SOCIAL AND DOMESTIC.

Southland Times, Volume I, Issue 20, 16 July 1864, Page 5

SOCIAL AND DOMESTIC.

During the last month there have been comparatively few incidents of an exciting nature worthy of record. The Province, for sometime buck, has been, as it were, reposing in a state of torpidity, but we are glad to state that there are now gratifying symptoms exhibiting themselves, almost daily, of returning animation. The dead-lock, caused by the stoppage of the railway works, has already partially ceased, and another push is being made to have our railway to the interior of the Province speedily completed. This has considerably cased the labor market, great numbers of men who have been for a long time waiting patiently for better times, being enabled to obtain employment. The great benefits destined to accrue to the Province from the our railway to the North commend themselves to every one. At present our roads, on which so much money has' been so ineffectually sunk, are very inadequate to for the purposes of internal traffic, and more especially in winter and the rainy season, when they become nearly useless and almost impassable. The railway will help away with this undesirable state of matters most materially to a great extent of inland country, and will likewise be the means of preserving to Southland the peouliar right and advantages of a monopoly of the extensive trade with the goldproducing country at the Lakes, in the neighboring Province of Otago. Expectations, therefore, are very bright as to the benefit to be conferred on the Province by the introduction of the railway system ; and it cannot but be admitted that there is every reason to be hopeful on this point, notwithstanding the difficulties under which we have struggled to succeed in its completion. The railway station is now being got rapidly on, and in a few weeks more will be out of the workmen's hands. In general appearance and structure generally, the various building* connected with it woidd do no small credit to many older Provinces than the little one of Southland, as it, is designated by its bigger brethren in the North. The manufacture of the native flax (phonnkim tenaxj, into an article of commerce, has been for some time engaging the attention of our business men, and there is good reason to believe that a company will soon be established for the purpose of fully testing its utility. At a late meeting, samples of prepared flax were exhibited by Mr. O'Brien, of Mokotua, the commercial value . in Britain of wliich was estimated at between £30 and £40 per ton. A committee was appointed to examine into and report on the best modes of manufacture, but the report has not yet heen given in. There cannot be a question that all-.the difficulties will be successfully overcome, and that the export of flax from the' New Zealand .Pro-' vinces, generally will at no distant" date,'. "be & large and important one. ; Since last mail for Europe, we have to record the volunteor movement successfully" launched in Invercargill, and already the roll mimbers 1 about seventy members.. -Drill is held frequently, and, a good deal of spirit is displayed, which augurs well for the future efficiency of the corps: " v THe arms and accoutrements have been received from Auckland, and have been distributed to the members. It is probable, also, that ■ a brass band will soon lend its insph-ing strains to enliven the company at drill and on parade days, as well as be au object- of novelty and attraction to the town generally: ■; ■ - - ■■■'■ ! - 1 ■: ■' {: "■' ■ ■ ■ '■ Tho establishment of a Benevolent Institute, for tho relief of destituto persons in and around Invercargill, has proved of groat benonfc to a good many who wero in need of such assistance.- It ia gratifying to state, however, that the amount of destitution and 'poverty which was thought to exist, had been somewhat over-estiinated,^and cdlv-" positively few now applications for relief eon tiriuV to bt> reported. Thet ■'; funds ia liandi^ard ; quite

ample to meet present emergencies.' ? ; ; A Handsome, accession to the funds lias just been. made* b'ythb members of the G-arriok CMb\ who^perforrnedVin the Theatre -Royal, -to one of the ■ most erbw.dtfU 'houses ever seen in Invercargill/ the jVreelt before last, for tiie;bonefit 'of tM Instil^ : To enuventhelongwint'er evenings', we are shortly , v to have a course bflectures. ' The names 1 of-sevenfl. of the clergymen; -arid 'also' ; ! of "the r medieal*attxl legal profession/ along witii td 6ther citizen's," are announced ";for tho? iirst- cb'urso ; and >we hare no ' doubt F the... opportunity., of. spending the evenings pleasantly and with... profits >.t6 tho hearevs,f %vilUba largely -taken ady.antage<of. As regards btheiv amusements. The Theatre jEJoyal has charigedharids, so farasitlie lesseeTshipandmanagement.are,concernod,;jand we.aro glftdtQ ,state A ;(£at ithe change is ipr;fyo ;r better,- although tile. repeats i-afc the doorf have, notiniprpyed muck,,'' Thfjpieceß generally played are most' judiciouslyj "selected, .and we have, a company a- great deal jmore efficient 'thanJlthe^reQeiptsi at ,th&feeasury^i'esently">afrant. ,;TKi§ : state of matters >vijl dou^iiessjimproje ■,as-. soon , as -money, ia , more.; ptetttifmjaiiipngst.vus ; than"has of, late been jthe. case. ,. „..»