SOCIAL AND DOMESTIC.

Southland Times, Volume I, Issue 60, 18 October 1864, Page 5

SOCIAL AND DOMESTIC.

Chief among tho incidents of the month has been the resuscitation of our Mechanics' Institute. It had, ever since its initiation, been in want of some one to enter thoroughly into- the affair ; and public interest in it had so much weakened, that our Institute was for long little better than a monument of failure. Recently, however, a committee of gentlemen, who had successfully originated and carried through a course of winter evening lectures, conceived the idea of joining issue with the directors of tho' lnstitute, in order that a really flourishing concern might be made of it, and, so far, we have the gratification to report that all their efforts have been completely successful. At & public meeting, at which His Honor the Superintendent preiided, the new Mechanics' lnstitute was once more launched into an active and useful existence. Great and untiring efforts have since been made to obtain subscribers, and considering the general depression under which the Province and town are at present languishing, the result has been very satisfactory. With the gradual improvement in our position and affaire, it is fully expected that this time-honored institution of tho old country will be as prosperous a3 its best wellwishers can hope for. In church mattera we have just now a plethora. On Thursday first the annual soiree of the Presbyterian Church, Tay-3treet, will take place. The Rev. Mr. Bullor, the president of the Australian Conference, is on a visit to Invercargill at present, «nd has been preaching to large congregations. He delivered a lecture last evening in St. Paul's School Room, on the Maorie3, which was well attended- Then we have the Roman Catholic Church to be consecrated in a few days. On Sabbath last the Rev. Martin performed divine service in the edifice, which was crowded with a respectable assemblage. A Fancy Bazaar in aid of the Wesleyan Parsonage Building Fund is to be held in a short time, and already give 3 evidence of being a successful affair. The Volunteer system has taken deep root in Southland, and this 13 to be attributed in no small measure to the calling out of the Militia of the Middle Island. Rather than serve in this force, our settlers, true to the grand characteristic traits of the British Nation, prefer volunteering in tho defence of their adopted country, if ever it has occasion to require their services. Accordingly, simultaneously with the Militia proclamation, the " awkward squads '" of ou? Rifle Volunteer Companies have been unusually swollen in numbers, and the call to arms is new obeyed with, great alacrity. Our volunteers attend drill morning and evening .several times a week, and are rapidly attaining to a state of creditable efficiency. - Many of them were volunteers in the home country, but considerable numbers also are raw recruits. Many of these are ready for platoon exercise, -and arrangements are in progress whereby firing at the butts may •oon be practised, the only intervening drill being judging distance. . In the country districts, volunteering is carried on with great spirit. In Riverton a corps "has been formed and ia in regular drill ; and cavalry rifle corp« are in course of formation there, and at Long Bush district, in addition to one at InrercargilL A" movement is on foot for the formation of naval brigades at Invercargin and Bluff Harbor, where they are likely to -meet with meoess. . „'-"«-, Our columns this issue wu f befotud to contain * full vttfdfi of ths principal i»sdes* of the p M |

- >'ontaei4thins^ force : at :tha: adjutant's paraded Shortly* before; j Beyeh o'clock th'oy ; star,ted from tha rendezvous, at i 'the corner of Tay. and IJee"sh-eets/.and ; marchedi to the Cricket Ground, preceded by the^'Provincial- ■ Brass Band. On the ground, .Captain Jim6r put: thorn through a/variety of evolutions;' alV ? 6F"'--\vM6li' were executed with a commendable degree of eifi.ciency, considering the short time they -have been .in -training. The marching past in slow time especially was exceedingly well performed, and the forming a hollow square was likewise executed in a style which judges acknowledge would: not . have ' disgraced a.company of regulars. \ : It was intimated that all fines for; non-attendance /.are to bo; strictly enforced. Aftor nearly^, throe .-.hours' drill, the Company again formed in' marching order, and retraced, their steps to the drill-room. " It has been remarked to us that a difficulty was ; felt by the '.mm! in keeping time to some of the: tunes played by the band on , the return march., ; This ; -was caused, we understand, from their not keeping strictly to marching "tuiiies, which, of course, ; is essential. ".. r ' . ' _["_'.', The committee "of management have issued their invitations for the excursion on the occasion of the opening of the Qreti Railway, on Tuesday next. The train is, appointed to. start at noon, and will return in time for the Ziiincheou to bY proTided in the .Bailwaystabion building, at thi'ea o'clock in the afternoon. •- Tho engineers and committee of management intend proceeding up the line to-day on a preliminary' trip. Yesterday afternoon 14th; a preliminary meeting of gentlemen interested in the formation of a. Fire Brigade, was held in the office of Messrs. Henderson" Bonar and Co. Above a dozen attended, the number including the representatives of four Insurance Companies. The principal business was the question of funds, and as a first step it was agreed that a deputation wait on His Honor the Superintendent and the Town Board to ascertain how far Government and the Board would subsidise an efficient Pire Brigade. It was also resolved to canvass the town for subscriptions in support of the movement. Those present having resolved themselves into a provisional committee, it was de.terinined to hold a public meeting for the enrolment of members on an early date. Duo notice will be given by advertisement. It appears that a medical man is wanted on the Nokomai diggings, but, as our correspondent suggests, any one entertaining tho idea of