SOUTH AUSTRALIA.

New Zealand Gazette and Wellington Spectator, Volume I, Issue 21, 29 August 1840, Page 3

SOUTH AUSTRALIA.

, We have received our papers to the 7th May, from which we learn, that the South Australians are progressing rather more favourably than had been lately reported. The statements which had appeared ju the " Cornwall Chronicle", and the "Port Phillip Patriot," in reference to the departure from South Australia of "Working Emigrants," are peremptorily contradicted by the "Southern .Australian," which, by the way, is to be henceforward published twice a .week. His Excellency, Governor Gawler, had paid an official visit to Port "Lincoln, when an Address was presented, and a Levee held, His Excellency delighting all with his-urbanity and condescension. In his reply to tHe Address, Colonel Gawler thus speaks of Port Lincoln :—: —

" I am truly gratified with the view of your magnificent harbour,— it dann'ot certainly be

surpasssd -in tits world fdr commodiousness, safely, and facility of access. I niost sincerely desire for it all the success it deserves — and am persuaded from what I Kive already seen, that much may be done for it and with it, by unity, industry, enterprise, and perseverance among the settlers on its shores.''

The "Southern Australian," -of the 7th May, contains a long and most elaborate Financial Minute, "with, reference, to the public accounts of the Province for the year 1840;" the expenditure for the last quarter of 1839, (of which only we find an abstract) amounts, to the comparatively enormous sum of £45,738 16s. 10d., being an excess over the receipts of £2661 17s. 6 J. ! This is pretty well for a Colony little more than three years old, and which is thus characterized by His Excellency, in the conclusion of his Minute : — "It appears to me that the state of the province affords most striking evidence of the propriety of the financial course which its Government has pursued. There is not in the history of the world, an instance in which, after little more than three years from its foundation, any Colony at a graat distance from its parent state has attained to the same high degree of peace, order, and prosperity, as that in which this province now stands. On the coutrary, it has been observed by all enquirers, and among others by the talented individual who had, perhaps, the greatest share in originating this colony, that modern colonies have been remarkable for their early disasters. Financial proceedings are not alone the causes of political prospe r ity, but under tli3 blessing of God, they are certainly leading means toward it. The establishment of the colony has cost a large sum, but it is probable that no British province has ever attained to the same condition at, to say 'he least, a smaller price. However great the expenditure may be, the results are great also. Three years and a half ago, the spot on which we are standing was a desert unknownto Europeans. Now we are surrounded by a populous, and to a considerable extent, handsome city. Our principal streets are lined with well filled warehouses and shops, and ciowded by all the atten Lints of active traffic. Han.lsome and substantial buildings are to be seen on every si.le, and rapidly increasing. Our Port, which, a few years since, was an unknown salt water creek, covered only by water-to wl, and enclosed in a mangrove swamp, is now filled with large shippin jffrom Europe, India, and the neighbouring colonies. The swamp is traversed by a substantial road, and handsome wharfs and wareh.uu.s2s ar^ rising on i s borders. A steam tug is promised by the commissioners ; and with such convenieiues, there will not be a finer harbour for vessels drawing under sixteen feet water. Ships of larger dimensions may discharge their cargoes from the Gulph, which is in itself a secure roadstead. The neighbourhood of the capital is studded with numerous and populous suburbs and villages, while tlie more distant country, whether to the north, the east, or the south, is rapidly assuming in population that healthy and natual proportion which it ought to bear to the metroplis."

Amongst the items of expenditure, is the sum of £498 4s. for Government Printing, which has, very justly, excited the indignation of the " Southern Australian," not merely as an instance of lavish extravagance, but as a complete job, ."entailing," as 'our contemporary observes, '" upon the colony, for the mere article of printing, scarcely less thau two THOUSAND POUNDS PER ANNUM !"

A public meeting has been hel:l at Thebarton, " with a view of promoting the erection of a bridge across the Torrens, on the new line of road from the harbour to Adelaide, as laid down by Col. Light." A subscription was set on foot, and a Committss, with a Treasurer an:l Saciretary, wjre appoints I.

Bank .of South Australia. — It is in contemplation, we understand, to erect a new building for the transaction of the business of the above establishment, in the vicinity of North Terraos. Tnis spea'cs w^ll for the growing importance of the Colony.

The Weather. — During the past week, we have had a succession, of gentle and fructifying showers. These have been at such intervals, as in no way to cause the suspension of gardening or agricultural operations. Lt is "the opinion of what we may term our oldest colonists, that so favourable a season has not been known since the province was first colonized. We sincerely. hope the present favorable appearances may be continue!, and that our colonial agriculturalists may reap the reward of their industry and toil. i

The Crops. — We have been informsd by several persons, who have arrived from the interior, during the past week, that the appearance of the country is truly delightful. The wheat and barley, already sown, is up, and appears exceedingly healthy and promising. Agricultural operations are being conducted with great vigour in various localities ;

and many ,of our spirited fellow colonists seem deJennmeJ to repair the injury which was likely to result to the colony from tlie ueglect ',of "ths 'cultivation of the soil. Our forthcoming harvest will, ,we have every reason to believe, be both,-,, abundant and remunerative. —Colonial Times;