The Invercargill Times. TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 1, 1863.

Southland Times, Volume 2, Issue 86, 1 September 1863, Page 2

The Invercargill Times. TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 1, 1863.

Duking the course of last week, some remarkably well informed individuals were "laying the odds," that after all that has been said the steam- j ship Gothenburg would not find her way into the New River ; that ' her captain would think better of it, or, if he ventured to attempt the passage of the Bar, that the good ship would there find a resting place until winds and waves had broken her up We are very Ivappy in being able to contemplate the fact that the aforesaid shrewd and well informed individuals were altogether in the wrong. No doubt they will pay their money, look pleasant, and confess that their knowledge of the capabilities of tlit New Eiver Harbor was very small. But besides the men who were willing to risk their money on the event — looking at the matter from a purely sporting point of view — we have good reason for supposing that there were others, who, from interested motives, spread a re-Dort in town that the Gothenburg was certainly not coming into the New River, but would content herself with calling at the Bluff. It need scarcely be said that, if those who credited this statement had taken a very small amount of trouble, they might have satisfied themselves that it was false, and in one or two instances a good deal of time and trouble would have been saved. After taking some little pains in order to find out whence the report originated, we believe we have succeeded, and should strongly recommend a certain gentleman to use his tongue for the future with a little more discretion. The journey from Invercargill to the Bluff, and back again, with the prospect of losing the vessel you expect to sail by, can by no means be looked upon as a source either of pleasure or profit. It has been our duty on many occasions, but more particularly towards the latter end of last year, to write, not against the harb< rs, but against the neglect they met with at the hands of the Provincial Government, at a time when the growing importance of Southland was beginning to attract very largely the attention of Australian shippers. From all sources, from the public prints, and from private despatches, we learnt that that neglect was having a depressing effect on our commerce, and our opinion on the subject was pretty freely expressed. Our Northern neighbor (a very good and useful sort of neighbor on the whole), was not slow to echo the cry that certain shipwreck awaited the master mariner who was foolhardy enough to risk his ship's bottom in Southland waters. Still the Government made no sigD. Fortunately for the Province, a light appears to have recently broken in on the gloomy recesses of that beautiful pile of buildings with which the corner of Dee-street is decorated. Thp official slumberers have awoke, and though late in the day, begin to show signs of renewed vitality. Who thought that every one was dead within the Government buildings ? Whoever thought so was mistsken ; it was a case — a Serious case certainly — of suspended animatiou, and the sufferers are again, to a certain extent, in pos-

—: — ; -,; fe — ; — session of suffh. faculties as each may happen tobd blessed with. One of the principal^proofs of what we assert is to be fou.'nd in the improvements which are being effected in the harbors, especially in; the much-reviled New River. Some mouths back the owners of the Gothenburg would have thought a very long time before they sent so fine a vessel on what was then considered a really dangerous undertaking ; to-day we haye the same vessel riding comfortably ait anchor in the Pool, and Captain Mackie saying that he sees no more than an! ordinary risk in taking the Bar, and coming up the channel. Amongst those things that the (iovernment have done for the New River, is the increasing 1 of the number of pilots, though further additions are still called for, and their pay is noL high enough, considering the work they have to perform; we may besides mention thatcarefnl soundings have been taken, which show that the range of tide at the New River Heads is from six to eleven feet, I and that at five feet rise there are thirteen feet of water in the channel at present in use. Some fears have been expressed lest the present channel should at any time become closed, in which case those tears may be dispelled when we state that there is another channel to fall back on, where there are eight feet at low water during spring tides. A vast improvement has been effected in buoying this harbor, and it, may be reasonably hoped that but a short time will elapse, ere that part of these necessary works will be fully completed. Quite as important may be considered the improved arrangements which have been made for signalling vessels at sea. There are now two signal stations, one situated on Steep Head, which can be seen from Stewart's Island, and a second immediately above the Pilot Station at the' New River Heads. These two signal stations are within sight of each other. A vessel running down from Stewart's Island in a gale of wind, can consequently be communicated with by the Steep Head Station as to tho state of the Bar, and if it be not fit to take, she can run into Port William, whereas formerly she would have had to run for the New River Heads before the desired information could be obtained, and then, if it was not safe to enter, would have had to get back for shelter into Port William in the best manner she was able. Altogether these changes and additions have clone a vast deal towards removing the bad name so long enjoyed by the New River Harbor ; and credit is due, not Only to the Government who originated the scheme, but also to those under whose superintendence it has been so far carried out. We do not wish to be Understood to say that the New Pviver Harbor is about to become perfect ; from time to time careful soundings must be taken — the oftener the better — and the Pilot Sta(F must be increased. There are, moreover, several places after the Bar is safely passed, whieh, with the expenditure of a little money and engineering skill, might be rendered far better than they are at present. These matters | will, we trust, receive the attention they deserve.