commencing practice there should first pay a visit of inspection. A serious affray occurred on the Nokomai on the evening of Sunday last, in which a constable, named Daly, in attempting to restore order, received a dangerous blow on the head with an sixo. The button of his uniform cap was completely bent in, and the cut was so severe that the brain was laid open. He is now, however, considered out of immediate danger. The man who inflicted j the wound was taken into custody, and forwarded to Queenstown. The Criminal Sittings of the Supreme Court were terminated yesterday (14th) . The case of con • spiracy againtt Morris Salek and Joseph Silberberg occupied the time of the Court the entire day. After a considerate amount of evidence was adduced, the result was that a verdict of "not guilty " was returned. The evidence of guilt on the part of Salek, as His Honor remarked, could not be questioned, but to convict him of conspiracy it was necessary to prove that Silberberg was acting in concert, and here the case broke down, although a "smack" of fraud was visibly apparent on the transactions of the accused'in relation to the bill of sale. Patrick Rough, who pleaded "guilty," to embezzling monies whilein the employment of H. M.'s Customs, was sentenced to twelve months' and six months' imprisonment respectively, on the two charges against him ; the sentences to be cumulative. James M'Cann, for highway robbery, with violence, on the person of Charles Ncwsome, in September last, was sentenced to four years penal servitude. Lawrence Brown, who pleaded guilty to the crime of horse-stealing, in June last, was sentenced to two years' penal servitude. There are one or two appeal cases to be heard to-day, and the insolvency cases will likewise be heard at same time. The Court will sit at ten o'clock. Our Jfokomai correspondent, aswill be observed, gives a very encouraging account of the doings on that goldfield ; and he states, also, that the claims on the Southland side of the Mataura are still yielding good wages. He, however, dwells on the low price obtained for gold in luvercargill, and fully corrobora.es our own statements made on several occasions on this subject. It appears that the price there (on the Nokoinai) exceeds oy threepence per ounce the price which is obtained from the Bank of Otago in Invercargill, ■which is understood by the miners to pay more than the other banks. The work of the immigrants at the levelling of Esk-street, near the railway station, is now all but completed, and the grounds around the building have been very much improved in appearance. However, as this street is doubtless to be one of the main thoroughfares of the town, it will be necessary that some better provision bs made for the prevention of accidents than it can boast of at present. Close by the narrow pathway, which is all the accommodation placed at the disposal of pedestrians on the business side of the street, there is a wide open ditch of a very formidable character, and into which many an unwary one has dropped, not without some danger of serious injury, as well aa — to say the least of it — inconvenience to himself. Such a man-trap as this, hi the very heart of the town, should not be allowed to exist ; and, ] over and above the danger arising from it, it will, from the accumulation of stagnant sewage in it, soon become a matter requiring to be regarded in a sanitary point o£ riew. In close summer •weather, the effluvia arising from this open sewage drain should of itself strongly advocate something being done hi the matter, and it i 3 to be hoped that'the proper authorities will not overlook it. The first cricket match of the season was played on the ground, at the top of Esk-street, on Thursday last, between two elevens of the Invercargill Cricket Club. During the early part of the day the hopes of the cricketers were kept sadly in check by a copious fall of rain, but, notwithstanding this, ere mid-day came, the ground was again in good order, and the champions of the bat entered on their friendly contest with great spirit. The sides chosen were as follows :— Colter's Elevek. — Isowan, Curtaine, Bryer, Kingsland, Anderson, Bailey, Cross, Fletcher, Arbuckle, Bethune, and Colyer (captain). Pafl's Eleven. — Marchant. Mowbray, Peel, E«inecker, Rout, Saunders, Scandrett, Simmonds, Wade, Higgins, and Paul (captain). . Colyer's Eleven went" first to the wickets, and succeeded in running up a total Ecore .of: 69. In this innings Mr. ; Marchant bowled rery effectively, but notwithstanding this Messrs. Curtaine and Bailey ran up the rery; respectable scores of 19 and 16 respectively. 'Paul's Eleven now. went in, and only made 58 runs, six of the batsmen making duck eggs. . In the second innings, Colyer's Eleven scored 71, Bailey mating the high score of 22, while Cross and; Anderson made 12 each. . Anderson, it might be ] remarked, traversed the distance betwixt the wickets at an amazingly rapidspeed ; in feet his running seemed to puzzle his co-wicket-keepers, and he managed to run out three or four of them in a very short time, to tbe,opposite of advantage to his side. Paul's Eleven, with 8 -svickets togo down, scored 83 in their second innings. :Mr. Marchant in this innings, "went in first, and carried his bat;, out; with ; the : unusually large; score of 60. The victory was therefore ■ .won by Paul's Eleven by oherun, with 8 wickets to spare. A considerable number, of spectators^mustered on the ground during the course of the afternoon, and the scene was farther enlivened. by ; the presence of the Provincial Brass Band, which played^ at intervals a. selection of music, with very j^opd effect; ".-. \:;.;;"\::'.vv-'- . .; ... ~\/"i ':". .:;. "'}:' i: ■ The Ot ago Baily: Times, of 17tli; instant, '.reports. * ' ihat during., tie month of August last the imrai- - gration to upa^ixifvora places beypn^Lthe colony, :-^B9-^29 males, 36 feniaks, W;b^ arid 12 gir> ; 9O& from plae«-wthm' : tli^' i boloi^^7'-'inales,^S2 - females, -1# poje, and 9 &\B. It :Vann£ the satne :' period-$e haigfr^vM^^^ girls ;■•;. and to pwrnnees -within the eoloxtyy 6X9 i&a&e» } 324 females, 8 boys, «ad 6 girla.

