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The Moreton Bay Courier (Brisbane, Qld. : 1846-1861) (about)
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Cite: http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article3715808
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LOCAL INTELLIGENCE.
Sudden Death.-A few days since a bullock driver, named Donald Alexander, suddenly dropped down dead, at the Old Man's Water Hole. We have been unable to obtain any particulars.
North Australia.- His Excellency the Go- vernor, by a proclamation which appeared in the Government Gazette of the 13th ultimo, has notified, " that the territories which lie to north- ward of the 26th degree of south latitude, having been erected into a separate colony, such of the inhabitants of New South Wales, as may pass the boundary, will become subject to such laws as may be in force within the colony of North Australia, and to such regulations as may be established therein for the sale or occupation of the Crown Lands of that colony."
RATHER COOL.-At the anti-transportation meeting at Maitland, the other day, a certain gen- tleman, in giving his hearers the result of his ex- perience on the working of the system, is reported
to have said that labour to the extent recommended
by the Report of the Transportation Committee, could not be required, for one of the parties to that report had made public his opinion that beyond a certain point (he believed 500 miles was fixed) from the coast, wool-growing became unprofitable ; and that as the squatters had already reached to 450 miles from the coast line, they had but little cause for so large a supply of labour ! " Let then," says this political economist, " the squatters and settlers stop the increase of their flocks and herds until the increase of the population warranted their progression." This, we must confess, is a stag- gerer. Stop his grandmother's spinning wheel, and his own foolish yarn, say we. We would ad- vise this wise gentleman to get into a basket, and try if he can lift himself by means of the handle.
THE WOOL MARKET.-In Messrs. Gartside and Co.'s circular, upon the sales of wool in Liverpool on the 26th June last, it is stated that " consider- ing the large amount of bales announced for sale at London in July, the last sales at Liverpool were not by any means discouraging to the wool growers. The Sydney wool was a good fair ave- rage lot, and in tolerable condition. A few good clean parcels sold at 1s. 10 1/2d. per lb., which is about 2d. below last year's prices ; the inferior and worse conditioned parcels were sold from 3d. to 4d. lower. They state that the growers of wool in Port Phillip and South Australia, during the last two years, have looked more to the weight and quantity, than to quality and condition of their wool. They give it as their opinion that many of the flocks require a fresh introduction of Merino blood, and greater attention to their classification and condition. The New Zealand wool scours very white, and they think the climate there is well adapted for growing good healthy stapled wool. They attribute the present depres- sion to the railway speculation of last year, and to the unsettled state of the tariff. It was thought, however, now that the Corn and Customs' Bills had become law, that confidence would soon again
be restored.
COMMITTAL - On Tuesday, at the Police-office, an aboriginal native, named Uncle Marney, who has been for some time in custody, was brought up for examination, charged with killing a steer, at Redbank, in the month of June last. It ap« pears that a person named Thomas Stewart, ac- companied by Mr. Wright, one of the Government overseers, and a man named Johnson, suddenly came upon a body of the natives while in search of some strayed cattle on the Government run, The blacks were seen on one of the ridges cheer- ing on their dogs in pursuit of a steer, which they subsequently attacked and brought to the ground. Johnson, immediately galloped after the dogs in order to save the life of the animal but before he arrived at the spot, they had torn open the throat, and were biting at the belly, from which the bowels protruded. The prisoner was recognised by the witnesses as having been present on that occasion. On being asked what he had to say in his defence, Uncle Marney ad- mitted that he was with the blacks on the day in question, but denied that any of the dogs be- longed to him. or that he had assisted in killing the steer. The Magistrates committed him for trial at the ensuing criminal sessions in Sydney.
BREACH OF THE POLICE ACT.-At the Police- office, on Tuesday, three of the inhabitants of
South Brisbane were summoned to answer infor- mations for suffering goats to stray about the public streets. They were fined 5s. each and costs. The informations had been laid at the
instance of Mr. Orr, to whom the animals had become a serious nuisance, in consequence of their congregating under the verandah of his house, at night time, during the wet weather. Mr. Orr was about ascending the steps of his house a few evenings since, when a huge billy-goat disputed possession of the premises, and rushing at him knocked him head over heels on to the ground. Not relishing this kind of treatment, he proceeded forthwith to eject the intruder, which was accom- plished after some little difficulty. The Chief Constable, we understand, is about to file infor- mations against " all and sundry" who do not keep their goats tied up on their own premises.