-■ -\iv i¥ -ft'J A* new church, , and* . schopl-room,, ,for \ fche.JJey. 0. Searle. episcopal clergymanj.is^tpjbg.ojjened to-morrow, .as .regards, , tho. ;chuv'c]x^an^ on Wednesday;: evening,. ;thp ■ 20tii, inst., ,a; tea.meetnig,.i3 . announced, to celebrate, the /event! ' . ; , . "-. . <; • - -.- , „ J ; In, accidents; and.,, offences, - happily been . ahnpst orj quifcoabarren. , A..few days ago, , a , persoii,.named WilliamSj attempted suicide near the Wcsleyan; Ohurplij/oii th'cljlbjih Road, by. suspending/himself to a, tree.. \\He. was very fortunately, observed; in. his ,sad..p,osiiion,))y a female with whom he had been cohabiting, .arid ; who gave the',. alarm I .' He was at bneb conveyed to the, Hospital, and attencksci to by ©r^ 'Murray, the resident surgeon. ; Ho .is, however, rapidly progressing "towards recovery. No 'reason" ' is assigned for the rash act. , / „ •, ,V-Vj We regret to state that pieuro^pneumonia amongst the cattle of Southland is making sad havoc, and all attempts to stay thcraviges of the disease have, as yet, had no beneficial effebt. ' \ The criminal. sittings of the Supreme Ctiurthaye been begun, and finished this present week. : TK.e - calendar for the past six months contained twentyfive cases, about pne-fourtH of which were ignored by' the grand jury. 'His fionor Mr. Chapmaii'^remarked, in his charge" to the grand jury, that Southland, both as' regarded the number of crimes and the atrocity of the offences, compared very favorably with' the .other Provinces. There were two cases of highway robbery with violence, and the culprits were 'respectively condemned to five arid fom* years' penal servitude. The other sentences; for larceny, &6., varied from four to twelve months' imprisonment;; with arid without hard labor. ■ • "■■" ; H'■ ■ ' Our Town Board is; at present, iri<a'fil for want of funds. Its staff of officials : has ■been been reduced to a clerk arid an honoraty engineer. The cause ia a recent decision' in the; Resident Magistrate's Court, in some appeal cases against the assessment, which will have"- the' effect of rcducingthei'evenueoftheßoardahnosttwo-thirds. » ' ■ ■_■'■■'■'■ ' _'" We have been requested, to state, for the infer- ■ mation of the public, that mails are now made up at Invercargill for the continent of Europe, to bo sent in the travelling post office between Marseilles and Lyons, thus obviating the necessity 5 wKicn\ hitherto existed , of sending all paid corfespondence \ for the continent of Europe via ' Lbndoii, or via Trieste. '.'.,,..,' ' . . The Civil Sittings of the Supreme Court will commence on Monday first, at eleven o'clock a.m., in the Hall of the Mechanics' Institute. Latest Melbourne news reports that the salmon parr are progressing most satisfactorily. They are now taking to their food in a manner which leaves no longer room to doubt that the introduction of the "king of fishes" into Australian- waters ia now itn fait accompli. ■■' •. • ■ * The Theatre Royal was filled last night, on the occasion of a complimentary benefit to the enterprising proprietor, Mr. Puettelkow. The performances were under the patronage of the members of the legal profession, and went off : most successfully. The first piece was that of the five-act drama of the " Marble Heart," in : which : Miss Eloise Juno, Mr. E. Holloway, Mr. Streeton, and Mr. Haygarth sustained the principal characters, t) the great delight of the whole ' house.; ; * The concluding part of the entertainments : likewise went off very well indeed, and amid the most hearty applause. -■■'•■_ ■.-.