The Sydney Morning Herald from Sydney, New South Wales, Australia • Page 7

THE SYDNEY MDBNING HERALD, BATUAV 1870. At r.rmnt htM Vnltarar'a tarda. Western Boad. diamond, 8 at 33 10s. 1 84 6s.

4 mixed 1 at 36 2 83 5 at 33 1 at 31 1 at 81, 4 at 30 Sat 6 at 20. 226 at 18s. to 113 at 15s. to 17s. 168 at ISs.

3d. to 148. 43 at Ik rsr 4s. 6d, to 12s. 79 at 2s.

Id. to 3s. 9d, yearlings at 6s. 9d. Bv Mr.

Turner Sola leather at calf at 2s. 6d. to at Is. to Is. 6id.s basils at 4s.

354 hides at, 18s. to 23s 299 at 15s. to 191 at 13s. 9d. to 14s.

Ud.r 32 'at 7s. to 10s. 6i, 6 cash' mutton tallow at 32 10s. to 36; 6 beef at 32; 9 at -30 17s. JWB, 19 at 32 10s.

5 8 at 31 2 at 30 15s, 1 at 26 6s. By Messrs. Irwin'' and Co. Sole leather at kip Is. yearling Is.

8Jd. to 2s. calf 2s. ll.d. to.

3s. tweed Is. cordo- van 69 hides 26 at lat. 12s. 3d.

By Mr. Ebsworth 26- -hides -at 14s; yearlings at horse hides at 4s.Ji calfskins at 2s. Bd. UliK, 4 casks taUow- at 30 'i at 33 1 at 30 Fj 16- at 33 3 at 31 4 at 83 '10S. The almost impassable state of the roads proves a great drawback to all engaged in trade tne interior, ana is consequently felt in tno import Several hundred 'tons ot goods are at present in the hands of the railway aepariment awaiting transport to destination.

The prinoipal accumulation is at the -terminus of the Western line. Transactions -during the week have not been very extensive, as there has been; the usual reticence to- do whioh always prevails whed the-English mail is expected. Breadstuff are very Bnrij especially Desf pranas. or Adelaide flour. now; quoted' at 1 to Bvdney and country brands remain -at last! week's prices, say 12 10s.

to 13 Californian, 11 10s. for bakers' lots. Damaged ex Galilee, realised 10 7s. 6d. to 10 12s.

6d. Wneatis soarce, most tne supplies by railway. Several parcels of South Australian. also arrived, were sold for forward delivery. Candles to hand for sale, this week, have been received have slightly advanced best brands-- are held for lOj.d.Vr is a better, feelintr in.

Dundee gaods nearly, all the woolpacks in first hands, have been bought up and are. held at Ss. 9d. Cornsacks are also-' expected to advance. Bales of coffee are con- finedj to' grocers' lots, prices unaltered, Fish' commands- late rates with only a moderate stock.

No change has occurred in the market for dried fruits, except an. increased on the part of nolders of currants. Jfigs con- -tinue Metals are very dull of sale. Soma inferior galvanized iron has changed- hands- at a low rate. Oilmen's stores have been quitted, at fullj rates for.

trade parcels. Kerosene oil is being) steadily advanced by the few houses who now Hold all the American here. The Western. Company's works are fully occupied with Provisions command very full prices. Goad hamsj are almost out' of stockv Prime baconi and cheese also' bring extreme OUR TELEORATII SYSTEM.

lkttbb ewncd Mejeator," which we printed esterdsy, called attention to a matter of great mnortance as affectjiig not only the commerce, alao the social well-being of this community, refers to the recent change which, has taken ilace in the management of English telegraphs -to the -uniform At which has been adopted messages all over the United Kingdom 0 tlie action- taken by "Victoria and South Lustrolia, where similar" course been lursued to the modification in Tasmania, and the intention of Queensland to adopt more iberal and uniform telegraphio Charges. it rould be little to the p-edit-of this colony to stop the way" in regard to' a reform which annot fail to be alike advantageous to the public reasury and beneficial to the whole community 'o obtain the maximnm 'of good from, such a lianire. it ought to be followed by every colony to group7 Although New South Wales-has lie reputation of being not ''sol prompt in' action ssome other of the colonial sisterhood, per-eptive powers are not 'slowj'ftnd; it is unlikely list, in a matter of this kind, she will lag behind; ny longer than may be necessary to make requi-ite arrangements to' carry out a reform' which rill be politic, profitable, and in' accordance' with he spirit of the age. It is something to know that the Government ave the subject under consideration," Com-ionly, when matters are spoken of as parts of a eneral policy which ought to be taken up as a rhole, considered as' a whole, and dealt with 1 a comprehensive manner Va Parliamentary hrase rather the worse, for wear)--the process "consideration" is -so exhausting, as to be fatal comprehensive 'action. It is, nowever, not rpbable that a project which so intimately con-snis every, member, 'of the -community, which as been brought so prominently under the notice the Government and' of the country, and for hich there, are notable precedents will be nietly laid aside.

The reference by "Mercator" to the system of leap intercolonial postage- initiated by the ostmoster-Qeneral is indicative of a desire on lejpart of the Minister to pursue an enlightened jhcy. As the telegraphs are in his department, id under his control, no could not better distin-lisli his official career than by urging upon the abinet the expediency of sanctioning a uniform retcm of telegraphic charges, at rates which will ring the electric wires into more general use. he telegraph- was not intended to supersede the jet-office, and it; is said by those who have atched the operations of both that one effect of le telegraph has been to increase the number of itters. But the object in each case is le conveyance of information, and reasons -hich favour a cheap and uniform rate of post-ge are equally cogent in support of a ndluniforra rate for telegraphic messages, England reforms are much, more slowly ffected than in her colonies, chiefly; perhaps, ecause of the much greater magnitude of the iterests involved. The proposition to reduce he postal charge on newspapers in England to ne halfpenny may, therefore, -be taken as ample roof that the policy of cheap and uniform post-ge is sound; and the course taken by the iritish Government in regard, to telegraphs is at a more extensive application of the same rinciple.

