LATER FROM BATHURST AND SYDNEY.

New Zealander, Volume 7, Issue 536, 4 June 1851, Page 3

LATER FROM BATHURST AND SYDNEY.

By the arrival of the Maukin last night we have Sydney papers to the 24th of May, containing a week's later intelligence than that previously received. But we do not find it necessary to alter what we have already written, as the accounts no^ before us only confirm the views we have there expressed, with regard both to the existence of gold in large quantities, and the almost wild excitement which the discovery had produced. In a second edition of the Empire of the 24th ultimo are letters in which it is alleged that £8000 worth of gold had been brought into the town of Bathurst during the week ; — that gold had been found within seven miles of the town and all through the mountains, — and that many large pieces — one weighing I lb. — had been obtained. Mr. Sutchbury, the Government geologist, had forwarded a report confirmatory of Mr. Hargrave's statement ; and thereupon the Government without delay took steps to meet the emergency. Sir Charles Fitzßoy issued a Proclamation on the 22nd of May asserting the right of property of the Crown over " all mines of gold and all gold in its natural place of deposit," and declaring that all who should take gold from the territory without being duly authorised by the Government would be prosecuted ; both criminally and civilly. Next day the Regulations resolved upon by the Executive were issued, and were to the following effect : — No person to be permitted after the Ist June to dig, search for, or remove from any land without License ; — the License Fee to be One Pound Ten Shillings per month, subject to future alterations as may be found expedient ; — the License may be obtained from a Commissioner on the spot ; — no person to obtain a License unless he shall produce a certificate of discharge from his last service, or shall prove that he is not improperly absent from hired service., Rules adjusting the extent and position of land covered by each License, and to prevent confusion, were to be afterwards issued. J. R. Hardy, Esq., J.P., was appointed the Commissioner to carry out these Regulations. The public mind in Sydney, and indeed all through the country was excited to the highest pitch. Many, the Herald says, who are wholly unfit for any such work were going to the mines. In the country, several of the reports describe the people as "going mad on the subject," — sheepherds forsaking their flocks, and agricultural labourers their ploughing and sowing. The following brief extract is very discriptive of the state of the movement : — The road to Summer Hill Creek became literally alive with new-made miners from every quarter, some armed with picks, others shouldering crowbars or shovels, and not a few strung round with waih-hand basins, tin pots, and cullinderi, garden and agncultu ral implements of every variety, either hung from the ■addle-bow, or dangled about the persons of the pilgrims to Optrir. Now and then ft respectable tradesman, who had ju»t left his bench or counter, would heave into 6ii>ht, with a huge »omethinpr iv front of his horse, which he called a cradle, and with which he was about to rock himself into fortune. At the Ophir mines — (so they have designated them) — materials and provisions of all kinds were at an exorbitant price, — far beyond the reach of the less successful diggers, many of whom did not earn five shillings a day. A correspondent, writing from the Gold district to the Herald, says : To speak of the immense lise on every consumable article of commerce, I may say, on an aveiage, it is 300 per cent within the labt tew days, and gieat must be the privations of many poor and industrious families about. I have heard that five shilliugs was offered yesterday at the diggiugs for a loal. Any quantity of flour iliat can be sentfiom Sydney will biing exhorbitant piices, foi there is little to be had in the diitnet, and those who have that little will not sell. At Sydney prices were advancing rapidly,

and speculation going forward, in a gambling spirit. Brandy, rum, gin, gun-powder, firearms, as well as pickaxes, spades, blankets, &c, were in great requisition. Flour had risen to £30 per ton for best, and £28 for seconds, and was in much demand.

Supreme Court.—The Criminal Session was appointed to be held on Monday -, but, as we anticipated in our last, it was meiely a matter of form, there being no criminal for trial. The Chief Justice took his seat at ten ©'clock, and the Grand Jury were sworn, — Alexander Kennedy, Esq. Foreman. Mr. Whitaker stated that he appeared for the Attorney General, who was absent on official buisness, but that he had no case to bring forward. His Honor congratulated the Grand Jury on this state of things with which we are happily familiar here, and enquired if the Grand Jury had any presentment to make. The Foreman having replied in the negative. The Court was dissolved, the whole proceedings having occupied only a few minutes. The gratifying evidence thus incontrovertibly afforded of the tranquillity and good conduct of our population both Native and European needs no comment.

Coroner's Inquest.—On Monday last an Inquest was held at the Duke of Marlborough Inn, before Dr. Davies, Coroner, on the body of Mr. John Frodsham, Watchmaker, who was found dead in his bed on the morning of that day. The Verdict of the Jury was "Died of Apoplexy, caused by excessive drinking."

Lecture on Flax.—lt will be observed by advertisement in our columns that Mr. Whytlaw's Lecture, which was to be delivered this day, is postponed until Friday next at 2 o'clock, p.m., and at 8 o'clock in the evening.

New Journal.—On Saturday we received the first number of a fortnightly publication, called the Auckland Independent and Operatives 1 Journal. Its avowed object is to promote the instruction of its readers on subjects of practical value, —an object in which we cannot do otherwise than wish it success.