SOUTH AUSTRALIA.

West Coast Times, Issue 957, 16 October 1868, Page 3

SOUTH AUSTRALIA.

AuiaAibE, Sept. 26. Dr Walker, the protector of the aborigncs, died suddenly to-day of .appopkxy. . ; .. The Ministry and some of thc^r friends and supporters visited the new goldnelds at Almanda to-day. Sept. 28. The Jupiter Creek diggings continue to yield fair returns. This ground is essentially a poor man's diggings. The sinking is shallow, chiefly surfacing stuff, and the gold well distributed. It is supposed that there are about 1000 men at work there, but no true lead has been found j-et. , Silver mining operations are again quiet. . .....,, The price of bread has been fixed by the bakers at 4d per 2 lb loaf. Oct. 1. General business is very dull.* Although the exports from England for the nibnth show a considerable decline, there is no sign^ of any improvement in our market. The price of breadstuffs continues to drop. Wheat is being sold at from 5s to 6s 6d per bushel. The last sales of flour which havo been reported were made at £12 for best brands* Hay is quoted at £4 iOs per ton. Oct. 2. The news from the gold-fields is more hopeful; Gaedechcns and Co. have, been appointed agents for Rhenish Wcslplialian Lloyds. 5 p.m..' Two tenders have been lodged with the Government for the construction of the Port Augusta Railway northwards, into the great mining country. Oct. 3 Mr Smith, the brother of the Inland Surveyor- General, attempted to commit suicide last night, and so far succeeded thai- i his case is a very serious one. A new gold discovery lias been made near Lydoch Valley, on the road from Gawler to . Tanunda ." The gold obtained so far is good and nuggetty. The weather to-day has been very warm. Oct. 5. A strong impression prevails in the neighborhood that a fine payable gold-field has been discovered in Lymloch Valley. Gold taken from there is of the finest and purest quality, and has been sold at £4 per ounce. Oct; G. H. 11. Fuller, Esq., Mayor of Adelaide, on behalf of a number of English enpita-li-ts, and Messrs Elder, Smith and Co., for a London company, have lodged proposnls for the construction of the No: them Railway, starting from Port Augusta. One of these was fixed at as low a sum as £3750 per mile. The markets remain uncommonly quiet. The reported improvement in the Melbourne market has had no effect upon prices here. 8 p.m. : Parliament met this afternoon, when the Government disclosed their laud policy. The rent of all lands? taken up which have passed under the hammer, shall l)c gs por norc, with th<? 'v'gljt of purriiuo at too upset prlco of fix por am, Hlw jnwipm of tte M«*» to fee w torn

up Jo.be 6-iO acres. The auction system is still to remain in existence, but sworn licensed brokers and principals only are to be allowed to bid.

With regard to the Northern Territory, Mr Goydcr, the Surveyor- General will start for the Gulf of Carpentaria in three we eks, to survey the countiy. The Government land scheme is vehe-mes-tly opposed. The debate, has been adjourned. # ' The position of the Ministry is considered precarious.

Oct. 1, There is a movement on foot with the object of amalgamating the' Moonta rind Wallaroo Copner Mining Companies. The shareholders will meet shortly to discuss the propriety of talcing this step. Great excitement prevails with regard to the Barossa gold-field. 8 p.m. : The debate on Mr Hayes's vote of want of confidence terminated this evening, the motion being carried My a majority of three.