SYDNEY EXTRACTS.

New Zealand Gazette and Wellington Spectator, Volume I, Issue 29, 31 October 1840, Page 3

SYDNEY EXTRACTS.

Coals. — The consumption of coals must be nearly doubW within the next twelve months, as in addition to the Companies at present in operation, the following companies, — viz : thft Hunter River, West Maitland, and Port Phillip, Steam Navigation Companies, the Sugar refining Company, and the Gas Company, all large consumers of coals will be in operation. Besides which the introduction of steam communication between South Australia and this Colony will cause an additional demand. It is stated that coal in abundance is to be found oh the banks of the Tamar, If the inhabitants of Launceston wish to take an important position in the scale of cities in this southern hemisphere they must work these coals or have them worked in some way or another. If all the coals have to be taken from this end of the jo lrney it will double the expense of steam conveyance between the two Colonies ; besides we have not coals enougli for our own consumption, and in a couple of years the demand for coals on the Hunter will be as much as the mines at Newcastle will be able to supply. — Sydney Herald. Married. — On Wednesday, the 16th instant, by special license at St. James' Church, Sydney, by the Right Rev. Lord Bishop of Australia, Samuel Hood Murray, Esq., 50th (Queen's Own) regiment, second son of the late Houorable Leveson Granville Keith Murray, and Grandson of John, fourth Earl of Dunmore, to Susan, second daughter of H. C. Sempell, Esq., of Beltres. The Times. — Perhaps in the memory of the oldest Colonists, the times were never in such a wretched state in Australia as they are tit present. There is an old saying to the

effect that Tins or that cannot be had for love or money ; but at present money cannot be had for love or any thing else. The" money market is in a terrible state, and the late increase of duty on imported spirits will, in all likelihood, render it more so. Twenty thousand pounds is, as His Excellency would say — "not to be sneezed at" — and this sum of money, which has (according to our information) been paid on spirits in bond, might as well have been locked up in an iron chest. Extensive failures have of late taken place, and it is rumoured many more will follow. We sincerely hope such will not be the case, but time, the best of all tests, will ultimately 'ell the result.— Sydney Gazette. Custom House. — The Custom House yesterday, was, as on the preceding day, a scene of turmoil. At ten o'clock, a. m., about two dozen respectable merchants and publicans were in attendance to pay the duty on the spirits they had in bond. One of the first merchants in Sydney was there, who on the previous day (as we have heard) paid more than £6000. For some time the money was taken, by the person whose duty it was so to do, without any increase having been made on the duty. As he was proceeding to receive money, a certain blusterer, holding some authority in the Custom House, told him that he was not to do so, unless at the new rate of duty. The gentleman's answer was to the point and very just. " Sir," said he, "until I get a contrary order I shall do my duty, according to my-instructions." The individual above mentioned immediately sent him an order to desist, which of course he did. We will make no remarks at present on the subject, further than saying that the public, more especially those concerned, ought to have had a few days warning before the Act was carried into «<yw — Irid. VAN DIEAIA* ri LAND. The Weather. — Providence smiles upon this remote corner of the globe, and has favoured it with several refreshing showers during the last fortnight — the weather being mild and genial. Yesterday, at noon, a fine and most seasonable ruin commenced, which h.as continued through the night, and up to our present writing. We are pleased to observe that the appearance of the atmosphere indicates its general extension throughout the Island, and if this be the case, a most beneficial influence must accrue to the crops and pasturage ; indeed, from.the accoiyits which have readied us, we learn, that the season is a most promising one. It is said that Sir Thomas Macdoujjall Brisbane published his Astronomical Observations, when Governor of these Colonies, in which he states, that there would be four years of severe drought in this hemisphere, and that during the following nineteen years, some part of every mouth would be wet. It is to be regretted that the Sydney corn speculators did' not know this calculation four years ago. — Colonial Times. Government Ball. — Invitations are abroad, for a ball at Government-house on the 27th inst. Great preparations are making for the festivities; the wooden ham has been fresh painted, and the wooden plum cake, having undergone "a thorough repair," will resume its position as one of the principal articles at the social board. We are sure that the recent arrival of wine from the Cape has' had nothing to do with this party— as they do not use wi n c in making negus at Government House !—lbid.! — Ibid. Discovery Ships. — Her Majesty's ships "Terror" and "Erebus" have arrived here, on their discovery trip to the South Seas ; 3nd we learn, that they are likely to remain for some time in this port. An Observatory, we understand, is now being constructed at the Queen's Yard, for the purpose of affording facilities for making certain scientific observations. — Ibid. '