—HTlie'-'foTlovring are' the"- particulare of ? theimmi- j ■gratioh and emigration- at ;theportrof InvercargilL foi\the .-. quarter ending f 3O th" - September,- 1864 :rj(1) Jmmigration.^Ei'oni colonies, 3 btlier Voi't^ofNe^r 1 Zealatia, .99 male adults, 27 female "adults, 13 -"children; "■■ Total "-number ' of , arrivals' for. quarter -149. ; :.-> (2) Emigration viv; :— —To . Australian ■>■ Colonies, ; 20 nialo adults, 3 female adults,! s ciiildren.;\.To other ports of New Zealand— Si male adults, 33 female , adults, 17 -children.— Total, 143- .;. ' Early on the morning- o£ the : 2lsb ulfc., the attention of a constable on duty was attracted by the sight of a flame of , fire in the direction of ' the Town Belt. iHe immediately .proceeded. to^the spot, and discovered 'the wooden eliimney of a tont occupied by a man named Crossley, and liis mates, to be on fire. The inmates were asleep, but on being aroused, they,,- with ther opportune assistance of Furby, the constable, extinguished, the, fire --before it. reached the tent..; It had originated. from a fire left buriiiiig in the fire-place of the tent after tho inmates went to, bed. Thursday', (ISthinst.) being th'ehalf-ycarlySacra-mentalFast-day of the! Presbyterian Cliurch in Invercargill, was very; generally observed as a holiday in town. The. banks, G-overnnicnt offices, and. principal' places of business, remained closed fclie .-whole' day. . "•It is rumored thab a. further reduction in the ■pay; of: the constabulary 'force, in addition to what took, place some few months ago, will be made from and after, the Ist of iSToveinber proximo. The N6. 3 locomotive arid tender, for tho Great Northern Kail-Tray, was,' we • believe, completed at Ballaarat ''on the 3rd inst. This engine is an exact counterpart of the one which is now daily running- between Invercargill and the Waihopai. There is a slight difference only hi appearance, the No. 3 being a little more ornamental than her predecessor. Each engine is 60-horse power nominal. The manufacturers have got into great favor from the manner in which they have turned out the two engines, and hopes were expressed by several gentlemen who visited the works, on the above date, for the purpose of witnessing the first trial of the engine before shipment, that it would not be the last contract of this description for which they would be the successful tenderers. The schooner Leonidas, the vessel which brought the first, engine here, has arrived in Melbourne, and will probably be chartered to bring this one clown, as her hatchway was made larger expressly for shipping the No. 2. We notice that the contractor for the railway (Mr. J. R. Davies) is determined to do all in his power to have everything in readiness for the opening of the line, as the ballasting is being carried on almost night and day. A meeting of the Election Committee was held in Colyer's Princess Hotel, Dee-street, last night, 200 i ult. The folkir-ng were present: — Messrs. iluaiv, Pratt, Osborne, Button, Hare, Tapper, ana | M'Donald. Mr. Davies, junior, was voted an additional member of the Committee. A long and very desultory discussion then took place on the proper duties to be undertaken by the Committee, but nothing liko unanimity could be arrived at. At length 'Mr. Munro moved a resolution to the effect " that the Secretary be instructed to invite the gentlemen whose names have been proposed, to meet the electors with a v.ew to becoming candidates." Mr. Hare seconded the resolution. Mr. Osborne proposed, as an amendment, " that the meeting adjourn until "Wednesday evening, and that the secretary be r quested to advertise the same in the newspapers." The amendment found no seconder, and it consequently foil to the ground. Mr. Munro's resolution was then carried by a majority of five to two. The meeting then proceeded to the naming of more gentlemen, who, in then- opinion, should be requested to become can didates for the Provincial Council. The names of Messrs. Matthew Price, Watson (Bank of New Zea land) Bright , and Morton, were added to the list o. eligible candidates, if they chose to come forward It "was then resolved upon that the secretary be requested to convene a public meeting of the electors, in the same place, on the evening of Thursday first, and that the gentlemen whose names had been proposed as candidates should be requested to be present, During the proceedings, Mr. Osbomc, one of the members of the committee, gave in his resignation, assigning as a reason that his views differed with those of themajority present. The Otago Daily Times of 17th inst. says : — '•' The organ built by Messrs. Telicrd and Son, of Dublin, for St. Paul's Cliurch, in this city, is now in course of erection, and will be completed in a few days. Judging from what we have already seen and heard, this organ will prove to be the best, and certainly the most powerful, instrument in the Australian Colonies. It is intended to open it by special services on Sunday, the 25th inst., when Mr. G-eorge Loder will preside at the organ. The choir will be considerably augmented on the occasion. Mr. Loder has, by the kind permission of Mr. Lvster, commenced to practice the choir in the music intended to be sung ; and it is expected the choral portion of the opening service will be most effectively given. It is satisfactory to know that there is reason to expect an early liquidation of the debt incurred by the purchase of the organ." An adjourned general meeting of tho Town Board was held on the 29th ult. at the Board Room, Tay-strcet. The business transacted was the hearing of appeals in the matter of the assessment of town property. Some half-dozen cases were disposed of, and the meeting then adjourned. The ordinary fortnightly meeting then took place. A committee was appointed to draw up bye-laws, &c, and a special meeting was resolved on, to take phvc on Friday, 30th inst., for the purpose of cor s derii g the avrarl in the arbitration cases — Campbell an.i Robertson v. Town Board. This terminated the proceedings. A self-acting punt has just been constructed by Messrs. Whitton and Co. on the Kawarau River, as Cromwell, and inaugurated amidst general rejoicings. On the same day, Messrs. Barry and Murray, of the Victoria Butchery, were each preseuted'with a handsome gold watch, of the value of twenty guineas, in recognition of their exertions in destroying the late monopoly in the article of butcher meat. On Tuesday, (20th ult.), as the immigrants employed the railway station, in Esk-street, were at work, by the Q-overnment in forming the approaches to they came upon a small box, apparently containing human remains. It was found at the extreme, end of the street, and only a short distance from the railway station. Detective Thompson ordered the box to be removed to the police station, where an examination was made, and where it and contents now lie. The box was broken by the picks of the workmen before they observed what it was. It iras evident, however, that it liad con- j fcained the body of an infant wliich was -wrapped up in a portion of a dark cloth mantle or coat. The only remains now left are what appear to be three pieces of the skull, and several small bones. The. body evidently has been under ground for a period of five or, six .years, as the box was in an extremely rotten condition,., and the contents, with the above exceptions, had become entirely decomposed. The last of the Free Course of Lectures was delivered on Tuesday (20th ult.), in the Mechanics' Institute, by Mr. J. S. Johnstone, on the "History of Scottish- Poetry." There was a full house present on 'the. occasion, and the lecturer was listened to with evident pleasure by all. Mr. Bonar, nenior., presided oh the occasion: At the close of the lecture, Mr. T.L. Bright,' the hon. secretary to the Winter, Evening Lecture movement, read the following ., report r :— " The, promoters of the Free Lecture movement desire,, on the occasion of the conclusion of the 'course/ to submit- a brief statement of the eir'eum-" stances, in which the movement- originated, andof the reasons which. : haye- induced then* to. auepend their separate ; operations, and ...to.. combine., .with the C^dm^mittce" of tho Mechanics' Institute in a' common effort to provide for tho public of Invercargill & permanent and ! effective Literary Institution. The? original: design of ■tho. Free Lectures was to, afford, an lot intel- ,, ; .lec.tu.at recreation', Tvhicli no.exiflfcing , x>rgatiisa|iori presented, \ whilst it 'was hoped " that ; t-honld ,'the \ eipmraenif prov^ succegeful, kiaricL meet with any * general public support, some more definite and

comprehensive movement might spring put of it. His Honor Mr. Justioe Chapman kradly consented to inaugurate the course, and eight lectures have since-been delivered on consecutive Tuesday evenings to large, attentive, arid w£ll : pleasedaudiences. The public interest; felt in these lectures. has gradually grown, arid on a recent' occasion the Chairman dedared that the number of peraona congregated was larger than he had ever 'Seen /assembled on and previous occasion in invcrcargill. The want of a suitable room centrally situated, and at the service of the lecturers, ihado thorn only - too glad ; to accept the - • liberal offer made' to thenrby the Rev. CvSßarle,of St. Paul's, and tho managers of the Presbyterian Church, of the free Use of those buildings. .-...1t ; was subsequently doemed desirable, howevor, that the use of the Hall of the Mechanics' Institute should bo secured j for this purpose. -At the close of Mr. Justice Chapman's lecture, a resolution was, passedjin favor of the.. establishment of ; a : Public Free Library. Whilst the pecuniary results of these lecture's left little" hope to the promoters of finding themselves in a position to ; form such a library as a distinct institution, it appeared to them 'that the spirit ; of .the resolution would bo best carried out by rendering assistance to the .Committee of tlie Mechanics' Institution, to enable them to throw open its doors, and invite tho public to come in and partake of a well-fur-nished banquet of literature and science. It was remembered that there was a hall which a trilling expenditure might render as comfortable as it was commodious, a. convenient reading-room, the valuable nucleus of a library, and considerable accommodation for classes and other' machinery of instruction. In seeking in the first instance tho free use of this hall, the lecturers had in riew only the indirect benefits that might be expected to accrue to the institution from the general revival of public interest in the objects for which it was established. But the proposal of amalgamation and united action grow naturally out of the intercourse established between the two committees. A conference was invited and held, and it was found that so entirely was there a common object in view, that a union of effortwas the only sensible policy to -adopt. Kb machinery could be more available than that furnished" by the Mechanics' Institute, if vitality could be imparted to it. Nothing was necessary to give it life and vigour, but an adequate public support. And that that support coiddbe secured, provided the proper means were taken to deserve it, the success of the Lecture movement seemed amply to demonstrate. The lecturers therefore determined to throw in their Jot with the Committee of the institute, and the new arrangements that have already been announced through the Press is the result. New life will bo infused into tlio management o£ the institute : tlie example set by the lecture movement .will bo copied and improved upon j a varied and comprehensive programme of lectures and other entertainments will be prepared ; and it is hoped that the committee will meet with such a measure of support as will enable them to effect immediate improvements in this building, to well stock their library shelves, and to supply all the attractions of an Athenaoum or flourishing Mechanics' Institution in the old country. A statement of the receipts and expenditure of the Lecture Committee will be immediately published for general information, and the new programme of the Mechanics' Institute will be straightway announced." A meeting of the trustees of the Southland Savings' Bank was held on the 20th ult.,in the office of His Honor tho Superintendent, at noon. There were present Dr. Menzies, vice-president ; Messrs. Calder, John M'Donald, D. M'Donald, Harnett, Rout, and the manager, Mr. A. Bonar, senior. The meeting was called for the purpose of hearing the report of the solicitor employed to revise the rules and regulations as prepared by the sub-commitetc. This was accordingly done, and several immaterial amendments having been made, tho meeting ultimately adopted them. A meeting of the Local Committee of the New Zealand Exhibition was held yesterday afternoon in tho office of His Honor the Superintendent. The following gentlemen were present, viz. : — His Honor Dr. Mcnzies, H. M'.Culloch, Esq., G-. S. W. Dalrymple, Jlsq., J. F. Dundas, Esq., Dundas, junr.,' Esq., J. 11. Baker, Esq., J. Harnett, Esq., D. M* Arthur, Esq., — March ant, Esq., Dr. J. P. Deck, Dr. James P. Murray, T. L. Bright, Esq.. and tho Secretary Mr. J. B. Taylor. His Honor the Superintendent occupied the chair. The Secretary having read the minutes of last meeting, which were duly confirmed, the chairman called upon the gentlemen having the management of the different departments of exhibits to report upon the amount of space wliich would probably be required. Messrs. Dundas and Dalrymple, in the departments of fine arts and fibres respectively, had little to report, and they held out but small hopes of the Province being well represented in these matters. Mr. Marchant reported that about forty feet of wall or counter space would be required for models of machinery. The secretary stated that, in addition to these models, Mr. Bray ton had promised to exhibit a brass model of a brick-making machine, for which he had obtained' a patent in Melbourne. Mr. Bright had been requested to obtain space for the model of a fire extinguishing machine and alarum, to prevent house-breaking, invented by Mr. Dixon, of this town. The virtues of this machine, as detailed to the meeting, appeared to be of a rather novel, not to say wonderful, character. For example, on the attempt at house-breaking being made, the machine wa3 so constructed that it would show the word "thieves" illuminated, and also perform the feat of pointing in which direction the foiled