LOCAL INTELLIGENCE.

Southland Times, Volume I, Issue 30, 20 February 1863, Page 2

LOCAL INTELLIGENCE.

Our readers will perceive that we are showing bur colors. For once, however, wo will not stick to them. Yestenlay afternoon about 120 passengers from the Sir George Pollock, were brought up the river by the Aphrasia. It was perhaps unfortunate for first impressions, tbat they should have landed when the town was almost empty, and nearly every place of business closed, but if any were disheartened at appearanceSjthey must be reassured by the business-like aspect of to-day. The majority found accommodation in the immigration barracks. In this respect, we aro far behind neigubor^g Provinces. A question of considerable interest to attorneys and the public generally was discussed before the Resident Magistrate on Wednesday. This was the legality or otherwise of a solicitor's clerk acting for a principal in his absence at the Magistrate's Court. It certainly would be a great convenience to any legal gentleman if r on a pressure of business, or the necessity of leaving town for a time, he could send his clerk-; but, as argued on the othej side, if a clerk, -why not any one? As will be seen from our report, Mr Price has left the question open. It will be seen from the following, which we take from the Daily Times, that the Dunedin Escort has met with quite a series of mishaps. Possibly the same might occur were Invercargill the destination of the gold, [ but it is confidently expected that the "fates" | will be more propitious : — " Mr. Rees, "who ' arrived in town on Tuesday evening, after a rapid ride of thirty-six houra from Queenstown, called upon us yesterday and gave us a few items of intelligence from the Wakatipu diggings. It appears the escort has had a perfect chapter of accidents ; first th c horses strayed Away at the Mataura, then the waggon broke down, and last the gold has narrowly escaped being sunk in the waters of Lake Wakatipu. Mr. Rees's schooner, with the treasure on board, left Queenstown on Thursday, the wind blowing a gale from the N.W. She had a fair run down to the foot of th* Lake ; but owing to the heavy surf was not able to go close in shore,..and a whaleboat was sent to bring the treasure and prisoners ashore. Sergeant Bailey was handing in one of the iron boxes containing gold, when his foot went through the bottom of the boat The gold was however all saved, and another boat coming up, the passengers and treasure were safely conveyed ashore. The escort may be expected to arrive in town at any hour now. The next escort is likely to be larger than the one on the way, above 6,000 ozs. being already, waiting for transmission. A gang of desperadoes committed a savage assault and robbery a few days ago upon * miner who had been selling his gold. Fortunately, however, the man had placed his money in a more secure place than on his person, and the robbers got nothing for their pains. The particulars of this case are to the following effect: — A miner sold to Mr. Bracken, on Friday, about £700 worth of gold. Finding the banks were closed, he very wisely placed his cash in Mr. Bracken's keeping, and then set off for his camp. On the way, he was waylaid by a number of men, who stripped him stark naked, Rnd searched his clothing, expecting t« find the proceeds of his gold sale, the miner having no doubt been closely watched and followed. On Sunday the miner caught sight of two of the men who had been concerned in the outrage, and he immediately informed Mr. Bracken. That gentleman then went and secured the two men, until the police arrived, when the prisoners were taken to the Camp." During the greater part of Wednesday and yesterday }he town had quite a Sunday aspect, though here and there an industrious tradesman might be noticed hard at work, as if to dispel the illusion that it was the first day of the week. With the banks and government offices closad from noon on Wednesday, our merchants had scarcely any other alternative than follow euit, shut up shop,and give their emyloy£« a holiday. Evidently all who were released departed for the racecourse or friends in the country, since for two hours in the afternoon only a stray individual could be observed walking about, at a loss what to do with himself. In the evenings, when the pleasure seekers had returned, there was a greater stir than usual, and the hotels generally did a good stroke of business, Harry Houdin succeeded in drawing a considerable number to his entertainment in the Mechanics* Institute. Yesterday, at the Resident Magistrate's court, there was a slight increase in the number of drunken cases brought before him ; but considering the temptations to indulgence on such occasions, there were not so many as might have been expected. It is not often the even tenor, we might almost say, monotony, of life in Invereargill, is broken jn upon by anything in the shape of public amusement. The good folks resident here are therefore all the more ready to hail with pleasure the fewscattered individuals who may be tempted to try their fortune in that line so far south. Generally, I they have no reason to regret the venture, if they rank somewhere above sixth or seventh r/ite talent, and when they come up to first or second, bumper houses and an increase to their exchequer, is the reward of their exertions. Among tlm latter ] class may be ranked Mr Harry Houden, who, taking advantage of the holidays, consequent upon the Jockey Club Races, h»3 favored us with a flying visit, and given two entertainments in the Mechanics' Institute. The gentleman's talents are versatile, and many of his characters are " hit of/ " to the life, but it must be confessed, ft few are simply caricatures. Among such b num&er, how* ever, it would be rather hard to expect perfection in all. After giving in clever atyle, a few of the old famaliar tricks in drawing-room magic, he commenced the real entertainment with " Old Father Time," a cosmopolitan who lias invited representatives of all the world to his house, and, "under condition that the secret is kept." introduces them to his audience. It is needless to particularise the -whole ; suffice it to say, that Mr Kouden appears thereafter in about a dozen characters — embracing the native of nearly every clime, from a Chinaman to a genuine specimen of the "Emerald Isle." Appropiate, t. c. national songs, are aung in eacli, and, ocsasionally dance introduced. In rapidity of change, and " get up " Mr Houden can scarcely be excelled, but in a few- of the characters, the picture is rather overdrawn, or the sex is betrayed by speech or manner. On the whole, however, the entertainment must be pronounced first-class, and we are glad to learn that Mr Houden has agreed to ap. pear once more this evening. The prices are to be lowered considerably, so there can be no doubt about his having a full house. During the intervals, Mr "vViute. performs oa the piano, and also •ocom* panics Mr Houdin. ia the eongs.

A 1 meeting of the Committee of the Southland Caledonian Society was held in the Albion-Hotel on Tuesday evening, Mr Campbell presided. Rules for conducting the Society were adopted and office bearers antl director's appointed. Under one of his Scottish titles— Duke of -Rothsay— H. E. H. the Prince of Wales, was elected patron, and His Honor the Superintendent, Piesident. Mr D. M'Artbur occupies the office of Treasurer, and Mrff.P. Scott that of Secretary. With such high and puissant names at its head,, the Society ought to flourish. ' •,