■> ■ The fifth annual ball of the passengers by the "Three Bells" ,to Southland, came ' oft" last" ,'iiight with great eclat, in Mr. W. Robertson's "Threß Bells'" Hotel, Tay-street. This annual meeting of shipmates and. their friends is [ looked forward to with much pleasure and interest: 1 ;: The "Three Bells" lande I with what may be 'termed the pioneers of the Province; arid where their first efforts to settle down by cutting into and clearing the bush were made npw stands the town . of Invercargill. The supper on the occasion was of the most recherche description, and reflected great credit on " mine host " of the " Three Bells," and gave the highest satisfaction to all present. The company was a large, and respect* able one, many of our leading citizens being present. An adjourned special meeting of the Town Board took place in the Board-room on Thursday evening, to receive the report of the deputation appointed te wait on His Honor the Superintendent, regarding the repeal, or amendment of the appeal clause of the Town Board Ordinance. Mr. Livesey, on behalf of the deputation, reported that His Honor had received them very courteously, that he had intimated to them that-the ; matter; in question would be laid before the Council at the next session, which commences on Monday first, and that he would further the objects 'of the Board as much as lay in his power. A discussion then arose as to the assessments, and ; the necessity for their immediate : collection, when it was moved by Mr. Jaggers and seconded by Mr. Moffatt, " That the clerk ■ be appointed assessor to levy the rates on the sections and improvements in the town." ■ The motion was carried. While writing this, we are reminded that in a paragraph in our Thursday's issue, the reference to the state of accounts betwixt Messrs. Hall and M'Donald, contractors, and 1 the Town Board, -was ratker- ambiguously expressed; 'The sentence referred to conveyed* the idea; that the deposits placed by these gentlemen sini the 'hands of the Board on taking ,up their contracts amounted to £500, arid that that i sum had -been swallowed up in the -current ,-i bank .account without the power of at present being, refunded to them; This is scarcely correct, as the' sum mentioned will cover all .that is dua'tb :Messrs. Hall and M'Dbnaldj and; tnat-bufc' of ithat sum £70 only of deposits had been paid'into, the Bank account, which deposit is nonrepayable for four: ox five weeks yet.^ The inability,- howerer,' to liquidate the contract? plains of-: the : parties referred, to remains the same; i oJ /.■.■■-"•:.• 'i-> -; r The following is a list of the civil-cases to»be tried at the sitting of the Supreme Courts ; commencing on Monday first :— -I; 'Mackayvt?; Goutt3 — Plaintiffs; solicitors, Gillies i -and'Turton ; Macdonald andHussell,. ; agenits;' defendant's do., Ti S. Duncan ; Harvey arid Stuart; agents. 2. JM'Leary v. M'Lennan— -Plaintiff?s -sph'citors,' Maedoriald and Russell;; defendant's:.' do.-, \ S..M. Souihx4> 3. - Von Hammer «- M'Clymont band:^Another— Plaintiff's! solicitors, 1 Macclonald'iand'ußusseE ; defendants' do., Harvey and Stuart Vi4.T*STon Hammer' v. M'Glymont— -Plaintiff 's -soKcTtors, Macdonald and Russell ; defendants dd./Harxey arid Stuart. 5. M'Clymonfc: p.rTpn. Hammer — Plaintiff's solicitors; Harrey-andiStuarfrj'defend-ant's do., Macdonald and RussaCDl 6.^lEG]ymbnt »'.> Ton Hammer and Anbtheis^Plaintiff *s*solicitors, Harvey and Stuart ; ? defendaats''' r do4 'Macdonald and Eus"selL-t ■>Jtz\ Ae&ere^ttjsGameirbil--* Plaintiff's soHcitora, Harvey, and"Stuarfe-Jdefend-ant's do., Macdonald^; and -Riissell:; i3J*@*snt v. Low^-^Plaintiff^s ■ solicitor, S.-;; -M: -Soatli fendant's do.; Harvey arid Stuarts 9. vPa&ttelitow v. \ uVTackay > arid ? Otiiers' iolieitors, Maedonald ;and Russell 5 ■defiMdants'-db.v S.^M. -■- ■=. , « ; . l,^:: J--i i:vrx y:i^i^ l«:-:3J*;t; ■•• ;tWe are in possession ofAuckldad'files to' the 2nd instant. h Tho intelHgonbef ibwfever,"^? devoid bfmtereai^s ihia : jourhaksbeing'^eflpfdiedt-with.: thejmontMysuininaries for tiie out-aoirig'xn^di'i'or : Europe. ■ ■■ ' . ' -.g!»P s \f:T lo &F^-> s . ;'

, An interesting return has just been laid before ! JBi» Honor the Superintendent by A. M. Weldon, • ' Esq,, Director of Telegraphs. The document is \ 'f»ry roiaUte, : and embraces every message sent' by telegraph, since the opening oi the Bluff and InTercargm line, from the 9th of February to the 80th of June last, whether by the Provincial or General Government, or by private individuals. | The following are the : figures given for the number | of jneswges, and their value, each month :—

■This shows the gross number of messages to be '1^973, and their 1 value is rated at £321 0», 9d. : |ft willbe observed that the greatest increaso in and revenue is noticeable ' during the month, of: : May; This, to a certain extent, may: "be accoAihtedfor by the fact that a largenuznber 3 of * cattle and stock shipped from Victoria arid 'Tasmania' 'arrived- at ßluff Harbor during that; month, and consequently a correspondingtinCTease in private messages -was the result. , Not-: 'wittißtanding the many difficulties which an; "undertaking of this kind must necessarily have to ? encounter in. its infancy, the above statistics will bear . favorable comparison with some of the older lines in Australia. Great credit ia due to the director (a gentleman, who, we Jbeileve, has had considerable experience in itelegraphy, both in India and Australia), for the efficient and economical manner in -which he has inaugurated and maintained our present line. .