In this colony, where progress by road is often ifficult where sometimes the postman is delved for days by swollen creeks, telegraphic ommunication is of more than ordinary value; lut the present charges restrict the use of the slegraph too much to mere matters of business, is only by reducing the rates and making them niform that the wires will, become one of the tost ordinary means of communication upon all utters which interest the community. No dpubt be telegraph is liable-to accident The lines may rendered useless for a time, as they have been i some recent instances; But the breaks can soon repaired, and frequent disasters of a like kind iy be- avoided by forethought and prudence, le telegraph ought not to be a mere, agent of ommerce, or a luxury. Had the charges been )W, and uniform, there is little doubt that the lessages of inquiry- sent from, friend: to friend urine the recent Hoods would have 'been- num-ered Dy. thousands. In many cases much anxiety wild have been allayed, and a considerable sum money would have been poured into the Trea-iry.

The progress of telegraphy in Australia is reined to in complimentary, terms in the January umber of Chamberis Credit is given to lew South Wales for its enterprise, this Probably time will prove that, we have ot only the spirit to extend our lines, but also aresight enough to follow the example which has een Bet by the mother, country, with the assur-ace that our telegraphs may be made to confer a jester benefit on the community; at a smaller ost, and without loss to the revenue. There seems to be no reason why the change 'hich is bo generally desired, should be delayed, England the Government had to negotiate with tivate companies, and to buy up the.lines. The 'hole transaction, however, seems to have been anied on with a degree of ease and noiseless-ess somewhat akin to. the silence with which Elegraphic operations are conducted." An Eng-sh provincial paper upon the subject of he change poiutoout that thetelegraphsystem was irtually and necessarily, to a large extent, a lonopoly. It justly argues that where a monopoly i inevitable from the nature of the service, the nblic interests are better secured by its- being laced in the hands of the Government, which is iily a trustee' for the public.

It shows that ihilo private telegraph wires of merchants and there will be exempt from Government control, ad may be used by them, in the same way that hey can. employ messengers to carry, letters, rithout any breach of the post-office regulations, hey will of -course not be permitted to compete or profit with the Government in remunerative listricts. Here, however, all the lines ore in the lands of the Government, and there is nothing to Under an immediate change if the Cabinet thinks ltdesirable. Four distinct kinds of forms are used at Postal Telegraph Offices which have been estab-mhed by the Government throughout the United Kingdom. These are A 1, forwarded message forms, having an impressed stamp similar forms, unstamped transmitted forms received message forms.

following: description will explain the matter more fully The wing impressed on it a shilling stamp, while the Mcond is blank. Form is -used exclusively by we officials in what is termed the transmitting pee, and form is that upon which the telegraphed message is forwarded by the receiving-f mce to its proper address. The form most used the public is form of which the subjoined Bice sells steadily in small lots at former rates new Patn is scarce. There is not much doing in spirits, and- it is difficult to place a large line of anything but ram, except at a reduction, on regular-quotations. is very -dull, and prices nominal.

The news by the mail has affected bulk ale, and both buyers and sellers seem dis--posed (to await private advices before doing business, The quantity reported as shipped daring the month is unusually large. White sugars are. improling in value, and we hear of sales at to moro than one finn or person in the same free delivery, will be delivered separately, at an additional charge of threepence per copy. Thus a person in any provincial' town may send a telegram of twenty words to six persons' in the city of London at a total cost of Telegrams may be re-directed from town to town at auj extra charge of one-half the ordinary tariff, fractions of threepence being reckoned at twopence. Numbers and fractions of numbers must bo written words, and will be charged for Telegrams may be repeated at the request of the sender, if -he desire to adopt this extra opmiritv nminnt error, bv boine sent back from Sii office at whict they are received to the office from which they, The charge lori repetition is one-nau inu vnuutu-y utumuiu; Pavmenta mav be made either in money or in stamps.

Stamped forms are sold singly, and in books at the price of the stamps or messages may be paid for in cash. The: arrangements appear to nave been -made with much care, and are1 worthy, the careful consideration of the Government mis CtJBTOMS. POSTAL. AND. TELEGRAPHIC CHARGES; Ybstsbdat xuorDtiiga: depntetIoo from tiie Ohamber of Oommeroa bad an interview with the Colonial Treuurar fihs, Ban.

Said Samnel) renwotliw toe dotr ohtnred the Coetome on aalt imported in bage, end with respect to a reduction or the leiegrapnio ana poeiu ram. i ae uo-puutlon oon.bted oi Mr. J. B. Watt, Mr.

WiUla, Mr. B. Holineanz, and the Secretary to the Chamber (Mr. J. B.

Bbaworth). tit, Duncan, the Oolleotor of Orutoma, wae dreient at the Interview. Vt. 1. Watt aald that the Drat matter to which the deputation wished to refer waa the Custom' a duty now charged on bage containing aalt.

It appeared ttfua that the charge now made waa contrary to the declaration which we were required to make at the Custom Home, that declaration having; reference to the value of the goods contained In the annexed packagea. The praotioa of charging doty on the ba'ga, aa well aa on the ealt oontalned in them, waa not a matter of ao much moment in iteelf, bat it acquired additional importance by the faot that it waa capable of being extended to other descriptions of merchandise. Mr. Bamubl said that thia matter had been under the consideration of Mr. Duncan and hlmaelf, and he had alao referred it to' the Crown Law 0 floors.

The opinion which he had received from the legal ad risers of the Government waa confirmatory of the view which he had previously adapted, namely, that the packagea entered Into the price of the article in this particular case at any rate. Mr. Watt We had hoped that by the 1xlltlon of the ed valorem thie and many other troublesome quae-' tlone would have been got rid of. But the ad valorem dniiea annealed to be like the old man on the neck of Sin. bad the Bailor they were not easily to be ehaken off, Mr.

Samuel aald that he ehouW -have been very triad Indeed if he could have get rid of them, and he had certainly every desire to repeal them. It was, however, found impracticable to deal with the measures of the Government during the last session. If we had gone on with the Stamp Act, which formed part of our financial propositions end on which the question of abolishing the ad valorem duties partly depended, the House would have been kept very much longer In session than waa desirable, seeing that it waa necessary that there should be a second session during the present year. Therefore it waa that we oon-aidered it to be unadvisablo to go on with that measure, or to attempt the repeal of the ad valorem duties thia year. It waa his earnest desire to get rid of these dutlea at the earliest possible moment, and he hoped yet to see them abolished.

We oould not, however, relinquish the' revenue from that aouroe unless Parliament, would grant some other substitute. With reaped to the matter more Immediately brought under hfa notice thia oharge upon ealt imported In bags he thought they would all agree with him that the package entered into the price of the artlole. jar. niOLiNHAUx emu vxw in very lew omeroaaea waa we package charged for. The oharge might be mado equally to apply to bales of wool and oilmen's atorea.

