The Southland Times. FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 15, 1867.

Southland Times, Issue 632, 15 February 1867, Page 2

The Southland Times. FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 15, 1867.

A meeting of the committee appointed for the reception of Sir George Grey was held last evening, at the Council HaU, Kelvin-street. The attendance was numerous. Mr Harvey in the chair. It was elicited that the Government were prepared to supplement the endeavors of the committee in giving His Excellency a fitting reception. It was then proposed to nominate the foUowing gentleman to act as a committee to make aU necessary arrangements — Messrs Paterson, Pearson, Kingsland, M'CuUoch, M'Pherson, Butts, Moore, Law, Buchanan, Simpson, Harvey, Mitchell, Baker, Lumsden, John Ross, Stuart, Scandrett, Webster, Chas Ross, Pratt; and with power to add to their number, seven to form a quorum. The names of Dr Grigor and Messrs T. M. Macdonald and D. M'Arthur were afterwards added. It was decided that the first meeting of the Committee be held on Friday at 7.30 p.m. During the discussion the foUowing resolutions were passed. Mr Stuart moved and Mr Rose seconded — "That the town be decorated. 2. That an address be presented to His ExceUency on arrival. 8. That there be a dejeuner. 4. That there be a concert and baU, or either." Mr Lumsden then moved — '*" That a central committee be appointed, to consist of the foUowing twenty gentlemen, to confer with the Government, and have general control over the arrangements for the pubUc reception of His ExceUency the Governor. Mr Harvey was appointed permenant Chairman ; and Mr Ham* Secretary. Another addition to our elegant RetaU EstabUshments in Dee-street, has iust been made, by the removal of Messrs Mair, and Garven from Tay-street, to those extensive premises next the Southland Club, formerly occupied by Buttner, and Hallenstien. The warehouse has been fitted up in a style worthy of its central position, and of the business which the enterprising firm named have transferred to it. It wUI be seen from an advertisement in our other columns, that " King Cobb " is clearing out of InvercargiU, (one of the effects of the opening of the Bluff Harbor and InvercargiU Railway, we presume,) at all events, Messrs W. Brayton and Co., the proprietor ofthe Coaching EstrbUshment under that title, have 'instructed Mr Munro, to pass the whole of their stock and plant under the hammer, at their yards, to-morrow, without reserve. We are requested to call attention to a sale of tea, soap, and other goods, partly damaged by water, to be held at the stores of Messrs Calder, Blacklock and Co., this day at noon, Mr Tood seUs the articles "on account of whom it may concern." Mr Todd wUI seU on Saturday, (to-morrow) the mob of horses just landed ex WUd Wave, from Hobart Town ; from a printed Ust before us giving the pedigree of each animal, we would conclude the lot to be about the best ever imported into Southland, great care has evidently been exercised in their selection, the names of the breeders are in themselves sufficient guarantee of the quality of the stock, we understand they have ■ arrived in exceUent condition, and would recommend them to the attention of any one wanting a good mount or weight for the coUar, (see advertisement. We notice the issue of a writ of election for the return 6f one member for InvercargUl in the Provincial CouncU, to supply the vacancy caused by the resignation of Mr J. R. Davies. The nomination of candidates is fixed to take place at the Courthouse on Tuesday, the 26th inst., at noon, and the poU (if necessary) at the same place on Wednesday, 27th inst. We may state that a requisition to Mr John Ross is in course of signature, and that numerous citizens have already subscribed to it. We regret to learn that Capt. Fisher, of the WUd Wave, met with a serious accident while engaged in superintending the landing of the horses — part of the cargo of his vessel from Hobart Town — at the Mokomoko Jetty; The last horse but one to be landed was in the slings when it kicked out, striking Capt. Fisher on the left side, breaking two of his ribs. He immediately came up to town in a boat for medical attendance, and is now getting on favorably. The surgeon gave it as his opinion that if the horse had been Bhod the result of the kick would have been fatal. The annual soiree of the Ladies Benevolent Society took place on Wednesday, in the Ragged Schoolroom. About 150 partook -of tea, the majority being ladies. Unfortunately for the success of the meeting a committee comprising nearly the whole of our citizens to make preparations for the reception of His ExceUency Sir Geo. Grey, held their first meeting at the same time. In the absence of T. Watson, Esq., the chair was taken by Mr G. S. Crouch, who commenced the meeting by calling upon the Rev. A. M'Donald to engage in prayer. The Secretary's report, and Treasurer's balance sheet, were then read by the Rev. J. T. Shaw, and their adoption moved by the Rev. A. H. Stobo, seconded by Dr Deck, and carried. The Rev. A: M'Donald moved the next resolution — " That this meeting recognising the principle of caring for the poor and needy resolve to sustain the Committee in their endeavors to reUeve the sufferings of those who may be brought under their notice, by continued and increased Überality. It was seconded by the Rev. A. Bethune, and carried. Mr T. Perkins then moved the third resolution — " That the thanks of this meeting be given to the Committee who have devoted their time and attention to this Society, to the medical gentlemen, for their attendance, to the Amateur Dramatic Club, and to aU subscribers and donors for their support, and to those friends who have provided the tea oil this occasion." Seconded by

Mr 0. Rout and carried. Several ladies favored the meeting with some musio and singing. It was Bfcated that six or seven gentlemen had promised to aeliver lectures on behalf of the funds of the Society, and it was expeoted that others would assist when a programme for a series of winter lectures would be published. The meeting closed by singing the Doxology, and the Rev. J. T. Shaw pronouncing the benediction. A meeting of parishioners is to be held this evening at St John's Church, at seven o'clock, for the purpose of electing a Churchwarden and Vestryman, for the present year. A fresh rush upon an extensive scale has taken place near the Haast River, Westland. The Dailp Times has pubhshed the foUowing account. It says : — From private telegrams received in town we learn that a very extensive rush has set in towards the Haast river, and that hundreds are leaving Hokitika for that neighborhood. The Alhambra, it is said, had left with about four hundred passengers, and the Stormbird and all the steamers in the port were expected to fiU up for the same destination. A rush to the Haast has fer some time been expected by the residents of Okarita and Bruce Bay, who were acquainted with prospects obtained there ; but the present movementSseems to be caused by no very new or definate information. The steamer Bruce has already been in the Haast, but unless accompanied by some smaU steamer as a tender, the Alhambra would most probably land her passengers in surf boats or at Jackson's Bay, twenty-five miles distant. A correspondent of the Westland Observer, who visited the Haast as a passenger by the steamer iJruce, writes : — "Viewed from seaward, the Haast has the appearance of a fine river. At the rear of the north beach, which is bright, and stated to be as hard as that at Bruce Bay, is a low wooded terrace, and between it and the lulls, other low terraces are said to be, but are not noticeable from seaward. Along the beach a few tents can be seen ; the miners being at work in that direction as weU as inland. The Haast is said to be a tidal harbor, but appearances would lead to the beUef that the influx of t'de must at any time be inconsiderable. So close to the bar as the Bruce lay, the water was perfectly fresh, and, although two- thirds flood, the current was strong out. The appearances of the river seem to indicate extensive freshes ; and, indeed, it was stated that they overflowed aU the low land. The channel is wider than Okarita ; but from the current out, I should expect a heavy bar whenever there was any sea, and it would only be safe for sailing vessels to attempt it with a good breeze at any time. From a telegram under date 13th Febuary, we learn that the news is unfavorable.