A DESPERADO. - At the Police-office, on Tues- day, a prisoner of the Crown, named Ralph Cootes, was placed at the bar, charged with drunkenness and assaulting Dr. Ballow, at the Hospital, on Monday last. Dr. Ballow stated that the prisoner had been acting as his servant ; on the day in
question he refused to obey orders, and, after making use of abusive language, rushed at him with a saucepan with the intention of striking him on the head. Fortunately, Dr. Ballow's assistant prevented his doing any mischief by stopping his arm ; he was then secured, and given into custody. The prisoner declined making any defence, and this being his fourth offence since the 2nd September last, he was sentenced to an iron-gang for twelve months. The prisoner appeared to be perfectly callous, and exhibited the utmost indifference. He is a very dangerous character, and it will be good riddance when he
is sent out of the town.
LARCENY.-At the Police-office, on Wednesday, a bullock-driver, named George Melville, was brought before the Bench, charged with stealing a fowling-piece, the property of William Harmer, on Tuesday last. The case was remanded until the following day, when the prosecutor attended to give his evidence. It appeared that the gun had been placed in the hands of Bernard McNicol, a cooper, residing in South Brisbane, by the pro- secutor, to take care of for him. On missing the gun, Barney made enquiries, and succeeded in tracing the property to the hands of the prisoner, who had with the greatest effrontery offered it for sale to Mr. M. Power, the auctioneer, telling him at the same time that he had stolen it. Of course, Mr. Power indignantly refused to have any deal- ings with him, and dismissed him from his store. The Bench committed the prisoner for trial, and bound over the witnesses to prosecute at the en- suing criminal sessions in Sydney.
TRANSFER DAY.-Tuesday last was one of the regular days for the transfer of publicans' li- censes. The applications of one or two parties were postponed at their own request, until that day week. On that day several adjourned cases at the last Court of Requests will be decided by
the Commissioner.
ACCIDENT.-A few days since, as Mr. Sibly, of Lockyer's Creek, was crossing over the bridge at Laidley, his horse's legs got entangled in one of the openings-the bridge being out of repair -and he himself narrowly escaped getting a broken limb. The horse not being able to ex tricate itself, Mr. Sibly was compelled to remove some of the planks of the bridge, which being done, the animal dropped through the opening into the creek, and after a good deal of trouble was at last got out without having sustained any serious injury We learn that the late floods have rendered the bridge impassable, and that a great many wool-drays have been detained in con-
sequence.
EXILES. - We observe by the Port Phillip papers that two hundred and ninety-nine men arrived in Hobson's Bay on the 9th ult. Some
are from Pentonville and some from Parkhurst
prisons. The exiles from Parkhurst are youths, from fifteen to nineteen years of age, can read and write well, and have been taught several useful trades, such as shoemakers, carpenters, sawyers, brickmakers, &c. The Pentonville exiles are also young men who have either been engaged in trade or have been accustomed to labour.
UPSET PRICE OF LAND.-An instance of un- accountable capriciousness on the part of the Go- vernment has just been displayed in fixing the upset price of the lots of suburban lands in the neighbourhood of Geelong, which are to be put up to auction on the 11th November next. A great number of these lots were, some years ago, when the value of land was at its lowest ebb, put up by Sir George Gipps at £10 per acre, but were not bid for. The same lots are now offered by Sir Charles Fitz, Roy at £2 per acre. We do not suppose that this sudden depreciation in the upset price will have any perceptible effect upon the value of the adjoining private property ; and if we could see that any new and beneficial system was likely to be substituted for the old huxtering system of Sir George Gipps, we would not com- plain of the temporary uncertainty experienced by land speculators ; but there are no apparent
grounds for indulging in such a hope.-Geelong Advertiser, Oct. 17.-[We are sorry to say that the Government has not been equally " capricious" as regards the price of land in this district. The same hum-drum system adopted by Sir George Gipps is still in vogue, and £100 per acre for lots in North Brisbane is still demanded, notwith- standing that there was no offer at the last sale for one of the town lots. How long this farcical mode of putting up land for sale will continue, it is impossible to say ; but we opine the inhabitants, now that their eyes have been opened by the Co- lonial Secretary, will not be so foolish as to pur- chase another perch until his unfortunate state- ment has been officially and satisfactorily refuted. It will be seen by the foregoing extract from the Geelong Advertiser, that the price of land in the neighbourhood of a very populous and thriving
town in Port Phillip, has been reduced from £10 to £2 per acre. We believe that the land in this vicinity is an open plain, consequently it does not require clearing. In the neighbourhood of Bris- bane and Ipswich the timber must be cleared be- fore the plough can act, and yet the Government make no allowance for the disadvantages under which we labour. This peddling system cannot last much longer, and the sooner His Excellency Sets about reforming it, the more popular will he become, and the greater will be the respect paid by the .colonists to his administration,]
