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Southland Times, Issue 722, 11 September 1867, Page 2

Various rumors were afloat about town yesterday as to the probable Superintendent. The meiits of Messrs Taylor, Menzies, Ross, M'Olure, and Cuthbertson were freely discussed at private meetings held by the members of Council, but we believe nothing definite has bsen arrived at. The Council is so split up and torn by party dissensions that the membeiy find it a somewhat difficult matter to fix upon a candidate who will obtain the necessary absolute majority. Mr Dundas is the latest candidate spoken of as well qualified to fill the office of Superintendent. He is a thorough gentleman, liberal-minded, aud possesses a considerable state in the province. It is not known whether he will consent to stand. The general opinion appears to be that the late action of the Council was irresolute and frivolous on the subject of the election of a Superintendent. Yesterday our streets could boast of a more crowded and busy appearance than they have presented on any day since the ever memorable " G-overnor's visit." This result was brought about by a coincidence of attractive circumstances. First, there was the meeting of the Provincial Council ; secondly, Mr Todd's auction sale at Mr Button's ; and last, but most effective of all, the unwieldly and grotesque performances of one of the traction-engines recently imported for the New Zealand and Australian Land Co., which was being moved from, the vicinity of the Railway Station — where it had been put vp — to the scene of its future labors, the Company's estates in the Eastern District. The engine in question is one of a number built for the company bj the

Messrs Gray, of TJddington, near Glasgow — a firm of world-wide celebrity as manufacturers of agricultural implements and machinery — and is so constructed as to be available either as a locomotive for ordinary roads (on the traction principle) or as a stationary motive powe*p for either saw mill, grafti mill, threshing machine, or plough, ands appears to be admirably adapted for, and easy of application to any of these, and many other purposes. Considerable difficulty was experienced by those in charge of the engine in getting it to take the sharp turn in front of the station, to come up Esk-street; however, the turn was utimately effected, and the singular looking arrangement came up in fine style. After taking a run along Dee-street for a short distance it was turned, and ran up to the fire engine shed in Tay street, where it now lies. A special meeting of the Invercargill Eifle Volunteers was held after drill on Monday evening, the 9th September. Captain Harvey occupied the chair. The Chairman in a few remarks pointed out the chiei business of the meeting, viz. : — the adoption of a uniform. He siated that the Uniform pommittee (appointed at a previous meeting) had obtained all the information possible hi respect to the cost of the varied descriptions that had been suggested as most appropriate, and likely to be adopted by the ompany. The Secretary then read the report of the Uniform Committee, the substance of which was — That it had deemed it desirable that the selection of a uniform should be left to the members, uninfluenced by any suggestions from the Committee ; that from information supplied from parties qualified to give an opinion, scarlet would be the most costly ; that a good blue would be the next in cost, and a Melton grey the least expeosive. It also stated that as it was desired that a good uniform should be adopted, a scheme was being perfected to enable every member to obtain his uniform at once, by a system of monthly payments. Considerable interest was manifested in the decision on this question, which resnlted in the adoption of a blue suit with scarlet facings, and a half shako with a hair plume. The meeting was numerously attended j neai'ly a hundred being present, and the proceedings were of a character that evidenced a determination on the part of tho members to work harmoniously and in earnest. A Lecture on " Chemistry ; its rise and progress" was delivered at Eiverton, on Monday evening last, by Mr J. Hatch. The attendance, although respectable, was not quite so large as it ought to have been, considering the object for which the Lecture was got up, the interesting nature of the subject itself, and the manner in which it was bandied, to say nothing of the elaborate and costly experiments which were introduced by way of illustration. The object alluded to was the origination of an Athenseutn. and Mutual Improvement Society in Rivcrton. A n Institution of this nature has been long felt to be a desideratum there — as it has also been in Invercargill — and Mr Hatch and a few friends have made a laudable effort to set it on foot. The proceeds accruing from the Lecture were to have been expended in procuring the nucleus of a Library. It is to be hoped the projectors will persevere iv their attempt, and that it will be ultimately crowned with success.