MELBOURNE.

Otago Witness, Issue 586, 21 February 1863, Page 8

MELBOURNE.

(P*OM 3!HE BAILt tfIMES CORRESPONDENT.) February 7th, 1863.

Again has Melbourne had to succumb to the prowess of Sydney, and the loss of the boa* race, about which ?o much ha 9 been said and written, adds another to the many defeats tha f the Victorians have suffered from their more fortunate or more skilful neighbors. From what can be gathered from the meagre intelligence received by telegram, the race appears to have been a perfectly fair one ; our men arrived in good time, ha 1 sufficient opportunities for practice, and did their best to maintain the honor of Victoria, though unsuccessfully. The match took place on Wednesday last, the course about three miles and a half being on the Paramatta river. A fair start was effected about a quarter to six, the weather at the time being very boisterous. The Melbourne crew went away with th- lead, which they retained for about half a mile, when the Ss"dney«ien put on a spurt, succeed d in catching and finally overtaking the Victorians ; from this point they increased the di tanc a-head, and won easily by about fix boat.--length*. The distance wfs accomplished in nineteen minutes and a half. There was a large attendance present, and the match seemed to excite great interest. A rather lively scene occurred in the Assembly on Wednesday afternoon between the representatives of the rival metropolitan gold fields. The bpn member for Ballarat denied there was any truth in the statement in the Age that members of a Commission receive d any pay in the shape of three guineas a day. Mr Sullivan thought they received "expenses." 'and Mr Humffray thinking that an " insinuation," threw it back with the remark " he believed the Sludge Commission received so much* for expenses, and having a balance divided it equally after their labors were finished." Mr Sullivan denied it point blank as a gross falsehood, and was warmly proceeding to expose the " way in which Commissions are appointed" and receive " considerations," when the Speaker interposed. Both gentlemen again rose at once "to explain," but the Speaker insisted on " Order," and the matter dropped, each irate member muttering he " would settle it outside !''

The ceremony of laying the foundation stone of the monument to Buike and Will* took place yesterday at Ballarat in the presence of a large assemblage of spectators The streets were gaily deco-ated with flags, and Ballarat wore quite a holiday appearance. The Governor arrived at the Terniinu* shortly after three in the afternoon, where he was received by the Municipal authorities and presented with an aprropriate add; ess to which he returned a suitable reply. The procession was then formed, and proceeded to tne scene of the ceremony, where his Excellency after another addre?s laid the stone* in the usual manner ; after which the procession returned, and the assemblage d'spersed. A soiree in the evening concluded the proceedings.

The monument is to consist of a rectangular tower 80 feet high, surmounted by a cupola, and to have openings for a public clock. The basement story is to be fitted with drinking fountains and panels. The quarrel between David Blair and Mr James Smith, has at length been made up, and Mrßlair has in to-day's Revieiv humbly apologised for the erroneous statements he has promulgated. The Geelong races are now taking place and up to the present have been moderately successful; the weather being favorable, the racing tolerably good, and the attendance nverage. The Maiden Plate was canietl off by Lady Godiva. The Great Western Produce Stakes by If, and the Hurdle liace 1 y Alice. On the second day the couise was again visited by a considerable number of persons, the weather being all that could be wished. Barwon won the Barwon Handicap, Young Camel the Steeplechase, and Young Sheriff the Shorts. The Consolation Stakes were carried off by Sweetlips, and the Hack Bace by the Maid of the Springs. Our Sydney messages are again containing the usual satisfactory intelligence about Gardiner, the bushranger. Three cr four days ago he was reported to have died peaceably at Abercrombie, and n.nv the Government have offered a reward of Ll,ooo for his apprehension. He really must be a wonderful man, he can be in half a dozen places at once, can pass from Sydney to California in a few days, and can die calmly one day and be bushranging the next— that is if the reports which are always stated to be reliable, have any truth in them. '

A Dr Sleigh who has "been most ingeniously swindling a large nuiuber of men on pretence of finding employment for them in Otago, has ,been captured at Rockhampton, and will le forwarded to Sydney, the scene oi his late exploits, for trial.