STEAM COMMUNICATION.-The Report of the Select Committee, of the Legislative Council on Steam Communication with England, has been published. The Committee have considered the subject under the following heads :-the route to be adopted-the expense to be incurred - the means of providing for that expense. On the first head, the Committee refer to the valuable suggestions of Captain P. P. King, R.N., con- tained in a letter, dated 23th September last, in reply to their enquiries. He observes that "as the subject has for some time occupied his atten- tion, he has no hesitation in coming to the con-
clusion that the least expensive, the most expedi- tious, and the most convenient and advantageous plan, would be to join the China line at Singapore by the inner route through Torres' Strait, calling at the projected settlement of North Australia, and at Port Essington, passing through the Strait of Bally, calling or not at Sourabaya, and by the usual route thence to Singapore. The distance from Sydney to Singapore by the route above de- scribed, and which may be distinguished as the ' Northern line,' is" 4195 miles, the details of which are given in a statement appended to Capt. King's letter, to which your Committee would beg to re- fer. ' From Sydney to Panama,' Captain King continues, ' or the Eastern line, the distance via
Auckland and Valparaiso and Panama is 9450 miles, Sydney to Valparaiso being 6900 miles ; but by proceeding in a more direct course, calling at Tahiti, and passing the Gallapagos Islands, it would be 8520 miles. The Western line, from Sydney to the Mauritius, (to meet the projected line via the Cape of Good Hope), is 5500 miles. The Northern line, therefore, being less than half the distance of the Eastern line, and 1300 miles less than the Western line, must be the least ex- pensive one.' " Captain King recommends the Northern line, in which he is supported by Lieut. Waghorn, and also by the evidence of nearly all the witnesses examined by the Committee. It appears, however, that some difference of opinion exists whether, owing to the intricacy of the navi- gation through Torres' Strait, it might not be ex- pedient at certain seasons of the year to make the passage to Singapore by Bass's Strait and Cape Leeuwin. The evidence preponderates in favour of the former line, as being the most expeditious and the least expensive. With reference to this point, Captain King observes that the vessels employed on the Northern line, in consequence of
the more moderate character of the weather that prevails on that route, need not be so large or so powerful as those that would necessarily be used on the other lines ; the ' wear and tear' would be but trifling, and the engines, from the sea being throughout smooth, would not be likely to be damaged ; the expense would on these accounts be comparatively small. With respect to the time that would be occupied in the different routes, much would depend on the arrangements for meet- ing the China steamer at Singapore ; but as the line from England to Singapore is almost a direct course, whilst that by the Cape is a circuitous one, and by Panama, although very direct, longer by about 2400 miles, (51* of longitude), there can be no doubt that the proposed one is the shortest, and would therefore be performed in less time. I be- lieve that the steamers from England reach Singa- pore in forty-one days, to which if twenty-seven days be added, the whole passage to Sydney may be estimated at under seventy days." ~ He is also of opinion that the northern line is the most ad- vantageous one, inasmuch as it would afford greater facilities for communication with Manila, China, Singapore, and the three Presidencies of India ; while the western line would only open the communication with the Mauritius, and the eastern line with Valparaiso. Captain Towns observes, on this point, that the advantages we should derive from our connection with India, and other parts of the East, would be greater than any direct ad - vantage from postal communication with the mother country. The Committee entirely concur- ring in the view taken by the witnesses, recommend the adoption of it in preference to those by Panama or the Cape of Good Hope. The Committee then point out the great advantages of the northern line, in consequence of the facility of forming and supplying depots for coal, there being numerous eligible spots where stations for this purpose could be established.- It is morever stated that, in the entire course between Sydney and Singapore, it will not be necessary to stretch to a greater distance from land than one hundred miles. It is suggested that the numerous vessels which proceed annually in ballast from Sydney to India in search of freight, might convey coals to the respective depots at comparatively moderate cost, with re- gard to this subject, Captain King observes " Now that the new colony has been determined upon, I would propose one to be formed wherever the principal settlement may be fixed," * * * and another at Port Essington, to which places there would be no difficulty in forwarding coal by means of ships going to India : these two depots would be amply sufficient." We feel very much obliged to Captain King for his disinterested re- commendation of North Australia in preference to Moreton Bay ; but we shall be glad to be informed on what grounds he has jumped to the conclusion that North Australia will be the most eligible spot for a coal depot. At Moreton Island we have a secure harbour, where the steamers could be sup- plied with coal of as good quality, and at a much cheaper rate than that in the manner he proposes, for it can be easily procured in the district, and