- The number of money orders issued in Southland during the quarter ended 30th Juno, 1864,- --: vu 438, amounting in value to £1,798 lls. Bd. ; ;»nd the amount of commission charged thereon, £81 15«. During tho quarter ended 31st March, 1864, there were ., 522 orders issued, the total value of. which amounted to £2,766 7s. 5d., and on -which .commission was received to the amount of £45 Bs. The total number of orders issued in Southland up to 30th June, 1864, since the com- . mencement of the systbm, was 2,086, amounting in all to £10,927 6s. 2d., and on which commission . was received, £184 6a. 4d. The nvimber of money orders paid in Southland during the quarter ended SOtb. June, 1864, vras 94, tho value of which was £533 15s. 5d. ; and during the quarter ended 31»t March, 1864, 98 orders, the valuo of ' which was £474 4b. 3d. The total number of money orders paid in Southland up to 30th Juno, . 1864, from the commencement of the system, was 371,' amounting in all to £1,876 7s. sd. The following is a return of all letters and newspapers received at, and despatched from, the Chief Post-office, Invercargill, during the quarters ended 31st March and 30th June, 1864 -.—Quarter ended 37 »t March, 1564-. — Received: From beyond the Colony, 13,824 letters, 25,509 newspapers ; from within the Province, 11,203 letters, 2,879 newspapers ; from Northern Provinces, 10,272 letters, 9,553 newspapers — total, 35,299 letters, 37,941 newspapers. Despatched: Beyond the Colony, 15,942 letters, 11,504 newspapers ; within tho Provinces, 14,777 letters, 19,504 newspapers ; Northern Provinces, 8,968 letters, 5,828 newspapers— total, 39,689 letters, 36,836 newspapers. Quarter ended, 30th June, 1864. — [Received: Beyond the Colony, 13,496 letters, 28,264 newspapers ; within the Province, 11,314 letters, 2,965 newspapers ; Northern Provinces, 10,096 letters, 8,275 newspapers — total, 34,906 ■ letters, 39,504 newspapers. Despatched : Beyond the Colony, 12,941 letters, 11,563 newspapers ; within the Provinces, 14,344 letterß, 16,352 newspapers ; Northern Provinces, 7,746 letters, 5,280 newspapers — total, 35,031 letters, 33,195 newspapers. The following paragraph from the Otago Daily Time*, conveys a good idea of the rigors of the climate of Otago in winter in the up-country districts: — " The rigors of winter have produced . their usual consequences to travellers in the interior. On "Wednesday evening last, Cobb's coach had to proceed through one of the severest . »now storms that have been experienced in ! Otago. Between West Taieri and the Deep Stream, a continuous fall of snow, accom- \ panied by terrific winds, prevailed. On going up the Taieri Hill, a trace broke, and was repaired only with great difficulty. On reaching the Bummit, the drifting snow was so intense as to make it nhnoßt impossible to proceed ; in fact, but for the indomitable pluck of the ; driver and passengers, they would all ;have had to remain out during the night. So intense was the cold, that a passenger, whilst casually holding the reins for the driver, had his fingers froat-bitten in a few momenta. Both up and down coaches were delayed by the snow on the Lammerlaw Ranges, " and the drivers and passengers suffered excessively from the severe cold. In future, the coaches will take the route via Waikouaiti, which is much less exposed than the usual track." A man named WilKains attempted suicide by suspending himself to a tree, on Tuesday evening last, near the Wesleyan Church. The. woman with whom he co-habited in a tent close by, observed him, and at once gave the alarm. He was taken down and conveyed to the Hospital, where he received the prompt attendance of Dr. Murray, the resident surgeon, who pronounced him out of danger. It is not ascertained what could have prompted Williams to commit the ■ rash act. A curious decision was given in the Supreme Court on Tuesday last, by His Honor Mr. Justice Chapman. He cited the law with reference to larceny, and held that if a man borrowed a horse in a bond fide manner to proceed to a certain place, and on the road changed his mind and resolved . to make off with or steal the animal, the offence could not be brought under the head of larceny. However, if the man, in the borrowing of the the horse, had previously determined on stealing the ftnjma.l, after getting it into his possession, then the case was altered, and the larceny was complete. The law on this point, as cited by the learned judge, will, no doubt, appear a strange one to many. As treating on the same case, the learned counsel, Mr. Button, who appeared for -■■ the prisoner, in Causa Regina v. Owen William Evans, for larceny, cited Baron Park, who had clearly laid down that the finder of (say) a bank