THE OTAGO WITNESS.

Otago Witness, Issue 238, 21 June 1856, Page 2

THE OTAGO WITNESS.

Dunedin, Satukday, June 21, 1856,

We have to notice the arrival, during the week, of the " Grafton" from Sydney via Wellington and Port Cooper ; the " Kate Kearney" from Sydney via Wellington ; the " Marmora" from Sydney via Port Cotfper; and the "Thomas and Henry" from Sydney via Wellington. We understand that the mails for Otago by the " Grafton" were demanded by the Postoffice authorities at Wellington for the purpose of being re-shipped by the " Thomas and Henry." Fortunately the Captain of the " Grafton " could not conveniently return the mail bags, which otherwise would not have come to hand for some days later than they were received. By these various opportunities we have received files of the New Zealand and Svd-

ney papers. The "Gratitude," which is said to have a large mail on board for this place, has not yet arrived. The mail from the seat of Government by the " Zingari" has been forwarded by the "Kate Kearney ;" and it appears from a debate in the Assembly that there is no prospect at present of Otago being included in the plan of inter-colonial communication by steam. There is little news of importance from the various provinces the local papers being chiefly filled with reprints from the Auckland papers of the proceedings of the Assembly. "We observe that' the Auckland

papeiv: excuse themselves from giving frill reports, on the ground that one debate alone would have filled 30 columns. The utter impossibility of our giving in detail the accumulated debates of a month will be apparent. We have therefore selected from the " Nelson Examiner" what appears to us to be the- most concise and graphic sketch of the proceedings of the Assembly, reserving details until a future period. We have no later news from the home country than that furnished to our readers ' some weeks since. Australian markets for produce remain much the same as they were at the date of our last information, wheat being Bs. 6d to 9s. per bushel, oats ss. potatoes nominal, not paying freight and charges. Tea, in consequence of large importations, had fallen 10s. per chest ; sugar, spirits, and tobacco had also fallen. The market was overstocked with timber of every description, and more arrivals were expected. Other imported articles suitable to the requirements yielded a fair return to shippers.

The " Gil Bias" cleared out for Melbourne on the 17th inst. with a cargo of wool, wheat, oats, and potatoes, valued at £1116. Notwithstanding the depressed state of the Australian markets, which of course reduces the declared value of the exports, there appears every prospect of the exports from the Province being considerable during the year. The fact°of the "Gil Bias" coming so near to Dunedin gives her an advantage over other crafts, and is a very material saving to the producers in the expense of boating. The advantage to the owner of the "Gil Bias" from that vessel being under contract to the Provincial Government is equally apparent, she having obtained a full carjjo, which will yield her a good freight ; when the other vessels in port v.ill probably have to leave in ballast, or waste much time in waiting for cargo. We point attention to this fact, because of the absurd argument used by the owner of the " Zingari" for refusing to include Otago in her curcuit. Certainty of arrival and departure are sure to foster and secure a trade. It was absurd for the owner of the "Zingari" to expect either freight or passengers, when the arrival of the steamer was always uncertain and erratic.