Mr. Sakubl Then, perhaps, we have been making a mistake In not charging duty in all auch oaaeev Mr. Watt We feared that If the principle were onoe admitted, it would be extended to a great many other cues, where we should not only have to pay duty on the article itaelf, but also upon the package which included It paokage duty it conld hardly be contended that we ebonld have had to pay a. certain charge 'ae paokage duty, and a farther ad valorem oharge on the value of the packBge, aa.well aa of the goods oontalned In it. The package duty had been repealed, and he maintained, therefore, that we were thrown back upon- the Customs Aot, and onght only to bo called upon to pay duty upon the Mr.

DurtcAtr There conld be no doubt at to the law. By the law we were as much entitled to oharge duty on the peckageaaa onthegooda. Mr. Watt: We fell baok on the declaration, and said that that waa what the Legislature had Mr. Dm? can said that he oharged-on the Involoe prloe, inoludlhg packagea, with 10 per cent, added.

At first he charged according to what, he believed to be the law and he still believed it to be the law according to the Sydney wholesale prioe. Some of the merchants had an interview with Mr. Eager, and it waa decided to oharge on the invoice price Mr. Samvsl The declaration did not declare the invoice price, but the Sydney price. Mr.

Watt waa of opinion that the declarationjlld not etate the Sydney prloe. Mr. Duncan aald that his view wae borne out by all Interpretations that had been given by lawyers. The opinion of Sir James Martin aa well aa of hie predeoeaaora, end the Crown Law Offloera in England, showed that the duty ought to be oherged on the prioe of the or Hole at the port of importation. The opinion of the Crown, Law Offloera declared most positively that the iatf was payable, not on the price at London, but on the price at Sydney.

i Mr, Sahvel Ton oould not sell the salt without the tage. i Mr. Willis aald that when the Ad Valorem Act was paaaed 1866, the package duty waa then la force, and the third section of the Ad Valorem Aot nude special reference to the paokege charge. Mr. Duncan aaid that the paokage duty had no concern with the ad valorem duty.

Mr. Willis contended that under the 29th Victoria No. 14, the paokage duty being in force, it was never intended that the ad valorem duty should be charged on the Package. Mr. Dunoah had drawn these Acta, and he intended that the duty should bo charged aa nnder the former Aot aa it waa always chargod in.

England on the value, of the goods at the port of importation. In his administration of the Aot, however, he had been overruled) and he therefore fell back on the seooud portion of the clause, whloh had been acted upon ever since. Mr. Willis The bags containing the salt were of no value because they were destroyed by the salt, but other bags and package whloh wen not so deteriorated were allowed to pass. Mr.

Sahdbl said that under this Aet the value should be taken at the port ot Tata provision of the law, however, appeared to have been eat aaide, and the practice had been to oharge the duty on the value of the artlole at the port of exportation, with 19 per cent added, That was because the Ad Valorem Aot was net explicit, and you fell back on the Custom! Aot of 1844, 9th Victoria, No. 15. Why tax salt bags, when you admit flour and grain bags duty freo Mr. Samoxl Perhaps we should charge on all bat he was clearly of opinion, in referenoe to the matter under consideration, that the duty now charged was oorreot. Mr.

Duncan (aid that the bags oontaintag flour and grain, when emptied, were sent back to be refilled. Mr. Willis said that the salt bags were of no value. Mr. Samubl thought that the deputation were raising a question might lead to the imposition of on ad valorem charge in respect of all packages.

Mr. Watt said that we were narrowed down to the question whether the declaration referred to good in the packages, or to goods plus the packagea. Mr. Danoan bad worked the Aot as fairly as possible but still the operation of the law was moat Inequitable. If we declared the value of certain goods, aay at 100, and the Customs authorities thought that they were of greater value, they oould dispose of them- at a forced sale, If the proceeds of that aale amounted to 100 showing that the value of the Importer was correct still the Importer was not paid the prioa which they realised, but bad to submit to the deduction consequent upon the sale and duty.

A merchant was therefore compelled to sacrifice his goods If he entered Ipto a ooatest with the Customs as to value. Such an operation did not exist in the neighbouring oolonics, where aa valorem dutlea were In force, end where they oould take their goods, pins 10 per cent. Mr, Duncan In Melbourne they seize the goods, and we cannot do that here. Mr. Bahuel; And they have the power of tnflloting a penalty, but we oannot do it, Mr.

Duncan said that our Aot was the same as the English Ac. In England and America the duty was levied on the value of the goods, plus all expenses, Mr. Samuel sold that he woulp not promise in any way to comply with the request ol th i deputation, He would take the matter ultra) ickecnetderaUon, and he would also consult wlth.the Crown law offloera and see whether it was possible that anvthtag oould be equitably and legally done to meet the -views of the deputation. He waa not disposed to work thia Ad in m. th.t mitmU h.

vexaUous.or impose more reetrtcHena on the operations of pwiiuw nweiaary lor ins protection or "venue, oudto carry oat the He hoped that he had shown that thia had been his feeling during his tenure of office, he oertafnly thought it Waa moat undesirable to lm-J? fff4 was utolyneoes. ttf a-i'vpoi to WeWoi tiW operations of trade had been shown by Mr. Danoan. Mr. 1J uncart, however, had acted up to the letter of the law, as slble, to remove the obeoority which had srUeain rows of th OOTflloting oplnlose he had 1 1 Ul.

RlUnM. J. shown gnat anxiety to avoid eny nnplaaaantnaaa, whlla, fci.5fit!T (orformttf.liU dttilea strict Mr. Watt aald that the establishment of uniform rates of lelegrapblo cba'gta was the next point to which, thsy deilred to diirot the attention' of the honorable the Tree- UMr' SAUVEL tald that he was glad to tell them that the Covsnmuit had arrived at a decision on this matter, and be might aa well state what it waa. We determined that the charge for tranimilting messagee a thia colony ahould in future be ene shilling for tea worta, and one penny for every additional word, for all messages transmitted between any stations in the eoloay not exceeding thirty.

fire miles apart. Some of our lines would extend as far a Port Bourke, and we therefore oould net adopt a uniform rate such as that which prevailed in Victoria the ana of that colony being smaller, and the line more populous towns. -W proposed to oharge half -a-crown tor ten words and twopence for every extra -word, for all message tranrmilted between any atatton in the colony at a greater distance kpart than thirty-five miles. The intercolonial bad also been reduced. The pre-etat rate to Victoria waa 6a.

for the first ten words, and 4d. for every extra word. We'propoeedtomake the oharge from ell atatlona tn Mew South Wales to Victoria 4a. for the. first ten words, i Denillquin and Albury would be The ralea between those places and Victoria had been fixed at 2a.

for the -first ten words, and 2d. for every additional Mr. Watt aald that, if the rate to our own order was 2. 6d. and the Victorian rate was we ought to get our telrgrame through for 8a.

