Untitled

Southland Times, Volume I, Issue 17, 6 January 1863, Page 2

On reference to our advertising columns it will be seen that at ihe meeting of the Southland Jockey Club, held on Fridayevening, some material alterations were made in the weights. The small lot of highly bred Negretti sheep, lately imported by Mr. Denniston, from the celebrated flock of Mr. Iloneyer, are "worth inspection. Their appearance bespeaks plainly their puie descent, and we are mistaken if they are not appreciated by our Southland Flockmasters. The sheep are nt present to be seen in Mr. M'Kellar's paddock, at Wallacetown. An accident occurred to the paddle steamer Aphrasia on Saturday last. It appears that the Prince Alfred in running into Bluff Harbor, made signals for a pilot, but owing to the heavy weather, the pilot boat was unable to get alongside, the captain of the Piince Alfred was therefore obliged to steam close to where the Aphrasia was anchored, and whilst in that position, the steamer, in consequence of the eddy tides slewed round, and came into collision wit'i the Aphrasia, causing considerable damage.

It is ' rumored that Cobb and Co. intend shortly to extend their line of coaches to Inrereargill, and possibly to the Wakatip diggings. A deputation, consisting of Messrs Older, Homer, John Clerke, Thomas C'lerke, Beaven, Macgeorge, Watson and Stewart, waited on His Honor the Superintendent yesterday, for the purpose of ascertaining the intention of the Government Avlth respect to the establishment of a permanent escort to the Wakafip diggings, and also the appointment of a gold receiver. His Honer stated that the Government had no intention of sending an escort further than the foot of the Lake nor of appointing a receiver ; but suggested the propriety of an escort being established by private enterprise. This the deputation stated- their willingness to do, provided the Government would pay, directly or indirectly, the working expenses. The Otago Colonist, a journal supposed to represent the feeling of the "Old Identity," in a leading article on the subject of alleged differences betAveen the old residents and the Victorian element in that province, says : — " There Avas, not long ago, a settlement in the South Seas, called Otago — a settlement purely Scotch. Its clergy, its farmers, its doctors, its laAvyers, its merchants, its Government, its head, all were from the land of cakes. You could not walk through the then unformed streets of its capital, without the homely northern twang breaking on your ears. You could scarcely realise the idea of a colony It Avashard to suppose yourself out of Dumfries or Kirkcudbright, or Ayr. And very jealously the little Scotch community guarded its privileges — with an old Tory conservatism, it strove to keep up its nationality. It Avorked so far -^cil — it colonised the rugged land — for a time it was free from the invasion of other provinces and other settlements. .But a mighty change Avas at hand. The dream of the hour floated away. There arose a great cry. In feeble accent first; gathering strength in its progress ; omvard it went, on, ou, till it surged into an ocean roar, and Gold in O tngo became an undoubted fact. Thither came rushing pell-mell great bodies of men from Victoria, from all the surrounding c olonies. The Scotch entrenchments Avere stormedSt. Andrew was no longer the great man he had once been. Otago as a purely national settlement ceased to be. Was it then, considering antecedents, a very strange thing that the old inhabitants looked upon the new Avith something of the eye of prejudice? Was it very strange, Avhen the ncAv insisted upon the old selling eveiything to them at the figure of the neAV, that the old scowled i Was it very strange, Avhen the new observed this scowl that they conceived a great prejudice against men with an expression so objectionable ? Was it odd that little coalition between the two came about ? that there were bred estrangements and divided interest? that to the Otago of to-day lias come down a portion of that same feeling? Tiue it is, and pity 'tis, 'tis true." We observe that an Order in Council has recently been issued to the effect that from and after the Ist January, 18G3, new-papers for transmission within the colony or for overland mails shall be posted ia single number:., so put up that the day of publication may be readily seen. Packages of newspapers consisting of more than one number shall bo treated as book packets. During the last Avcck our attention was called to a very tine mob of horses, of the Cleveland breed, recently brought into the colony in the Yarra, schooner, from Circular Head. They were lauded Avithout blemish, and in as good order as when put on board. Considerable additions are about being made to the Government buildings in Dee-street. The Taranakl News grows eloquent. We feel suic that mercy will bo extended to us after committing the crime of quoting as follcuvs :— " Last week we printed the reply of Mr. Donictt f the Colonial Secretary, to the questions propounded to him by the deputation appointed at a public meeting of the settlers ou the 31st October, Avhieh we considered to be conclusive for a time on the subject involved, and that it would be unwise useless in the present state of affairs to further moot questions upon which more perfect action on the part of the Government can only be taken, when a reply to explanations sought by the Legislature of the Colony froai the Home Government shall have come to hand ; and this impression hold until the necessity of the deputation reporting to an adjourned meeting Avas suggested by a notice from the Superintendent Avhoj presided to that effect, and which no doubt belonged to the propriety of public business."