VICTORIA.

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 4, Issue 207, 6 September 1860, Page 3

VICTORIA.

[FROM. OUR OWN CORRESPONDKNT.]

Melbourne, Aug. 13,. 1860.

.We are again.i.n this colony; immersed in a sea of politics,.and the Home mail has just, arrived to. find ; us' without a ministry. Mr. Nicholson’s cabinet,; which has held office for about a twelvemonth, has; resigned, and he is likely to be succeeded liy Mr. C- H, Ebden, a gentleman closely allied : to the Squatting interest, in : the ..colony, I' am very much afraid,, therefore, that we have but little chance of a satisfactory Land bill beiug passed , for some time to come. ;

By this 1 mail two' of* our Victorian notabilities have received intelligence that the honour,of knighthood,has been conferred upon them—Francis Murphy, the Speaker of our legislative Assembly; -and Redmond* Barry, our senior Puisne Judge, This is one method (which seems, to , be fully appreciated, In. the Home country) of linking the colony to our fatherjaiid. Great care would, however; require to be exercised in tbd - choice, as, from the great distance that intervenes, those at the helm of affairs at home cannot be expected; to be so thoroughly acquainted with the character, of our colonial celebrities' as on all occasions to form , a correct estimate of their worth. These remarks are far from being intended to apply to the gentlemen just named. Both of them have been . faithful public servants, and deserved some such recognition. In a commercial point of view things here are very dull. Trade is almost stagnant, hut hopes are,entertained that with the return of summer , trade may revive. At present the markets are glutted with goods ; employment is scarce; and; from the -migratory character of our digging population, insolvencies amongst our mining storekeepers-are of daily, occurrence. .

By, a telegram from Sydney.two days ago I noticed that;the appeal instituted by the Rev. Dr. Lang to the Supreme Court, to recover his church in Sydney, lias proved unsuccessful, and that'he has obtained leave,from the judges to carry the appeal home to .-the.* Privy Council. Truly, the doctor is indomitable, The Sydney Presbytery, who had taken these steps to remove him- from lii’s church, *. have gained no laurels to themselves in . Sydney by their proceedings. ', _ , _ ;! -f;, • /'R The theatre-preaching: movement here s i I continues, and with, no of attend atice. It has also , spread .to several towns in i lie i whenever theatres are erected.- - •; , , .Rfm-

The, influenza. has. not; :yefc* entirely left; us. One of our oldest*and miosttesteemed colonists last.week fellf a ivictiin Aqqits fatal, influence ; I refer ..to the lateohon. Major Hodgson, aged 60 years. .