VAN DIEMEN'S LAND.

Wellington Independent, Volume I, Issue 23, 18 June 1845, Page 2

VAN DIEMEN'S LAND.

We understand that Mr. Govett has at length succeeded in perfecting a machine by which, with the assistance of two horses, he can reap 20 acres per day. It consists of series of knives, and may be set to cut grain at any distance from the ground. Ridley's machine merely cuts off the ears, which are threshed as the machine progresses. A pecuniary saving is effected by the use of machines, and although manual labour is cheaper here than in South Australia, still the invention must be important, even in this colony, as the grain ripens much more suddenly here than in colder climates, and it is difficult to obtain a sufficient number of hands at a few days' notice, to gather the ctovs.—Launceston Examiner.

Timber has been discovered in Van Diemen's Land suitable for staves, which has stood the test of experience, and has been found to answer remarkably well. Last years' produce of oil was shipped home in similar casks, the leakage from which proved to be from 15 to 20 per cent, less than on casks made from Dantzic or American staves. One of the greatest recommendations, however, is, that the staves can be furnished at one-sixth the price of either Dantzic or American staves.

The Hobart Town papers report the case of a man named Philip Markhara, a prisoner, apprehended about 14 months ago, a few miles at the back of Fenton Forest, where he had resided nearly seven years without speak-

ing to any human being. From the "peculiarity of the man, and the apparent harmlessness o f his mode of life for so long a period, he w;is leniently dealt with, and sentenced to twelve months only at Port Arthur. He became free, returned to his old haunts with a woman and two children, intending to settle again. However, having been discovered driving sheep away fiom Mr. Fenton's flock, j, c was taken by Constable Geary and has been tried and again convicted.