robbers had decamped ! It was thought desirable to hare this machine exhibited as one of the manufactures of Soutliland. The question of the expensuofforwavdingunportcdarticlcafallitigoiithe committee was next considered, when it was decided that the parties desiring to exhibit such articles might do so at their own cost The Committee, however, would see that they were properly looked after. The space allotted for the Province being considered much too small, it was moved by Mr. Bright, and seconded by Mr. M'Arthur, that application be made for 1700 feet of additional lloor space, thus making 2000 feet in all, with a proportionate amount of wall space. The subject of finance was then mooted, and a long and desultory discussion ensued on the best method of ' collecting a sudiciency of funds to meet the expenses incidental to the enterprise. It -was at length moved by Dr. Murray, and seconded by Mr. Dalrymple, "That subscription lists be opened, and a copy sent to each member of the committee, with a request that he should use every endeavour to obtain subscriptions — town lists to be returned within fourteen days, and country lists within a month." This wa3 carried unanimously. On the motion of Mr. Dalrymple, seconded by Mr. liarnebt, Me. Taylor .the secretai-y, was likewise appointed treasurer to the committee. The meeting was then proceedto discuss in what form the public should bo informed of the sending in of the exhibits, when it was agreed to remit tln3 to the secretary, who should° report on the subject to an adjourned meeting to be held to-morrow, at the same hour and place. On the 23rd tilt., the well-known runholdcrs Messrs. Douglas,. Aldcrson and Co., made application at the Land Oifice for nearly forty-six thousand acres of land to purchase. It is very gratifying to Observe- this, and it may go far to show that al} do not entertain the same gloomy and desponding opinions of "the position of the Province of Southland, and that wo may soon reasonably hope for a, sure though gradual ' return : to a better and •more prosperous state of things. It may be well to mention, too, that as the new land, regulations do .'.not .come into force for a few days yet, parties making application for land of course purchase on -tlieternis at present existing The new Waste Lands' Act will raise the \ price,, so that. all who intend to purchase ' -could not sekea more favorable opportunity, than fclio, present. ; -..,.. : -../., , .; .. ■-.. : ; ■An adjourned meeting iof , the Local Committee in connection with the New Zealand Exhibition waiiiicld in tho office of His Honor the Superintendent -on tlio ; afUirnoon- of jthc 23rd ult., W four o y clockt f.Thcre 'wore present :r~-Hia HonorDr.-Men-zjicß, (in tho chair) Messrs. M'CuUoch.Bakor, Bright,

Dundfls junr., palrymnla, Dr. ; Murray, and the Rev. W. P:: . banner. .-Tha object for which the meeting -had been; called was to consider fully . the financial . position , 0f... the committee, and to'decide upon the form in which the wishes and intentions of fche committee should become known to intending exhibitors, and- the public generally. -The- secretary, -Mr.-J.-B: Taylor, reported that "in tho course of one day, 'he had collected the sum of £3S Us. in subscriptions' in town. The meeting was highly pleased with the success of tho Secretary's exertions, but one or two members did not think- that" it would bs fair to saddle tho committee with the responsibility of raising, all. tho funds which would : bo required. After a long discussion His .Honor promised that the Government would ' guarantee "at least £100, and- very possibly before Christmas it might bo in a position to hand the committee the full amount originally voted -for the purposes of the Exhibition (£200). : ,The subscription sheets were handed round to the members present, and the meeting adopted, with r some amendments, the advertisement which' the secretary had drawn ; up, detailing -the regulations- lor, . the sending ■ in, . of exhibits , and general directions ,to exhibitors. The meeting voted £10 for the purpose of advertising this set of resolutions, and also .£3O for the purpose of re-imbu'using the secretary in current outlays. From the advertisement, to be seen elsewhere, it is stated that, as there is to be a local exhibition of the Southlandexhibits, allarticles should be sent in without delay. The committee, at its nest meeting, on the sth proximo, will bd in a position to intimate the last day after which no articles can be sent for exhibition. The Catholic Bishop of Wellington, we arc informed, may bo expected in Invercargill about the end of October, to officiate at the consecration of the newly erected chapel for the use of the Roman Catholic body in this town. Hi 3 movements are said to bo tho following, viz :— He will leave Wellington on the 4th of next month for Ota<*o, where his stay will continue for about three weoks. He will then come on to Invercargill, and after consecrating the chapel will proceed to Queenstown, visiting the Lake District on his return to Dunedin. A general meeting of the Town Board was held on Thursday 23rd ult., in the Board Room, Taystreet, for the purpose of hearing appeals against the amended assessments. There were fifty-three appeals lodged against the value-to-let of properties situated in various parts of the town. Several of these were dismissed; the evidence of the appellants themselves showinn- that although the rate fixed (Is. 6d. per pound on 10 and 15 per cent, respectively on the annnal-value-to-let of improved and unimproved sections) was considered excessive, yet the estimated annual value did not exceed what was deemed by them a fair rental. The appeals oi Mr W "Lind and Messrs. William Young and Co., fov whom Mr. C. E. Button appeared, were sustained. The Board reserved their decision on the case of Mr. Maedonald, teacher, Leven-strect, who insisted that his property-, the grammar school there, came under the designation of properties which were exempt within the meaning of tho Ordinance. In tlie case of parties who had been served with their " notice papers" too late to enable them to appeal within ten days to the present meeting, it was intimated that another general meeting of the Board would be held on the 28th inst., for the purpose of hearing any further appeals which may be made. . . On the 23rd ult. the volunteers met as usual m their drill hall— tho store lately occupied by Messrs. C. N. Campbell and Co. Some importance was attached to the occasion, not merely from its being ■m " Adjutant's drill," but because the commissioned officers' capabilities for their respective duties were to be tested by a severe ordeal. Thus, captain, lieutenant, and ensign were subjected to Adjutant Junor, who requested of each in turn to put the corps through various evolutions. This was ou the whole satisfactorily done, but how the gallant gentlemen passed their theoretical examination after the company " broke off," we do not know, it being protracted till a late hour. Above a dozen recruits were sworn in after the regular drill was over, so that, if one may ju£ge from the number at present on the roll, there seems to bo a vigorous vitality in the Southland Volunteer Rifle Corps. • A Coroner's Inquest took place at the Newmarket