note on the highway, was not a thief until he had ; appropriated the (same to his own uses, or had changed it into, other coins or money. He was simply the bailee, and in order that the crime of . larceny might be brought home to him, it was necessary that unlawful conversion should bo proven.. ;■' The nomination of candidates for the seat Tacanfc in the Provincial Council by the resignation *f Mr. Samuel Beaven aa one of the members for tho Waihopai district, took place on Ist July, at the ■i residence of Mr. Robert Coupland, Puni Bush. The Returning Officer was on the spot at twelve o'clock, the hour appointed, but twenty minuteß were allowed to elapse ere the proceedings were commenced. No fresh arrivals having come forward, the Returning Officer called upon those - present to nominate candidates for the vacancy, whereupon Mr. Robb proposed, and Mr. Pearson . seconded, Mr. Thomas Swale as a fit and proper person to represent the district. No other candidate being proposed, the Returning Officer ■;■. declared Mr. Swale duly elected, and th» proceed- - ings terminated. : A sale of Crown Landß took place in the Waste :- XandV Board Office, on 20th June. This sale was adjourned from Thursday, last week, and comprised lands situated in Block II and 111, Mataura Hundred- . total acreage sold was 3668 a. . 2r. 34p., and the amount of purchase money was >. :86,399.185. 10d. ; ; "We regret to hear of the death of Mr. A. Usher, - the leader of j the orchestra at the Theatre Royal. 4 ~-This event will be lamented by a wide circle of -•: friends, and also by ,the general public, as he was a gentleman of undoubted talent in musical . matters, and was much esteemed by all with, whom 'he came in contact. The funeral took place on 22nd June, from his place of abode, Colyer's Hotel, j- Dee-street. Most of the members of the theatrical company were present in one of Cobb. *;:'va& Co.'fl four-horse coacbe*. A considerable, .^•number of the inhabitants lined the Btreets at the r ,time,;and it' jwas, evident, from the sympathy disT played, that the deceased was highly esteemed by a large circle of friend*.

Throughout the town, on 4th July, may have been observed showy flags waving in front of several of our hotels and places of business, in honor of the 88th anniversary of American independence. The principal place, however, was the Prince of Wales Hotel, Dee- street. In this hotel a number of Americans and friends met to do honor to the occasion, and every preparation was made to render., tho affair a success. The large dininghall • was decorated with the flags of the; Union and of Great Britain, bearing witness to; , the friendly. . feeling which was meant to predominate on the celebration of the great event. Be! ween twenty and thirty gentlemen ; sat down to a sumptuous dinner, prepared in firstclass style by "mine host" of the Prince of Wales, | and all enjoyed* and did justice to, the extensive choice of the "good things " set before them. The cloth being removed, the usual loyal and patriotic 1 toasts were given and responded to most enthusiastically: Then followed song and recitation iii quick succession till " tho hours 'gan to fly on' the wingß of the wind." The utmost harmony prevailed throughout, and the whole affair was rendered of the pleasantest description. Nothing was wanting, and the only regret which could have animated all present was that the " 4th :of July " could not happen oftener than once a year. A female named Rosina Scott (alias Mrs. Martyr), was recently brought before the Resident Magistrate on a charge of lunacy. Dr. Murray then stated that she had been a week in tho Asylum, but he had come to the conclusion that she was not permanently insane, but that she was subject to epileptic fits, during which she was in a state of temporary insanity. She was afterwards taken in hand by the ladies' committee of the Benevolent Institution, and instructions were given to Mr. Commissioner Weldon, to have the woman placed in some respectable house. Ho selected the British Hotel, Esk-sfcreet, for this purpose, and she was accordingly removed there. We understand/however, that her " fits " arc such that the keeper of that hostelrie intimated yesterday morning that she must change her quarters. It may be remembered that this same person sometime ago attempted self- destruction while residing irTMr. Puttelkow's Provincial Hotel. Another serious conflagration occurred in Dunedin, on the evening of the 24th Juue, and resulted in tho destruction of half a dozen shops, a workshop, and two dwelling-houses. The lire commenced in Moray-place, in the first house from the corner of George-staeet, and occupied by Miss Meiklejohn, dressmaker. The flames with, great rapidity extended in both directions, and gave signs of an alarming destruction