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SOCIAL AND DOMESTIC.

Under separate headings, we hare adTerted to some subjects which usually are comprised within the meaning of a " Social and Domestic " article. There are a few other topics, however, to which, our space allows us briefly — but very briefly — to refer. As in some degree leading to the greater assimilation of New Zealand to the mother country, in respect to its institutions, we hare to report that the Militia Act is to come in force shortly over the whole of the provinces. This warlike aspect of things is not by any means peculiarly relished in any quarter, and if we are to judge from the intelligence to hand from the other provinces, the movement is decidedly in bad odour in the eyes of the people. " It's" an ill wind that blows nobody good," however, and out of this militia movement it is generally expected will be engendered amongst the people a decided partiality for becoming members of the various volunteer companies throughout the colony, in preference to belonging to the militia force. Doubtless there i 3 some of the old British pride in all this, which leads one to the conclusion that we would rather voluntarily defend our " hearths and homes " — if occasion nhould demand it of vs — than be paid for doing so. The Volunteer movement, we have the pleasure to Btate, is flourishing amongst us, and at drill the greatest enthusiasm is manifested in the eierciie. The attendance is always good, and there are almost at every meeting for drill new applicants for admission to the " awkward squad." That admirable institution of the old world, that annihilator of time and space — the telegraph. — is rapidly extending itself throughout the entire length of the Colony of New Zealand, and in a very short time north and south will be brought within a short distance of each other. In our own Province we have had for some time telegraphic communication with Bluff Harbor, and the long line from Dunedin to Invercargill is all but completed, so far as the posts are concerned, the wire being only wanting. This line willbe in operation in a short time, if all the negotiations between the General and Provincial Governments be satisfactorily carried through. The progress of telegraphy further North is in the same forward state, — and, taking into account the great Anglo-Indian, Chinese, and Australian Telegraphic enterprise, which is doubtless destined to revolutionise our antipodean world, we are buoyant with the hopes that ere many years elapie, it will be possible to transmit messages from Britain to New Zealand in as brief a space as, not ages ago, was consumed in the communication of mind with, mind from London to Edinburgh. ' ■ . Our Mechanics Institute, which for some time, has been inadequately supported, and' as inadequately managed (which, doubtless, was a very principal cause of the want of pubnc is about to be established on a more satisfactory basis. As will be seen by a reference to a meeting held yesterday (to be found elsewhere -in out columns) there is to be an active canvass of the town for subscribers to the Institution, and great and united efforts will be made to .establish a library in ' connection with it •; and y until' this is obtained, being such an indispensable requisite in an Institute of the kind, no effort is to be relaxed on the part of the management. '-■> ; The course of winter evening lectures; to which the public have free admission, will terminate : with, the lecture on the evening of Tuesday next, on which occasion Mr. J. S. Johnstone'has chosen for hia subject "The History o£ Scottish Poetry." Other lectures wilTthen be got up under the- auspices of the- Institute.- j;• ; iy. vi: ; - i--;;sv> The principal events -and ; local- intelligence for ■ th» month will b« found in their propwr plsx*.

?:'- ■•* JC;"Ji6lm"SiiiipsdSi ; -t6lJascc6 and snuff manufacV turer, .DimßfMj'.Tratesito. tlie editor of tile Otago ; Ddily;>Times in the following terms, to which -we ; -would invite attention :ttt".l enclose a sample of tobacco, leafigrowiL in this i colony, as proof: that the same can be done, and I would also, request you to caU i;he attention- of our small farmers to the fact that no crop would pay them better than ; tobacco le^/if/they could* procure a ready market .^'fer.tli^ same:' ,: I could easily take at the .present . 'tjinfc about t^o thousand pounds a year at Is. per V;pb\ind ; ; ,1 have still a small quantity of seed to • give away\to,tnbse desirous' of trying the same." i '3$ may; serve to dissipate some degree' of ; misapprehension which" appears 'to obtain a footing here, regarding exhibits at - the ! forthcoming New Zealand Eihibition, if "we^state that the produce and^ jnanitfacfrar.es' of ptlier countries, as well as those of New Zealand^ may be exhibited, provided they are^duly' entered' and classified as such. "Under these circumstances it is reasonable to expect that Southland may yet be represented by a goodly number of cxWbitsj as much of the excuse for inaction is thrown overboard. It is likewise to "be earnestly hoped that the Exhibition Com- . niitteej now 'that'.'it has got an accession of new members^ .\niTjtake immediate active steps in the important work before tliem^ so. that all advantage 1 of the short peribd left them for preparation may be taken, for examining into, and securing for exhibition, specimeks of the resources of SoutMand, whether' mineral or vegetable, or natural or artificial. It will not do to sit and merely talk over the matter, which apparently has been all the committee has ' hitherto attempted. The mem\bers,' each and all of them, must luork, and that most diligently. It might be interesting to these gentlemen to learn how their Otago brethren went to work. For the first six weeks or so they went on in rimch the same manner as we have been doing — meeting from time to time, and doing nothing. At last, however, they hit upon and adopted the plan of a personal canvass of the town. Ten days after the canvassing committee had been in harness, tiie applications for space rose from 17 , to something like 110 \ Their report was a most | favorable, and at the same time a most interesting and (to our committee, we hope) instructive one. They found, on calling on the various tradesmen, .&c, that almost every one of them held back from the project of sending anything for exhibition — " They did not think," to use their own expression, "they had anything good enough." The members of the canvassing committee did not rest satisfied with such a reply. They talked them into it ; they inspected their stocks, and found many articles worthy a place on the tables which otherwise would never have been thought of. Our committee, then, must work ; and we advise them to bear constantly in mind the old but no less true saying — "Whatever is worth doing, is worth doing well." The work before them is surely sxich an one. Our committee might also with profit take a lesson from the doings of the committees in Auckland and some other northern provinces, which offer prizes for the best essay in the various characteristics of the province — on its soil, salubrity, resources, capabilities for settlement, &c, &c. Such a system of essay writing on this province — the particular subjects being defined by the committee — could not fail to be productive of much good. The essays, of course, would be sent to the Exhibition, and adjudicated on according to their respective merits. We recommend instant action in tliis and in every other matter in connection with the general subject of the New Zealand Exhibition, to the earnest attention of our local committee. Let them make the most of the time at their command — they have not a day to spare. — S. Times, Aug. 30. It is proposed to establish, in Dunedin, in October next, a Presbyterian Magazine, for the dissemination of religious intelligence, and the advocacy of the various schemes of the Presbyterian Church. A detailed prospectus is to be issued shortly. On the Ist Sept. the rifle volunteers were drilled in then* usual place of meeting by Captain Jim or, the recently appointed adjutant. The corps afterwards adjoiirned to the large dining room of the Prince of Wales Hotel to transact business, the iQOst inxportaxifc of -wliieli -wra.s the election of* officers, commissioned and non-cominissioueil. The adjutant took the chair, and without opposition, the commissioned officers previously appointed pro. tern, were re-elected, A"iz., Captain, James Harvey, Esq., Lieutenant, John Maedonald, Esq., ensign ; Archibald Bonar, junr. Esq. Long lists of aspirants for the various grades of non-commissioned officers, were then proposed, seconded, and voted on seriatum. The result of the ba-Jot was as follows, the names being placed in order of seniority : — Sergeants, Messrs. Wade, Paul, Wilkinson, G-eisow. Corporals, Messrs. Arbuckle and Rose. Captain Harvey intimated that notwithstanding strong representations made in favor of Mr. Eodd as* Adjutant, another gentleman had been appointed to the office ; the letter on the subject was not even replied to. In the circumstances he thought that Mr. Kodd was entitled to a testimonial from me company. The feeling was general that Mr. Kodd had been illused hj tne General Government, and the proposal for a testimonial was cordially agreed to, and a committee appointed to carry it out. On Tuesday Aug. 30, Mr. Anderson, lately in the employment of H. M. Customs, met with a serious accident on hi 3 way to the Bluff. He left Invercargill that morning on foot, intending to walk the distance, and be in time to obtain a passage by the Alhambra, bound for Melbourne. When within about three miles or so of Campbelltown, he was overtaken by a conveyance driven by Mr. Lewis, of Messrs. Hoad and Co., Tay-street, who was also bound for the same destination. In attempting to jump into or upon the conveyance, Mr. Anderson in some way or other tripped and fell in such a manner as to break his leg. He was immediately conveyed to Lockyer's Hotel, Campbelltown, where every attention is being paid to him. Shortly after eight o'clock p.m., Aug. 29, the alarming cry of " Eire " was raised in Tay-street, large numbers of people took up the cry, so that in the space of a few minutes the whole town was in a ferment of excitement. On making enquiries, we discovered the scene of the disaster to be a detached corrugated iron store belonging to Mr. Cr. M. K. Clarke, chemist, and situated at the rear of his shop in Tay-street. The flames were observed issuing from the eaves of the building, aud giving evidence of having been for sometime burning before the discovery was made. On the first alarm being given, Mr. Commissioner Weldon and a body of constabulary were promptly on the spot, and went energetically to work to extinguish the flames. Everything was in their favor, the night being calm and water in good supply close at hand. In the apace of half an hour all danger of a further spread of the conflagration was averted, and •within the hour every spark was extinguished. The real cause of the fire has not yet been ascertained. jS"o one had been near the place for some time. It is suspected by some that combustion must have been caused by the gnawing or nibbling of rats or mice inside the store, and matches were known to be in the place where the fire occurred, contiguous to a large lot of paper bags, which •were found in a smouldering state. The store contained a considerable quantity of chemicals of all descriptions, and the damage done must have been considerable. Mr. John Macdonald, auctioneer, sold by auction, on Aug. 19, on the premises, the plantand fittings of the Seaward Bush Steam Sawmills, including the tramway from the Bluff road, &c, &c. This property originally cost, we believe, some £2,000, but it was knocked down for a mere nominal sum. On the sth inst. the fine locomotive (No. 2) Lately imported for the line to Winton, was, for the first time, put to regular work, being employed in drawing ballast,to that portion of the railway on the Inrereargill side of the Waihopai. The engine did its wort capitally, and there was very little oscillation, although the permanent way has not at. present been either^ lifted or ballasted. When those necessary operations liave been performed, we have no doubt that Davie's Patent Railway, and the engines he has placed on it, will do all that can reasonably be expected. The No. 2 engine is a very fine specimen of machinery, and all, its parts, seem to be in first-class working order. The line will be opened for general traffic on the; third of October.