Gd. Mr. Sahvel said that had not- esoaped hfa notice, end he understood, from the Superintendent of Telegraphs, that there waa some reason why the intercolonial rate should be fixed at 4s. and that was an amount which conld more easily be divided between the colonies. Mr.

Oowper and he expected to go down to Melbourne to attend a conference, of repreaintativee of the various oulonles, to be held: then in June, and this question of telegraphio com-unication was one of' these matters which they would probably have to deal with. Mr. Watt said that it was made a matter of oom-plaint In Victoria that the difficulty rested -with oi. i Thoy were anxious to oo operate with ua, and to have' a shilling rate, but conld not get New South Wales to do it. The same waa the case with regard to Queensland, as be learnt from one of the Ministers to whom he we speaking on the subject the other day.

Mr. Sahvel said that the lines ot -this colony were of much greater length than those of Victoria, and they did not connect with populoua towus. With regard to the charge of it certainly did alt ike him as a little strange, and Ee would inquire Into it Mr. Watt tboueht that if a uniform nte of la. had been made to apply to Goul burn and Hal hurst the receipts would have been vastly Increased.

There was no place ot commercial importance within thirty-five miles of Sydney. Mr. Samtbl aaid that it ahould be borne in mind that we had spent a very large sum in the construction of the lines, and that there was a very heavy yearly charge for interest os the original The present reduction were in the nature of an experiment, and if that experiment waa successful we might hereafter be In a position to make further reductions, -r Mr. Watt waa afraid that tbe eucoess of the experiment would not be so observable as if the limit had been made to include Ooulbum and Bathuret. and other prinoipal centre of population and trade.

8amuel aald they had not a uniform rate on South Australia. Wc should now have a uniform rate of half-a. crown for all places beyond thirty-five mile. Mr. Molineaux said that it would be much more satisfactory if the distinction with regard to thirty-five mile were -abolished, end a uniform rate of two shillings established throughout the colony.

Mr. Bahoel eald that at present the rate to Parraroatta end other towns was only end we oould not raise it to 2s. Mr. i Watt was satisfied that a la rata would be found to pay even if extended tc Fort Bourke. Drovers would telegraph to their owners in Sydney daily whereas now we sometime lost eight of our atook for two months together.

The want- of communication had been particularly felt during the prevalence of the late floods, and the absence of Information had caused much anxiety to owners, if indeed it bad not considerably depreciated the value of their property. Mr. -Samubl eald that the difference between half.a-crown and a shilling was of no moment in a oaae of that kind, i Mr. Wait: It would moke all the difference between a daily and a weekly telegram. The reduction was, however, a great boon it indicated that the Government waa and he had no doubt that ere long we should have further rednctlone, Mr.

Samubl sold that his desire lay in that direction, and if the experiment should be successful the Government would be certainly inclined to go further. He, however, thought it was necessary to be cautious in relinquishing revenue. Mr. Watt feared that wo were making the experiment on a false criterion. Thirty-live miles would not afford a fair criterion, for it left out the large towns of (he inferior.

Mr. Samuel It cost more to carry a line to Fort Bourke end to Albury than to Windsor or Penrith; and hence it wc btat reasonable to oharge the latter la, whils we charges the former 2s. 6d. Mr. Willis You carry a letter to Fort Bourke and Albury for the same prido aa to Windsor and Penrith.

Mr. -Watt The man whose unhappy deatlny it was to live ntlFort Bourke was deserving of every consideration we could possibly Mr. Samuel We had made one step and it we could take another in the same dlreotion we should do so. We bad reduced the charge to Melbourne 60 per cent, and we bad reduced the charge to South Australia from 8. to 6s.

for ten (Words, and from Cd. to id. for every extra word. The charges between New South Wales and Brisbane, including the southern section of Queensland, would now be 4s. for iten word and 3d.

for every extra word. To the central section ot Queensland, the charge would be 6. every ten word and 4d. for -every extra word; to the northern eeotlon It would.be 8. for ten words, and 4d.

for every extra word. The linea were formed, and they might be need every day as well as onoe a week. Mr. MoLntsAux If the rates were hot definitely fixed we should be glad if the suggestion, as --to a uniform rate of 2s. throughout the colony, oould be considered.

Mr. Samuel would refer the suggestion to the Cabinet. As to the intercolonial postage rate he might etate, that bad been fixed at and -these reduction he thought, come Into operation on the 1st of Jnly next. We bed yet some farther cemmnniontlon to make with the other colonic! Mr. Molineaux Would Tasmania be included la the arrangement Mr.

Samuel: Tea. Vlotorlahad agreed, and he presumed the other colonies would also agree. They would, no doubt, have seen that -we had nduoed the overland postage rate to 2d. Mr. Watt We have not only seen It, but taken ad-vantagenf it.

We post letter here on Saturday night, end it Is delivered in Melbourne on Wednesday morning. Mr. Samuel Although the ocean rate wbb 3d. a penny of that amount went to the captain of the steamers for conveying (he mail. Mr.

Watt raid that this was one of the moat aatfafactcry intervlewe he had had with the Colonial Treasurer. The deputation then withdrew. VIB1T 'OF HW EXCELLENCY THE GOVER-) HOB, TO DARLIKGHUR8T GAOL. Our chief prison was yesterday honoured with a visit by his Excellency the Earl of Belmore, Who was accompanied by Lis brother, the Hon. Captain Corry (Coldetream the Her.

the Colonial Secretory, Mrs. Lambert, end Mr. G. F. Wise (Sheriff).

They were shown over the eatsbltahment by Mr. field, the'Gbvernor of the gaol, end spent upwards of two hours In viewing the various features of interest that exist in a penal institution of such extent and importance. Sarlinghnrat pool, with the additions constructed within the last twe years, will be capable of accommodating 400 more prleonen, making a total of about 1000. In extent therefore as well as in the charaoter of its management and ditcipllno it le nearly equal to some of the firat-clae prisons of the mother country. Irrespective of the new portion not quite complete it has room for C60 prisoners, having 234 large, 108 separate, and 6 dark cells.