of property if the flames could not be brought under. There was fortunately very little wind, but notwithstanding this the progress of the devouring elemeut was astonishingly rapid and fierce, and but little time was allowed for goods being removed from the burning mass. The Royal George Hotel, on the opposite side of George-street, was ouly saved through the application of wet blankets to the front wall, a plan which was likewise adopted by the occupiers of the adjoining tenements. The following is a list of the premises consumed, viz. : — Mr. Docld, butcher ; Messrs. It. Wilson and Co., grocers and provision dealers ; Messrs. Eggcrs Brothers, tobacconists ; Messrs. Keir and Co., painters and paper-hangers, &c. ; Mr. Butement, draper ; the fruiterer, whose name we were unable to learn ; the dwelling houses of Mr. Kerr and Mrs. Meiklejohn. Messrs. Keir's workshop was only partially destroyed, but the contents were nearly all destroyed by fire or water. Mr. Beckingsale's shop wae, we believe, cleared of stock, and most of the fixtures were pulled down. The safety of the Waverely Hotel was early assured, and the stock and fixtures were not disturbed. The Daily Times adds the following : — " We were unable to learn anything as to the cause of the late fire. It was currently stated amongst the lookers-on, that it commenced at Mr. Dodd's premises ; but this he positively denies, and says the flames came from Mr 3. Meiklejohn's. There was a great crowd speedily gathered ; but the police were able to keep good order, as well as to watch the saved property. Captain Paterson, and some of the Naval Volunteers, rendered all the assistance possible. Both brigades remained at work until after midnight ; and some of the ' officers and men remained on the spot subsequently. This is at least the fourth fire that has occurred in the same locality, "within the la6t twenty months. Firßt came the partial destruction of the Royal G-eorge Bazaar, and stables ; then some cottages were burned down, in St. Andrew-street ; next, a soap and candle factory was cleared oft", and the kitchen and stables of the Waverley Hotel were destroyed ; and now that hotel has had a second very narrow escape." The Ifelson 'Examiner gives prominence to the following advertisement: — "The Havelock and WakamarinaTrarnway — proposed capital, £20,000. in 2,000 shares, at £10 per share. Chairman — J. Martin, Esq. ; Nelson directors — W. S. Mortimer, and G. White, Esqrs. ; Treasurer — J. R. Carey, Southland ; Secretary — P. Brunei, Lyttelton; Aiiditors — J. Bonar, luvercargill ; and T. R. Hacket, Otago ; deposit, 10 per cent, on application. As a great portion of the shares are already taken up, early application is necessary." We observe that Thatcher, surnamed the " inimitable," has been canvassing for civic honors in Auckland. The citizens of that place, however, have decided that the chairmanship of the City Board is not quite the " right place " for the satirist. The Theatre Royal commenced a new season under the direct management of the proprietor, Mr. Puettelkow, on the evening of 25th June, on winch occasion the performances passed off in the most successful manner. There was a very full house, and so well-up were the various members of the company in their respective parts, and so effective in their rendering of them, that frequent and hearty calls before the curtain testified to" the gratification of the audience. The opening piece was " Wallace, the Hero of Scotland," which is too well known to require comment. Then followed ballads and dances by Misses Hetta Fleming and Ada Hart, and an amusing farce, entitled "The Young Wiodw," wound up the performances. The business of the Resident Magistrate's Court j has been wholly occupied for the past two days | with a conspiracy case, instituted by Messrs. ! Butlner and Hallenstein and Mr. W. H. Whitton, against Messrs. Morris Salek of the Royal Hotel, Joseph Silverberg, and M. Mendoza, charging j them with fraudently receiving goods and dispos- | ing of them after the execution of a bill of sale. j The Bench found that there was no evidence whatever adduced to implicate Mr. Mendoza ; but the other defendant, Joseph Silverberg, was committed for trial afc the ensuing sittings of the the Supreme Court. He was required to find bail in two sureties of £50 each, and himself in £100 ; but we understand that he failed to procure them. Salek is believed to leave gone to Melbourne. The case throughout caused considerable interest to be taken in the proceedings, and the court has been crowded on both days. — Times, June 30. As will be observed on reference to our commercial columns, , the total Customs' revenue for the quarter ending 30th June, 1864, amounts to £9,614 19b. Bd. The revenue for the correspond- [ ing quarter of