■-' : A special meeting of the Town Board toot place on the evening of the Ist; in the Boardßoom,Tay-st. The following members were present, „viz. :.— .. 'Messrs. Mpffafc, Broad, Hay,. Webster, Reynolds, Livesey, Jaggers, 'Lumsden,; and Smith. „ Mr. Jaggers was elected chairman pro tern. The application made by Messrs. Learmonfc, Gibson i and... Co. to form a right of way entrance across the grating in Dee-street to their premises -was taken into consideration. A discussion ' ensued, after which it was moved by Mr. Smith, and seconded by Mr. Moffat, that the application be granted, whereupon Mr. Lumsden moved, and Mr. iLivesey seconded, that permission be with- | held for, the r present. The opinion. of the meeting I was equally divided on the question, and the ! original motion was only carried; by the casting I vote of the chairman. The meeting then proceeded -to the election of a chairman (in room of Mr. G\ M. X.., Clarke,- resigned) up till: Ist January next. Mr. Jabez-Hay was proposed , by Mi-. Lunisdon, audhis nomination was seconded by Mr. Jaggers. Mi*. Hay stated to tlie meeting thatliis business requirements for the next few months would not permit of him devoting that amount 'of attention to the office that was required, and begged to decline the honor. It. was next moved ..by Mr. Broad, and seconded by Mr. Molfat, tliat Mi-. Livesey be elected chairman. The motion was carried unanimously. Mi*. Jaggers then vacated the chair, and Mr. Livesey was installed into office,, on doing which he returned thanks for the honor conferred on him. There being no other business before the meeting, it was thereafter adjourned. Monday, the 15th inst., being the anniversai-y of the coronation and also the birthday of the first JSFapoleon, it was observed (says the Mail) by the French residents on the Arrow as a fete day. Mr. Jules Gruerin decorated his hotel with a goodly display of evergreens and trieolored bunting iii honor of the occasion ; and in the evening, a bail and supper were given at the New Orleans hotel. The room was crowded with dancers lUUlibevill^ ft large proportion of the fair sex and many Visitors from QueenstowH, Frankion and other parts of the district. The artistic decorations of the ball-room were complete and the profusion of good things spread on the table was enough to gladden the heart of the most . inveterate lon meant ; and the after-supper speeches were as eulogistic and felicitous as usual ; everyone present seemed to enjoy himself. On the evening of the 26th August last, a bumper house mustered at the Theatre Royal on the occasion of the beneiit for the Provincial Brass Baud ; and the performances, as announced, were under the patronage of His Honor the Superintendent and the Members of M.U.1.0.0.F., in Invercargill, several of whom appeared in regalia. The programme submitted ou thy occasion was a most attractive one, and the proceedings throughout were highly successful, the applause being at times most enthusiastic. The curtain rose to Courtney's two act drama of " Time Tries All," which was exceedingly well placed on the stage. The pan of Laura Ln -m-on was undertaken by Miss Eloiso Juno, who, us usual, imparted to the character that natural air of genuine feeling and emotion, in portraying whu-h this young lady achieves much applause and deservedly so. Mr. iStreeton made a capital Matthew Bates, and Mr. it. B. Dale iv the part of Laura's father, appeared as an '" old man " much better than we had feared, the character being quite out of his role. The parts of Tvra Tad, and the Hon. A. C. Yawn were played In amateurs, who made a decided hit, and were very successful. After the finish of this piece, the ' brass baud played an overture in which they displayed the rapid improvement they are making in the use of their instruments, the harmony being well sustained. After this came l> The Great Stump Speech," by a member of the band, in the color and get-up of a genuine darkie. The .speech set the whole house in roars of laughter, the local hits being the most telling. One or two of them were as follows: — "And what did the great Xapoleon say to Blondin ? Did'nt he say that Bob Ridley was in i'avor of the Invercargill Kail way ? But is that any reason why Levy :mU iSaUIHtCrS Shall know" Yilli.ro ciuJLeli liis got to y or any oder man ? To return to cle. subject. \V li:it did Jonah say when he came out of the whale's belly ? Did'nt lie say that it. was a disgrace to the Invercargill fishmarket? Am I not rights — -or any ocler man? To return to my subject. What did Branigan say to Commissioner Weldon when ];e met Bendigo I\lack ? Did'nt he say thai the volunteers of Invercargill were the fastest runuers in the world — datis to say — if the French or the Xew Zealanders were a tier them ? — or any oder man ? am 1 not right ■" " The performances wore brought to a satisfactory termination with the screaming farce of the " tlniiniohcd Ln'nueman, ' which Avent off exceedingly well, and sent the audience home in great gooa humour. We have been kindly furnished from the Superintendent's Otlice with the gaol returns for the month of August, from which we glean the following particulars : — The total number of prisoners received into gaol from the Ist to the 3lst August was 21 males. The number of prisoners discharged during same period was 20 males ; and the number contined in yaol on the 31st of the month was 32 males. The prisoners received dtu-ing the month are classified as follows : — Native country — England, 4 ; Scotland, 5 ; Ireland, 5 ; America, 2 ; jSTcw South Wales, 1 ; Corfu, 1; Denierara, 1; France, 1; Poland 1. Total, 21. Religion — Protestants, 14 ; Jewish, 1 ; Eoman Catholic, 6. Occupation — Laborers, 3■. cooks, 2 ; seamen, 6 ; hotel keepers, 2 : storekeeper, 1 ; upholsterer, 1 ; forwarding agents, 2 ; carpi nters, 2 ; coach driver, 1 ; contractor, 1. Edti' ation — Can neither read nor write, 2 ; read. and write imperfectly, 9 ; read and write well, 9 : read only, 1. Convictions — Debt, 8 ; drunkenness, -1 ; assault, 6 ; larceny, 2. Committal for Trial — Fraudulent conspiracy, 1. Of the prisoners coi. fined ou 31st August, we glean the following : — Total number, 32. Otfences — Larceny, 10; debt, 5 ; assault and robbery, 2 ; perjury, 1 ; cuttii g and wounding, 1 ; uttering a forged cheque, 1 ; fcrgery and uttering, 1 ; illegally on premises, 1 ; assault, 3 ; fraudulent conspiracy, 1 ; embezzlement, 1 ; lunatics coniiued for medical treatment, 5. In 19 cases out of the 32 the sentence ranges from 21 days to 12 months' imprisonment with hard labor. Two of the prisoners are under sentence of penal servitude for five years, from July last, for assault and robbery ; and another for larceny with violence, for four years. The nativity of the prisoners we find to be as follows — England, 11 ; Scotland 7 ; Ireland, 7 ; j\ew South Wales, 1 ; Victoria, 1 ; America, 2 ; Corfu, 1 ; Poland, 1 ; East Indies, 1. The thiee prisoners to whom the heaviest sentence is it! ached, are natives of Ireland. We have been favored by Mr. Ross, photographer, Arcade, with a sight of several beautifully executed stereoscopic views in and around Invercargill. They equal in every particular the productions of artists in the mother country, where all the newest appliances for the attainment yf the most perfect pictures arc always at command. In saying this, we intend no small mead jf praise to Mr. Ross, who, contending with the iitiiculties usually experienced in colonial enterprise, has produced views which may well be placed alongside any of their class we have litherto seen. The following is the state of H. M. Gaol, for ;he week ending 9th September, 1864 : — Sentenced :o hard labor — males, 19; committed for trial before Supreme Court, 2 ; debtors, 4 ; imprisonnent only, 1 ; lunatics, 4 — total, 30. Received luring the week, 5 ; discharged during the week, k Increase in number of inmates for the week, 1. We are informed that the licensed victuallers of .nvercargill have formed themselves into an Asociation for the better protection of their rights. Hiey have been led to this from their telief that he sale Of liquors on the sly grog system is so ;reat as to seriously injure legitimate trade, and it s their intention to do all in their power to put it lown. We are also led to understand that their attention will not only be directed ■ to the lower lass of places where such unlicensed traffic is caried on, but wholesale merchants, who have beeii a the habit of dealing out "nobblers" without he^necessary license, will be looked after, as well is their more unpretentious brethren.