The dally average of priponers Incarcerated here in 1809 was 640. The ofHoial staff Include a chief and senior warder, forty-aix male warder, six female warders, and six overseers. The largest item of expense ore Salaries, 8880 provisions, dta, 3266; and stores, stationery, and medicines, about 2600. The industrial system. I carried out as far as dreams tan ces will admit, and the earning from the work of confine during -1860 amounted to 10,701.

This deduction from the total expense of the establishment, leave tho coat of prisoner per head, 9 12a. 8d. The moat oonaiderebls Industrie last year were those In the building line, 3262 being earned by mason, stone-cutters, and labourers, employed upon the new work 1023 by carpenters, painter, and coopers; and 778 by blacksmiths and tinsmith. But there are two other regular Industrie carried on largely, namely mat-making and shoe-making. By the first-named work, 726 was earned, and by the manufacture-of shoes, 606.

The veins of the tailors' work, clothes being made not only for rriioBer, but far the inmates ot our orphan schools, was It la a taatter worthy of remark that the mass of the perrons consigned to the custody of the gaoler ore such as are unacquainted with any particmlar form of Industry. At the present time, although prisoners an employed in a large variety of artUrta occupations, ociy four were previously trained as carpenters, three ss painters, two aa tinsmiths, two a masons, about ten as shoemakers, and about st ven as tailors. These form a very email proportion of 892 employed, and this Is owing to the fast that fully three-fourths of the prisoner have to be taught In gaol the Industrie by which their ssrvioe osn be rendered eoononuV' oaHy useful. Arriving shortly before noon' his Excellency and party were oonductod first to. the trial wing, where the beds, bedding, and ventilation, were carefully Here are oonllucd the prisoners in trmuUu for the dreaded probationary gaol at Berrima.

After notlolag the yards of thia wing and the labour sheds, they proeeeded to ths wing la which hard labour prisoner ere kept, looking into, ths spertments and examining ths padded cell for the reception of lunatic. Th only Inmates were two men recovering from (delirium tremens, and one: suffering from deroBtiev Th oooklng bouse1 was a point of oon-Idtrable Interest. As culinary preparation were coins om Wae for notions sate ths mode of putting cheap and wholnaoto-j viand into shape for 0CP4UmilloD, Th bread, nj vegetable were inspected a well as ihs soup, wbloh is ataval with potatoes in kit, each holding auftWaat for a mea of tlx. he hominy glowing in an tmrannje oopper, In routines for th evening meal, we glanced at, ant tiw party soon after reached th new wtag erected within the It two year. This famishes 228 extra cell, and wiU nave commodious airing ysrJs, and convenlesos for th separation sad classification of prisoner.

Hfa BxoelWiey and- companion entered some of the dark cells, and were looked in one, in order that they night nana the depths of obeourlty thoy ware toon released by sounding the gong, eaoh oaU having one to indicate where in atiataao of an officer I required. 1 bJy left this quarter to look at the less repulsive apart, mesta, used as workibep. Here wore ehope for blscksmllhe, ccrpentera, bruahmakera, dec. and the work done in eaoh was spoken of very favourably. Ths attention of ihs visitors ws directed more particularly to the mats, which srs made In a large variety ot palters and of several kind of material.

An rxptrtmtnt is being made by ths combination of atrlngy bark with coir, with a view to leaven th cost of the article. About fifty prisoner are employed hi thia department. Biusbmaking is carried oo to a limited extent, -but bis fxcellenry wa shown some good peolmen In noreehalr, cotri and millet and also on mad of home grown bamoo cane. These article appeared to be aubatantlally put together, though not highly finished. Th tailors' and the Jrboemakere' ahopa -were looked into, and on reaching the female Lambert, by her cartful examination of the needlework, and tier inquiries as to the mods of execution, p- Seared much Interested in the apeolmen coming under er notice.

The splendid aooommoaatlonln the bath-honaes attracted the attention of all, most of the plunge baths being atroigly built of brick, and rendered water-tight and veryTdurable by cement, whilst their orf aoe I not unpleasant to the tench. Thia kind of construction was, we under-ataid, originated at Darlinghuret gaol. The party went over lib deblora' ward, but this being empty, there wa nothing to rote but Ita couimodlousneaa ana convenience. The occasion of tke Governor1 visit wa taken advantage of to make on appeal, through the Eon. the Colonial Secretary, for the release of a Crown debtor, who, having become surety for a pally who af terwarde absconded, was unable to pay the 20, taeemennt of bond.

There wa aald to be eome: peculiar hardship in hi cote to justify ths aot. of m-i Failing through the subterranean passage whloh oommu-nloatea with the Courthouse the visiting party went into the Court whilst the trial of Margaret Gilbert wa proceeding, but remained only a few moments. Before leaving the locality hie Excellency and suite went across to the Lunatic Receiving Bouse, whloh they thoroughly overlooked, there being only one patient in custody st the time. DEATH FROM INJURIE8 ACCIDENTALLY REOHrVED BY A FALL. The City Coroner held an inquiry at the Cottage of Content Hotel, Waterloo, touching the death of a woman named Charlotte Bayeton.