last year was £15,000, or about ! £6,000 more. On 30th June, the remainder of the cases of appeal against the Town Board assessment came on for hearing, in the Resident Magistrate's Court. In the cases of ordinary assessment, the judgment given in the case of Mr. Heale was upheld, in every instance, i.e., that the assessment be levied on 10 per cent, of the Belling value of unimproved sections, and' on 15 per cent, of those improved, said percentage being determined on as the annual-value-to-let, at Bth April last. The result of these deciaionswjll be-r» reduction of the revenue of the Town Board to *at least one-fourth of its former income. Much dissatisfaction will doubtless be felt by those parties, who, having paid their rates, are now precluded from obtaining the reductions, which their more wide-a-wake neighbora have succeeded in procuring. In a case of appeal against the Bpecial rate assessment, the Magistrates decided that the procedure of the Board, ; in : the levying of these, rates, was not in accordance with the provisions of the Ordinance, and therefore Judgment was therefore awarded in &vor of the appellant.

A very influential meeting of gentlemen interestsd in the manufacture of the New Zealand flax (phormifdn tenaxj into an article of commerce, was held on the afternoon of 21st June, in the Southland Club. /The following parties were amongst those present, viz., W. H. Calder, Es,q., M.P.C.; Jame3 Harvey, Esq., M.P.C. ; Messrs. W. H. Bray ton, G. S. W. Dalrymple, Henderson, S. Beaven, H. Miller, Blacklock, Taylor, Dr. Grigor, &c. The object of the meeting was the formation of accompany for the, manufacture of the plant ; but it was resolved, ', after considerable discussion, that it would be advisable, in the meantime, to advertise for samples of prepared flax, in order that the best plan might be adopted, and that the superiority of the various processes should bo fairly tested by a competitive trial. Sevoral gentlemen were then appointed to call and examine into the systems piu*sued by those parties who had produced samples, and Mr. Dalrymple was appointed treasurer and secretary to the committee. We are glad to find that th : s important subject is now being handled in real earnest, and hope that ere long the manufacture of flax in the Province of Southland will be firmly established, and in every way flourishing. That this w.li be the ease there is small reason to doubt, as, from a communication which was read from Messrs. Clough and Co., of Melbourne, it appears that the wholesale home price of the flax submitted to them would be between £30 and £40 per ton. Looking, therefore, to the ease with which the raw material can be procured, and the comparatively small expense at -which, it can be converted into dressed fibre, there is scarcely room to doubt that a company properly organised, and its affairs efficiently managed, could fail to reap first-rate profits out of tho manufacture of our native flax. A meeting of the Invcrcargill Rifle Volunteers was held on 27 th June, in the Prince of Wales Hotel, for the purpose of electing the officers of the company and the transacting of other business. James Harvey, Esq., M.P.C, was voted to the chair. He then called upon the secretary, Mr. F. Wade, to read to the meeting the offer of their services to Government, with the reply recently received from Auckland. The Chairman then stated, that the gentleman the committee had selected as drill instructor, Mr. Charles Rodd, was unfortunately going to leave town. After' some desultory conversation as to the appointment of commissioned officers, the Chairman proposed that the meeting should at once proceed to the business of election of gentlemen to fill the various posts. This being tacitly agreed to, he proposed Mr. M'Donald as captain. That gentleman refused the honor. Mr. Harvey then vacated the chair, and was thereafter unanimously appointed captain of the company. This being done, Mr. M'Donald was again proposed as lieutenant, which office lie consented to accept amid great applause. The Chairman then intimated tlmt the next appointment was that of surgeon, and Dr. Grigor was appointed without opposition. Mr. Bonar, junior, was then appointed ensign, and Mr. F. W. Wade, covering-tiergeant. Messrs. Geisow, Kingsland and Hatch, were elected sergeants, and Messrs. Rose and M'Conuell, corporals. A committee was appointed to consider the uniform to be adopted by the corps. The first drill meeting of the Invereargill Volunteers took place on the eiiening of AVecln«sday, 29t3i June, in the Auction Hall of Messrs. Mueller ami Geisow, Tay-street ; and, in spite of the elements being so very unpropitious, there was a good muster. They were then put tlu'ough various initiatory evolutions by Captain Harvey and Mr. Rodd ; and the