Hotel, Dee-street, on the 21th ult., on the body of Hugh M'Gowan, who had been found dead near his residence at Grove Bush, on the morning of Thursday last. The following evidence was adduced : — Charles Laurie deposed that he was a farmer residing at Grove Bush. Deceased and witness lived together. On Thursday mornino- deceased came into the house, and asked witness' daughter for the gun. It was about ten minutes past six o'clock. When deceased got up that morning he kindled the fire as usual, put on the kettle, and then washed himself. Deceased then went out, and returning in a few minutes asked for witness' gun, which witness' daughter gave to him. Deceased then went out, and in about five or ten minutes witness heard a report. The gun was loaded when deceased took it. He was accustomed to go out of a morning to shoot cacaws, pigeons, and woodhens. Witness got up soon after the report, and cooyed for deceased to come for breakfast; but as deceased did not come, witness thought that he was following up a pigeon. Witness went and took breakfast. Finding 3 deceased did not come afterwards, witness and his daughter went out to the swamp in front of the house, and then to the saw-pit at the back of the house. We were standing together when the girl gripped witness round the waist and said >: There he lies." Deceased was lying on his back, with his hat on, with his gun lying as if it had fallen from his left hanrl. Doeeasod's licaj was lying on open ground, but about three leOj from his feet there was a large quantity of sorubbj-, stuff, about six or seven feet. Deceased's llogf g hand was lying clenched on his breast, and hi fc right hand "was lying on his thigh. Hai no noticed anything peculiar in deceased's manner' He came from Invercargill on the Wednesday morning ; he had evidently been drinking, but he was well enough that evening when ho went to bud. Witness wa3 in partnership with deceased Deceased had been up three or four tunes to the Long Ford since the 16 th July, to get some money he had lent there and when he came back, about a fortnight since, he was quite dissatisfied, because tho party denied having it. In reply to the jury, witness said — " The butt of the gun was about" two and a half feet from deceased's feet, with the muzzle pointing in a slanting direction from the body. Both hammers of the gun were down, one barrel was loaded and the other discharged ; the locks arc good, and if tko hammers were drawn back a slight, distance by a ; twin-, it would snap off a cap."' Euphemia Laurie, daughter of the preceding "witness, gave corroborative evidence. Adam Swan deposed that he was in partnership with his brother-in-law, Mr. Esdaile, and resided at Grove Bush. ..On Thursday morning, about 9 o'clock, Laurie came down to Esdaile's, and said that he had found Hugh's body lying in the bush. Witness said,, ■■' it Is strange ; -how has it been done ? " Laurie said, " I cannot tell, but he is lying in the bush, shot." Laurie then asked witness to come into town and report it, and witness did so. . Deceased and Laurie always seemed to be on good tcrins. Witness saw M'Gowan on Sunday last •' lie seemed just as usual— quite happy, and was speaking pj what he was going to do, in future. .Deceased spoke of leaving Mr. Laurie, on the place, and' said, that he would go on tho .roads driving^gaiii., Dr. Murray, having made a post mort em/c±ami nation, described the positionof the wound, ang said that perhaps the most likely position when tho charge was fired was by deceased stoopink over the.muzzle of the gun,;: and that he fell bucfrom '"tho explosion. Police-sergeant Butlor deposed to tho finding of the. body, and gave other corroborative testimony "to ( tho habits of, deceased. "Ralph Shaw fiaid 1 thafc- : ho had known the deceased for; two years, and' saw him in town on last Monday, or Tuesday. Had known". Mr. Laurie for a. short .time. Had not noticed any change. in" W&ovtw lately. M'Gowan was a hard' drinking ; m'aii' at\£un>9, 'and, used then; to be half crahky.< ; Last Tuesday, deceased - told - witness that ho thought of selling off his horfro

andJ r dray,"lQaying Lfluriefiii the place, arid going to Que.ensk^d;-^ :^He'' C see ; iiied ; ;'to' ; be I 'm low spirits. He; said," Tell no one. that lam going, away; .say nothing, about it ; but^you'll; -never ; hear , oft me any more."- .- Laurie and deceased appeared to be ozx good terms. .The jury^found .'..that, the deceased met 'with his' death by a gun"- shot w.oiind^whilst. the gun was in his own hands ; but there' was no evidence to. show how the gun was fired. . A remarkably fine sample of Nokomai gold has been received by Messrs. ; Hare and Bull of ; this town from Mr. M'Kehna/ of Queenstown.; It consists of forty ounces, the finding of ono party of miners; For one of the nuggets Mr. M'Eenna reports" that: he was; dfferbd* 90s. i per ounce, but this: high offer was refused.,; This .nuggot may now be seen at the shop of , Mr. .Isaac Broad, Watchmaker, Tay-street^ It weighs two ounces, and is of an elongated shape, with a very slight mixture of pearly quartz. : A more perfect specimen of gold is seldom to be seen. .The accounts received: from the, Nokbraai ; ; diggings are jof the most encouraging nature; ;; si U '' f r : . -/ .';'■■ Great dissatisfaction is expressed by parties coining intorlnvcrcargill from JSTokomairand other mining districts, with quantities of gold, they wish to dispose of, that the ''-price"" given" paid by the Banks here is so snialL '-•- In fact itis below what can be got for.it on the ...goldfields .them-, selves/ .TJie price of gold on the i Lake and JNakomai diggings is £3 los.^ and £3 14s. 6cl;j respectively •, and the price in Invercargill is £3 145., thus offering no inducement, but the reverse, to parties to dispose of their gold here. A storekeeper from the Jfokomai, unaware of the Invercargill price of gold, with": the greatest difficulty yesterday got dS3 14s. 6d; per oz-, for. 17 ounces of gold. He says that if he had previously known of such a state of matters, he would have taken his gold to another market. The chief evil, however, arising from this niggardliness or short-sighted-ness on the part of the Banks here, is that it effectually puts a stop to trade. " If storekepeers could get a fair price for their gold here (we believe £3 16s. is the Dunedin price), they would purchase their stores here; but this not being the case, they forsake Invercargill, and go to a more favorable market. It is scarcely necessary for.us to point out how damaging such a state of matters ■ i 3 to the trade of Invercargill. We do hope that the banks here, will afford the Dunedin price for o-old, or at all events a profit on what it can be purchased for on the goldfields. An adjourned meeting of the Joint Committee of the Mechanics' Institute and the Evening Lecturemovement was held : in the office of Mr. J." S. Johnston, registrar, on the 30th ult. There were present Messrs. South, Stock, Bright, Johnstone, and Geisow." Mr. Bright occupied the chair. The committee appointed to canvass the town for subscribers to the new Institute, reported that eighty-six, names were already guaranteed, and great confidence was felt that this number wou'.d be easily increased. It was resolvel to . call a meeting