NEW SOUTH WALES.

Lyttelton Times, Volume X, Issue 613, 22 September 1858, Page 3

NEW SOUTH WALES.

Our dates by the Harp from Sydney are to the 20th ult.

A new Electoral Bill was passing through parliament,the provisionsof which dealwith the same points as those which, have, Jately been under the consideration of the General Assembly of this colony. Instead of a series of bills, however, the whole subject-has been treated in a single measure. The number of members has beenincreased to 80, and; greater representation given proportionately to distant and sparsely populated districts. " The 'Empire' of the 10th of August shortly summarises the other important provisions as follows :—-

"The Electoral Bill, the progress of which •will be interesting to many of our readers, may be said to have passed through committee of the whole House, though some its details have yet to be considered. The main principles of the bill have been affirmed in The principle of population has been mainly carried out. in the apportionment of the representation. Manhood suffrage'has been adoptedwith a residentiary qualificationTofxsix months in one distriot. But 'tliijr ekteniion of-the firaiichise has been coupled with a property, suffrage, by which owners of freehold and leasehold properties, occupants of premises and of Crown Lands will enjoy a secondary vote. _. A special representation has been conceded to the gold-diggers, who are enfranchised by a six months' holding of a Miner's Right. Toting'by ballot has been confirmed as an essential part of the bill."

The subject had not been completely disposed of on the 20th.

In connection with the question of Reform, the Assembly (i.e., the Lower House) passed a resolution by a considerable majority declaring in favour of two Houses of (Legislature, an Upper and a Lower, both [elective. The members of the Upper House are nominated under the present Constitution.

An antagonism somewhat dangerous to the interests of the colony seems to exist, at least in small things, between the two Houses. The Legislative Council had sent to the Assembly a bill for the ' Regulation of Common Lodging Houses,' ■which the House below threw out on the second reading, without an argument for or against. The bill had been carefully prepared by the ' Lords,' who were naturally indignant at its treatment. The nest time they met they revenged themselves upon an ' Impounding Bill' which was before them, sent up from the Assembly, an important measure and oue which had been two years in maturing. This the Council unceremoniously kicked out, appointing it to be read that day six months, when the debate on the Lodging House Bill should be re- , sumed in the Assembly.' ; • On the subject of the Panama Mail Route, we | find some important statements in the paper. ..The 'Empire-says:—"We understand that immediate steps will be taken by the Government to submit in definite form for the competition of European capitalists the establishment of a line of steamers between Sydney and Panama,, and that the subject is likely to be brought authoritatively before the British public by the next mail." A letter from Mr. Wetton addressed to Mr. Parkes, M.P. in reply to inquiries made by him as to the best course to be taken between Panama and Sydney, and as to the description of vessels &c, appears in the' Empire' of the 10th ult. We give it in full. PANAMA ROUTE. Royal Mail Office, Sydney, 6th of August, 3855. My dear Sib —Replying to your noto of yesterday's date, enclosing ft copy of iho resolutions you propose to move in the Legislative Assembly this evening, and asking for information in respect to the Pauamn route, I beg to say that in tho opinion of those best acquainted with the Pacific and with oceun steaming, the only practicable course for steam ships to take proceeding irom Sydney to Panama is, in the first place to make a straight course tiemco to Cook's Straits, calling at Welliugtou to coal, thtiuco on the arc. of tho grand circle to Panama without further stoppage —tho return voyage to Sydney should proceed from Panama to Tahiti, thence nearly duo west for Homo 15 degrees, whon about a straight linn must be inndo, oithor for Sydney direct or Wauganui (?), New Zealand.

With regard to tho number of days, you must not fn.il to bonr in mind that, for truvorsiug groat distunens of ocoau by stoum, a high rate of spued v found to be iuuoimislont

with regularity, or vice versa,-if, SM I take it to be, precise regularity is of more importance than extreme speed, I am clearly of opinion that sixty days bhould b ■. allowed fur the through passage from Sydney to Southampton. The size of the vessels that should be built for the Panama Hervice cannot be less than 1,800 tons to carry Hdffir.iei.t coal for thu voyage. "Engines 400 hone-powM vit/i eery great boiler space, say equal to boiler* usually fUtc-d to undines of S'JO to 000 horse-power, asid with furna-ccrfcori.Htiut.-ted with special jefer^uce to the consumption of Colonial coal—such vessel should accommodate with comfort, if proptriy constructed, 100 iirst class, and from 100 to "200 steerage passenger*. Further, replying to your enquiry as to whether tho Royal Mail Company would, in my opinion, be willing to undertake the Panama line—my impression irf chat ihe Directors would do so, if the colouiua are prepared to pay sneh a subsidy which they as prudent merchants and careful trustees would consider a fair remuneration for the services to be performed.

