The Southland Times. WEDNESDAY, APRIL 18, 1866.

Southland Times, Volume III, Issue 243, 18 April 1866, Page 2

The Southland Times. WEDNESDAY, APRIL 18, 1866.

It is intended to hold a meeting on Friday evening at the Bchool room, in the rear of tb c New Market Hotel in Dee-street, with a view to the establishment of a Reading and Lecture Society, or to make such arrangements for the improvement of the winter evenings, as may be considered best. The advantages of a society o this nature sought jto be established, and the disgrace on a community wliich its absence entail are so palpable that we trust a large number of our townspeople wiU feel it their duty to attend The hour, as wiU be seen by advertisement, is fixed for eight o'clock.

On Wednesday evening a tea meeting, in connexion with the Ragged School, was held in the School-room, Dee-street. The gathering was of a most gratifying character. Nearly a hundred sat down to tea. In the evening a p- _lie meeting was held. Dr Menzies having been called to the chair, in a short speech, he pointed out the great good which similar institutions had worked in the home country, and encouraged the supporters of the InvereargiU Ragged School to persevere in their efforts, and he felt assured thatfuture success was certain. The Secretaiy and Treasurer read the report of progress since August last from which we learn that about £24 had been expended since that date, and last week they were indebted about £5. That the pubhc had, since the resolution to get up the tea meeting, contributed the sum of £L1 in cash, besides the provisions, and the proceeds of the tickets were estimated to realise close upon £14. The number of scholars had reached 57 on the books, but afc the present time there was only 30. with an average attendance of 23. The school was in a satisfactory state, and the children under good control ofthe present master, Mr Barns. He (Mr Ayton) regretted being aboufc to leave the province. Ou a motion of the Rev. Mr Shaw, seconded by the Ray. -Mr Stobo, the report was adopted. Much interest, was manifested in the success of the institution, and after a very pleasant evening profitably spent, the meeting terminated.

From a report we receired late last night, we learn that there is now over a hundred men at work on the Riverton Groldfields — Paihi and Longwood. The breach workings is yielding fairly, most all are getting half an-ouuee a day, while everyone speats hopefutly of the future. Several parties are offering gold for sale, but there is not money on the ground to buy with. The Chief Commissioner of Crown Lands and the Chief Surveyor arrived in town lasfc evening, after making a week's tour on official business.

The General Assembly has been summoned to meet for the " despatch of business " on the 2Sth May. The importance of all members being present cannot be over estimated. No doubt hia EscoUency the Governor wiU, in his opening address be more explicit than on previous occassions, and the reply to the opening speech wiU be looked for with, much interest. It should shadow-forth the intentions of the Government and the policy of the Assembly.

The difficulty which is experienced in the obtainance of men with legislative mind and scholastic attainments, capable of taking from their legitimate avocations, the time and attention which pubhc work involves, has ever, and for a considerable time to come must tend to keep Provincial CouncUs from taking that high position which a deUberafcive law-given institution should occupy. It is therefore matter for regret whenever a man who do^s, iv some degree, possess the qualities, retires from political Ufe. Mr Macdonald has sent in his^resignation as a member of* the Provincial CouncU. He was desirous, previous to the last session of the Council to retire, but was induced to continu.to its termination. Upon the adverse vote which caused the resignation of tha late Ministry, Mr Maedonald resigned, not only his office as a member of the Executive CouneU, but also that of Provincial Solicitor. Mr Macdonald's retirement will be a great loss to the CouncU.

It is reported that Mr. Cuthbertson finds that his private affairs are Ukely to command so much of his time during the next fevr months that he will not be able to devote so much attention to the Government business as lie thinks should be given by a member of the Ministry, and, therefore, has resolved to resign his ofiice. If the report is correct it is much to be regretted, as the Cuthbertson Ministry have commenced jvell, and possess the confidence of the people.

We have received the following information from Riverton. The letter is under date 28th March. Ifc says : — Mr H. Durbridge started on the morning of the 26th instant from Riverton, in a boat belonging to Mr D. Durbridge, for the Pahi, accompanied by Charles Husen. They started on Sunday, but, owing to the boisterous weather, were compelled to put into Kolac Bay, from which placo Mr Durbridge determined to walk, leaving instructions with the boatman to take round the boat as soon as the storm abated. Un Monday morning the boatman left Kolac Bay. he states :— '• He had not- gone far when the wind changed, and, as he could not beat up against it, he lay to all night, and on Tuesday morning finding the wind still aln-ad he determined oa running back to Rivertou; but when putting the boat about a heavy sea struck her, and berdre he could baU out the water she was struck by another sea, fiUed with water, and capsized. He then got on the bottom ot the boat, which drifted towards Stewart's Island aud with the next tide she drifted close in towards HoweU's Point ; seeiug the boat was Ukely to be again carried out to sea, he threw himself otf the boat, and swam ashore. There was about half-a-ton of stores in the boat when ifc capsized. As soon as the circumstances were reported here, the PUot Mr Tale, and a volunteer crew went out, but could rot find the boat, and it is supposed that it had drifted towards the New River Heads. The boat is of about three tons burden. Husen had a very narrow escape of his Ufe, it appears that he undertook a dangerous ta6k which few would have attempted.

The foUowing is the state of H. M. gaol for the week ending, Tuesday, the 17th current ; Sentenced to penal servitude, 7 males ; sentenced to hard labor, 12 males, and 1 female ; lunatics, 5 males, 1 female j committed for trial, 3 males s total, 27 males, and 2 females : received during the week, 3 males ; discharged during the week, 1 male ; increase for the week, 2 males.

ThefoUowingwriting was found on a piece of paper enclosed in a bottle, which was picked up at the Riverton beach recently by one of Cobb and Co.'s drivers : — " Dove, schooner, from Melbourne to Hokitika, New Zealand, H. G. Smith, master.latitude, 40.29 south ,- longtdtude, 160 east. Bad watcher for the last nine days."

Mr. Marchant has sent in his Resignation as Provincial Engineer. In a General Government Gazette, dated 3rd met., we notice that the Native title oyer certain blocks of land on the West Coast of the Canterbury Province hew been extiuguished, namely, 13 acres at Okarita; 400 acres at Hokitika; 2000 acres at Arahura j 85 acres on the Teramakau j 250 acres at Kaiata on the Qrrey River j end 2£Q