I should be quite reconciled tod too the event . Without troubling the House with a mas of statistics , I have here aere ait calculation smaller in amount , but which exactly illu s trates thi policy which Ich II hope the Chancellor of the Exchequer intends to p « W . The city of Londonndonn alone affords a most conclusive illustration of the enormous effects that are pro-a pro * duced by a reduction in the price of articles of food upon the availability of ' the * ' theie people ' s means for purchasing other articles . The population of London , ad , accerding to the most moderate calculation is 2 , 500 , 000 . From July , im UmUmn

  • Citation
    • Northern Star (1837-1852), Nov. 27, 1852, page 3, in the Nineteenth-Century Serials Edition (2008; 2018) ncse-os.kdl.kcl.ac.uk/periodicals/ns/issues/ns2_27111852/page/3/