WESTERN AUSTRALIA. [From the Maitland Mercury.]

New Zealand Spectator and Cook's Strait Guardian, Volume IX, Issue 782, 29 January 1853, Page 3

WESTERN AUSTRALIA. [From the Maitland Mercury.]

We have received Perth papers to the 19th November. The colony appears to be steadily prosperous, and the prospects of good crops and good prices increased the feelings of contentment. Still complaints are made that many of the colonists had left and were leaving for the Victoria gold fields, and endeavours were being made to discover gold in the colony as a preventative. Mr. Assistant Surveyor A. C. Gregory had returned from an exploratory expedition to the northward, having got 50 miles north of the previous explorations, or about 400 miles from Perth. Ke found the country north of the Geraldine mines (300 miles from Perth) to be of a sterile character generally, and water so scarce that on one occasion his horses were seventy hours without water. This result had caused some disappointment, as previous northern expeditions had led to a hope of further dis« coveries of good country in that direction.

| Agricultural.—On a late visit to the Toodyay, Northam, and York districts, we were much gratified in noticing the evident proofs of prosperity among the settlers, as well as their determination to take advantage of the present high prices of all kinds of their produce, by adding largely to the amount of land in cultivation. One and all appeared to be moved by the same spirit and energy, and from the preparations we observed and heard spoken of, we have little doubt the breadth of land under the plough next season, even by the present cultivators, will exceed the present by an average of 25 per cent. The crops of the present season present probably a more healthy and vigorous appearance than for many years past, and certainly may now be considered as promising a most plenteous harvest. The crop of wool, so far as has yet reached Perth, also, we understand, exceeds by one fourth that of last year, and our farmers may fairly congratulate themselves upon the present time of, to them, almost unexampled prosperity.—Perth Gazette, November 12.

The Wreck of the "Barque Eglinton." —An investigation into the circumstances attending the loss of the "Eglinton," took place at Freemantle, on Monday last, before a bench of magistrates, and terminated on the following day. The result was that the master of the vessel was committed to take his trial for negligence in navigating the vessel into port, under the Mercantile Marine Act. [The trial took place before a special sessions, and the master was convicted and fined £50. This sum was raised for him by public subscription, so strong was the feeling entertained that he had done his duty, although unfortunate.]