The Otago Daily Times, of the 19th inst., has tlie following :— " No. fewer than six young boys,; ,the eldest of whom could not be more- than 15 years of age, were, brought before the Resident Magic' rate yesterday morning, charged' with theft. Thc.ilrit three,, named James and William Howall, and James Marshall,, were, charged with having stolen a laboring man's, tent and blankets. After removing ,the tent, they pitched it within about three hundred yards pf i the spot: from which they . had taken it, arid were found , liymginit. .Wil'liiam Howall, the eldest of the three, was sent to prison for ten days, -Marshall . for seven days, and Jas. Howall for two days. The second: three, named Edward Erich, Harry E. Bayliss, and Daniel Thomson, pleaded guilty to stealing a blanket. . It was _sj:a(:ed by the police that the boy Bayliss had already served a sentence of three months iri Pentridge, and the Magistrate said lie 'was aware ' that this '"boy was quite incorrigible, and ha,cl become unmanageable by his parents. He was sent to prison for one month, and the other two boys for two, days each. In passing sentence on these boys, the Magistrate regretted that lie had aio proper place to semi them to. They were likely to become much worse in the gaol, as it was not possible in such a crowded place to make any classification of the prisoners. lie had no alternative but to send the boys to prison. The adjourned charge of criminal assault against Charles Williamson, Warden in charge of the Upper Shotover District, was called on, and His Worship gave judgment. He considered that a prima facie case had been made out against the defendant, and lie, therefore, committed Mm to take his trial before the Supreme Court. The prisoner was admitted to bail — himself in £100, and two sureties of £50 each." The Nelson Examiner has the following pertinent remarks on Provincial Councils : — " Provincial Councils will in time be composed of persons either of such notorious incapacity, ov low standing and character, that they will become utterly discreditable. So, that, from Government bring confessedly carried'on by a Superintendent, nominally acting in compliance with the wishes i' ol' the legislature, but practically ignoring it, it will be seen that another convso will lie rendered imperative, and Provincial Councils be abolished altogether. This is a course which has been fre-quently-advocated, and thcreis inconsistency an dan amount of reasonableness about it which is obvious enough. We will not hesitate to express our owu candid opinion that such a settlement of the very anomalous state of things from wliich we are now suffering would be for better than the present form of Provincial Government. It would be simpler; it would be much less expensive ; and if would possess the groat advantage of fixing re- j sponsibility — a matter which must bo keenly felt by ' those members whose bettor judgment is thwarted and overruled by the majority. Between a. Superintendent acting openly upon his own individual responsibility, and a Superintendent acting ideally on his own authority, but nominally by the authority of a sham body, there can, in our opinion, be no choice whatever, and we confess we very much prefer the former alternative. If Provincial Legislatures are to bo continued, it is obvious that their powers must be increased ; unless this is done, they are. utterly contemptible, and should therefore be abolished ; the sooner the better. It is, we conceive, impossible to pourtray a more pitiable si^ht than a Legislative body completely under the control of the Executive. We trust to see tliis question properly ventilated in the General Assembly in the hope that some satisfactory legislation may result therefrom. It is, however, only part of a much wider question. We put aside from the present consideration of this subject, all the miserable''heartburnings liiid petty jealousies which have been called into existence by the system of Provincial Governments; we mvd not look around us for illustrations of the mischiefs, nay, the positive detriment, which the Colony has received from this source, for they are patent to all, and have been the subject of universal comment and reprobation for a Ion;;' time past." The Otaijn Dally Tidies, reports the sale of run 203, the property of Messrs. Studholm Hrothrys, containing 40,000 a-ivs, with 8,000 Sliecp, tO 7\ri\-^r.-\ .ITaiu ;uul OS-mvliiiOT-, for£'!8,000. Dr. Deck delivered a most interosutig Ifchov; m St. i'uui's School-room, on the evening of Tuesday la-{. He chose for ]n.s subject "Oxygen, as an active agent," and proceeded to expound the u::ture of the atmospheric gases i:i a highly edifying manner. By means of a jjreat variety of experiments, the lecturer likewise showed the intimate connection of thi- life-supporting element (oxygen 1 With various substances, ami by his clever manipulation, r'-iut'-reii till his illustrations most clearly, and greatly to the. satisfaction of the crowded audience present on Hie occasion Dr. Deck was loudly applauded throughout the course of Ins remarks ; and wo were clad to observe the increasing interest which is being Miauiiesled in these evening lectures, from t lie at tent ion displayed. The next lecture, we understand, will be on " Hydrogen." His Honor the Superintendent publishes the following notice in tiie I'i'othicial G-orernmcnl Gazette of Tuesday last : — •' Superintendent's Oiliee, Southland, 22nd August, ISG 1-. In pursuance of the power in me vested in that behalf, by a commission srivon under the hand of His Excellency the Governor, and the seal of the Colony oi' New Zealand, I hereby appoint the following persons to be Members of the Committee within the Province of Southland, appointed for the purpose of encouraging the production of: articles to be exhibited at an Industrial Exhibition lo be held at Dunedin, of their transmission thither, and of conducting communication between Exhibitors and the Commissioners, in additiion to tin; list of members of the said Committee, published in the .Southland Gazelles of October 21st, 1803, and "February 2nd, 1864. namely: — J.F. Deck. Esq.; J. Harnett, Esq.; D. M\Donald, Esq. ;T. L. Bright, E g. ; James Dundas, Esq. ; J. Baker, Esq. ; F. Richardson Esq. ; J. B. Taylor, Esq." In reference to this notice it is to be hoped that, with the infusion of new blood into the existing Committee, a fresh interest will bo created in the important work entrusted to them, and that bearing constantly in mind the high and responsible duties attaching to (he appointment, these gentlemen will put their shoulders to the wheel with a will and a firm determination to effect a satisfactory and gratifying representation of the resources of Southland, at the forthcoming New Zealand Exhibition. From extracts we recently gave as to the increasing interest which is being felt in the project in the home country, and in many other places, it will be seen that our iirst New Zealand Exhibition is not likely to prove the ''miserable failure" which some at first feared, but that it will be a successful enterprise, resulting in great and almost inestimable benefits conferred on the colony at. large. A great deal is being, and has been, said on the manner in which the attempts made to raise the steamship Scotia was conducted, and the company are considered as having neglected to avail themselves of the fine weather which was enjoyed, and wliich was deemed so favorable for the successful carrying. out of the operations. These parties who talk and think thus labor under a very great misapprehension, for a moment's consideration would show them that nothing could have been more adverse for the enterprise than the fineness of the weather. As usual, the fine weather was accompanied by easterly winds ; but as is well known by residents at the Bluff, these easterly winds do not produce the same effect on the waters of Bluff Harbor as they do on shore, and the reason is obvious — with the wind in the east, the sea is always heavy, with a swell on which is produced and impelled by the force of the whole Pacific. This kind of swell and heavy sea was experienced by the Scotia, whereas had there been what is very commonly the case, westerly winds, or even gales blowing, the water where the Scotia lios would have been little disturbed. In fact, the harbor would have appeared as smooth as a mill-pond. It is a mistake, ,then, to say the company erred in not seizing the proper opportunity. It would be correct to say that they were unfortunate in the weather being: too fine. We earnestly hope that out of the wreck will be saved -sufficient to reimburse the enterprising company in the outlays they liaye incurredi ] „- „ - ' .

