COLONIAL NEWS.

Lyttelton Times, Volume I, Issue 52, 3 January 1852, Page 3

COLONIAL NEWS.

SYDNEY, MELBOURNE, &c. [From the •' Nelson Examiner,"] We have been favoured by Mr. Peacock, owner of the brigantine " Despatch," with Sydney papers to the 14th of November. The accounts from the diggings continue encouraging, and further discoveries are being constantly made in new localities. The conduct of those employed in the search for gold, is spoken of as being very exemplary, for nothing like any serious outrage has yet been committed among them. In this respect the diggings of New South Wales have a great advantage over those of Victoria, or Port Philip, where already at this early stage, several murders have been committed. The accounts of the success at the Ballurat Diggings, in Victoria, were contradictory. The Melbourne newspapers agree that the* statements published at first were exaggerated, but unless this exaggeration still pievails, the quantities of gold obtained there are very wonderful. The following extract from the Argus presents no very favourable pictuve of " life at the mines."

" The Ballarat field is adding victims to the Woody, depraved appetites of the gang of vagabonds (not diggers) who are now congregated there. The desires of the diggers to be protected are unheeded. The officers and police are terror-stricken at the amount of crime they witness : there is not one among the officers who has the courage to lead his men into a mob to apprehend a murderer. Such at least is the state of things at Ballarat. " I was told to day, by one who has just come down, tl.at, although"the men who murdered their unfortunate victim on the night of Thursday last are well known, and although the authorities were told that they could be pointed out, they still declined to interfere, remarking that they were powerless with the force they had at their disposal ! Good God ! The government of this splendid colony unable, from fear, to apprehend a murderer! Lynch Law, with all its woist terrors, forced upon us by the imbecility of our own Government! i; A nother case of murder is reported to have occurred on Sunday night last. A party had been found in the pit of another, words ensued, shots were exchanged from muskets, one was murdered. Prize fighting, gambling, and such like other amusements are carried on during the hours of divine service; but the government may thank itself in a great measure for"this curse, having in the first instance r.esecrated the Sabbath by the issue of the licenses. " Everything connected with tins melancholy state of things, if any thing is done, as regards the apprehension of criminals, or the detection of sly srrog sellers, is cnrefu'ly concealed from the public, buA think it but right that the truth of the disgraceful report at present afloat, should be immediately demanded from the Government by the people, as any attempt at secrecy will only tKu-teu on the fate that is awaiting us ; and if the reports should prove unfounded or exaggerated, the public • mind will be thus set at comparative rest. " The Captain who was said to have been wounded in the row on the night of Thursday last, is reported to have since died, making the seconu murder on that night. 1 retrain from meutiom::g his name, as it is quite possible, in the present incited state of the people, that it may be incorrect.' Provisions in Sydney continued at moderate prices. Wheat was selling- at from 45.-tut. to os. per bush., Hour fluctuating between 14/. and 16/. a ton.

From South Australia papers to tlie 11th of October, we learn that there are there a large number of operatives unemployed, many ot whom are really in a very destitute state. It was expected, however, that with the setting in of fine weather, employment would be afforded them. The Council of this colony has negatived' the State grant to the Church. The latest markets gave wheat at Bs. 6d, to 95., barley 6s 6d. per bushel. Flour, 23Z. per ton.