COLONIAL.

Otago Witness, Issue 137, 31 December 1853, Page 3

COLONIAL.

Goulbuun. — It is next to impossible to procure even a very humble class of cottage in Goulburn. So great has been the demand for houseroom, rents have risen in some cases more than 150 per cent., and premiums are given of from £100 to £200 for good wills. In Auburnstreet, £2 a week has been offered for a si) op without any apartments; small shops there with three rooms let at that rate, and a decent four-roomed cottage will fetch from 12s. to 20s. a week. Of course this is not so high as the rents in Sydney, but they aye extravagant, considering that Goulburn is situated so far from the metropolis. A great deal of land has lately changed hands, and is now held by parties anxious to build ; but unfortunately there are no bricklayers or masons to be had. — Sheepshearing is progressing very slowly. There has been an unprecedented difficulty in getting " hands," although the rate per score is double what it used to be. lam told that on the Mur- , rtiinbidgee 9s. to 12s. a score Has been given to shearers. — Sydney Empire, Nov. 2.

The " Great Britain" steam ship arrived in Hobson'a Bay on the 16th October, having made the passage from England in sixty-one days, inclusive of a detention of four days at St. Vincent. While in Melbourne, she discharged

over 300 passengers and 200 tons of luggage, with 300 tons of cargo. The Captain of the " Star of the Eaat" has offered £10 a month for hands to Shanghai and England.