The - own Board election which took place yesterday aftci-noou, was characterised by a sporting laisscz a! ler, which one rarely i'mds in similar circumstances out of a colony. Towards four o'cluck, a number of expectant members and their friends, assembled without the Town Board Ollice, and pendiug the declaration of the Pol!, avnused themselves with moi'k motions to the effect that those who at the nomination had the greatest show of hands, should stand drinks or '"shout" cigars. None of the intending members appearing to feel the force of the peoples' voice, at a quarter past four, they took possession of the Board Room and formed into a .Returning Ollicer's audience • Mr Mitchell having rend the Poll List, mentioned that as three gentlemen , Messrs Atuell er , Gcisow and Robertson had the same number of votes, it would be desirable to draw lots. This proposition did not attract popular sympathy, and cries of " shake in the hat — that's bast," almost shook the elegantly glazed map of Town Sections from its brass headed nail. The returning officer thinking it best to sail with the tide, borrowed a hat, and placing within it three marked coins as the representatives of the rival members, shook them after the most approved fashion, and with the usual gallant proviso that " woman wins." Mr Mitchell was the first to gain ; and then the Uea certe smiled upon Mr Robertso n. Each shako was greeted with approving cheers, and the proceedings were wound up with one cheer more for the Returning Officer, and a little one for the successful candidates. None of the elect addressed tho meeting, but Mr Geisow who arrived towards the conclusion, stated that Mr Mueller intended to rerign. It is likely after all that the Panama route wil be carried into effect. The Imperial Government negatived the scheme, but Mr GVosbie Ward has since received such advantageous private offers to efficiently undertake and conduct the service, that there is every reason to believe, that he and tho agent for Sydney will close with some of them No sooner does this intelligence reach Otago, than the local journals "go in" for heavy leading article* in which it is attempted to prove, in tho most modest way in the world, that the Panama route cannot be brought about, unless it i s decided before any other steps are taken that Dunedin shall bo the terminus. We have no doubt that by the next mail wo shall receive Wellington papers insisting that " Codlin is the man, not Short." There was a rumor in town yesterday of a considerable rush to the vicinity of the Lake Tiano ; from what we can learn, a party of prospectors h ave succeeded in finding gold, but our informant w 'ho has recently been near the Lake knew nothing o f the rush . By reference to yesterday's proceedings of the Chamber of Commerce, and also to an advertisement which appears in another column, it will be 6een that a public meeting is to be held to-night at half-past seven, for the purpose of considering the necessity of petitioning government to remove the restrictions for importing cattle from Australia. A waggon, drawn by four horses came wiLh the leaders to grief on Friday in the mud at the side of Dee-street, near the Government Buildings. The two leaders lay in the mud as contentedly as if it were clean straw, and would probably have made a night of it there, had not an energetic crowd, by medium of hard swearing and hard hitting, rought 1 tucui to a proper Bonse of duty\