Timothy Bayeton deposod that be was a storekeeper, and resided at Pitt-street, Waterloo the deceased, who was his wife, was about 64 years of end a native of London (Bngland) she had been In the colony about fifteen years; they had been married thirty-nine years the deceased had left no children she was subject to the ailments of her age, but otherwise enjoyed pretty good health, excepting occasionally, when she was subject to fainting fit, from the effect of whioh she would fall down and remain insensible for some time; she was on good terms with the neighbours around her; witness was away from homef the deceased was by herself; be It ft home on Wednesday morning at hi usual hour to attend to his buainea; deceased was then in her ordinary condition witness relumed' home that evening at fats usual hour about a quarter-past 7 o'clock he put his hand over to open tho. gate and then saw his wife lying on the ground Inside the tenoe ha lifted her upon the step and found that she was: quite insensible he then went inside and got pillow and placed it under her head, and then went for when ho first saw the deceased, she was lying on the ground on her right aide, with her face resting on a atone to the left of the eteps as one entered it bad been raining a short time previously, but her clothes were not wet Mrs. Banalow returned with witness, and with her aeaietancer he carried deceased inside- ths house and laid her en a sofa he then had a light there was a little blcod coming from hie wife's right ear she was insensible end remained so till she died at 6 o'clock on Thursday rooming upon taking her into ths house, and observing her condition, he went at once for Dr. O'Reilly, who was immediately in attendance on deceased he saw his wife and examined her, and visited her again at a later hoar he ordered a certain course of treatment to be pursued, whloh was carried out strictly when he found deceased on the ground, the front door was closed he observed no marks of injury on her ehe waa not- in the habit of drinking to excess she had been subject to the fits before mentioned for soma years past. Esther' Susannah Hanalow deposed that ehe wes wife of the landlord ot the Cottage of Content public-bouse she bed known the deceased for about twelve months, during the whole of which time she did not find her a sober, temperate woman she wss on good terms with til her neighbour, and wae respected by them ehe had beard her aay that she wo subject to fainting fits; she never law her In one of them witness saw her on Wednesday moming last about 10 clock she was then sober end apparently well the next time she saw her was about a qurrter-past 7 o'clock on the same evening, when ehe went to her residence in oonsequenoe of something her husband told her ehe assisted him to convey the deceasaed into the house end placed her on a eof deceased' residence was doss to hers, and she did not on Wednesday evening- hear any sous coming therefrom: Elizabeth (Crane that she was a- married and- resided in Pitt-street, Waterloo; ehe waawell acquainted with the deceased ehe had known her many years; ehe was not a teetotaller, ehe never saw her incspbble of care of herself on last Wednesday afternoon she was at witness's residence for a couple ot hours, and left about dusk to prepare her has- oona tea, taking four eggawitn ner; sne sail aaemuat go home, as the msster would, home before she had his tea ready she ws perfeotly sober she left by herself deceased did not appear very -well on Wsdnesday; ehe ehivered very much, and said on two occasions that ehs felt very queer at the same time, putting her to her bead; she did not hear any noise evening; she knew deceased ws subjeot to fainting fits, from- the effects of which she would fall and remain insensible for along time; ehe lived on good terms with her Lr.

Walter O'Reilly deposed that on the evening of, Wedneeday laBt he saw ths deceased at her residence; be found her in on Insensible condition, breathing waa a little difficult' the pulee rather Blow, and the surface of the body was below the natural standard of heat: the pupils rf the eyes were also Insensible to the light he found on txsroinsuon, a ewelling over the angle of the right eye, and a lttig't nse on the side of the head above the esr, both oooaeloned bj an effusion of blood ho elso found some blood flowing -from tho right ear; these Injuries were occasioned either by a fall or a blow; he detected the smell of drink; upon the deceased; she re-' mained Insensible, and gradually sank till she died at 6 a m. on the following moming he did not doubt bat that death had been the result of compression of the brain consequent upon the injury; he learned from the evidence thatdeoessed'bsd been anbjeot tofatntlog fits, and he would eay that such fits occasioning a fall in the place whore the body was found, would account for the cause of death. The jury returned a verdict of death from injuries acoi-dinlally received by a fall. m. v.

BICE-CLEANING MACHINERY. Jotht Editor of thtBtratd. Bib, In your isaue of thie morning there appears an article, heeded ss above, describing, as Tar ss I can understand, what the publio would believe to be the only Rice Mill in the colony. Your Informant states that hitherto all the rice that required cleaning had to be sent to Melbourne for that purpose. buctt a report going abroad through the medium of your extensive circulation, Is likely to it jure the colony, and more particularly those who, like myself, have been engaged to a large extent in rloe cleaning.

I may also beg to state, that my lets father "wae the first In any of the colonies" to clean rice from the hulling -of the grain to the finishing. In the amo mills whiofi I now occupy, and for a period of fifteen years, we have not only received "paddy rice from Melbourne," bat cleaned If for shipping to that and other porte in the oolouies long before any rice-mitls were erected in Melbourne, ss well as recently. As to the mode In which to Import the rloe, the importers-best know what is most suitable for their requirements; and also ss regards the cleaning of the grain, (he merchants of Sydney can testify in what marketable condition I can turn it out mill-dressed." In toe year 1864, I cleaned a cargo of rice for Messrs. Joubert and Bocher, the. former gentleman now secretary to the Australian Agricultural Society, whose letter you- will please insert In with this.

As for the roundabout mode of supply being resorted to. ss described in to-day's aniole, I think the best thing to do would be to import the onnaumers, and I would find a direct road of supplying al their requirements ss far as rice cleaning is concerned. I em very eorty to state that I will not have sufficient em ploymcnt, nor will any other rice mill, until ws have further Chinese immigration. Wo have been for many years past engaged in cleaning rice. I believe I have cleaned about 800 tone of rice of various description within the last two month for someot ths principal importers.

A. W.BLAIR. Btetm Rice Mills, near H. N.S.N. Wharf, Sussex-street, Bydaey, May 12.

Sir, I have much pleasure In certifying that you dl erne time In the year 1864 undertake to clean some rice imported by my late firm, and that you performed ths work to tor entire saliifaoticn. ,1 "Jules V'Mr, A. W. Blair, Bnssex-street, Sydney, May 12." 4y'" CENTRAL 8A.LB YARDS. 'l TtthtMUortfthtHirdti.

-i Sir, Bavins: read, several letter which ham -laiete appeared in your valuable journal touching the question a to which is the most desirable sits for central safe yards for ths city end subaib generally, and being, aa a stockholder, somewhat Interested In the matter. I taka ih liht trespassing on your Indulgence, and ask spina In your' columns sufficient to enable me to etate tbs matter from rJT point of view, having long been a sufferer owing f. in want of suitable market for th disposal of my ayjg, tout two miles front Fniramotta, four from Liverpool, sevaalwafrom th diy of Sidney Komebaah. all miles the Sydney aide of nina from Sydney, td twelve trim Liverpool Viotoria sarde, Pain 'am, and naandkleyaids, both of which i re within three nsilei of Bjdiwy, i With refennos to Fu'lagar, it is perhaps th best at at must command tb country tuyere geaarelly, but It I evidently alugether unsuitable icr th city and suburban Wilk rrsrard to Eonubush. It is not.

