TELEGRAPHIC DESPATCHES.

Southland Times, Issue 577, 12 October 1866, Page 3

TELEGRAPHIC DESPATCHES.

—-■ m ■ - OTAGO. Dttnedik, 11th Oct. Otago membera arrived ; great demonstration on the wharf — 2000 people. Major Richardson hooted, and escorted by the police and friends, the band preceding playing the " Rogue's March," groaning. A similar reception was given to Paterson, O'Neill, Bums and Haugton. Yogel was cheered, and almost carried to his office. Requisition to the Mayor to call meeting £)T members to meet coistituents on Monday evening. General excitement among all classes. Captain Randell, of the Otago, died suddenly, at seven o'clock last night, at sea. Melbourne news via Sydney to the 29th September ; — Higher rates for wheat ; oats in demand for New Zealand ; maize improving ; tea in request. Arrived— Ship Queen Bee, from London, 113 days.

We are informed that the telegraph wires has broken down between Dunedin and Christchurch, and that communication with the North has been snspended. We understand that there is a probability of Lyster's Opera Company again visiting New Zealand. It is understood that they will appear in Dunedin in January, so that we way expect to receive a visit from these talented artistes in Invercargill about February. The adjourned inquest on the body of the man M'Carthy, who died suddenly on Sunday last, was continued on Wednesday, and terminated- by the jury bringing in the following verdict, viz : — "That the deceased, John M'Carthy, died on Sunday, the 9th day of October, in the house of Mr Godard, from excessive drinking, and not from any hurt or violence received whatsoever." j A writ for the election of a member of the Provincial Council, in the place of Air Stuart, member for Waikivi, resigned, has been issued. The nomination of candidates is fixed for Monday, 22nd October, and should there be more than one candidate proposed, and a poll demanded, the election will take place on the 23rd inst. The Steiglitz correspondent of the " Geelong Advertiser" says: — "It is a curious fact connected with deep mining, that from the hours of twelve at night till three in the morning, the disturbing influence in the bowels of the earth obtains increased activity. At that time it is observed by miners that water falls from places where none is observable during the day. The volume in the wheel is perceptibly increased, the atmosphere is charged with gases which ofton prevent lights from burning, and small particles of earth' and rock are observed to fall from the tops of thß drives. Whether this phenomenon is to be attributed to the diurnal motion of the earth or other causes, it is worthy the attention of the curiou3." The "Evening Star" says : — From the telegram of our Wellington correspondent it would seem that the same gentleman (Dr. Menzies) who introduced the 28th clause into the Goldfields Act, 1865, has again introduced a similar clause into the Consolidation A^t, 1866. Our readers will ramember that it was in reference to the provisions of this clause that the Provincial Treasurer thought it necessary to make a tour of the goldfields, for the purpose of denouncing the conduct of the goldfields members who had permitted the clause to pass. As we explained then, the clausa was introduced a ainst the wish of goldfields members, who, rather than see the Bill thrown out, accepted the amendment, believing it to be of comparatively little importance. The action now taken by Messrs Menzies and Holmes, is a gross violation of the compact arrived at by both House 9 viz j that the Bill, as it left the committee, thould pass without material amendment by either branch of the Legislature. The same clause having been introduced into the Goldfields Act of 1866, which drew forth the indignation of the Provincial Treasurer, it will only be a consistant act on his part if he will now undertake a crusade against those members for Southland and Otago, in the Upper House, who have so wilfully sacrificed the best interests of the respective provinces. Those two gentlemen appear to have no other idea, but that the provinces of Otago and Sonthland wera made for the exclusive occupation and settlemeut of runholders ; and when, on account of the influx of population, they are compelled to give up a part of their scantily stocked runs, that they should reeive the largest amount of compensation for abandoning a portion of the national property, for which they have paid so little.