SOUTHLAND.

Evening Star, Volume VII, Issue 2065, 17 December 1869, Page 3

SOUTHLAND.

[from our own correspondent.] Invercargill, 13th Dec., 1869. In this out-of-the-way corner of an out-of-the-way Colon}’, there cannot, of course, be much transpiring of startling interest; still, quiet as we are, there may be a few occurrences occasionally worthy of your readers’ notice. In this country of many Governments, politics generally take precedence of all ether subjects in newspaper literature, and I will only (conform to established tulc by stating at the outset of this letter, incidents of note under this head, The proposal to re-unite this Province to yours has, as you are aware, been the all-absorbing topic of discussion and conversation amongst our community for some considerable time. The war of opinion waxed hot, as the feasibility of the proposal gained credence, 1 until it reached a climax in being referred to the constituencies in the shape of a general election. In the country districts the idea generally found ready acceptance ; but in the town, and wherever town and official influence prevailed, it was fiercely opposed. Each side had its acknowledged chief and champion, Mr Calder, a merchant of this town, heading the re-union party, and Dr Menzies, the father of the Province, presiding over the anti-union faction, otherwise known as the “Independence” or “As you were” party. When the elections actually came on, doughty deeds were done by the valiant of both sides, and the tall talk was interminable. The Unionists, however, had an immense advantage in having a tangible scheme to place before the people, and in being thoroughly organised and unanimous, working with hearty accord for what they considered the public good. The “ Independence” men made that word their trump card, and raved, and tore, and protested—in some instances, I believe, wept—at what they called the “sacrifices of our privileges,” the “loss of our political identity,” the “bartering of our liberties,” etc., etc., ad Uh., until one would have thought it had been intended to hand the place over on terms of unconditional surrender to Tito Kowaru, Te Kooti, the King of Dahomey, or some such ruthless marauder, whose hordes were about to overrun the land, murdering the men, ravishing the women, drowning the children, obliterating civilisation, and otherwise working abominations and desolation. It was no use, however; the inexorable logic of an empty treasury and a big debt were too strong for vague promises of a “ glorious future,” to be brought about no one knew how, or faint hints of assistance from the superior Government. The fact of placehunters being amongst their numbers also told against the “ Independents,” and jdqougij jhat cause they probably lost , two or three seats in the Council. At all events, the result of the grand battle was the return of a sweeping majority of “Unionists,” and, as a natural consequence, the project has been furthered as far as our Council can, until it is known how yours will entertain the matter. The debate in the Chamber was a long as well as a warm one. It has kept the local papers going ever since—nearly a fortnight—and when it will end goodness knows. All I can say is, that tfie people ; Wjjiild prefer infinitely to see something more done and less said, so that some of their vouchers or greenbacks might be converted into current coin of the realm, and that some prospect of the further settlement of the country might appear a little less dim and distant. As showing the inherent enterprise of the people that they have just as much energy, pluck, and perseverance as any other section of Her Majesty’s lieges—l may mention that, notwithstanding the depressing influence of a bankrupt government, they are fully alive to the importance of new ipfluatries apd new discoveries, and are making vigorous efforts to establish the one and prosecute the other. The flax trade is attracting a great deal of attention, in fact threatens to become a mania. Quite a number of mills, probably thirty machines, are now at work, and many more are either in bourse of construction under the direction of “ original genius, ” or in course of importation by those who prefer fo take the advantage of other people’s inventions. No doubt, in many cases, the expectations of those engaging in this manufacture arp altogether too sanguine, and many of them will burn their flifgers, but there will, nevertheless, be developed a source of wealth which must speedily tell on the prosperity of the colony. Prospecting is also being widely followed ,- the LdngWood ranges in the west of the province, being the scene of operations, and the locality on which many hopes are fixed. Several small reefs have been struck, one said to show the color, and numerous fine nuggets have been picked up, confirming the belief that rich veins are not far distap.t. Ip social apd dramatic matters there is considerable disgust at present. Wc have had a grand agricultural and pastoral show during the past week, which kept the town in a'stir for a few days, and several schemes such as Caledonian gatherings, regattas, &c., are “ on” for the New Year’s holidays. By the way, I see you have made a mess of j’our Agricultural Association in Dunedin, surely that’s not creditable; certainly it need not be a permanent collapse in so large and flourishing a metropolis. Bad management is asserted as the cause of the failure. I suppose that is the cause of most “smashes,” and I think, unless some change takes place |n fhe mpnagepient herp, pur sfltfiefy will spoil follow suit. It is awful, you know, how men are foisted into positions fpr which they are totally unfit, simply because they happen to be observed in some little “brief authority.” Any rowdyism which manifested itself at our show was confined to one or two prominent directors and their immediate friends, who did their best to disgust everybody, whether visitor, exhibitor, or judge. At the dinner in the evening, when the restraint of the public eye was withdrawn, they succeeded in turning what should have been a pleasant and profitable meeting into a scene of disorder and discord which can only he remembered with regret by all respectable

persons who were present. As the institution itself, however, is so well calculated to benefit the district and promote sociality amongst the inhabitants, it is to be hop d that the unpleasant circumstances alluded to will not bring it to an untimely end. Before next show a new directory lias to be elected, end the members will surely not permit the names of men who have so disgraced themselves and damaged the society on the present occasion again to appear oil the list,