T may nay that with the experience the company has lately acquired of the enormous expenses and iusufik-ieut revenue of an Australian steam line, the small number of passengers trayeliing between Europe arjd Austra ia, and the low rate of gold freight, it i» pla.in to the directors, as it mnst be to all business men, that a fur larger subsidy than jf'6o,ooo per annum would be required to carry on the Pacific servica with any prospect of a successful result. Yours faithfully, CHAMPION WETTON. Hesry Paekes, Esq., 2NI P., &c, &c, &c. Toa may make aay n=e you please of thi3 communication. Another letter from the same gentleman is also important, as confirming the report that the European and Australian Royal Mail Company is closing its affairs. It appears further that the postal contract has passed entirely out of their hands, and that a provisional agreement has been entered into with the Royal Mail (West India) Company to continue the postal line for the next six months. The letter is as follows: — Royal ilnil Office, Sydney, 17th August, 1858.

Sir - I beg to acquaint yon, for the information of the public, that I have received advice* by the R. M. S. European, to the effect that her Majesty's Government have terminated the postal contract Wi'.h the European and Australian Royal Mail Company, and that an arrangement has been entered into with the Royal Mail Stea:a Packet Company, to carry on the service for sis months, dating from the Ist of July.

I am, sir- vrar obedient servant, CHAMPION WETTON. Superintendent.

RACI3TG.

The Champion Race for £1000 a side, being a match between Ben Bolt and Lauristina, came off at Homebush on the 7th August, resulting after a good race in victory to the horse by three length?. Bets were at starting 2tol on the mare. Higgerson rode Ben Bolt and Snell Lauristina. Time 2 miles in 3 rain. 56 sec.

Match at Hosiebush. —The race between Mr. Bell's horse Gratis, and the New Zealand bred colt Chevalier, came off at Homebush yesterday afternoon, pursuant to articles. The weather proved delightfully fine, and consequently a large number of persons assembled on the course to witness the contest; as will be seen below, the old horse came off victorious, thereby justifying the high opinion which had been formed of him by his backers.

Match for £300 aside, 2 niiies over Homebush, carrying weight for age.

Mr. D. Bell's b.g. Gratis, aged. 9st. 91b.

... • (Higgerson) 1 Mr. C. Obee's b.c. Chevalier,. 3 years

(J. Cutts) 2

Betting 10 to 6 on Gratis. —Chevalier went off with the lead, which he kept for about half-a-mile, when he was overhauled, and a pretty struggle commenced along the flat at the back of the course. The pace, however, proved too severe for the colt, and gradually dropping behind, he was beaten at the finish by about three lengths. Time 4 ni. 11 sees.— Empire, Aug. 19.

Since the above was in type we have Sydney news via Hobart Town to the 31st ult. 6a the 27th, says the 'Empire,'—

A message was sent down to the Legislative Assembly, transmitting to the House copies of the minutes of proceedings of the Executive Council on the subject of the address recently, adopted in favour of establishing a line of steamers between Sydney and Panama, and his Excellency the Governor invites the Assembly to appropriate a sum not exceeding £50,000 for a period of either seven or ten years for the establishment of this important service. Assuming that the Government adopt the opinion of the Assembly as conveyed in the address of the 10th instant, that this colony ought to offer a subsidy sufficient to secure the independent possession of this service, we fear £50,000 will

be too small a sum in itself for the purpose. If New Zealand will give £20,000, the united amount, however, will probably induce either the Cunard or the West India Company to enter upon the undertaking. And perhaps it will be best to open negotiations with Isew Zealand for her contribution as an independent party to the contract.

On the 26th Mr. Cowper moved that the Electoral Bill be read a third time. After a motion for the recommittal of the bill, to make some A Terbai amendments, which was negatived without a division, the House divided on the third reading, which was carried by 25 to S votes.

With reference to this measure the ' Herald' remarks as follows:—

The Electoral Bill, after having been for some five months under discussion, has at length passed from, the Assembly to the Upper House, where its consideration has been postponed for a fortnight, to afford time for the printing of certain returns, and the lithographing-of certain plans which are necessary for the understanding of some of its details. It is impossable, at present, to say how it may be dealt with. The Solicitor-General, with a tone of pugnacity which did not sound well from the solitary representative of Ministerial dignity, plainly told the Legislative Council that " the Government" would consent to no postponement of this measure—beyond the stipulated fortnight; would resist in fact, any delay whatever, by all the means at its disposal. He cooled down, however, afterwards, when it became apparent from the remarks of other members of the Council, that, while they were not to be bullied into passing the bill without consideration, thei'e was no intention to deal with it otherwise than straightforwardly. It was plain that the Ministry has determined to carry the Electoral Bill through the Upper House, at all hazards. If it is found that there is not sufficient strength in the

Ministerial side of the Council to ensure this result, new Tnom }>*rs wiil be stint in to tvim t!»o scale. Four have been added within the last fortnight.

The ' Sydney Empire,' after a struggle of eight years, has ceased to exist.