One of the pleasantest. treats which h* ,ye been placed within the reach of .the Inyercargi Jl public for a very iong period, was afforded: them on the evening of the 24th August las' c, at the Mechanics' Institute, and we .are 1 nappy to say it was taken;' advantage of to 7 the fullest extent,, and greatly appreciated. It consisted of a concert conducted; solely by amateurs,. iand;' .the receipts at the door, **r. tiicli must have amounted to something hands ome, -were tirinounced to be in behalf of thij Building Fund of .the Church of England. ' The large hall of the Institute was gaily b-adeeked for 1 the occasion with a profusion of eve rgreens arid tiags of all countries, and colors, and the effect all this .had 'on the bare Woodwork of the building operated like a charm, and imparted quite a fresh and gala-like appearance; to the whole. The audience; was one of the most select ; we have _f .seen fora considerable time, comprising, as" it di d, the elite 'of pur citizens, with ther: wives anc j families. As- , regards the .concert itse. 1 if,' we can. Only speak' q£dfc, in very nattei-ing ' teri ais. The management of evei-ything was exceedingly well conducted, and nothing occurred thro; aghout ip .0 entire evening: to mar the enjoyment (iveryone felt. There was the conductor, ala Jul'lien ; a pianist, of no meahskill in execution; an d above all there was a galaxy of the fan; of Invei-cargiil, who had lent their ' jkihd assistance ■■' for the, evening on behalf of the- good cause for which the concert was originated. 1 It would be somewj&at invidious to comment on any particular part of the programme where s Jl was so well and satisfactorily executed. Su Sice it to say,, that from the opening overture [ to the singing' of the National anthem at bhe close, the , audie»ce manifested the greatest' delight and satisfaction ; and the feeling all must have possessed on leaving the hall doubtless was o ne of regret that concerts of a like character Avere :So rare in Invercargill.% , - The Provincial Government Gazette, of the 28rd instant, notifies the appo Lntment of John Francis Dundas, Esq., as a Coi amissioner of the Waste Land Board of the Province of Southland. We aj-o inforaied by I>etective Thomson, who I has just returned from a Hying visit to the va2'ious settlements about Stewart's Island', that a three-masted schooner of 200 tons, named the "John Bullock," was lately successfuly launched [at the upper end of Patterson's Inlet ; and the occasion being regarded as an imporiant event in the history of Stewart's Island, whale boats continued to arrive on the scene from noon of the previous day, bringing residents (both old and young) from all parts of the Island. The schooner just launched in said to- be by far the largest yet built there, or in the province, to I which it now belongs. She r.s the property of Messrs. Bullock, saw-mill proprietors at Patterson's Inlet, and is built especii illy for the timber trade, having stowage for about 105,000 feet of sawn timber. Mr. Thomso n states that upwards of 100 men are empl.oyed by Mesars. Bullock in connection with their two saw-mills, which are three miles apart, ami they turn out on 11 n average about 12,000 -feet of sawn stuff per day. Aii hands were granted a holiday on the ilav of the launch, and the weather proving as favorable as could be desired, the sixteenth of August, 1864, was quite a gala day for the islander.?, and doubtless will be long remembered by them in after years, when the work of settlement in (Stewart's • island is something different from what it is at the present time. A meeting to promote t'ne formation of an Auxiliary Biule Society for Southland, took place on Thursday, Aug. IS, in the Wusleyan ■• Church. His Honor, Dr. Menzies, Rev. Messrs. Stobo, Shaw, Bethune, Tanner, Searle ; and Messrs. Bouar, Tarlton, and Perkins were present, and took part in the proceedings. .After His Honor had announced the business of tJio. meeting, and made some I'emarks on the great benefits resulting from the establishment of Bible Societies, the Hey. Mr. Shaw moved the following resolution : — " That an Auxiliary of the British and Foreign Bible Society be established, to be called ' The Southland Auxiliary Bible Society. 0 " The Key. Mr. Tanner seconded the it-solution, and Mr. A. Bo liar spoke in its support. The Itev. Mr. Stobo moved the second resolution, as follows : — " That this meeting recognises the obligation resting upon till Clu-istia/ns to aid in the distribution of tlw Word of trod, an '1 pledges itself to united eliort on the behalf of the Society, to earnest prayer for the Diviue assistance and blessing." He said there were two objects dear to every Christian man, and especially overy Christian minister — Ist. That every one should be able to read the Bible: and 2m!, that every one should have a Bible to read. There were two hopeful oircumsunfes in connection with the present meeting, being corresponding circumstances to those which arose leading to the formation of the parent societv. The iirst was that this auxiliary was being originated from a belief in the actual necessity t'ov siu'h an institution ; and the second, that the movement is entirely Catholic. He would take this for a motto — 'The Word of G-od for the people, and the people for the Word of G-od.' The licv. C. Searle seconded, and Mr. Perkins supported the resolution. The following committee was then appointed to carry out the views of the meeting. viz. — President, His Honor the Superintendent ; Treasurer, Alexander Bonar, Esq. ; Secretary, XV. Itussell, .Ksq. j and Messrs. Tarleton, Rout, Harnett, Perkins, I'ule, lioss, Watson, South, White, and the clergy of the various denominations in town ex qfflcio. A vote oT thanks to His Honor for presiding concluded the proceedings. nml the moe'.ing terminated. On Tuesday, 6th inst., Mr. S. M. South, solicitor, delivered the seventh of the course of winter evening lectures, in the Mechanics' Institute, to a large and respectable audience. He chose for his subject " Greo-loiiv," its history, discoveries, and results. Mr. W. F. Tarlton was called to the chair, and briefly introduced the lecturer. Mr. South (.hen proceeded to deliver a most instructive narrative of the earlier theories held regarding the ago and history of the earth, and entered into the discoveries and opinions of many eminent authorities on the subject. He dwelt at considerable length on what may be termed the development theory of the earth, as illustrated by geologic discovery in the dili'orent stratified formations of the earth's crust. l^or example — -when our globe emerged from its chaotic state the earliest evidence of life upon its surface was an inferior species of seaweed ; and as the earth progressed in suitability for the existence and subsistence of higher forms of vegetable and animal life, the strata exhibited, with the greatest clearness, the various times at which such changes took place, ending with man as the highest form of animated existence. In coming to the geologists and naturalists of the present day, he paid a high compliment to the genius of the deceased Hugh Miller, who by his emiment researches in the study of geology had rendered such important service to this most interesting science.. The ability and genius of living professors likewise in determining the form, structure, habits, &c, of animals, birds, and fishes, from a single bone, and also from that circumstance of fixing the period at which these creatures must have lived on the earth, he characterised os something almost miraculous. The lecturer was listened to throughout with the undivided attention of the assemblage, and was frequently applauded in the course of his remarks. At the conclusion a collection was made to defray expenses, and it was announced that the next lecture would be delivered by 0. E. Button, Esq., * solicitor, on " Voltaic Electricity." A nest of live frogs has been recently discovered in a basaltic rock at Ballaarat, at a depth of nearly 140 feet from the surface. They came to see the light of day through the process of blasting , the rock, and we are informed that "the cavities, from out of which the frogs skipped after the shot, are filled with a kind of- pulp." Some specimens have been forwarded to Dr. Macadam. The Sydney Mail gives a rather gloomy account of the goldfields o£ New South Wales." For. the month ot July last,' the escort retill>hs amounted to 19,2140z5. For the corresponding month of the year 1863, tliff amoumV was 35,9150z5. "There is 'therefore a decrease on the r yield of the month of 16,7010z5., or 46 per cent; ' During the seven months of the present year the receipts' have" amounted to 171,3466z5. ; , against 261,2900z'5.: for; the same period of the year 1863/ The decrease on the seven mbnthsis therefore 89,9440z, or 34per cent!