A meeting of gentlemen desirous of interesting themselves in Acclimatisation, will take place at the Mechanics' Institute on the evening of Monday next. It is to be hoped that there will be a large attendance, and that no means wilL be neglected towards placing this Province, in this particular'' in that leading position which in commercial mat-" ters, for example railways, it has already taken It would not be cliCcult to obtain pheasants and .hares from the North Island. This country is well adapted for coursing. Professor Clay and his Marionettes had no great audience at the Mechanics' Institute last night. The stormy character of the weather was favorable neither to puppets nor to " hey presto ! " half crowns. A drunken man, ejected from a neighboring public house, slept out an hour yesterday afternoon upon the damp pavement in front of the Town Board Office. Luckily for him, before he cam 8 under the stern eye of the guardians of the peace two good Samai'itans, apparently miners, took possession of and hoisted him away. A Mr N. P. Bayly, ono of the wool kings' of New South Wales, has just achieved a triumph in breeding good wool. His wools have fetched unprecedented prices in the London markets. The Sydney Morning Herald says—" Whatever Mr Bayly's theory may be, however, his practice has undoubtedly so far proved successful. Fifty bales of wool found purchasers in a dull market at prices gradually rising from two shillings a pound to three shillings and fourpence halfpenny. There was great eagerness to get this wool, and the competitors were manufacturers who werepractically familiar with the brand, and who knew how well suited for their work was the wool that that brand covered. There is no resisting the logic of these account sales. We grow for the manufacturers, and tho test of the auction sales at which they bid is unimpeachable evidence. These manufacturers have probably n > pet theories about breeding. The subject docs not come within their department. Their attention has been devoted not to producing wool, but to producing cloth from wool. They may know little or nothing about the management oi sheep, but they know a good deal about the management of the lleece. They know which sorts give out the most, waste, which give the least trouble to manipulate, and which yield the finest results. There is not more difference between the Surat cot.ton which is now plaguing the Manchester manufacturers, and the beautiful American cotton to which they have been so long accustomed, than there is between the qualities of the wool that goes home from Australia." Tho West Coast of the Middle Island will soon lose its vague character as a terra incognita. The Daily Tunes says — " The complete exploration of the West Coast of the Middle Island will probably be accomplished during the ensuing summer. There arc several parties nt present engaged in ascertaining the easiest route from Nelson to the coal and gokl fields on the West Coast of that Province, and already settlement has commenced in tho vicinity of the Kiver Grey, and at other available places. The Canterbury Government are making every effort to open the country on t'lo West ; tho result of recent explorations having established the existence of considerable areas ofland suitable for settlement, besides very valuable coal deposits. A depot has already been established by the Canterbury Government on the West Coast, and a road is in course of formation to within a comparatively easy distance of the sea, and a line of electric telegraph will shortly be constructed thither. A fresh exploring expedition is now being organised for fhe thorough survey of the West Coast of Canterbury, under the leadership of Mr Bain, an experienced surveyor, who will also be accompa tied by Mr Sullivan, the gentleman who acted as special reporter for this journal to the first expedition under Dr Hector in this Province. The expedition will commence operations from Jiickson's Bay, where Dr Hector penetrated iu the recent expedition to that locality, and extend its travels northward, making a survey of the coast to tho distance of ten miles inland. "We shall probably be able to publish from time to time accounts of the progress of this expedition." The Argus of tho 25th thus speaks of Volunteering in Melbourne, for Auckland : — "Colonel Pitt's mission of raising a force in this colony for service in New Zealand is not likely to be a failure. Saturday, the first day his office was opened, was devoted to receiving applications from persons for appointments as officers and non-commissioned oflicers, and no less than sixty-five candidates declared themselves. In another column will be found extracts from the Militia Act Amendment Bill, under which tho force will be formed. It will be seen that pensions for wounds, and in tho event of death, are provided. We may state at the same time, that Colonel Pitt does not desire that tho regiment should be formed of trained volunteers alone. All who are disposed to accept the liberal conditions offered by the New Zealand Government, however little they may know of military matters, are invited to join the force ." The financial state of Tasmania is so shaky, that retrenchments of every description have become the order of the day. Amongst other things tho Government havo found it necessary to suspend immigration. The sum of 1.21,880 is abou to be raised, chargeable on the Genoral Kevonue and Land Fund, for the purpose of redeeming debentures falling due next year. In the Estimates for 18G4, the Civil Service is considerably cut down. Ono department, the Colonial Secretary's, which in 1813 had eight clerks, is reduced to three ; and the salaries are being lopped in a manner that must be highly disagreeable to the feelings of the young gentlemen, who are supposed, like the fountains in Trafalgar Square, to play from ten to four . It will be seen from Dunedin papers that a tobacco manufactory has been established there by aMr John Simpson. Tho editorial sancta of both the journals having been furnished with extensive samples, tho Otago " weed " was pronounced most excellent. The District Hospital was opened the other day at theDunstan. It's fifty beds were on the same day taken possession of by patients. The Dunstan News says that there are a great many more applicants than can be received, which does not speak well for tho sanatory condition of the district. His Royal Highness the Prince of Wales appears determined to play the part of a citizenking, much to the consternation of the creme cle la creme: The Surrey Comet of the 13th June has the following paragraph : — " Levee at St James's Palace. — Previous to tho ball, by command of tho Queen, a levee was held in St James's Palace by His Royal Highness the Prince of Wales on behalf of Her Majesty. Presentations to His lloyal Highness at this Court are considered by the Queen's pleasure as equivalent to presentations te Her Majesty* Tho levee was most numerously attended. It may not bo out of place to mention here, that the last drawing-room, when Mr Poole, the Prince's tailor, was presented to His Royal Highness, tho latter cordially shook hands with him, and this incident created quite a commotion among the fashionable assemblage, as Mr Poole was the only person, to whom this honor was given." The Morning 'Herald says that the recruiting for military settlers for Waikato is meeting with success in Sydnoy. By a side wind tho population of New Zealand will thus bo materially added to.

