MELBOURNE.

Bruce Herald, Volume III, Issue 59, 25 May 1865, Page 9

MELBOURNE.

{From ovtir own Cottespondertf.*) May 12, 1865. Little of importance has occurred during the past week or two^ and I find it exceedingly hard to gather any items of intelligence which would be, of interest to your readers. The dry season has now fairly broken up, and copious showers of rain hav,e lately fallen, to the great joy of the mining andfarming portion of the community. The majority of those companies which were compelled to cease working on account of the scarcity of water are again in active operation, and the change in the weather, it is expected, will tfoon tell on the quantity of gold obtained from the various claims. The Government has proclaimed 600,000 acres of land, chiefly in the Western district, as open for free selection. This is the second

baich. of agricultural areas which liave .been thrown open for selection siri'e'e the passing of thei new land bill; The regulations under which allotments may be taken up have also been issued. The land is to be leased at a rental of 2s. 6d. per acre per annum, to be paid in advance. Numbers of intending purchasers have been riding bver the several districts inspecting the land. The arrangements come to respecting the border dufoes seems not to have given such general' satisfaction as was at first supposed. At the recent conference of the representatives of the two governments, it was admitted that Kew South Wales was entitled to the revenue 'derived from the duties on goods consumed in her own territory. But in order to save expense in the maintenance of custom-houses it waS agreed that Victoria should be allowed to collect the whole of the border duties, and hand over to New South Wales its proper share 61 the revenue, after deducting a certain sum for collection. By this arrangement Biverina, which geographically belongs to the neighboring colony, has been handed, over to Victoria for purposes of taxation, and has become liable to the heavy duties imposed by the protection tariff. The settlers on the Murray, however^ do not appear to relish the idea of being annexed to Vic&oria in so unceremonious a manner, and have protested against the arrangement as unconstitutional and oppressive. It is pro-, bable, therefore, that we have not heard the last of this difficult question. An exhibition of colonial gems and jewellryj under the auspices of the Royal Society, has just been held. The collection was numerous and varied, and the quality of the exhibits of no mean order ; and would tend to show that the public are little aware of the amount of wealth obtained from Victoria in the shape of precious stones. This is the first exhibition of the kind held in the colony, and on the whole it may be said to have been successful. The share of patronage which it received is likely to induce the society to hold frequent exhibitions of a similar kind in future. Another name has been added to the comparatively long list of executed criminals. Joseph Brown, convicted at the last criminal sittings of the wilful murder of Jacobs, in Bourke-street, has suffered the extreme penalty of the law. The Executive Council 'considered that there were no redeeming features in connection with the case which would .justify a commutation of the sentence, they therefore rejected the jury's recommendation to mercy. The prisoner appeared to be 'deeply penitent towards the last, and maintained that he was perfectly innocent of the crime of 'wilful 3 murder, as he was drunk and not capable of controlling his actions at 'the time he gave the fatal stab. The .circumstances in connection with the 'tragic death of Morgan have not yet entirely faded from the public mind. It has oozed, out that the dead body of the bushranger was subjected to the most barbarous treatment. The head was severed from the body, the skin was peeled from the chin, to obtain possession of the beard, and other indignities were practised which find a parallel only in the dark ages. It is a slight satisfaction to know that the individuals who committed these deeds have been removed from office. The government of New South Wales have distributed the £1000 reward. Quinlan, the man who fired the fatal shot, has been awarded £300, and the remainder has been divided amongst the several persons who assisted in the capture. In addition to the reward, a subscription for the benefit of Quinlan is talked of, towards which several handsome sums have been contributed. Whilst on this subject, I may mention that a few days back a person crossed the border, and told those whom he met that he had come over to avenge the death of Morgan by shooting Quinlan. This dangerous character was not allowed to be at Jarge long. The police were soon on his track, and quickly arrested him. In his possession were found several revolvers and ammunition and a quantity of strychnine, the latter, he said, being intended for himself, in case of failure. He is supposed to have been one of the bushranger's confederates, and the result of his threatening language will probably be a somewhat lengthened lodgment in gaol. A new explosive compound, which is likely to supersede the use of blasting powder, has been discovered and patented in the colony. Interesting experiments nave been made with it at some quarries near this city, and the results were of a highly satisfactory character. The compound is said to be safer and more powerful, and also cheaper, than the ordinary blasting powder. The Hokitika diggings have failed to create any excitement here. Whatever excitement was occasioned by the first glowing reports, it quickly subsided when further information was received* Several vessels have been laid on for Hokitika, but passengers and cargo are slow in coming forward. There can be no doubt that a great many miners here fare badly off, and would gladly avail themselves of an Opportunity of" bettering their circumstances by removing to a more promising field of labour ; but the conflicting accounts received from Hokitika have not been sufficiently encourag*\ing to induce them to leave. '■•'■■