I consider, amitabl from its poaltioa, either for oountry. or Sydney havers, being too far from the oountry town genarmUy(; and not tofflcleutly near tbs city and the) slaaghter-sunies of the suburban dtatiiota. i -i Th other sites to be eenvidered are Petersham and Anaandale, either of these I oouider sol tab la in every reaped! far the convenience of thai oily and aubarba where the greater number of inhabitants in the oounly of Cumber', land are concentrated. --hi It Is, therefor, evidently impeseibta to establish aay stts to meet the requirements of both country and Sydney buyers, and I would suggest that the example of ear sister cob ny Viotoria oould be followed with great advantage to both the producer and th oonsumer. The sale yard there (which have proved a great suooes) are within, three mile of the city of Melbourne, where every doaoripOon et stock la disposed cf.

1 I pop, therefore, that thi matter will receive the- careful consideration it demands, oasuch large interest an involved in the derision to be arrived at. T' i I fjj, Sydney, 13th May; i i MERCANTILE AND MONEY ARTICLB. I Fbidat Bvmnwo. Thi CrUtomi levenne (olldwij reesived to-day -was Branny jQln 'Whisky sm m. Wine m.

m. iTobaeeo and anutT 1 'Cigar ye m. Coffee sad eh leery Baaar (refined) m. (unrefloed) Dried Volt m. m.

Halt. Gold Optnm m. PUoUr Sue m. Ad valorem m. 3IS Mil I SO I lis 10 48 8 S64 19 0 0 r' a 1 -s IDS 15 0 88 I 10 4 tso 0 0 4 II 10 II t' es' 10 10 10 IT to S7 oti m.

i The Southern escorts have broueht down the following quantities of gold: Goulburn, 11 oz. 19 dwts. ilraidwood, 489 oz. 16 5 gre. Araluen, 637 oz.

7 dwts. 20 grs. Young, 469 oz. 15 dwts. 21 grs.

Adelong, 1Q9U oz. 11 dwts. 7 grs. Tumberamba, 80 oz. QuDdagai, 266 oz.

1 dwt. Total, 2025 oz. 11 dwts. 6 grs. Ihe Mint receipts and issues during the week ending to-day were: received for coinage, 6336 coin issued, 14,000 sovereigns.

i' -1 A moderate demand tor debentures has been experienced in the stock and share market since date 6f Inst report, and sales, were effected to a good amount at about, previous quotations. Bask! stock sold slowly, but with very little change in prices. A few Commercial- changed hands at 65J, at which rate they are still obtainable. City were rather none having been placed under The decline in Joint Stock noticed last week nas led to sales downto 8 1 Is. with a better feeling at close, 8 being new the lowest price.

Business was done in Mew South Wales at 38, and Union at 49. In steam shares the only transaction was a parcel of Illawarra at 3. Insurance stock- wag neglected General -found purchasers at If. There was more -inquiry for coal share3, and Bulli preferential were sold at 15, an advance of 1 on previous transactions, while for Wara-tah a Idecline of 2s. Cd.

was accepted.1 Peak Downs copper are firmer than last with buyers at 27s; to 28s. In debentures, we note safes of New South Wales terminahles and New Zealand Treasury bills at All the latter in brokers' bands on Government account, have been taken up. City of Sydney bonds, due 1872, continue saleable at 100 Queensland debentures have fallen to 106 Treasury bills also sold at a trifling decline those due in 1872 at 99 ditto 1873 at 100. Wallsend Company's1 7 per due .1872, changed hands at The! following table exhibits the state of the market at close -U i COMPANIES. Oasttal OlOSlBf Prloos.

paid up. anatralaala Comraeroial City ta Joist 8tBk New South Mew Zealand II lSxd, 41 SOO.OOol I.0OO.0OO1 ioo.oot 494,00 1.600.0MI uo.ooJ 100,000, 1.U0.0IW 110,000 Itercantli A BTBAJf. Clarence and Kiohmend, eidj SM.OH 9,850 95,000 17.000 uiiw, new Hunter Biver' -Ulawarra; irrsimAKom. General Marine 1 New Sooth Wales Marine, PaoiSe Plre and Marine Sydney Fire STdney Marina Soathernm United Mnrma. BalllCoal Ditto, preferential Peak Downa Oopper Glonmire Gold Wallsend Coal Waratah dllle 1 Cadgegong Cinnabar Dttto, proprietary Vlotorlan Trnnkey Clold Trunkey Qjld Contributory Enterprise Gold Contxibntory.

Wcolgarlo Lead Preferential M. 1 MIBOBLtAKBOTJ. OaBllght, Old Ditto, New Pyrakont Brldg Sydnoy Exobange Western Kerosene Ditto, preferential DEBENTTJtBS. t' H. S.

terminable Ditto ditto Government Ditto Treasury bill New Zealand ditto-; 'l A.B.N.OO. DlttO pity of Sydney Ditto Psnnont Bridge Clarenee Steam Diawarra Steam Oolonlal Sugar Oo. Newouvlafiat' Wallsend S.I90 ij.ooo eoo.ooo 19,000 19,000 11,741 90,000 10,000 100,000 14,000 1X1 iso.ootn -1 1 i. 190,001 100,061 1.000.001 if its: 400,0001 11.010 19.010 nil arJ3 S.4S0 100,9001 17, 10 40,000 100,000 60.000 xl.489 100,000 19,099 10,009 10,000 19,000 10,000 10,000 10,000 la.ooo 08 90,000 19 10,000 im.ooo SS.OOO 10,000 10,000 iM.seo 11,004 19,479 10,000 10 In Issue. Pa.

S.rM.MOl terest, 1971 117 inter. 1991 to 61 100 MX, 106 atv.sav 1,033,000 100,000 IM.SOO 10,000 M.068 ISS.IOt (,000 19.100 71 to 74 1879 4 WJMOOJ, IB7I 11741 too" 1170 to 79 too, in 1974 1S74 197S 100 10,00 10.ON 17.800 1199 to 71 i.eoel 1B70 117MT 10 101X, 101 Messrs. Bradley, Newton, and Lamb sold, today, the damaged portions of the cargoes of sugars ex Amoor, Cyrus, and Emile for net cash at prices; ranging from 2T to 41 2s. 6d. per A full supply of tallow was submitted' to public competition at the produce sales, held this forenoon.

Lots suitable for the, local trade commanded better prices, at last sales; (hipping parcels were unaltered. Hides sold briskly at late rates. A good quantity of leather was also quitted at satisfiotory, prices. The sales were as follows 1 By Messrs. Mort and Co 345 hides, at 18s.

to 22s. 6d. 670 at 15s. to l7s: 8di 96: at 4s. 6d.

to 3d. lint-aa to 4s. 9d. horns at hair at 13d. to I5d.

