THE PAHI GOLD MELDS.

Southland Times, Issue 596, 26 November 1866, Page 2

THE PAHI GOLD MELDS.

OFFICIAL REPORT. The following report has been handed to us for publication : — Orepuki Police Station, ■ 19th November, 1866. Sergeant Morton reports that there are about 200 miners on the Orepuki dig-, gings, and they are making from £3 to £12 per man per week. The cause of the increase in population during the last week was that several of the Nokomai miners arrived here and set to work, there was a prospecting claim applied for to the "Warden on the 17th instant bj Andrew "Williams and party in the bush on a terrace above Shand's party,near the old prospecting gully known as Kirkton 's Gully ; the application stated that the sinking in the ground applied for is from twenty to fifty feet, and the ground must betimberedbothin the shaft and drive but there is plenty of timber on the ground. The prospect to the shovel is two grains, and three feet of washdirt. and they believe the lead of gold to be from twenty to thirty feet wide. There has been from seven to eight mining disputes settled at the Warden's Court during the week. . T. EL "Weldok- Esq., Commissioner of Police, Invercargill. i • '

! PHILHARMONIC OONOBEtT^B The first concert of the season took place at the Theatre Royal, on Thurssday evening, the 28rd insfc,, and it may be characterised as a decided success. It must be recollected that difficulties of no ordinary nature had to be overcome, because an institution of the kind requires a fostering care and diligent application on the part of the performing members in the execution of the most simple pieces that taxes the patience of most new beginners. Again, another drawback in the impression created upon the audience was the want of harmony between the instrumental and vocal performers, but although this somewhat marred the grand effect that would otherwise have been produced by the united burst of a very strong and cultivated chorus, yet the management are not to blame. Every endeavor was made to procure music of the best authors — that class of music adapted alike to choral and instrumental performers — but without success. Indeed, we consider we would not be doing justice to the ladies and gentlemen who were associated on Thursday evening, if we did not state that obstacles continually presented themselves since the establishment of the society — difficulties had to be smoothed down, and the absence of the materials necessary for facilitating the execution of the more difficult class of music was felt. Yet the audience were surprised — nay, delighted — with the success which attended the endeavor to carry through the first entertainment of the season. Few realise the tact necessary to conduct a first concert of a Philharmonic Society successfully, and we may congratulate it on pos.sessing two gentlemen who are so well qualified to contribute to its permanency as Messrs Kingsland and Irvine. The former gentleman acted as conductor of the chorus, and he did it well, and showed his thorough knowledge of what he took in hand. Mr Irvine had an equally onerous and difficult part to perform, and showed that he was no mean adept in using the conducting wand. Punctually at 8 o'clock the overture of Mozart's " Le Nozze di Figaro" was rendered with judgment and taste. This overture was about one of the best that could be selected, inasmuch as it allows of a number of instruments to harmoniously blend, without necessitating a solo. Then followed the programme in regular succession, which on this occasion, it is unnecessary to follow, but we can affirm that seldom has there been given a richer treat than that we had the pleasure of listening to on last Thursday evening ; some of the voices — - especially of the ladies — being of a very superior class, and which will prove valuable auxiliaries on future occasions. We trust that the society will receive the warm support of the community, because too much prominence cannot be given to the fact that in order to possess a Philharmonic Society in a small locality like this the aid of all is necessary to keep in healthy working order — a society that in other places is looked on with the greatest favor, and receives the largest possible amount of support and encouragement. In conclusion, we would point out to the management that in order to place concerts within every one's reach, on the occasion of future public entertainments, the prices should be lowered, and we predict for them crowded houses.