-the -- on '"-the- feii Sergeiant s Cbm%H^ evening of the, 2nd instant, Captain, .j'Harv'eys ilieeiijaajbhprised^by His'Honpr^theS.ugeorihtendenfc explained to tno.-ydlun^rs^^:'^?^!!^.^^. man- to sue and "repprer, penalties under the "Dog: her -in which the- apppmtin&it;;' 'of;' 'adjutant Nuisance; Qrainanfee^lSeai" ; „ " . <- ; , T ;. t if "" had been filled. >Ho stated request; of the; ' ;'We^^^ , company that Mr. Rpdd should, fill that post had dent' took! place/^a^i!Brar^fiUe,^wii "the Greatbeen duly forwarded to. the authorities .at-Auck- Nprth^axl, rathe in^^ land, but that no reply' had as yet. .been, reeeiveoL ;p'clbck;a young about ; t^lromQntiis pld> Prior to the receipt of this request oh the part of "named* Mary Ai'chey," "had ~evidently :^';|randered the company, the explanation 'of Captain' Junor, frpm.,its parents' house.jind jali.en into an open. the recently appointed adjutant of the } Soiithlasd ' -^ e U VMcli Mih'tia, had been received;! and both r on account of the unfortunate child was found. "We his,being;a, tried pffi.ccr,^and Ms hpldnig " a .similar ; understand;:; that -the. father.. was abs'entvat Riverappomtniehtin connection. with tlie militiafor the ton, andtthermotheßhad.gQne.nito Invercargill on district^his applidatioh had been favorably^ enter- soine business"/ leaving only another ibhild of four tamed.; After this application by ; Captain Harvey, years 'of: age ewjth. its younger ssistervijiti&nother about eighteen privates of the company asembledby child of seven years of age, on/ perceiving the ■ advertisement, m the &lobe body in the.w,eU,^nT,to:iits = fathe.r|-nrho speedily into. consideration various causes of\ dissatisfaction -went to the .spoticandidisCo'verediit^flpating with . existing, m the minds of- certain members., of the its face upwards^: ;-, I)r. : S"oung was.tiaen called in, company. ''The person wlib 'advertised the meet- and the usuS'TOstbra^fciyes applied, biit: without ing was called upen-tb preside. 1 On this being favailr— : An^ inquest* i wilT^iJe/dield*^6n--Sthe body done; • Mr. Brown confessed :ito having, 'with- the at the' -Plough'^lmi^ >at^2 : O o*clock££ to-day ; advice.and .concurrenceiof spme pthers, convened before Dr.» coroner 1 AAfter this .the meeting, and, he ..explained the reasons why;^ 'sad even^ f we 'ihopei^s6m~ei?measui ; fes^m'ay bo such a step i had been resorted .to. _ Several mem- taken for securing greateP'O 'nnTntinity?* " from bers now acquainted the' 'Meeting that their meet-' idangeri'pr death Ss ; 'regards the's'e^dan'gSrous pit- • ing was an illegal 1 one, and might have been prbv; /falls;- ; - It : is '^perfectly;- clear • that'cifiildfei^cannot hibited ;:by^ the captain,' upon' which ;the /chairman b e prevented from occasionally Hvandef ing to some remarked .-that, the matter h~£d been.rather hastily; ,-distanee«frpm.-home,--but the gone into', i but that ..the, mcc.ting.was not convened hended. in consequence of their doing^so would out of any want of 'inspect to' their" superipi*, foe very'mucii^ lessened if welllso'f the { ]anl|4eferred officers, but : simply because dissatisfaction had; ifo Verefcovere^ove^^preveS-^heJn|pr^ig into, arisen in the company at the' apparent haste i with" or accidentally falling into them. ""'£?. which the electipnpf officers had been gone through, r- vThe-subrCOjmmitteesof^thed^echanics-Insfcitute , but more particularly with, the election by (xovern- arL( j Winter, Evening iectures^Society.met by apment of ' Capt. Junor as adjutant, in. ..opposition. pomtmentontWarternpoirb^^ to the general wish. of the, company tb_ secure ./the ..offie.epf-Mr.;JvS.,£ohnstpn^^ services of Mr. Kodd for that appointment. A Court. On behalf of the institute there, were long and animated discussion followed on tkej present I Stock/' Greisow,«ai.di;Marchant; illegality of their proceedings, Messrs. t Munro .and , and; Messrs. .Button; and Brightyrepresented the Kingsland being the principal advocates of mat- . Lecture- Cpmmittee. -Mr/ JohnsW)t^ip was also ters remaining as they, had been already: decided.' present, was moved mto'tWchair^.^&en *the fol■by superior powers. Seeing, " however, that 1 lowing resolutions ' wei'e ; unaiu^p^ly r ; 'carried : — nothing of a practical nature could result, from (l.)' Moved by Mr'^Buttonpan#s^cbn r ded?by Mr. their deliberations, if illegal, a resolution to, the : -Mafchant-.MiThat the town be canvassed by subfollo wing effect was proposed and- carried, viz :— sexdbers -to , the . institution ;% annual s- tickets to That we, the undersigned, beg to. request that you ' membership to be., as follows :— Family^ticliets, will caH a meeting of the corps at your, earliest 21s. / si^le,' lss: .cleric Or apprentices, 10s." convenience, to dispel the present cause of clis- (2;) Proposed by Mi*: BrigKt, aiid = seconded by satisfaction expressed by some of its members.", Mr. -Button : 'thecburse^ofifre^Ulectures This document, which was required to be signed terminate with ; .the ./present programme. 1 -' (3.) by at least three of the company to command a , Proposed by Mr. Marchant, anal secondedjby Mr. meeting to be convened, was then handed round Greisow : " That Mr! Bright ] be.' requested" to act for signature, after which the nieeetmg dispersed/ ag honorary secretary to the 'Joint ' committee." In reference to this meeting we regret to observe Th ese resolutions We 'to' be Submitted! W*an adthat the officers of the company did not feel it joufned meeting of the' ; two to be their duty to prevent any demonstration of the heldronPi-i.iay first. f ! A financial 'statement of kind in question. It is a bad precedent : to the Mechanics' Institute was laid before the meetestablish, to say nothing of the illegality of the i ngj w hich will likewise be forthcoming at the proceedings, or the actual insubordination mani- a djom-ned meeting on Friday. ..It' is gratifying to tested by certain members