INVERCARGILL.

Lake Wakatip Mail, Volume I, Issue 15, 20 June 1863, Page 3

INVERCARGILL.

(from our own correspondent.) June 15, 1863. The progress of Invercargill, despite the patronising and contemptuous pity of the Otagonians, is increasing every day, and ''little petifogging Southland," as a certain class love dearly to dub it, is in a fair way of rivalling, if not outstripping her elder and more fortunate sister. Even the press of Dunedin, little as they like to give us credit for anything we take in hand, cannot always refuse to give "honor where honor is due;" and the Telegraph has been kiDd enough to "honorably mention" our exertions, when compared with the division and sluggishness which signalizes any action of the Dunedin legislature. Whilst they have been talking about their necessities, two agencies—one in London, and one in Glasgow, have been established by the Southland Government. And it is not alone in this matter that we have showed our determination of going ahead. A new steamer —the Edina—has just arrived on her first trip from Melbourne to this port, which vessel will put us in direct communication with the Australian colonies. I have no doubt this news will be very acceptable to you on the Lake, as the Victorian and English Mails can now be forwarded via Invercargill, to you three or four days earlier than you can otherwise obtain them. I understand that a line of coaches is about to be established between here and the Lake by Messrs. Cobb, and it is the intention of the Victorian agents to book passengers direct from Melbourne to Queenstown—per Edina to Invercargill, coach to Kingston, and per the s.s. Wakatip to your township. This

will be a boon that will doubtless be appreciated by travellers, and will save them an immensity of expense and trouble. The elections are "dragging their slow length along," the latest candidate in the field being Mr. John Morton, of Seaward Downs, for the representation of the Waiopai district. There is nothing of importance to communicate on this head.

Our old enemy is still playing sad havoc amongst us, King Mud being here the presiding genius, and ve envy you your enjoyment of such pleasant Weather, so constantly reported by arrivals from the Lake The traffic, however, being materially lessened, the roads are not in such a vile condition as formerly, and a dray lately arrived in town, having completed the down trip in two days. The ladies here are adopting a more masculine style and emulating the high boots now so constantly worn, in preference to getting their hosiery besmeared with mud, they are now resorting to the neatest of Wellington boots, so that, with the aid of their " pages," they can venture out once more shopping or calling upon a friend. The dullness of Invercargill—so often complained of that it is almost grown into a proverb—is showing symptoms of a decline, and amusements are becoming a little more frequent than in the byegone days of the " Old Identity," when the whisky bottle and Dr. Knox divided the time of diverson. The Buckingham Family have been performing here lately, in the Concert Room in Deestreet, but with poor houses, the place itself being ill adapted to their performances, and the wretched weather completing the veto. This building is about to be extended and fitted up as a bona Jide theatre by Mr Frederick Seyler, of Melbourne. From his well-known ability as a caterer for public amusement elsewhere, I anticipate the undertaking will prove successful, and trust that his endeavors to enliven the dullness of Invercargill winter nights will meet with cordial support. It is said there will be additional employment for some of the gentlemen of the Long Robe, at the ensuing Sittings of the Supreme Court, in the matter of certain prosecutions against several persons who have transgressed against the Act of 1861, for the regulation and protection of the legal profession. Such persons, it is rumored, have been in the habit of preparing legal documents for fee and reward, which regularly admitted law practitioners can alone do. Each such offence subjects the offender to a penalty of Fifty Pounds.

Building is progressing so rapidly in Invercargill that it is almost impossible to say which new structure commands the most attention. Every day a place of business of some kind is opened, and another commenced alongside. The Prince of Walss Hotel in Dee-street, is now double its original size, and adjoining it, in course of erection, is Messrs. Carey and Gillies' new auction mart and stables. The latter establishment has a frontage to Dee-street of 50 feet, and is intended to be 25 feet high, having stable accommodation 50 feet long by 66 wide. There are a great many complaints about the difficulty which exists in getting the proper levels supplied for new buildings. Any one who will call to mind the delay and expense which took place in Dunedin, in consequence of the same thing, will agree in saying that the matter is too serious to be trifled with.

The earthquake, which you report as having visited you, also gave us a shake; and I notice by the Dunedin papers that it was felt throughout the whole of Otago. At the Bluff, Riverton, and other places in Southland it was distinctly felt, though the extent of the damage done was confined to the destruction of a few bottles of grog. Riverton is attracting some attention, and people are beginning to settle there more freely than hitherto. It may be looked on as a rising place. A famous restaurateur (yclept "a Sprig of the Old Identity") Mr. Jas. Morrison, late of the Southland Restaurant, has sold out here, and is about giving that township a fair trial, by u going-in" in good earnest.