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Southland Times, Issue 683, 14 June 1867, Page 2

In the Resident Magistrate's Court yesterday judgment for plaintiffs, for £48 2s 6d and costs, was given in the civil case Ross and Wilson, v. M'Lean. Mr M-Culloch said that further consideration had satisfied him that a reference to a skilled person (an arbitrator) would be unnecessary, from the contradictory nature of the evidence, he had come to the conclusion, that the parties had really made no agreement, and that equitable charges must be allowed. Dr. Hodgkinson and Mr Cuthbertson addressed the electors on Monday and Tuesday evenings last, at the Commercial Hotel, Riverton. They explained their views, and -the audience were kept on the gui vive for upwards of two hours. They commented upon all public questions of importance which have occupied the Council for the last eighteen months, and more particularly on the important topic of Railways. Both, gentlemen were well received by all those present. The performances of Professor Parker and Miss Annie Beaumont at the Theatre during the past few evenings have been a success, and the house well attended. Miss Beaumont is an old favorite in Invercargill, having performed to crowded houses Borne four years ago. The first part of the entertainment consisted of a number of sentimental and serio-comic songs by Miss Beaumont, in which that lady sustained her reputation as an accomplished vocalist and delineator of character. She was enthusiastically applauded on her re-appearance, and during the evening encored to an extent that was almost ungenerous. The feats of swordmanship displayed by the Professor were of the highest order of power and dexterity. The renown which .Mr. Parker has fairly won was amply exemplified by the adroit exercises in the science of his profession. To the unitiated his proficiency appeared astonishing — especially in the case of severing with one blow a sheep into halves ; also the delicate operation — but yet one which 'required the greatest possible skill— of cutting a silk pocket handkerchief, which was accomplished with the greatest precision. We recommend those who have not paid the'theatre a visit not to lose the opportunity this evening, as we understand it will be their last performance. We are glad to notice that the Invercargill Chess Club has commenced its third session. At a meeting of the members on Wednesday evening, it was resolved to commence forthwith and continue for five months. Subscriptions to be 10s. per member for the session. The nights for practice are Mondays, Thursdays and Saturdays, at 8 o'clock. The public will be glad to learn that beef and mutton are likely to be retailed very shortly at much more moderate prices than have ruled for a long time past. A well-known Btockowner (resident in Invercargill) is perfecting arrangements to supply the market at moderate rates, and we have no doubt that his enterprise will receive .the support of the many who have complained, and with justice, of the high price of butcher meat. The disproportion between the wholesale and retail prices has been something extraordinary. We have heard on good authority that from 100 to 150 per cent profit has been regularly 'obtained in the business in which the " dead stock " is cleared off at least once a week. - The counsel to -- live and let live " for more reasons than one is obviously nnsuited to the butchers. . In the Resident Magistrate's Court, Wednesday, Capt. Rogers of the brig Ella Gladstone, appeared to answer a charge of assault preferred against him by W. Hart, ships carpenter. From the evidence it appears that the captain found fault with the work complainant had in hand, that the latter replied in such a way as to. provoke the former to the act complained of, viz. : — to pullhis coat off, lay hold of Hart by the throat* and throw him down ou the deck of the vessel. No blows were struck' The above facts were admitted by Capt. Rogers, who _r gedinextenuation the provocation received from the complainant whom he alleged had a weakness for taking his own way instead of obeynig orders. Mr M-Cul-' loch pointed out that if the man had disobeyed orderß (the vessel being in port), the proper course was to have given him into custody of the police — not to do as defendant had. On the high seas it might sometimes be necessary to resort to force, although the power should always be ex- i ercised with great discretion. "The evidence did not however show the assault to have been so violent as the complainant averred, or the penaltymight have been greater. 'He should inflict a fine of 60s, with costs. _ We give the following, on the authority of the "Nelson Examiner," 28th ult. It says : — '* The Superintendent of Wellington applied lately to the Colonial Secretary to have the price of all agricultural land in the "Province raised to £1 an acre, and the price of pastoral land to 10s an acre. Mr Stafford in his reply asked fo* farther information, and expressed an opinion that to comply witb, the SuperwtendenVs wish it might baneoes. i _ary to obfcwa ftem the General A««_jto «$ $* [^?"A^^^|^|tio|^ ' *

Victoria is not satisfied with- the result ofthe^ deliberations and recommendations of the Postal Conference* receutly held, in Melbourne, and it is- J doubtful if that colony will unite with ': New'/* ; South Wales, South Australia, Queensland,, and New Zealand, in the carrying out of a combined mail service. jrom late Melbourne papers'weL learh that great dissatisfaction with the acts of/ the Victorian delegates is expressed, and a desire fqj a: iresh and, independent service evinced. It is Btated that " a prospectus had.been printing for private circulation in London, just priori*) the departure pf the February Mail,, to establish^ combined postal and paslenger communication between Great Britain and Australia, via the^ Cape of Good Hope, in forty-fiye days (nine days > shorter than the present contract time for "the" mails via Southampton and~ Suez), .to "be called the British and Australian Steam Navigation Co., (limited) ." The " West Coast Times," says : — ** It is now a very well ascertained fact that a powerful oppo-. sition is being organised against the Government of Mr Moorhouse, and that Westland will furnish the great subject-matter of contention. Strange rumors reach us from Christchurch of plots that are being hatched. It is scarcely new a matter upon which any concealment is affected, that Mr Travers — the successor of Mr. Wylde in the representation of Heathcote — aims directly at depriving Mr Moorhouse of the Superintendency, and at replacing him in that office." The " Grey Biver Argus" says : — " We are glad to notice that the traffic returns of the Greymouth and Saltwater Creek Tramway continue to maintain a good average, in spite, of the great decrease of population on the Saltwater diggings, and the consequent falling off in the passenger traffic of the line. Last week the. total- receipts amounted to £96 7s, of which £58 19s" was derived from passengers and £37 8s 9d from goods. There is also a steadily increasing traffic along this line, and when the mining population of the Saltwater district assumes its normal proportions it may be expected that the conveyance of goods: will . prove the most profitable source of the Company's income."