of the inhabitants for the evening of Tuesday next, at which the acting committee of the new Institute should be appointed, and a series of resolutions respecting the future management of tho Institution submitted. The course of lectures in connection with the Institute will, i . is proposed, be resumed the "week following. A meeting of the Local Committee in connection with the New' Zealand Exhibition, took place on the 10th instant, in the office of His Honor the Superintendent. There were present :—DrVMenzies, (chair), Messrs. M'Culloch, Baker, Bright, Dundas, senior and junior, &c. The minutes of last meeting having been read and approved of, Mr. M'Culloch, on behalf of the sub-committee, . appointed at the previous meeting, submitted thenreport on the financial state of the local committee, from which it appeared that, after taking into account the sums already promised and ; paid, as also that to be received from the Provincial Government, there will be a sum of £155 to be collected for the defrayment of the expenses contingent on the proper representation of the Province, hi the Exhibition at Dunedin. For the purpose of. liquidating this sum of £155, it was agreed upon that guarantee lists should be issued to persons who should undertake to collect contributions, in aid of the purposes of the Exhibition, of not less an amount than £5, or to guavantee such sum. It was also arranged that as there was to be a local Exhibition of the Southland exhibits held in Invercargill, previous to their transmission to Dunedin, the 10th of November was fixed as the latest day on which articles could be sent in. The articles of wool and maps were excepted. The hall of the Mechanics' Institute was suggested as a suitablo place in which to hold the Invercargill Exhibition. Tho future meetings of the committee will hereafter take place weekly, on Mondays, at four o'clock p.m. The following tenders have been accepted by. His Honor the Superintendent : — Messrs. Cochran, '"• Granger and Blackwood, for groceries for the gaol ; °Messr3. R. Wale, and Brunton and Co., for sweeping chimneys ; Mr. R. Onyon, for lease of bonded warehouse. Campbelltown. The Supreme Court Sittings at Invercargill will commence on the 12 th inst. By a notification in the New Zealand Gazette, we observo that the sessions hereafter will be held quarterly, on the 12th October,. 12th January, 12th April, and 12th July, in each year. At a sitting of the Licensing Court (sth inst.), the following new applications for publicans' licenses were granted : — William Nahr, Robert Burns Hotel, Campbelltown ; William Mortlock, New York Dining Rooms, Esk-street, Invcrcargill. . ; A correspondent residing in Riverton informs us that a well attended meeting of the members of the proposed Riverton Rifle' "Volunteer Company took place on.the evening of the 26th ult., in the 'Marine Hotel there. W. H. Nurse, Esq., J.P., and M.P.C., occupied the chair. The reply oi' Ca.pt. Junor, Adjutant of fche Militia aud" Volunteer Forces in the Province, was received, in answer to their offer of the services of -the company. His reply was very favorable and encouraging to the movement, and he hoped soon to be in a position to inform them that the sanction, of the authorities in Auckland had been secured. The communication of the Adjutant likewise recommended the appointment of oilieers pro tern. The nicetino- then proceeded to the election of captain, when the chairman, W. H. Nurse, Esq., was chosen. The only other appointments made at this time were those of drill-sergeant aiid paymaster, when the choice fell upon Messrs. G: Cas'sels'aud Crerar respectively. Great interest is manifested in the Volunteer movement in Riverton. A meeting of the local Committeiin connection with the New Zealand Exhibition, was held in the offices of His Honor the Superintendent, on the sth instant. There were present- Dr. ' Menzies (in the chair), Messrs. M'Culloch, Dundas, Harnett, JBaker, M' Arthur,'- and the Rev. - Mr... Tanner. The minutes of ibnner meeting having been read and confirmed, the Secretary, .Mr^J; B. stand there will' be a second lecture delivered" on the subject of phrenology, by one" who holds oppositeviews on the question to ' Dr. Berndt. The" next lecture, 'to be delivered on : Monday first, will be given -, by Mr, Perkins, on- "; Lighthouses and Lightships.", The attendance .on' Tuesday evening was a large and respectable, one. .. . ; ; - A meeting. of the, shareholders of, .the. Southland Grain Mills' Company took place in the Southland Club ' Hotel on Tuesday (llthinst.) Mr: Matthew Holmes' presided on the 1 occasion^ Mr. .John Macdonald submitted' a draft of the; prospectus of the company, which was : considered, by. the meeting. .It w:as also arranged that . a call of ss. per share be made to defray the cost of bringing the advantages and claiin3 of tlie i company before the public.. -.- :' ' ' : " ' : - We understand that all the arrangements have been made by the Government for the ioffieial opening. of tho Northern ! Railway on -Tuesday next, tho 18th. -instant... • Monday, the 17th, was the day previously appointed, and^the chango will bo regretted by ! many,' as the 18th, being English Mail day, -wilU ho ; anything^ but a convenient ono to many •of thoße - who have. ;been honored with invitations. : ,< As i wo ; previously stated, Mr. J. F. Jonps, of, the Southland. : Club Hotel, lias be.on appointed purveyor of .r^freshinonts for 'tho bccasionV.antlwe have; little 'doubt; that tho opening of thej.flrst railway in Southland will come off with proper 'eclat.

Taylor/ reporte^tbit he 1 had cplle^^pion^ed subscriptions, in? aia-of tha expenwi to be incurred in the enterprise, to the amount of £691 35; J:;' He -had had only one subscriptionlist returned tb^hm, and that was from Mr. Watt, of 'Campb'elltpwn, bf the sum of '£l3 123.^ collected by iiim there. The secretary likewise" reporteci that lie had received a reply from Dr. Ecclesj of Dunedin, intimating r th'at a- total floor-space; of five hundred square feet would be allotted for the Province of Southland.' A long dracussioh now ensued orfthc subject of funds wherewith to carry out the work of a thorough and/ satisfactory representation of the ' rosources; &c., of SouthlandOne or two; members present entertained very gloomy ideas on tho success of the undertaking, and others evinced themselves very chary of being saddled with any liabilities in connection with it ;. but after one or two resolutions had . been proposed arid discussed, the following, proposed by Mr. M'Arthur, and seconded by Mr. M'Culloch, was adopted by the. meeting,- viz.