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Southland Times, Volume VI, Issue 498, 20 June 1866, Page 2

A meeting of the Waste Land Board -was held on Tuesday, the 19th June. Present : — the Chief Commissioner (Mr. Pearson), Mr. M'Arthur, and the Chief Surveyor (Mr. Baker). The following applications were granted: — Mr. James Rattray, for 8,075 acres in the Taringutura District ; Mr. John Cuthhertson, for 300 acres in the Waiau District ; and Mr. G-eorge Brown, for 200 acreß in the Oreti Hundreds ;■ — making a total of £8,575 realised. This, with previous sales, frem the Ist December last, makes a grand total of £142,936. The' streets are getting into a frightful condition, and serious accidents " may be expected unless something is done to improve them. On Baturday, 16th inst., an accident occurred opposite the Masonic Hall, Kelvin -street, which might have resulted most seriously. A. two-horse loaded, dray was being rushed through the axel-deep mud, which now exists there, when the leading horse suddenly twisted round, knocking down the driver, and making a bouDd over the drain and landing the shaft horse at the bottom of the deep gutter. Fortunately assistance was at hand, and no serious damage was done. In the Resident Magistrate's Court on Monday several drunkards were fined. A case in which Messrs MorisoD, Law and Co. sued for damages, alleged to be incurred by Macintyre, their former manager on Dipton Station, was dismissed, there not being evidence of carelessness on Macintyre'is part. The other cases were of little importance In consequence of the late hour the Court rose we are compelled to hold over our report till tomorrow. On Saturday, 16th June, a party of diggers arrived in town from the Lakes, on their way to Melbourne, at which place they have decided to winter. They state that mining operations are now much retarded, owing to the heavy falls of snow which have been experienced. They have done remarkably well, and hold a quartz claim of considerable value ; but have come to the conclu- ■ sion that during the next few mouths it would be impossible to get more than a day's work in a week, and decided on a visit to Victoria, to return on the first approach of Spring. The Bluff Harbor and Invercargill Bailway is approaching completion, and will be opened in the course of a few weeks. The Government have had the question of the Northern Railway under consideration. The Bailway Engineer and the Chief Surveyor have returned alter roughly marking the line from Winton to the Lake district. They report that the line will be readily constructed at a small cost — that very few Engineering difficulties need be expected. It is ' scarcely to be hoped that this line will be immediately commenced j but there is reason to believe that it will be proceeded with at the soonest possible period, Two of our local representatives, Messrs Wood and Hankinflou, left ou Saturday for Wellington, to be present at the oommoncewontiof the Bfasjop