Colonial News.

Lyttelton Times, Volume VI, Issue 348, 1 March 1856, Page 7

Colonial News.

VICTORIA

We rmike the following extracts from a summary prepared by the Argus for transmission by ilie Red Jacket : —

" Thk Gold.—The yield is steady and increasing, and the mining population generally is in a prosperous condition. The export of the precious metal <or 185.0 has amounted to 110 tons 8 cwt. 3 qrs. fi. lbs., against 88 tons 8 <•«•(. 3 qrs. 8 lbs., for the previous year. The receipts by escort and shipments for 1854 and 18.05 respectively have been:—Received, in 1854: 1.834,446" ounces; in 18/55, 2,177,887 ounces.—Shipped, in 1854: 2,122,596 ounces; in 1855, 2,650^578.—The increase which these returns exhibit over 1854 is very marked, and the most encouraging feature is that it has been lrradnal and uniformly progressive. That this year will exceed 1855 is not doubted by any one. The boundaries of the Gold-fields are extending, enterprize is mere ably directed, and the quartz reefs are of such extent that for centuries they will in all probability defy the power of man to exhaust their treasures. We ought to remark that •vithin the last few months a considerable proportion of our cold has been shipped to Sydney, to be coined at the mint recently established in that city. It was provided in the imperial regulations that the Sydney coin shall not be a legal tender in th» other Australian colonies until a proclamation to that effect has been sanctioned by the local Legislature, and made by the Executive. This proclamation has not yet been issued in this colony, and the gold sent to Sydney is paid for by imperial coin. It' this continues for any length of time, our neighbours "ill require continually to import sovereigns to pay for our gold. " Population.—Taking the last census as the basis, and bringing down the calculation from the official returns of the Immigration anil the Registrar-General's departments, we commence the new year with a population of at least 325,000 souls. Our numbers at the close of 1854 were 273.000. SOUTH AUSTRALIA. The population of South Australia, according to the last census, was returned as upwards of 85,000 souls. NEW SOUTH WALES. The Hon. F. Deas Thompson, C.8., had returned to the Colony and resumed duty as Colt nial Secretary. It was stated that the separation of Jfuretou Bay and Northern Australia from New South Wales had been finally determined upon. The que.-lion of the boundary line was causing considerable excitement in Sydney. The business of the Supreme Court had increased to such an extent as to require ihe assistance of a fourth judge, and — Milford, Esq., late Master in Equity, had received the appointment of Judge. Mr. Justice Milford would reside at Brisbane, Morelon Bay. The business in the Insolvent Courts had so rapidly increased, that on the recommendation of the Syduev Chamber of Commerce, ChiefJustice Siepheii had appointed three intuitional Official Assignees. The genenil election for the Ni w Parliament was causing great excitement throughout New South Wales.