There were yesterday two police cases before Matthew | Price, Esq., Resident Magistrate. One the result of a vehement determination not to "go home till morning," and the other of an assault and battery committed upon an unoffending trunk j at the Jetty. Suitable fines wera inflicted. There were no civil cases of particular interest to the public. Ihe audience at the Court was as usuaj good. .^.,. •< . On Saturday last Captain Bray, Chief Pilot of ■ New River Harbor, was presented with a pair of excellent marine glasses by his boat's crew, as a mark of their respect and good will. The last mail "from tbe Lake to Dunedin wa 9 unusually heavy. More and finer gold is every day being found. The richness and stability of this gold field is now unquestioned. Invercargill may shortly expect to, in consequence, reap directly nnd indirectly a rich harvest. The Gothenburg has brought the lore runners of tho spring rush, — a goodiy number. It is with justice admitted in Melbourne, that the Lake Diggings ar efav more accessible from Invercargill, than by the weary mountainous route from Dunedin. Our up-country roads are being greatly improved. The following is from a Ballararafc paper of very recent date : — The valuable entire, Vermont Boy, died suddenly in Melbourne, on Friday last, from a rupture, but how the accidenfoccurred our inforknew not. Vermont jßoy was of the pure Black Hawk blood, considered the best stock in America } and wa3 at considerable expense imported into the colony by Mr W. H. Brayton, one of the well known coaching firm of Cobb and Co. j^ short time since we had the gratification of inspecting Vermont Boy at Mr Hoyt's stables in Melbourne. His early death is not only a Io 8S to his owner, but also to the colony, as the improvement of trotting stock is perhaps of more impor. tance to the public than that of our racing thoroughbreds. "We are glad to see that the pilot accommodation at New River Heads has been considerably bettered ; there is still, however, room for improvement, which may be also said of the miserable salaries of the assistant pilots. In regard to supplying (he Maories with powder, the Melbourne correspondent of the Daily Times tells an amusing story of the new Commissioner of Customs-.— "A sLip had nearly completed the taking in of her cargo for New Zealand, when it came to the Commissioner's ears that she had taken some gunpowder on board as part of her freight. The Commissioner no sooner heard of it than be rushed to the agents of the vessel and made inquiries respecting the matter. They assured him that the explosive material was simply blasting powder, and not a munition of war for the use of the Maories. Nothing, however, would satisfy the alarmed Minister but the inspection of the dangerous shipment, and although the agents informed him that in order to get at it they would have to unload the whole skip's cargo, he continued inexorable.- The difficulty was at last got over by nn offer on the part of the agents to consign the wholo cargo to the New Zealand Government."