ORE, 15 casks beef tallow, at 1U fl. TV at 34 6s. 1 at 34 at 33, at 32 1 fla AA AAA A muvton, at 38 to 37 10s. btorse eil at 4d. 1 -11 --'v VI.

fry i I Aiarrisou, 4 ana ueviin A casks mutton tallow at 36 10s 1 at 34 10s. DL, 4 at 36 1 at 85 DLY. dv oo Deei at vi jas. Qd, 5 goon navance on auction nation and lota counter sorts are' difficult to quit at! present. Some -business has been- doing in good to nne congous at improved prices.

We heard of a parcel ot fine being placed toiday at. a price unobtainable wnen the 'cargo was 1m- ported-some months ago. Inferior and dusty sorts are almost unsaleable, and as- stocks are- large it is likely that a portion may find its way to Jiaigiana. .1 i a NEWCASTLE; PBOM OUB Thursday Nioht. Aitbb a brief interval of -fine weather, rain has again Bet in, and sinoe about 2 o'clock this moming has been falling Incessantly, accompanied by a heavy N.K.

gale. AooouoU. from Maitlsnd osnse gloomy fonbodlnga of another flood. All through the district ths Hunter and it tributaries are --rising, and in many place the river la nearly level with its. bens.

-At Maltland, at o'olock this evening, the river way half way up the bonk, and rising at ths rate of seven, inches per heur. i At Newcastle, ths gale was nnusnally heavy this morn. iak. Beversl vessels in harbour broke from their mooring, -sod others alongside the wharf wyed to and fro in a mint dangerous manner. Under the direction of Catln Allan, uuuvus, jnaBicr, everyuuna; wo maae a secure sua and beyond one or two trifling mlshapa not worth reooraliur.

no aoaldenta- have it was rumoured that a oouolo of Dalten's llghters had sank thi morning but I have not yet hoard thia authenticated. In the town considerable damage was. done to house property in several localities. At the ooraer of Hunter and Market streets, next to iha Pilni ami, fnnr new. houses were In oourse of erection by Mr.

Oloxton, one wuiigT uuenueu xor an -noiei, ana sne-otners lor uusl- neB nremBe. The whole mn nnmnlntAd aa ss the roofs, snd on two a oontiderable portion. of the) woodwork was erected. About- half-past. 9 o'clock thia moming, after several hour of ths heaviest' rain experienced here, ths western wall was notloed to bs giving way, snd a few moments afterward it fell with a -terriilo crash en the roof of the Pilot Offloe whloh opened in several place with the oonauselon.

From this time the work of- jdeetruotlon continued until an hoar afterwards, when scarcely a atone remained tanding of what wa pre- viously a fins block of building. At one time it was thought tho safety of ths adjoining premises was en- dannered; by tho falling brioks; but owing to tho exertlons of Mr. Cox (contractor), Mr. Olaxton, and others, any farther damage than that referred to above was prevented. noise caused bv the aocldent oreared oonslrlnr.

able alarm among the 'citizens, who were not aware of ths jo i "oeeaingiy rononate tsat me was not sacrificed, as a few momenta before ths building fell, several persons took refuge In tho lower rooms from the-pouring rain, and one man had actually only stepped Into the street, when a huge mass of brldts fell on tho spot where had been standing. The damage 1 estimated -at xtfCO. VACCINATION. ax iJ 1 71. 41 TtAllm 4.

ST. IJ in.wrnw, Bib, I enclore a paragraph, cat from JPuiHc Opinitn of February 1870, whioh glvts a striking llliutrutloa of sdvantag of oompnlsory vaccination. Ths fact of there being a vessel in Sydney harbour la quarantine, with small-pox board, at the present tlm. render it especially dealrablo that a proof of what oom- t.t-f: Miiiii. i fi.i' -r: a reauced copy I--1 1 wiu uu, irneu oomparea wiwt tas perfect way in which vaccination la carried oat, left tn tlA nsSnn nl L.

t. notice of the oummunity. uii vaaau. Eoone, May 11. -i i -I 'l II UvatnwB T.

a lsinsVlow all. I- i A tmlstaa st Wnrlck bring sow quit completed I hope to Isavs hire Wsdneslay noralug Mist it op arrival of express. 1 i '1 -'I i- ill I 1. by the direotowof the Oow-pook Inatimtlon In Dublin. many year previously to 1868 the average dwtlt-rats from small-pox Ireland amounted to about 1000 annually hot that since, owing to the exertions of the-Poor Law Oommlsalonar.

and in Nn.nlj.nM -ui, vA UM tlonof lbs directors, ths oompulsorv clause of thaVa' ctnallon Aot have been established, the death-rat fr Zl the above pauao hM gradually fallen almost to Thn in 1RAA iha JU- i aland i amonnted 86i, In 186i to 87, to I860 to VjFiZ. 1867 to tts flrst three-quarters of M'y 19 It Is a deplorable fact to' of these the dlsoeas warmnnMH, mll.rni' Is. Si, Is 01 il.M. u.u. 84 La "notice to the publio on the form, states that the charge for transmission of messages throiin-hmit tho VnAA gjym isone shilUng for the first twenty CmSnnd thfeapence for eaoh additiohal five i five The names and lh of not charged for.

When message in excess of fifty, words, raaye written on brdiiiary war, attached, to the message form by, Lni l. Pun. It- is. important also l-SWM that copial of. a telograjft direeted.

snd that, to. open vlolafiou of the taw, It ws v1itrodooi3 wiinimnnniiy by ths same Individual Ootloh union In 1869, oatulig 68 es and two uiimni niKKvaa UlaH III nnaaiLVOS BIX VLlu Immum. ment of tbs uosolator hr Jot nrtvented the ooiamlwlon. of this. offenoe, ths rrent'ortWdiuiof ttiSvlotlm also ahould bj pnnishablo, and reward of iW.

should bs gtv.n to th hifomer, to rre oonviorlons, Tbs. director atata further, 'that VM BKiattw-Cretwral's quarterly return riport jraaaoi without death frees snisll-pox far ths i "u.u Cj Bsptem bar auto, icon, wntitt only one ooata hod oocmtv j-n the tsrrrent uarteT, at)4 tjwt Ul oase Un ported.