conveyed there at small expense; as also spars, and the means of repair, in the event of any mis- hap. In fact, Moreton Bay seems entirely to have been overlooked by the witnesses, which, however, is not to be wondered at ;-Captain King evidently has an eye to his own interests, and that of the monopolists whom he represents. With respect to the size of the vessels best adapted for the service, the Committee recommend iron vessels of from five hundred to six hundred tons, and from one hundred and fifty to two hundred horse power. The total annual expense of such vessels is not expected to exceed £50,000. To provide for this expense, it is stated that a very considerable re- venue will be derivable from the sea postage on letters from Great Britain ; and it is proposed that
the charge shall be one shilling on all ship letters, payable at the place of despatch. The Committee
also recommend that there should be a small charge on newspapers, to ensure the promptitude and regularity of their transmission. It is assumed that the establishment of a monthly communica- tion by steam would increase the revenue to be derived from sea-postage to the extent of £20,000, which sum would be available to meet the expenses ; and also a large amount accruing from passages
and freight. And as an inducement to obtain as early as possible the important benefits of steam communication, the Committee have recommended that £500 per month should be contributed out of the colonial funds, for a period of three years; and, that the vessels employed on this service should be free from all port charges. The Com- mittee further state there can be little doubt that
by steam communication with Singapore, the average passage from London will not exceed from sixty-five to seventy days. On the 30th ultimo, in the Legislative Council, the Report was adopted, and ordered to be presented to the Governor, requesting His Excellency would be pleased to bring the subject under the favourable consideration of Her Majesty's Government, with a view to carry into effect the recommendation of the Committee.
MAIZE.-As many of our readers are, doubtless, unacquainted with the various modes of preparing maize as an article of food, we have taken some pains this week in collecting and laying before them the following particulars, which have been compiled from an article that appeared in the 'South Australian Register of the 10th Oct. last. It is well known that the attempt made by Mr. Cobbett to cultivate maize in England failed, owing to the climate being too cold. In this climate it can be produced in the greatest abun- dance ; and in this district in particular, the crops have rarely been known to fail. Dr. Bartlett, of New York, addressed, in the year 1842, to Lord Ashburton, " An Essay on the Advantages of Maize, or Indian Corn, as a cheap and nutritious article of food," and which was re-printed in London for general circulation, and dedicated to B, Escott, Esq., M.P., as "the first public man in England to call for the free admission of a new, cheap, and wholesome article of food for his poor and suffering countrymen." He is of opinion that maize is a cheaper article of food than any of the grains now in use, and says, that it can be imported ground, and retailed in Great Britain at less than one penny sterling per pound. " It is the farinacious food in general use in the rural districts of the United States. Upon it children thrive, and adults labour, without the assistance of wheat. It is prepared in an infinite variety of ways-in cakes, in puddings, in the form of bread, &c, and possesses a superiority to barley in powers of sustenance, in flavour, and in ex- pansibility during the process of cooking. It is found from daily experience in America, that persons, instead of becoming tired of the article became daily more attached to it -thus giving a physical illustration of Shakspere's remark, that ' increase of appetite grows by what it feeds on.' The palatable auxiliaries of this preparation are sugar, molasses, and butter ; but the best and most healthful by far is milk, a small quantity of which gives it a most agreeable flavour, and ren- ders it highly digestible and nutritious. Wheaten bread, with an addition of one-third corn meal, is decidedly improved by it, and obtains the prefer- ence at the tables of American families. It ac- quires by this addition a sweetness in flavour, and a freshness that we in vain look for in bread made entirely of wheat." The following recipes have been procured from America, and were published in the Sussex Advertiser,--" Indian corn, when ground, makes excellent gruel, prepared in the same'" way as oatmeal gruel; and what is called mush is the same thing as Lancashire oatmeal porridge ; but it is necessary in making this, that it be well boiled. In summer it is eaten cold, and is very much