spirit and interest they took in the exorcise augurs well for the future efficiency of the corps. We hope that as soon as practicable a brass band will be added to the company. Such an accompaniment on parade days would be a great attraction. We hear that the instruments for the band are on board the Albion, now due at the Bluif, and hope that this hint will be taken by the leaders in the volunteer movement here. The volunteers met last night (Bth July) for drill, in the store formerly occupied by Mr. C. N. Campbell, at the corner of Tay and Dec streets. They turned out remarkably well, and are evidently entering with great spirit on their drill. A sample of the arms and accoutrements received this week, was shown, and Captain Harvey intimated that they would be distributed on the evening of Thursday next, on which a magistrate would be in attendance for the purpose of " swearing in " the company The Captain likewise intimated that, as several of the employers of members had represented to him that seven o'clock was an inconvenient hour for allowing them to get away from business, drill would henceforth commence at half-past seven o'clock. We understand that there are now upwards of sixty members enrolled. The cutter Aquila brought up to tho jetty, on 6th July, several cases of arms and ammunition, ex the Airedale, and consigned to His Honor the Superintendent. Our volunteers may therefore expect soon to shoulder real, rather than imaginary arms, when at drill. The Otago Mail reports that the steamers City of Duuedin and Geelong have been purchased by Messrs. John Jones and Co. from Messrs. Cargill and Co. It is as yet not ascertained whether itis fixed that they will be kept in the same line of trade as hitherto. A return is published in the New Zealand Q-azette of the names of all rebel natives who have subscribed to the Declaration of Allegiance, and delivered up their arms, from, the sth February to the 31st May of this year. The numbers who have complied with these conditions are — 1.2 in the Thames district, 7 in the Waiuku district, 38 in the Lower Waikato, 11 in the Upper Waikato, 33 in the Raglan district, 1 in Central Wanganui, 22 hi the Manawhatu district ; making a total of 154. The number of guns that these rebels have brought in is 64, together with 1 pistol ; and tomahawks, spears, and clubs are the amis given up by such of the rest as possessed them. 65 of them, however, had no arms of any kind. On Saturday night late or early on Sunday morning, 3rd July, the windows of a store in Spey-street, now occupied by Mr. Russell, were cut out by a diamond, and a quantity of goods removed from the premises — bottled fruits, pickles, sardines, oil, and eggs, being amongst the articles. Tho tlueves seem to have been disturbed, several of the articles being found on Sunday morning close to the premises, as if dropped hurriedly. The Bruce Herald mentions a rumor to the effect that gold has been discovered in the forest land on the coast between the Clutha and Mataura Rivers. It is said that some men are working there, and making from ten to twenty shillingß per day. We understand (says the Otago Daily Times of 2nd inst.) that the Government have sent round circular letters to all the departments, conveying the information that henceforth the Government employes are to consider themselves monthly servants. It is not our purpose now to comment upon this step, but we doubt whether the Provincial Council ever contemplated that the public servants ehould be discharged with less than a three months' notice. Several tradesmen who are in the habit of repairing guns, pistols, or other fire-arms, havo received an official notification from the Government, that henceforth they will be permitted to pursue such calling only under a special license, which license is to be paid for. From Northern journals, we learn that the head of Captain Lloyd has at last been recovered from the Maories, by the successful interference of a Mr. Broughton, with the assistance of two I natives. It is yet almost perfect, and easily recognisable, a part of the under jaw only being wanting. It is to be conveyed to Taranaki for interment. The Lawrence (Tuapeka) correspondent of the Bruce Herald, in a recent letter to that journal, says that the highest lulls in the locality are discovered to be highly auriferous. . .Unlike all other diggings, the higher the digger ascends the greater the yield of gold. As a proof of this, those diggers • whose claim is the highest, almost in the top of the hill, 'have netted ibr the last fifty days, the handsome sum of '£42o per man.

>■ . ' Month. Messages. £ c. d. . February....... 266 ...... 41 5 9 i Jfarch .. 423 ...... 63 311 :j April..... 403 ...... 66 1 6 ■•••;; ; - M»r 471 ..;... 76 17 6 -, June 410 ...... 73 12 1 ;