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Southland Times, Volume III, Issue 210, 31 January 1866, Page 2

Our Riverton correspondent writes to the effect that Braydon's party of three men recently sold parcels of gold, obtained in that vicinity, and that a prospecting party on the Waiau found payable ground. The parties working on the Longwood Eanges reports that a large payable goldfield exists there, and only wants men to develope it. The scarcity of female servants in Hokitika (says the West Coast Times) is something marvellous, when the enormous wages given are taken into consideration. At the present time any woman can readily obtain from £2 per week upwards, and if a couple of hundred were landed to-morrow they need not be out of situation two days. In Melbourne wages are quoted at from £25 to £30 per annum; here we may safely quote them at from £100 to £150 for the same term, and yet even at that rate respectable servants are not to be got. The consequence is that many families who are able and willing to pay handsomely for labor, cannot obtain it, and yet in the Australian Colonies — South Australia particularly — female labor goes begging, so much, so, in fact, that assisted female immigration is stopped for a certain period. We are informed by the Wellington Advertiser that " so far as the outsiders are able to ascertain, the business of the G-overnment is being carried on very smoothly ,- and nothing has transpired as to any material alteration in the constitution. It is, however, mooted that Mr Stafford intends framing some measures to be submitted to the next Parliament, which cannot fail to give entire satisfaction alike to the home country and the Colony. We are acquainted with the tenor of these, but as they may exercise a great influence upon the coming elections, we presume an outline of the proposed policy will be made known shortly through one medium or the other." The Lyttelton Times, 17th January, has the following : — " Sharks ! Sharks ! — During the last few days several sharks have been seen in Lyttelton harbor. On Tuesday a large one observed growling about near to the G-overnment jetty, at least eight feet in length, and another was seen from the mole at Officers' Point." The Wakatip Mail says : — " We learn with regret that the floods have extended to the Cardrona and seriously injured the deep workings there. An important deep lead was • being developed, and it must be a matter of general regret that this class of operations should bo impeded." We would remind the inhabitants of Southland that the annual three months' allowed for the Eegistration for Voters, for the ensuing year, is now passing, the time beiug from the Ist January to the 31st of March. The Wahitip Mail, upon this subject, says : — "All our New Zealand contemporaries are dwelling earnestly upon the value of registering votes during the present opportunity. They advocate the formation of committees ; but it is a singular fact, that on th c G-oldfields a great difficulty is experienced in discovering the boundaries of districts, and one can hardly tell whether his vote is to be registered for the G-oldfields Boroughs or for a county or for a district election. Definite maps, or information, is much required in the matter, from those in authority. We learn that parties registering votes here are doing so in duplicate, to make sure of sending the names to the proper Returning Officer." The value of mining property is rapidly going up, as may be seen from the following which we take from the Wahitip Mail of the 24th January : — " We believe we arejustified in stating that the offer of £5,000 for that fine property, the Big Beach Company's ground and works, has been accepted, and arrangements have been made for purchase of the same." The Daily Times of the 24th, says :— cc Mr. Weld has published an address to the electors of Christchurch, stating that "in deference to the very strong and decided opinion " of his medical advisers, he finds it necessary to retire from public life, and "cannot, therefore, any longer aspire to the honor of being their member." He very briefly refers to his past career, — says that he has never been actuated by any other motivo than to do the best for both races in the Colony j asks forgiveness for errors of judgment or temper j thanks his friends'for the support given to him, and expresses a hope that the principles he has advocated " will triumph in their hands. 1 ' A numerously signed requisition has, in consequence, been presented to Mr. J. E. Fitzgerald, asking him to come forward as a candidate for the representation of Christchurch. Mr. Fitzgerald in a short reply, has accepted the invitation." Owing to pressure on our space, we are compelled to hold over until our next, reports of the Supreme and Resident Magistrate's Courts, and also several letters. A meeting of gentlemen favorable to the promotion of immigration met at the Land Office on Monday last. The following gentlemen were present, viz : — Messrs Dalrymple, J. Murray, D. Mac Arthur, GL Lumsden, K. Mclvor, and W. H. Pearson. The object of the meeting was stated to be to consider the most desirable means of securing a fair amount of immigration. The subject having been thoroughly discussed, it was resolved. — That in order to ad/ance immigration, it is desirable to publish a work setting forth the advantages which Southland offers for enterprise and settlement, and a premium of £50 should be given for the best Essay on the subject. The gentlemen present consented to act as a committee to devise means of obtaining a sufficient sum for the above purpose, and for printing and circulating the same.. Messrs Murray, Mac Arthur, and Pearson were appointed a sub-committee to report upon the prospects of the movement to the general committee at their next meeting.

The follovring is the state of H. M. Gaol for the week ending Tuesday, the 30th inst. Sentenced to penal servitude, 7 males ; sentenced to hard labor, 6 males, and 2 females. Lunatics, 5 males, and 1 female. Total, 18 males, and 2 females. Received during the week, 1 femaleDischarged during the week, 2 males, and 2 females. Decrease for the week, 3. We learn that a large number of laborers arrived by the steamers which reached the Bluff yesterday, and who are to be employed on the Railway works now in progress.