THE LORD ASHLEY'S MAIL.

Wellington Independent, Volume XVI, Issue 1673, 4 October 1861, Page 5

THE LORD ASHLEY'S MAIL.

There are few items by the present mail of special interest to New Zealand, but that relating to wool is a serious one. The total quantity to be offered was 83,814 bales, of which 13,241 were i from New Zealand. The quantity which had passed the hammer on the 26th July, was 20,096 bales, of which 1606 were New Zealand. The sales were very thinly attended and an average reduction of 2d. per lb. on all Australian descriptions had to be submitted to. Sydney wools suffered the worst, the decline, on which was 4d. h sd. on the July sales of last year. About 800 bales had been withdrawn, and no doubt a very large quantity would meet with the same fate as the sales proceeded, Ihe absence of

ordei's from America is the principal cause of the dulness experienced. The Snaresbrook arrived home on the 23rd of June, the Wild Duck on the Bth of July, and the John JBunyan on the 23rd of July. The Asterope sailed in Jur.o for Wellington, and the Albermarle, Arabella, and Wild Duck are loading for i Wellington and Hawke's Bay. Military stores are still being sent out to New Zealand, the Mermaid being chartered for that purpose. The honors conferred on General Pratt, Commodore Seymour, &c, together with the most prominent items of interest will be found elsewhere ; as will also the particulars of Sir George Grey's intended departure from the Oape. The following vessels are advertised in the Sydney Herald of the 23rd and 24th Sept. for Otago. Steamers — - Rainbow and Kembla. Ships — Lady Young, Margaretha Roesner, Lochiel, John Mastermari) Waterloo^ Barque — JDerwent Winter. Brigs— Fortune^ Hebe, Schooner — Hirondelle. Passengers, however, do not appear to be coming forward so frdely as the number of ships would imply. The news of the next Escort having brought down 11,000 ozs. will be sure to cause great excitement. News has been received of what is supposed to be Mr. Burkes missing exploration party. The Adelaide Government announced in the House of Assembly, on the 19th instant, that information had been brought into town by police trooper James Howe concerning Burkes party. It appears that a black named Sambo, accompanied by Mr. Baker's stockman, told the trooper that some white men were living and fishing on a lake about two sleeps off, which would be Cooper's Creek. They had something with them which Sambo said was not horses, but making a mark on the ground he drew something like a camel. The police trooper overtook Mr. M'Kinlay's party, and it was expected he could reach the naked white men on the 20th Inst. Sambo produced some \ hair, YrMch evidently belonged to white ae^. | Messrs- Mort and Co. held their usual weekly produce sale at Sydney on the 19th Sept. The quantity of wool catalogued was 26 bales, aud consisted of New Zealand and mixed wools. The news by the Faiglish mail has uot caused any alteration in prioes, iv consequence of there being no parcels of the new clip yet to hand; but it is expected that after the wool season fairly commences, a decline will have to be submitted to. The prices obtained were as follows : — 22 bales New Zealand wool, marked GEI, at Is. 2£d. ; and 3 bags of mixed, at 9d. Mr. Alexander Salmon, formerly aocouotant to the New South Wales Bank in Sydney, has absconded, having defrauded that bank of £5,100,