The Southland Times. FRIDAY, OCTOBER 18, 1867. SUMMARY FOR EUROPE .

Southland Times, Issue 738, 18 October 1867, Page 3

The Southland Times. FRIDAY, OCTOBER 18, 1867. SUMMARY FOR EUROPE .

The newly formed Rifle Corps is giving Bigns of a persistent vitality most refreshing. It now numbers, we understand, about one hundred and thirty members, independent of a Cadet Company of over fifty. A good Eife and Drum Band has been organised, that from the rapidity ofthe advancement made may be expected to enliven the dullness of the town in leading the company in its march on an early day. The rifles have been distributed during thf lust few days to those members who have attended morning drill, and as by the Tararua the ammunition has arrived, rifle practice will be commenced immediately the targets are erected. The energy that has been displayed by Captain Harvey and his officers to make, if possible, this the crack corps of New Zealand, justifies the belief thab at the next Colonial Rifle Match, Otago will not take all the prizes. We understand that there is every probability that official notification may shortly be expected from Wellington of the consent ofthe 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 determined with respect to the Mataura line of railway. The fist of prizes to be awarded at the forthcoming Grand Agricultural Show in January, next, will bo seen ia our advertising columns

It will be observed that although the amounts in most instances are comparatively small, the money has been judiciously apportioned so as to include nearly every department of both agricultural; and pastoral enterprise. It must also be borne in mind that the object, of societies and competitions of this nature is not to offer direct pecuniary advantages to exhibitors; but rather, by bringing together a collection of selected animals or articles and sub^fi^ig their respective merits to the criticism oflP-impetent and recognized judges, to demonstrate ' the ulterior advantages to be obtained by both exhibitor and the country generally, by careful, persistent, and wisely directed effort on the part of the producer. The amount of the award is, and ever should be, an altogether subordinate consideration to the intending competitor. The honor invariably attached to success should be sufficient stimulus to extra effort, while the material, though indirect, benefits, accruing therefrom, will be ample reward. It is said that a suitable enclosure has been obtained in the town in which to hold the show ; this in itself will greatly promote the success of the society, and is a vast improvement on tbe arrangements of former shows, under which they were held at yards some seven or eight miles out the East Road, utterly (considering what the roads were then like) beyond the reach of the majority of the public. It is is to be hoped that the stewards will make timely arrangements, so that everything may be turned to the best advantage for ensuring the success of the Exhibition. ♦ • The subjoined correspondence has been handed to us for publication. Superintendent's Office, Southland, 14th October, 1867. S IE , — I have the honor to enclose herewith copy of a letter from the Honorable the Colonial Secretary, in reply to a memorial from several of the inhabitants of Invercargill and the neighborhood, praying that his Excellency will not take steps to prevent the Commissioner of Crown Lands at Invercargill, from holding a seat in the Provincial Council of Southland. — I have the honor to be, Sir, your most obedient servant, Jno. P. Taylor, Superintendent. L. Hume, Esq., Invercargill. Colonial Secretary's Office, "Wellington, Bth October, 1867. Sm — I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of yoar Honor's letter of the 3rd uit., transmitting a memorial from several of the inhabitants of InvercargiU and the neighborhood, praying that His Excellency will not take steps to prevent the Commissioner of Crown Lands at Invercargill from holding a seat in the Provincial Council of Southland. In reply, I have to state that there is no law which prohibits a Commissioner of Crown Lands from being a member of a Provincial Council, and that at the present time, there are three other Commissioners of Crown Lands who are members of such bodies, .namely, in the provinces of Auckland, Wellington, and Marlborough ; and, moreover, many other Commissioners of Crown Lands have sat in Provincial Councils, amongst others I may instance the names of Mr Dillon Bell,"Mr Dommett, and Mr J. C. Eichmond. His Excellency cannot therefore be advised to prohibit the Commissioner of Crown Lands from sitting in the Provincial Council of Southland. May I request your Honor to b 3 good enough to cause the memorialists to be informed to the above effect.— l have the honor to - be, Sir, your very obedient servant, (Signed) E. "W. Staffobd.