of the corps. In re- fi nc [ suc ]x healthful symptoms ( of vitality exist* fereriee to Captain Junor's appointment as ad- mg •in .ah ■ institution which' has been jutanfcof the Southland Volunteers, it will doubt- long considered' defunct, -and we "have plealess interest our readers to learn that that officer sure holding forth: .the. hope that.. Invercarhas been appointed to fill a similar commission in g m may soon have some pride in pointing tp her connection with the Militia for the district. The Mechanics' Institute,' as an ; institution' in every MihtiaActwe understand is about to be put in way wprthv the name/ and also* as answering force, and all those (who are not Volunteers) completely; the ends- for which it has been" organeh gl ble, between the ages of 18 and (we think) 45, i se a. Ex-om the resolutions. passed, it-will be seen will be immediately enrolled. t hat the Winter Evening Lectures Committee are The coast defences of Australia appear to be now acting jointly with the directors of the Inattracting move than ordinary attention at the stitute— the objects/ contemplated by both being present time. The Argus of 2nd instant states entirely in unison. . ■ ■ '■; that " Commodoi-e Sir Willia.m "Wiseman and ■&• meeting of the Trustees ; of the Southland Colonel Ward, R.E., examined the whole of the Savings' Bank was held in the Provincial- Treasury Hobson's Bay shore batteries on Wednesday, Offices on the afternoon of Tuesday, d3thinst. The with the view of advising the Government of following were present :— His Honor the Superany improvements their experience might suggest intendent, Vicerpresident ; Messrs, W. H. Calder, in the plan or the construction of our defences, H. M'Culloch, M'Donald, Watson, Harnett, They were accompanied by Brigadier-Greneral Henderson, and Mueller. The 1 Vice^present ocCiiu'te, Colonel Anderson, and other officers, cupied the chair. The minutes of previous meetColonel Ward, we understand, has travelled from m g having been read and : Mv John Sydney for the purpose of making the inspection. M'Donald on 'behalf of the Sub-committee apThe works at the Heads have still to be examined, pointed to draw up rules and regulation^ for the but this will not be clone until the Cui-agoa passes Institution, laid before the meeting a draft ef the QueenscM'e, on her way out of Pprt Phillip, proposed rules prepared by them. He stated that probably on Sunday next. On Satiutlay, Com- the Sub-committee in drawmg up those' rules had modore Wiseman will inspect the Volunteer consulted the, Rules and;Regulatipns.of the Savings Naval Brigade at Sandridge, and as the ferce will Banks in Auckland, Melbourne, and Hobart Tewn be put through its entire drill, including cutlass m cenjunctipn with the Savings' Bank .Act itself, exercise, the proceedings are expected to be of a They had madesome necessary though minor altera- | very interesting character." A communi- tiohs to suit then* own case, and it would be } for the i cation, from " jMariae " in tKe same jorumal fa'ustees to adopt oi* to amend f.the' ; rules f ias now advocates the immediate placing Of a prepared. As regards T>oots. r for the.tani he mounted watch at Western Port Bay, and also had been in communication with Mr. .Livingston tlie having in readiness a number of old hulks bookseller, Dunedin for the! purpose of having wluch, on the approach of an enemy, could be samples of the books Used in theDunedm Savings sunk so as to block the entrance to that bay, and Bank, wliich has just been established, sent, but up also the Heads, leaving only a very small channel to tQe present he had not been snccessfulin proopen for the traffic of the port, and this to be only curing them. The. Sub-eominittee. had likewise known to the pilots The same would be done at fco report that suitable, premises.. were-. ofFered to Queenscliffe, a tug boat being kept stationed there them, adjoining.' the. Bank of .' New Zealand, and in readiness day and night to tow out and sink "which they 1 would recommend to betaken/ They the hulks. na( i a^ so as regards the 'appointment " of manager The Sydney Morning Herald has a capital to B . tate tliafc ge'ntlemenv had t offered their article on the causes and consequences of bush- services. These were Mr. A. Bonar,. sen/,, and Mr. ranging. Speaking of the failure of the ordinary Brodrick, both of whom volunteered to transact the police of the counta-y to do away with the evil, the business of the bank," and leave the : question of Herald says : — "ln a confidence which we dare emolument to be decided by the amount of business not violate, we have received communications of done. Of the two candidates, the : committee wer» the most startling nature, such as to convince us disposed to recommend Mr. Bonar as manager. that it was mere delusion to expect any per- Mr McDonald having thus reported on behalf of manent improvement by means of any con- the Sub-committee, the Chau-man. rebompended stabulary, moving under any direction, however that the meeting shoiild prbceed to the. cbnsideraprudent and zealous. The fact is indisputable tion of the proposed rules. The rules having been that the robberies which take place in one portion rea( i over seriatim, were all endorsed,' with "the exof the country are planned in the houses of the ception of No. 23, a^difference > of opinion -having inhabitants ;— that telegrams are posted to inform arisen as to the responsibility attaching v to the the robbers where their prey may be found, aud possession of the strong box of the ; bank. It was where the constables are not — and that this" carried by a -majority of 5 ; to 2 i that the Vicerobber union embraces a very large pi-oportion of president, because he kept; one of the twokeys, was (lie inhabitants of every condition and occupation to °c held responsible for the "contents oorf r the box, n life." jointly with the manager. The.passingpfthe rule, The squatters of New South Wales and Vie- however, was, not pressed pn the meeting, ;sp that toria have very generally determined to shear the foe matter should be fully ' considered . and, it was wool in the grease this season, as the saving in deferred till a subsequent itieethig.