MELBOURNE.

Evening Star, Volume III, Issue 823, 26 December 1865, Page 2

MELBOURNE.

' (from; our own coRRisPOJOD^T;) Dec. 15th, 1865. Two years ago, and mV letter the' Evening Star teemed with Accounts of the damage done both to life and property hy floods. Then we were washed out; now we are dried up ; for, owing to the unusually dry winter and spring, the country very much resembles a well-worn Scotch blanket. Fifty miles from Melbourne, the sight of anything in shape of green vegetation would be looked upon as a curiosity. Trees are leafless, water-holes are turned into dustholes, river-beds into dry gullies, and the ground into cracked parchment. In many instances, the occupiers of outlying stations have had to abandon them, leaving their cattle to die from thirst; and even human life has fallen a sacrifice to the universal drought. This dreadful calamity, in connection with the stoppage- to trade caused by our worthy Ministry, has about brought business in Victoria to a stand-still. The year is now rapidly drawing to a close, and the Briton’s great annual holiday is fast approaching ; but little interest seems to be felt as to how it will be passed : in fact, I have never known things to be so dull at this time of the year before.

Parliament is dissolved, and preparations being made for a general election. Meetings are taking place throughout the country; partyfeeling runs very . strong, and no doubt, before the elections are over, there will be many a cracked head and light purse. Much to the astonishment of many, the Ministerial .or Protectionist party have been well received wherever they have come forward.

Mining has collapsed. Out of every hundred mines started during the pas,t year, not more than one is now actually in existence. At Woodspoint the population is in a wretchedly impeciuiious state, and is living on a S3>-stem of barter, the sight of coin of the realm being most rare.

Sandhurst is being supplied with water conveyed to it by railway. John H. Moulines, Town Clerk for East Collingwood, has been arrested on a charge of embezzling the funds of the Corporation. The officer took him off the ship Lightning at Queen'scliff, he having taken a passage in her for England under an assumed name.

The Intercolonial Exhibition, to be held in Melbourne in August 1866, will, it is anticipated, be a great success. The old Exhibition building will have to be enlarged to enable the intending to show their goods.