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Southland Times, Volume III, Issue 17, 16 December 1863, Page 2

Our monthly Summary of Political and General News for transmission to Europe, will be published in our issue of Friday. Some time ago we mentioned that there was a probability of the site for the new Tost Office being fixed near the new Custom House. We understand that this site will not be chosen. We might suggest that the corner of Esk and Dee-streets, opposite Rout's Buildings, would be the most convenient place for the public. The Government Gazette of the Hth instant contains the following appointments, viz:— Mr George Gibson, to be assistant Engineer in the Department of Roads and Bridges. Mr J. 14. Mills to be Jetty Keeper at Riverton, (cUting from Ist October), and Mr William Dawsoi) to be an Inspector in the Department of Roads and IJ ridges. The Government Gazette of the 14th instant contains the official notification of the election of Mr William Henderson Caldcr as a member of the Towg Board, in place of Mr Hay, l-L-iijjncd.

A barefaced attempt at passing a forged cheque was made yesterday by a woman at the Bank of New Sjuth Wales. It appears that in the afternoon, the woman called at the Bank, and presented a cheque for L'.KV), purporting 'to be dr.iwn by Mr T. Went worth, a squatter, who had an account at the Hank. Although there was some slight resemblance in the signature to that of Mr Wontworth, the ledger keeper detected it to be a forgery, and having communicated with the police, Detective Thompson arrested the woman. From what she stated to him. Detective Thompson pioceeded to a tent about a mile and a half up the North Road, where he arrested the husband of the woman ; the man making a statement that they had received the cheque from a person living some distance out on the Bluff Road. A third person, a young woman, was also arrested and brought to the lock-up. All three prisoners will be brought before the Resident Magistrate this morning. The Provincial Government Gazette of the lttli instant, republishes from the New ZmJnnd Gazette a circular addressed to His Excellency Sir George Grey, from the National Shakspeare Memorial Committee in London, requesting the co-operation of the colonists, in raising subscriptions for the Memorial to the poet. It is proposed to lay the foundation of the National Memorial on the 23rd April, 11G4, the Three Hundieth Anniversary of the birthday of Shakespeare. Looking at the short period of time to elapse, it is to be hoped that if any movement is to be set on foot in this pait of ihe colony for the proposed object, no delay will be lost. A very important decision was given in the Resident Magistrate's Court on Monday, in the case of Smith and Fairweather v Wilson, in which the Magistrate was of opinion that on the landing of all goods at the end of the jetty from vessels, and the usual notice to consignees having beea given the responsibility of the vessel is at an end. When it is taken into consideration that neither the consignees nor their agents can take delivery of the goods until they arc trucked up to the platform at the other end, it will be seen the difficulty the consignees labor under. In the conveyance of the goods from one end of the jetty to the other, the Government servants arc the custodians ; but whether or not they hold themselves responsible we have considerable doubts. At all events it is a system that requires some alteration. At the Resilient Magistrate's Court, yesterday, the only business transacted was a civil case — Canny v. Robertson, in which the plaintiff sought to recover the value of the parcels entrusted to defendant's care, and which hnd been lost. The Bench gave a verdict for the plaintiff. A second case — Worthington v. Lawson — for Hi 7s Id, was disposed of by a verdict to plaintiff by default. The following is from the Lyttleton Times, of the 7th inst.: — " The Ilangatira, from I) uncd in, has brought Mr. Shadrach Jones to Canterbury. We presume that by this time most of our readers know that Mr Jones is the enterprising individual who has engaged the All-England Eleven to visit New Zealand. It is the fashion to cull all 6orts of people 'enterprising' who rush into bold speculations where they see a fair chance of profit, but we think Mr. Jones has a fairer claim to the title than the majority of ordinary speculators. Are there any of our readers who would have guaranteed the Eleven three thousand five hundred pounds of the lawful coin of the realm in return for a visit to New Zealand ? We much doubt whether there is another man who would have had the pluck and public spirit to incur such a risk for the amusement of his fellow citizens, and the good of his adopted country. We fancy we hear the laugh of the incredulous reader, and the jwr of the infidel. Will these gentlemen say that there is no amusement offered, and that no good will follow to New Zealand? True, Mr. Jones hopes to get his money back, and would not, of course, object to prolit by his spec, but that dues iut alter the fact that he will a Haul people here the greatest amusement and gratification they have ever had the chance of witnessing. With regard to the ultimate benefit likely to accrue to New Zealand, those who remember how the doings of the Eleven in other lauds have been chronicled and published all over the world, can best estimate th.3 good clfects which will follow this pleasant form of publicity. We are apt to be proud oT our climate andcountry, and every one feels that it only Avants to be more widely known to be better appreciated. Few things would better facilitate this end than the visit of the Eleven. Each of these splendid cricketers will doubtless carry home with him pleasant recollections of his visit to Canterbury, and if we should be so fortunate as to get up a twenty-two strong enough to make a respectable staud against the famous team, Canterbury will be 'made* once and . for all in the estimation of that numerous band — which comprises the veiy flower of England's youth— the cricketers. Is it too much to expect that the public of Canterbury will come forward and bear their share in Mr Jones's enterprise? We must have the 'Eleven ' here ; we cannot afford to miss the chance. In a pecuniary sense we should lose far more than the amount necessary to bring them up by allowing ourselves to be passed over and ignored. We trust that the public will heartily support those gentlemen who have under taken to arrange tho affair, not only with their liberal money subscriptions! but with the enthusiasm which is so necessary in affairs of this kind, and which is so generally displayed by all Englishmen in favor of the noble game of cricket A circumstance of rather an amusing character was related to us yesterday by one of our numerous acquaintances. He had gone out for a walk leaving the house locked up, and during his absence, his servant returned Finding himself debarred from the ordinary mode of entrance, he adopted the somewhat novel alternative of climbing to the top of the chimney and letting himself in that way. The plan succeeded to admiration until he reached an iron bar which crossed the chimney about half way down, and here all his efforts to get any further proved utterly abortive, nor could he contrive to climb up again. After struggling for a considerable time ho became frigthtened, and gave vent to his feelings in a series of violent yells. A couple of charitable neighbours having procured a rope, he was at length rescued from his ridiculous position, a sadder and far dirtier man.

Fora what we le*|i| if.J»o«]d appear that the passengers who ywiifwajr succeeded in obtaining a passage IVdirttne B|ufF to Melbourne, hare experienced man}- more difficulties and delays than ordinarily fall to the lot of travellers. After being left behind by the (iothenliurg, and being determined to catch the next steamer from Dunedin (the Hero), they Hem on board the lluby on Sunday, and were taken to the Pilot Station to await her coming. The lluby being under engagement to go on with cargo to Invercargill, could not remain with them, and no signs of any steamer from Dunedin appearing, the nn fortunate passengers had to find their way back to the Bluff the best way they could, whence they were at last taken on board the Hero yesterday. Amongst the large and ornamental premises which have lately been added in Tay street, •we notice those recently erected fof Messrs D. & J. Mitchell, nearly opposite the Union Hotel. The premises, which have been erected by Mr Williams, are not only of a substantial character, but from being well architecturally designed in the front portion, they form a very handsome ornament to the street. The new Custom House is being rapidly proceeded with by the Contractor, Mr Price. From its appearance, the building, when completed, will form one of the handsomest ornaments of the town. We see that an additional consignment of the celebrated Kangaroo Point (Ilobart Town) stone, for the new building has been received by the Emma Prescott.