- On the motion carriage and the increased price obtained for of Mr Hai-riett; seconded by Mr.' Watson," Mr A. washed wool, it has been found, does not com- Bonar, Senior, was appointed manager of. the bank. pensate for the trouble, expense, and risk, at- Mr Henderson; rthen. moved' that-; the! premises tending sheepwasliing operations. offered by Mr Nutter, -near the Bank, of NewZeaA meeting of persons interested in the forma- an d be taken as the placV f where r 7 the business tion and establishment of a Young Men's Christian °f tu e bank should be' carried on- the rent to be Association was held last night (7th), in the Wes- paid for the use'of than being atthe rate of £25 per Icy an Church, North Epad. Owing, we believe, tp annum. This terminated the 'business ; "of the the unfavorable state of the weather, the meeting meeting, which stands adjourned till Monday next, was averythin one,and it was considered expedient a * half-past seven o'clock; 7 v , , - ,- : . that it should imdertake only the mere preb'ininaries On Thursday last (Bth) Captain Sliarp, president towards the formation of the society. A resolution of the Marine Board, Mr: Bilfbur, ; the Marine was duly passed by those present, that the Engineer, and Mr; ! Gl-arside',' 'Contractor, visited " Southland Young Men's Chi-istian Associatipn the works of the' projected new lighthouse on Dog should be formed." The Rev. Mr, Searle then Island. Afulland efficientjstaff of- men, are emspoke in fix vor of a conversazione being held, afc ployed, and the works are proceeding, with great which the association should be fairly inaugurated, despatch. At present the tower isnpt more than aud his suggestion seemed to be favorably enter- 40 feet high, or 90 feet from high water, yet it is tamed by the meeting. However, it was resolved, already very conspicuous, > and when; the full that a provisional or interim committee be ap- height 1 of 100' feet has; been attained, a will be pointed to draw up a code, of rules and regulations visible at a great distance, and ; will:be the most for the society- — said committee to consist of the useful structure, of the kind on. jthe New Zealand clergymen of the various religious denominations coast." The. works have now so far progressed in town ex officio, with a lay member from each that there is every reason* 1 to expect that 'they will congregation, in addition to three or four other becompletedahd in operation by the'end of theyear. gen tiemen who. were present at the meeting. The A meeting^f the Town Board was iheld last night chairman (Mr. Crouch) and the Rev. Messrs. (15th).inthe Board room, Tayrstreet-r ;Presenb— Shaw and Searle alike expressed their regret that Messrs;; Livesey > (in; the .-, , Qhair) v • Smith; Hay, the meeting should have been so sparsely attended. Lumsden, Jaggers, . Moffatt,- i and Broad. ,. The Mr. Grouch was appointed convener of the in- minutes of former meetings j?emg read "and conterim committee, which was appointed to meet firmed, the clerk read to the" Meeting 'several com-tp-morrow evening. muiiicatioiis' addressed I'to^^the^-Boajdi'"1 ' to^^the^-Boajdi'"- These, Messrs. Dairymple and Co. have been the sue- however, 1 were of no public interest.. .5 As/fegard* eessiul tenderers for the erectipn pf the new ppst tlie lighting pf Tay-street, r Messrs. Hale and office, in Dunedin. It is to be built of stpne 1 rpin Robertson by letter ; that ..they had Oamaru, and the expensewill be £22,960. The ,gi T ??i contract. 3^ 'Lumsderf then Oarnaru stone is said to very much resemble the moved* that the* lighting of. 'lay-street be disBath stone, in England. : „ :: continued '^for- -the present^'' He" *^3id hot see An inquest was held at the Plough Inn, iS-reat bow the Board, could .in/ its present Uppsition North Road, on Tuesday, 6th inst., on' the body :go.:":ohi?.;keeping aip rthe] 7 %hting.:?/of J this of the child Mary Archay, who was found drowned: .street, iff the. rates ,were, not forfibepnung, r and he in a well adjeining ;] her father's residence. The] \&&\nofilaf&£'it would J be^^ a "greaj'iiardsbip if it evidence adduced substantially. corroborated \ the discbntinued'Kr r ts.6: 'p^esent!^ /Mrr^Smith particulars given in our issue of Tuesday, and the seconded the inbtionj'wlirch- was carried" verdict of the jury was. to the effect that tlie de- -further; jdiscussion.-ho The iGlerk^ submitted the ceased had been accidentally drowned ' by falling: opinipns^^ of Miv Soutiijpnfleyeraippints f cpnjiected into an open well. . The following rider iwas -^ith:^ the r :. r paymen]| qf jt the r. iAssessmeiife A added, which Dr. Deck said wouldlbe ibrwarded "oh-tlieM!^bpimqns k aroiey but any> action to the proper quarter :^" The; jiu-y would take : :* "on them "waVfeft'to the^l^ancefeomnuttjeei* Mr. tllis Opportunity Of espressing "thei?" ihliignation Jabez HTay gave notice that lieiiw-ouMi move afc at tlie culpable negligence of paities 'ih' allowing' next meefclngptliafe ihesßoaid.»appoin£|a r !o6Hunittee such dangerous places, especially . in' uivfenced", *o^frairiersome-fbye-lawsofor I %e.;Bpai i d. t - ; rlt was sections, and in^^ immediate s.viciiuty; to the public mOT ed i and.secon4eith^t ? pQnaderatipn f of Messrsroad, and in, "a populous i neighborhppd. .They.. the would also suggest the prbpriety of the Prpvineifll B oa rdj iis awardea ! 'by arbi6ra.tiohi*be till Legislature, . ..at^ its 'ens^umg?- sitting, passing an r -TiexVmeeting. S;Tlu^^w^ Prdinance; making it' compulsory on prpprietbrß'' 'no<pttetibus&essibefor&-the|Bpai?istli€> pjfeceed- ; aTP;oU;w^'^ecur^xovie^|/'^'. Vf; ; Vly"' J^"terminate3^^j ■ ££■'

