IMMIGRATION.

Otago Witness, Issue 929, 18 September 1869, Page 18

IMMIGRATION.

An unusual addition to our population took place on the 10th inst. by the arrival of , about 395 persons, of whom 167 were Europeans and 22S Chinese. .The latter form a portion of the 390 Chinamen who lately arrived in Melbourne by the ship Chelsea ; the remainder being expected to arrive by the Omeo on Monday next. The following par-, ticulars regarding their voyage from China to Melbourne, and their reception on land, ing in that city, are given by the Argus :—: — Five' died on the voyage from dropsy, but all the others expressed themselves very much pleased with the treatment received on board, and stated that they had always had plenty to eat and drink, notwithstanding that the passage had been protracted to 100 days, from adverse weather and light winds. The late Captain Lowe they spoke of as having been a very kind officer. As soon as they arrived they were taken in hand by Gheir countrymen, but not having much money to spare, they were obliged to put up with very indifferent accommodation in the neighbourhood of Little Bourke and Lonsdale streets. Some of them were lodged in the Chinese Hall, others in the Lancashire Hotel, at the rear of the Gin Palace, and in various other places, They, however, intend to remain only a few days in Melbourne, until arrangements have been made for conveying them to Dnnedin, which, it appears, is considered by the Celestials to be the best spot in the Australian colonies for making money in a short time, all the native agents in China impressing that' idea on those of their countrymen intending to - emigrate. They all propose to commence mining as soon as they arrive at their destination, as it was with that objeot in view they set out. The 390 all come from "The Five Districts," bub another shipment of over 200 Chinese is expected to arrive in Melbourne in a day or two, and these are all natives of another part of the country altogether, known as "The Four Districts." It is from this latter division that the greater number of Chinese already in Victoria have come. Tho present arrivals wore observed to be a remarkably clean, healthy-looking lot, and that they had not lost their appetites was evident from the number of bowls o£ boiled rice which they put under hatches immediately after reaching Melbourne, as they sat round the court-yards and rooms of their several temporary lodging places, and were waited upon by their more acclimatised brethren.

A terrible explosion of nitro-glyoerine occurred on June 30th, at about six miles from Carnarvon. A ship, laden with the dangerousjoompound, had arrived at Carnarvon bar from Livorp6ol, and the cargo was conveyed in boats to Carnarvon-pier. In the after* noon, two cartloads were on the way to Mr Asohoton. Smith's quarries at Llanberiu, and three to Lord Penrhyn's quarries at Bethesda. The tw> cartloads exploded near Cwymglo about six o'rtlook, and the effects were most terrible. The horses and three men were blown to atoms, the cart wheels and other portions of the conveyances were thrown nearly a mile into an ad j icon t village The road fora quartor of amile was greatly injured, and beside* tho destruction of windows much damnje was done to several hnnsoa. At the spot where the carts we»e standing wero two round holes, 6 ft deep and 7ft in dhmetor. The railway station, about 40 yards off, was blown to pieces, whilo the wholo valloy at the foot of Snowdon, and two largo lakes, suffered from tho tremendous shock. An extraordinary amount of damage -has been dono all round tho adjoining valley. A very groat ohock w\a folfc at Carnarvon and Bincor, and for miles around. Portions of human renmina wero found scattered about, and threo qnarrymon, 300 yards off, wore soveroly injured. Altogether, fire persons porisherl. At the inquest, a verdict was returned of " Accidental dotth." Passages of arms between Maoris and Europeans are not confined, aays tho Southern Cros% to the seat o£ war in tho outlying dis* triotn, but aro of almost daily occurrence in Auckland. On Tnesdny a Maori wont npto r\ Pakohn on tho Qucon-ntreot wharf and do* manded si. Wo do not know tho ground upon which tho Mtori baaed his claim, but wo knowthat on being refused ho administered a sovoro box on tho oar. Wo fully expootod to see tho British reputation for pluck vindicated by it return of tho compliment, but tho P«keh(t ovidontly thought discretion tho rotter part of valour, And ho accordingly rotircd. Ho was, howover, closely followed, and in defonco picked tip a number of atones, whereupon another blow was administered by the Maori, and tho discomfited dobtor made off rapidly. Another encounter took plaoo on too Breakwater yesterday, the principals boing a tall Maori womim and a diminutive Englishman. Some remark rondo by tho gentleman had ovidontly oxcited the ladjra wrath, and . the attacked him spiritedly with a stick, aooompanytng it with «ouaoof the choicest Billingtgato, which, by iho way. appears to be ono of tho leading oharaotaristicsof oivilination whioh tho Maoris | have picked up from Europeans, Tho gentleman's gallantry apparently would not allow him to retaliate, although ho hold a stiok in his hand, and bo endeavoured to wan! off tho blown, whilo ho gontly remonstrated with too lady upon tho impropriety of her oon» duot, Hor wrath was finally apptattd, and tho gsntleman was permitted to walk away without haying suffered much from tht Wowi to unjp«r(o*ly dealt out.