The Southland Times. WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 18, 1867.

Southland Times, Issue 725, 18 September 1867, Page 2

The Southland Times. WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 18, 1867.

The Invercaegill Eifle Volunteers met for drill on Monday evening, (16th inst.) The muster was large, nearly one hundred beiag present. A meeting for the election of officers was held. Captain Harvey announced that he had received letters from the General Government, enclosing commissions from His Excellency the Governor to himself as Captain, and Mr Geisow as Lieutenant of the Company. Also that a staff-drill-sergeant (.Mr Paxton), had been appointed, that the rifle targets had been forwarded, and the arms, &c, would speedily follow. He complimented the company on tiie progress that had been made, and stated that it was most desirable that the greatest attention should be given by all to master the drill, inasmuch as it was not improbable that the Duke of Edinburgh would visit the Province in the course of a few months. In order to complete the construction of the company at once, he had determmed to proceed to the election of members to those offices that had not yet been filled up. The officers to be elected were two sergeants and four corporals. The election resulted &% follows : — Sergeants, F. A. Von Hammer and Andrew Dunlop ; Corporals, Messrs K. Eose, A. M'Kellar, Wm, Granger, and W. Garven. We understand that in accordance with the Volunteer Act, a Cadet Corps and a band is in the course of being organised. It is to be hoped that the members of the Invercargill Rifles will resolve to continue tte interest and attention they now evince to secure the success of the company. The Secretary to the Association for the Promotion of the Fine Arts in Scotland, Mr F. W. Scott, requests us to announce for the information of the local subscribers that a prize of considerable value has been won at the late drawing by an Invercargill member. The picture is by Horatio M'CuHoch, 8.5.A., and is entitled, "In the West Highlands." It 3 value is £150. The fortunate ticket is No. 2787. The '• Southern Cross" says : — " The question how to give a fitting reception to the Duke of Edinburgh is agitating the native mind. The natives are extremely anxious that the Prince should receive a favourable impression of them on his landing in New Zealand, and there can be no doubt that His Eoyal Highness will look upon the Maoris, of whom he must have heard a great deal, with considerable interest. The idea which we have heard expressed amongst them is, that several of the leading men from each hapu should come to Auckland to receive the Prince on his landing. We presume that this matter will be looked after by his Honor the Superintendent when he retnrns from Wellington."