The Southland Times. FRIDAY, OCTOBER 11, 1867.

Southland Times, Issue 735, 11 October 1867, Page 2

The Southland Times. FRIDAY, OCTOBER 11, 1867.

We understand that there is every probability that official notification may shortly be expected from Wellington of the consent of the General Government to finish the Oreti line of railway. Further advices are expected from Scotland, irom the Eastern Agricultural Society, before anything definite can be determine wifch'-respect to the Mataura line of railway. We have been reqi*sted to notify that as;tho B.B.,Taaarua leaves the Bluff , on Sunday morning, a special train will be despatched from InvercairgilLin.time to meet her. ' Yesterday being the "Presbyterian half-yearly Fast-day, it was observed with the . respect befitting the occasion, business having been entirely suspended both by the public offices and the merchant's generally. The streets had as quiet an aspect as. they usually have on a Sunday. In the Scotch Church, "Divine Services were held morning and- evening: For tee convenience of those not regarding the. day- as a sacred one," the G-overnment ran excursion trains to the Bluff at cheap fares, but they were not largely patronised, the day having unfortunately turned out a wot one. .-■ : ' ' ■•■ . .'■ ■'•• : - - -' •*'- - It is stated that in ;a few weeks. ;the whole distance between Westport and Nelson will be able to be travelled on i horseback, as\ there are' now only a few rock-cuttings to finish so as to open the whole road. ■ ! The " Daily Times" has the following :— " The Public Works Committee ol the Melbourne City Council has agreed to * recommend for the Council's acceptance the tender of Messrs Cain and Lawrence, for the erection of the new townhall. . The stone. to be used will be obtained from Oamaru, in this province. It is expected that Prince Alfred wiU lay the foundation-stone. A very curious circumstance recently occurred at a "■"■ digger's wedding," at BaUarat. \) The bridegroom, on arriving; at -church,.- waited for "some time, but all in vain; for tiie coming, of his bride^ upon whom he had liberally lavished some Ll5O or L2OO, in jewelry, dresses, &c..; K and it at last became evident to him that she had no intention of keeping her appointment. Vi This being the case, and being desirous- of not having -his journey and trouble to no purpose,: he proposed to one of the bridesmaids— to whom' he had previously made a tender of his hand and heart, but who had rejected him — that she should reconsider her refusal. Admiring, probably, the philosophical spirit displayed by our friend, -the. young lady did reconsider, and retracted her refusal* and, apparently very much to the; satisfaction of both, and certainly to the amusement of those present, they were macle man and wife. : : . The : extent to - which -kangaroos'; increase •> on some of the Australian sheep stations, thus occasioning a serious nuisance to the eheepownors, is very .remarkable,, The . ."Argus ''■ says : — " On some of the Riverina stations, the sqnatters-offer 6&- a head for their extermination, and it ia said they are so numerous thas , the work of ..killing .them-could be made to pay -well. Then it is stated that on com© runs in the western; parts of Victoria these animals are so plentiful '&& to keep the sheep- in low condition) by eating the beat of the ' grass, kangaroo? being 'as numerous , as . sheep • on several of , the -runs. Hunts on a very large scale, in which -theie animals are driven in by hundreds, and some times >' by tnousands,-. . into yards, and ; there slaughtered, are often undertaken with a view of thiuning; v their riUmWa, b \4t apparently with