v -It appears- from- the Wellington journals that the separation, movement in the Wanganui and adjaceni/ districts' has turned ovS a success— more than a sufficient number of the electors having signed the petition. This will, form the tenth province of New Zealand. A Turakina correspondent of , the Independent} reports that many who had- signed the petition; now repent thY act, their opinion on the subject having been changed by a pamphlet recently published on the Separation movement. . ; We imderstand that it is intended to organize Vl subscription "'list in. aid 1 of the^widows and "foiniiiik : : of those men who; left*; Inverbargill for Bluff -Harbor some w^eeks since in a lighter, which . has not sinee been heard of, 1 and which it is now too probable went down with all oil board. We trust this 'charitable and praiseworthy endeavour may meet with a largf measure of success at the hands of our citizens. [Tne lighter and crew were subsequently picked up by the Electric, on her voyage to Sydney, and brought back in safety to the Bluff by the'steamer Aldtnga,] A most interesting lecture was delivered on the ■ evening of Tuesday last (13th) under the auspices of the Winter Evening Lecture Committee, in the Mechanics' Institute, by C. E. Button, Esq., solicitor.:On tills occasion, the Lall was densely crowded, many being even denied standing room so fully was the whole hoxise packed. Mr.. Samuel Beaven was voted to the chair/ and having .briefly introduced the lecturer, Mr. .Button, who 'chose as a subject "Voltaic Electricity," proceeded to deliver one or the most interesting and entertaining lectures which, has been heard in Invercargill for a very long time, In commencing he remarked that the subject of electricity was one of the most interesting which could be taken up, as all the research and investigation which had yet been brought to bear on it had failed to show what electricity really was. It still remains a mystery unravelled, and to the primary question of "What is electricity?" no satisfactory cause or origin has been assigned. Innumerable theories have been propounded, but like those respecting the origin or cause of heat, light, and gravitation, they had never yet been reduced to practice. In fact, the world possessed no knowledge of these f our — heat, light, gravitation and electricity. Of the latter it was yet undiscovered of what it really consisted. It was customary to talk of it as a fluid, but that was a palpable misnomer, as a fluid in the ordinary acceptation of the term, was something very, different from what could be applied 30 elecfricity. Instead of a fluid current passing through* the electric wire, for example, it was known that the wire itself became polarised, all its particles undergoing an instantaneous change. It had been formerly held that there were two kinds of electricity, but the opinion of Benjamin Franklin was the one generally recieved, viz., that there was only one kind of electricity, and which pervaded more or less all bodies. It has been further maintained that heat, light, electricity, and gravitation, were merely modifications of and the same thing. The lecturer here took occasion to remark on the boundless scope for investigation which yet lay in store for the march of intellect and science to pursue, and of the important discoveries and results which might flow therefrom. He then proceeded to relate the history of the discovery and progress of the science from its primitive state amongst the early Egyptians to the present time. He remarked, however, that electricity might properly date from two hundred years a^o, when Dr. Gilbert of Colchester published a book on the subject, but to show the incredulity of the world, at even so recent a period, he mentioned that Lord Bacon himself had poured ridicule upon it. The book contained nothing beyond the fact of tke existence of electricity. The next step in the science was the discovery that all bodies were not similarly influenced by electricity ; some substances being found to be conductors, while others were discovered to be non- conductors of the current, or, it may be, differing in degree. The electric machine was the next discovery, but in place of the perfect instruments of the present day, the first invented was but a very primitive and rude construction. After relating the discovery of the Ley den jar, and making reference to the interesting experiments of Franklin with his electric kite, the learned lecturer proceeded to the discovery of Galvanism, so called after G-alvani, an Italian, in 1790, and amused the audience with the anecdote of the electrified frogs, which were the immediate cause of the discovery. Then came the discovery of the Voltaic pile, by Volter, and he remarked on the erroneous custom of using the term Galvanism for Voltaic electricity, which obtained even in the present day. Mr. Button next described the different kinds of batteries, and reviewed the discoveries of Daniels, Smee, and Groves. Passing from this he came to the discovery of electrotype or electrometallurgy, the honor of which was equally shared by Jacobi, a Russian, and -'Spencer, an Englishman, who made known the discovery about the same time. Several experiments of an interesting nature were now shown to the audience, who manifested the delight they felt by frequent and hearty bursts of applause. The experiments with the magnet/as illustrative of electro-magnetism, were next tried, and proved very successful, Then followed an exposition of the spirit-rapping delusion, with the aid of the telegraph ; and, with the assistance of an operator from the Telegraph Office, the working of that instrument was explained, messages being transmitted by means of magnetic wires from the gallery of the hall to the stage. This portion of the lecture created much merrriment amongst the audience, from the droll character of some of the messages sent. As practically illustrating the electro-magnetic principle, the lecturer then gathered round him a number of juveniles, who, in then* attempts to snatch a com from a basin of water, were subjected to shocks from the battery. The youngsters appeared to enjoy the sport amazingly, and their amusing efforts to secure the corns had afforded much merriment to all present. The lecturer frequently apologised for the imperfect quality of the instruments at his command, which hi some degree detracted from the success of one or two of the experiments ; but on the whole, all the illustrations were veiy successful, and the loud and frequent applause of the assemblage fully testified to the delight they felt. On the motion of Mr. Beaven, a hearty vote of thanks was passed to Mr. Button, to which he briefly. responded, at 6ame time returning thanks to His Honor the Superintendent for granting the use of one of the telegraph instruments, and also to the operator in connection with that office for the assistance he rendered.

Permanent link to this item
Hononga pūmau ki tēnei tūemi

https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/ST18640917.2.30.6

Bibliographic details
Ngā taipitopito pukapuka

Southland Times, Volume I, Issue 47, 17 September 1864, Page 5

Word count
Tapeke kupu
10,403

SOCIAL AND DOMESTIC. Southland Times, Volume I, Issue 47, 17 September 1864, Page 5

SOCIAL AND DOMESTIC. Southland Times, Volume I, Issue 47, 17 September 1864, Page 5

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