The Southland Times. FRIDAY, MARCH 15, 1867.

Southland Times, Issue 644, 15 March 1867, Page 2

The Southland Times. FRIDAY, MARCH 15, 1867.

The interest manifested on Wednesday in the Horticultural and Floricultural Exhibition, afc the Theatre Boyal, was fully maintained throughout yesterday, the visitors being numerous, and aU apparently highly deUghfced with the splendid accumulation of local products submitted to their inspection. We cannot now enter on any lengthened notice of the Show, but would simply say that the promoters and mem bers of the Society, the Committee, and the Exhibitors must have felt themselves fully rewarded for their care and labour in their various departments, when witnessing the triumphant results of their assiduity, when aU was accomplished. In every department, with the exception of the cereals, (which were but poorly represented) we have no hesitation in affirming that the exhibits could successfuUy compete with simUar productions in any province of New Zealand, or with any of the neighboring colonies. We hope the success attending the efforts of our local society may induce a competition on a wider scale between the provinces. We would also suggsst that, next year, arrangements shonld be made to secure more room and better light than was afforded by the Theatre. We learn from our special correspondent at Eiverton that the Biverfconians are aU on the gui vive, eagerly waiting for an opportunity to show their loyalty to Her Majesty's representative should he honor their town with a visit. It must be remembered that Eiverton is one of the prettiest places in Southland if not in New Zealand. It is there that our gallant Volunteers have their head- quarters, where they muster pretty strong ; and we understand they also .are in readiness to be under arms afc the bugle caU to do honor to his ExceUency. It is to be hoped that as he has honored Oamaru and Timaru, in Ofcago, with a visit, that the Bivertonians may have the opportunity afforded them of seeing Sir George also, and we may rest assured a most herrty welcome wiU be accorded him. We have to remind our readers that the Theatre Boyal wiU be open this evening. The performances are for the benefit of Miss Juno. The programme, which will be found in our other columns, is a very attractive one. The bazaar for the purpose of funds to clear off the debt on the Church of England was opened lasfc night, in the store formerly occupied by Henderson and Bonar. The sfcaUs, five in number, are convenicn ly arranged round the spacious apartment, and are attended by the following ladies, viz. : Mrs Tanner and Mrs Kogers, Mrs Wade and the .Misses Henderson, Mrs and Miss Trumble, and Mrs Hare. The firsfc four stalls are devoted to the sale of an indescribable coUection of useful fancy articles, which, du-ing pur visit, their fair owners were busily disposin;*; of to eager purchasers. The sth stall, presided over by the list named lady, i 3 temptingly spread with an endless variety of delicacies, whore thoso seeking refreshment may find enough cither fco satisfy the cravings of nature or gratify their fastidiousness. The crowd of visitors last evening was gratifying, and as the Bazaar wiU be open 'during i whol__*f_to^^ J _jr6_douM7j*Pt numbers will j"

Tbe first meeting of the members of the South- 1 land Acclimatisation Society was held in the CouncU HaU last evening. Dr Menzies in the chair. A set of Rules drawn up by the Provisional Committee was submitted, and, with a sUght amendment, adopted. The members then proceeded to elect, by baUot, the officers and committee of management for the ensuing twelvemonths, with the foUowing result -.—President, His Honor the Superintendent; Vice President, Dr Menzies; Treasurer, E. D. Butts, Esq.; Secretary, F. H.. Moore, Esq. ; Messrs. Pearson, Crouch, Bastian, Butler, McPherson, McArthur, Lumsden, and Watt. The Officebearers were appointed a sub-committee to wait upon His ExceUency, when in InvercargiU, to solicit his patronage to the Society. A vote of thanks was passed to Mr J. J. Ham, for his services as Secretary to the Provisional Committee, and with one to the Chairman, the meeting broke up. It wiUbe seen from our advertising columns that the programme for His ExceUenoy during his stay has been, decided upon. It is satisfactory to find that he is to visit Riverton, the the Eastern and other districts. It wiU also be seen that arrangements have been made for a special raUway train leaving InvercargiU for the Bluff on to-morrow morning, at 8 o'clock, to enable those who desire to be present at the Governor's arrival at CampbeUtown, and be back to receive him at the InvercargiU Station. Return Tickets are fixed at five shillings. We observe in our other columns that the Provincial Government offices are announced to be closed during the visit of His ExceUency the Governor to Southland, with the exception of the Superintendents and Treasury departments, which wUI be opened for .two hours each day. It is almost unnecessary that these offices should remain open, as we are inclined to think that Uttle or no business wUI be transacted during Sir George's stay. "We trust that the General Government offices wiU be likewise closed during the above period. In Dunedin, Major Richardson .gave the necessary authority for this purpose. It is to be hoped tl*iat the same rule wUI be foUowed here. A recent number of the Brighton Times st ates al an Ulustration of the richness of the ground, that Geordi's claim yielded lasfc week no less than 90 ounces, less 13 dwfcs., of fine gold, after going through the process of retorting. This was the result of eight days' work of four men, and from the nature of the ground, the shareholders anticipate a dividend of no less than £1500 a man. The " Otago DaUy Times " recently contained the foUowing *. — The imports into this Province during the past week have included upwards of one hundred tons of rice, a very large quantity compared with the average importation of the same article of consumption. This increase is, of course, due to the presence of the considerable number of Chinese who have recently arrived in the Province, and who prefer their native diet; to the wholesome oatmeal or wheaten flour which the boU of the Province can provide for them. An action for Übel has been tried at Hokitika, in which a Mr Bartlett, theatrical managei sought to recover damages from Mr Sbaw, as proprietor of the West Coast Times, for a criticism on M r Bartlett's acting and mode of conducting his theatre. After three hours' dehberation, the jury returned a verdict of £5 damages for the plaintiff. A contract has been entered into by the General Government for the erection of telegraph posts between Masterton and Castle Point. It is expected that before very long communication wUI be thus opened as far as Napier, and ultitimately to Auckland. Tho "West Coast Times" of the 15th ult. Ba y a : — •« The arrival of three vessels from Tasmania, laden, wifch fche produce of that fertile island, has quite glutted the market with fruit and vegetables, which for time at least should be obtainable at moderate prices. Fourteen hundred and ninety cases of fruit, in an exceUent state of preservation, were landed on the wharf, and sold by auction yesterday at rates that we fear wiU hardly be considered remunerative by the importers, as the prices realised for cases of beautiful plums, apples, and pears did not exceed 7s 6d each on an average." Recent advices from Tauranga state that hostilities have beeu resumed at Whakamarama. On the 15th ult., a force of 250 Europeans and 250 Arawas attacked the Hau-haus, who were repulsed. Messrs Jordan, of the Engineers, and Jeffs, of the Waikatos, were shot dead. Two vUlages were burnt, and three natives kUled. Three Europeans were wounded. The hon. the Defence Minister accompanied the expedition, which was under the command of Major Sfc. John — Captain Skeet heading the Engineers.