— "That; the members" of committee will do their best to 'collect subscriptions and co-operate with the Government in collecting and forwarding exhibits,, proyided the Government will guarantee the i payment of any deficiency, (if. any such deficiency should arise) in the funds required." Mr. Tanner then movbd, and Mr. M'Culloch seconded, a resolution to 'the efPect "That" the Government be requested to settle with Mr. Taylqf, tlie;S6cre« tary up tothe presWnt time, and: that the Superintendent, and Messrs; M'Culloch, Dundas, and Baker," •be appointed v' committee to mate any future fiiian6ial arrangements:" This -motion waa carried without opposition. A desultory conversation then took place, from which it was gathered that the committee' still- intend to continue thenappeal to the public for pecuniary assistance, and that they desire all exhibits to be sent in- without delay to the Secretary at the Grovernment Buildings. The proceedings then terminated. ; ; In our issue of the sth inst. it would be observed that a person named Nichol O'Donald had been brought up the Resident ' Magistrate on a charge of cattle stealing at River ton, under the name of David Johnston, and that the" case being clearly one pf <mistakeh identity, he was consequently discharged. * O'Donald's case/ however, being a very :hard one: having: been brought all the way from Picton to answer ithe charge; Mr. Commissioner Weldon lias made to the Provmcial'G-pvernmeht on the subject, and the result is that O'Do:n«-?d .will* be sent back* to Picton at its expense. 'The appearance- of the man " wanted" 'and that of O'D^onal&are said'to differ widely, and it becomes a question* of <nb small moment how far any person i§ safe from arrest at the handsof such men^as Serjeant ißergin. - The mere compliment of being; granted-: a .free passage to the place where arrested; it is: to be feared, Tvould not satisfy every, one. iN"or vrHl the Province, compelled to incur suck uncalled-foi' outlay, -"sfcel itself justified in dohng. out from its coffers what may justly be; considered the penalties attaching to "oificial bungling in another. A general meeting of the United Invercargill Cricket Club was held' on the sth mat. in Colyer'* Princess Hotel, Dee-street. ' Mr. Kirigsland occupied the chair. The" business transacted was the following : — lt was proposed by Mr^ Scandrett, and seconded by Mr/Eout, and . carried, " That the thanks of the club ' be* given' to the old committee for their exertions in bringing- the business of the club ia the past year to'a'successfulissue." The past treasurer then reported that there was a balance in hand of a-fewpounds- from the past year. Ifwas then proposed by Mr. Qolyer, and seconded by Mr. Cross, -and- carried,- "That the following gentlemen be appointed the committee for the coming .. season, ...viz-— Messrs. Kingsland, Rout, Colyer,. Cross, Curtain, Scandrett, Wade, Dundas, arid Paul, with "power to add to their 'number." It was next proposed by Sir. Rout, and seconded by Mr. Cross, that Mr: Marchant be requested": to~act as secretary.—Carried. Mr. Scandrett afterwards moved "That Mr. Colyer -be requested-to -act as treasurer." • Mr. Rout seconded the motion, whick was carried unanimously. - It -was-agreod that the next meeting of committee- should take i place on the evening of Monday, first, thcJsVnie to be cpnvened by advertisement. V The following members were enrolled, viz. :— Messrs. Golyer, Rout, Cross, Frew, Dundas, Wade, Boriaiy Paul, Scandrett, Duff, Cartain, and Kingsland. "TKe membera of the club will meet for practice 5 oh iSaturday firat, at 2 p.m. On the authority of Mr. Daniel Bray, ■ 'Benior pilot, we are informed that one of -the lighters, named the " Why Not," trading between Invercargill and' Bluff Harbor, _ >yas . lost on Saturday : afternoon, on the passage to the latter' port. At that .part where the unfortunate " G-uiding Star " still lies, tlie channel is always shifting, and it happens at present that vessels passing require 'to pass within five or six feet of the wreck. The "Why 2foty" however, by some unforeseen mischance, came into collision with the "Star," and shortly afterwards went dowa also. She was owned arid commanded by Captain Burke, arid had a _ light, cargo on board for the Blufiv We hope this fresh disaster will arouse the authorities to the necessity of clearing the channel of the; unsightly Tvreck of *the " Gruidhig Star." ; It forms a serious obstruction to vessels at that part, where the -channels' are bo narrow and so liable to change. The "Star,": we are informed, is the property of the Bank of New South Wales, and if so, we should recommend the directors, at once to perforni what -should have been done long ago, either by the Grovernment or the owners, i.e., clear the channel of this dangerous impediment to the free and safe navigation between the two ports. . ...-:. ... - ";. .. . ; The mail steamer, this month brought a : Very fine set of instruments, sent out by the /British Meteorological Society, to their. New Zealand observer, Mr. Charles Rous Marten,^ the lately." appointed Meteorological Director for this Province■l Wei are glad to'iwmovince that the gross proceeds of the bazaar in ai&of the buildiug.fund of the Church of England ariiounfc to. 'up wards of £260, not including tneißivertbri ' section, ;SThich r after being raffied for arid producing £28, was, won by the Church. Taking the value; of: this'section at the low figure of-£2sj it ; is expected, that a free balance of; something: like £2301 wilL- be at thedisposal of the Church,-a resuife\whichi^s considered- highly satisfactory, takings. into: account the shorb .period' in which' preparations: .were; made, and ; -the very] unfavorable .-weather prevailing during !the time 'the. bazaar (lasted; n Some,; sixty ladies and gentlemen met hi the-Stationßuildiriga on -Thursday Evening arid' enjoyedvailfew 'hours tripping of the "light fantastic toe/, as % [finale to the; bazaar. ■ The company was select, and the utmost harmony prevailed. ': ' *-.'.!• :, V - -.. Messrs. Kieming and Mortoiiihave mSde^ application at the Waste Lands Ofßce for 12,000-acre« of land in the Aparima : District, arid \U,926- acre* -in- the IJotliian and Mabel- Districts; ■ — • .We obserro tliat an: additional 6rnani6»t na» .been; added to our. ;ah*eady hanclsojne^railway station, in the shape of a large clock, placed immediately "6^. "r tJu principal eiltrahce,; and facing . Erfk-street. This clock has been manufactured expressly for this building, by~Elder, of "Bourkestreet^. Melbourne, and i 3 ah-eady recording tho tinie as it _ flies. The dial is thirty iriehea in diairie.ter, and the figures and" hour and minute • hands are so proiriiriontly^ yet clearly, defined, .th»t passers-by on Eee-strect^ or even further up Eskstreet, will; easily, at "that distance, reaoTthe time of day.' It is capable of being illurairiate'd/ for service in the night as"well as day time."* The first lecture under the auspices of the Invercargill ; Mechanics' Institute, since its xesuscitatioa once more into an active arid useful existeiice, wa» doKvered on Tuesday_(llthinst.) in the hall of the " iristitutiori", by f ,Dr.- /Borndt.- - The" lecturerl cliose for Jiis subject— " I?hfenolpgy," its liistqry arid analysis— demonstrated "on skulls." Mr. South, wlio was called to Jtho , chair, 3fiofly" introduced thejloctor, who thereupon, proceecled to .deliver amoat instrHctive dißwmree. first pn/th^ vie-sys , .entertained bj._piirenolo*gi6fß " goiicnilly on. " ; tuberpsitiies, or, as thpx arc commonly te|oiea, .the "lumps of the . cranium.; Whiloi admitting a certain amount bf u trufch, in .the^sciehco of pHrenblogy, he went on to demoristrate : its*fallaoy generally ;when sorutiuised* by the light, of anatomical^^ ; research. • Tlie Jbetuver^as'liatenetl to' th^ug|iout;mtli Tery groat attention, and a hearty Vote of thanks waa aocordod to him *$ its tenninaticoa, We uad«v-