liked. Treacle may be eaten with this. Indian meal is considered a great improve- ment either to white or brown bread ; about one- third of Indian meal should be mixed with wheaten flour ; this is especially advantageous in case of the flour being damaged by wet. Indian bread is excellent, and is made thus-to a quart of sour milk or butter milk, as much corn meal should be added as will make it into a thick batter ; a little salt, and a teaspoonful of carbonate of soda dis- solved in water, acts upon the acid of the butter- milk and the effervescence causes the bread to be light ; a spoonful of coarse sugar is an improve- ment, as is also a little butter or melted lard. This must be baked in well-greased tins, sufficiently large to allow the cakes to be about an inch thick ; they must be baked in a quick oven. They are best eaten hot, but are very good cold. Treacle is excellent with these. When sour milk cannot
be procured, fresh milk maybe substituted, adding a tablespoonful of vinegar ; but the carbonate of soda must not be stirred in until just before putting into the oven. Another way of making this bread is to pour boiling sweet milk over the meal, and, when cool, add three eggs and a little salt. What is called Indian snap jack would be very available in those parts of Great Britain where girdle cakes and bread of that description is used. They are very excellent, and are thus made :-Scald a quart of Indian meal ; when lukewarm add a few spoon- fuls of wheaten flour, half a teacupful of yeast, and a little salt, and, when sufficiently risen, bake them on a well-greased bakestone. They are best eaten hot. Another way, and the most approved here, is to mix about half the meal into boiling milk and water ; when cool, stir in the remainder of the meal, so as to make a thick batter, mixing
in two or three spoonfuls of flour, three eggs, and two teaspoonfuls of salt. To make johnny cakes -Scald a quart of Indian meal with a sufficient quantity of water to make it into a thick batter ; stir in two or three spoonfuls of salt ; mould it in
the hand into small cakes, rubbing a good deal of flour in the hand to prevent them sticking. These cakes are fried in lard ; when browned on one side turn the other. They take about twenty minutes in baking. Eat them hot with treacle. To make hoe cakes ;-Scald a quart of Indian meal with a pint of water, enough to make a thick batter; stir in two teaspoonfuls of salt, and a small quantity of butter, melted ; put it into a well greased tin, and bake it half an hour. Hominy is made from the unground Indian corn. The husk is freed from the grain in a mill, and the grain in this state resembles the finest tapioca. Boil it till soft in water. It is extremely good thus boiled and eaten in milk, and, with the addi- tion of a little sugar and spice, resembles English fermity. What is called sluts' homing is made by steeping the grains in weak ley, which loosens the husk, so that it is easily removed, without the necessity of the mill. Bannocks or Indian cakes are made thus,- and are fit for the most luxurious table :-Stir to a cream a pound of butter and a pound and a half of brown sugar ; beat six eggs and mix together ; and a teaspoonful of cinnamon and the same of ginger ; stir in three pounds and a quarter of sifted Indian meal and a quarter of a pound of wheaten flour. Bake in cups for small
tin moulds, and eat when cold." It is said that the importation of maize into England has excited much attention, and that it is be-
ginning to be highly appreciated. Bread baked from it is coming rapidly into vogue ; and several bakers are driving a brisk business in it already. At a recent meeting of the Philosophical Society, Dr. R. D. Thomson read an able paper on its nutritious qualities, which he ranked very high ; and at the same time exhibited various kinds of bread and biscuit which had been baked from it. Some of the specimens were mixtures of maize and wheat, and maize and rice, in which state the loaves can be better fermented than when the maize is used alone. The bread and biscuits were very palateable and pleasant. A Mr. Gibbons, of Liverpool, has succeeded in producing very good bread from a mixture of one pound of maize flour with four pounds of English, and of one pound with three pounds, with satisfactory results, the bread being sweeter than that commonly sold by the bakers. Maize flour has been found a valuable ingredient in many articles of confectionery. As a vegetable maize is in general use in South America. It is procured when young, and eaten in the same manner as peas ; sometimes it is fried in pans, it is then balled " recado," and forms a very agreeable addition to the vegetable food of the inhabitants of that part of the world. In Peru, beer is made from maize, and the liquor thus produced is one of the most wholesome and refreshing beverages that can be taken in a warm climate. The Spaniards call the beer made from maize, che-che, and great quantities are daily consumed by the Europeans residing in Lima,
and other cities in Peru.
North Australia.-His Excellency Sir C. A. Fitz Roy has conferred the appointment of Deputy Sheriff of North Australia upon Mr. William Anthony Browne, of Melbourne. Mr. Browne left for Sydney by the overland mail on Tuesday, having received intimation to hold him- self in readiness to start from Sydney for the new colony on the 15th instant.-Argus, Nov. 6,