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Wellington Independent, Volume VIII, Issue 732, 16 October 1852, Page 3

A Public Meeting was hold at the Mechanics' Institute on Thursday evening, the 14th inst., by persons interested in the establishment of the Pakawau Coal Company, W. Lyon, Esq., in the chair. The meeting was very numerously and most respectably attended, and the greatest interest seemed to be taken in tho proceedings by all present. Considerable discussion took place as to the beSL mode to be adopted for currying out the object in view, which finally resulted in the appointment of a committee, with Mr. Woodward as Secretary, who was instructed to correspond with the Nelson Company upon the matter, when final arrangements would be made upon, the receipt of the required information f'roru that place. A more detailed report will be given in our next.

The following vessels were laid on in London for New Zealand, viz. — the St. Miclitiel, True liriloii, Sluiies Caalle, and Duke of Portland, they were to have sailed in June or July.

The brigautine Comet in. passing tliro' the Straits yesterday on her way from Port Cooper to Nelson, lauded Captain Rhodes at the Pilot Station.

The schooner Titan, Captain Cole, arrived on Thursday from Sydney, after a passage of 20 days, the greater part of which she was in the Straits, encountering contrary and baffling winds. By this opportunity we have received Sydney papers to the 23rd ult. Tho William Alfred, hence tho 9th September, arrived at Sydney on the 22nd, the day previous to the sailing of the Titan fur this place. English news had reached Sydney via Melbourne up to the 23rd June, the most important of which will be found in today's paper. All colouiul produce, wool, tallow, leather, and hides, &c, have been realizing high prices in the London markets, und seem more likely to rise than fall in demand. On the second reading of the New Zealand Bill iv the House of Commons, Mr. Gladstone had made a most eloquent speech upon the several merits of the Bill which, for want of room, we must defer until Wednesday. A Free Dutch Republic has {been established in South Africa, and recognized by the British Government; it is-called Transvaal. Another extensivo coniiagratiou had taken place in California, by which one of the principal cities in tho Southern Province had been entirely destroyed, the loss amounting to one million dollars. Murders were frequent, lynch law the order of the duy, and disturbances with the Indians were on the increase.

Shares in Gold Companie swore flat and at a discount, and likely to continue so, until returns had been received from the colonies. Money was, however, plentiful,—there were upwards of £20,000,000 in the Bank's coffers. Consols were £ above par, and Bank stock 222 - to 223. The Derby was won by an outsider Daniel O'Rouke, audjthe Oaks by Songstress,the favourite.

Sydney Maukets, September!;!.— We would .wish to draw particular attention to the present state of the .Sydney and other Australian markets, especially with regard to .timber, ,as the prices realized offer & great ■inducement for increased activity to sawyers and for esportatiou. The .last ■ cargo of New Zealand pine per Moa realized 295. 6d. per 100 feet for & and £ inch plank. Deals were source and in great demand—there was also great inquiry for all descriptions of timber and building materials, not only for Melbourne, but,for the other .settlements generally- Flour, £2$ for fine, £23 for seconds; wheat, Bs. lo Ss. 6d. per bushel, very scarce and in great demand; bran, Is. 2J.; potatoes, i)s-to I:2s.

per cwt.; onions, 245. to 30s. per cwt.; bucon, 7d. to 9d.; oheose, 7<l. to BJ.; butter Is. 2d. to Is. 6d. At Melbourne timber was selling at 40s per 100 feet.