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Southland Times, Issue 886, 22 January 1868, Page 2

In order to present an unbroken narrative of events by the mail, we repnblish the latest special telegrams in this morning's issue. - A general meeting of the Tnvercargill Rifle I Volunteers was held at the Orderly Boom, railway station^ on Friday- evening last. About sixty members were present. The minutes of previous meetings were read and confirmed, Captain Harvey, in addressing the company, urged upon the members the necessity of their constant attendance at drill and rifle practicelie thought that there had been a falling-off of late, but this he attributed to the extremely bad weather that had prevailed during the las!^ few weeks, and to no satisfactory information having been given as to uniform and rifle practice. Ho then read the correspondence that had passed between himself and theJDefence Minister, from which it appeared that the General Government had adopted one uniform for the Colony, the trimmings and cap badge being the only distinguishing mark. The cloth required, it was found, could not be obtained in the colonies, and an order ha 1 been sent home for an ample supply that would shortly arrive. With respect to the band a difficulty had been experienced in obtaining the instruments required. An order foi them had been sent to Melbourne but the instruments received being. of_ a very inferior description had been returned, and arrangements made for obtaining superior ones. With respect to rifle practice, he would state that the Provincial Government had consented to drain the practice ground, and the .work was being carried out. One target had bean erected and practice commenced. He thought the|grovincial Government, if applied to, would grant the funds for the erection of th< others, if not the company would bo called upon to do the work themselves.- (The request has been made and the necessary, expense authorised.) The resignation of the office of hon. Treasurer by -Ktrxfor^TesTTwas suomitt&u, attcTMr Dickenson was elected. Other business of a regimental character having been disposed, transacted th, meeting terminated with a vote of thanks to tli* chairman (Captain Harvey.) The Government have concluded the-arrange-ments for the despatch of the Ci Amherst " as a search ship, to the AuckUini Islan 13. FTer fitting is beiug carried out with great spirit and energy. Provisions, clothing, and all implements likely to ba required by castaways are being obtained, and securely . packed. It is intended that the. whole of the Islands shall be carefully; searched, and depots forme 1 wherever practicable. Mr H. Armstrong, M.P.C. will accompany the vessel on behalf of the Government. There could not baa -better selection, as his nautical experience and perseverance cannot fail to prove of grent value, and ensure the object of the expedition being thoroughly carried out. We understand that the preparations have been so far perfected that, weather permitting, the " Amherst " will sail on its noble mission during this day. All will unite in wishing her success in the performance of the dangerous task undertaken. The Committee appointed at tile general meeting, held at the Council Hall on Thursday, the 18th January, for tho purpo3o of obtaining subscriptions for the relief of the survivors from the wreck of the General Grant," and ensure the immediate despatch of a search .ship tj look for the missing men, have actively carried out their mission. A meeting wa3 held on Friday last, when the Chairman stated that he had an interview with his Honor the Superintendent, and learnt that the Provincial. Government had resolved to send a search ship without delay. The Committee then resolved to confine their operations to collect funds for aiding the castaways, and for presenting a testimonial to the Captain and crew of the brig Amherst that rescued them. Great interest in tho movement was shown, and about seventy pounds at once subscribed. The Committee, therefore, at a meeting held on Monday, voted five pounds each to the castaways. In addition to this, a testimonial was presented to , Mr Teer, a passenger, who had rendered special service to his companions while on the Island. It consisted of a gold watch and chain, valued at ,£25. The whole of the wrecked men left" Invercargill for Melbourne, passages having been provided by the Otago, ye3terday. A large number assembled at the Bailway Station. to bid them farewell, among which we observed Mrs and Miss Taylor, the wife and daughter of his Honor the Superintendent. '-The 'attention and liberality that the female survivor — Mrs Jewell — has received frOtri Mrs Taylor and her household, is beyond praise. She was her guest during her stay, and was amply supplied with everything she could ■ possibly require. By a telegram received from the Provincial Treasurer of Otago, yesterday afternoon, we learn that the sum of £25 has been raised in Dunedin towards the relief of the survivors. Subscription lists have been transmitted . ti Melbourne, and it is' expected that the Wreck Committee will not only be able to get up the Amherst testimonial, but be able to place something to the credit of a permanent Wie-k Society, the formation of which is contemplated. Advices have been received that the " Ella Gladstone," which* vessel recently left this port for China,' has safely reached Foo-Chin-Foo. She thew obtained a charter to take a cargo of tea to Melbourne, 'afe £3 15s per ton. She was expected to sail about Christmas,

I The survivors of the General Grant, on the invitation of the Bey. R. S. Bunn, Wesleyan Minister, spent the principal portion of the evening, previous to their departure for Melbourne ■with a few friends, who have manifested more than passing interest in them since their arrival, at the old chapel, North Boad. The company, (hurriedly called together), to the number, of about thirty, assembled at dusk, and sat down to a substantial and truly comfortable tea, after wliich. suitable religious exercises wero engaged in, intermingled with social conversation! Before dismission, Mr Bunn, in name of himself and the ministers of thf other denominations, they having be*»n unavoidably absent, presented to each of the guests a copy of the Scriptures, bearing an nppropriateinscriptionasaremembrance of their visit <o Invercargill, and as a token of the interest fe'.t for them by the chur'-h. Prom our advertising columns it will be seen that the Census Enumerator, (I. N. WfltfEsq.) | solicits those householders who have not re- j ceived, or returned a Census paper, should com I communicate at once to the iicad-.office, Camp- | belltown, It is highly desirable that this request should be frankly compUed with, as it is necessary, financially and politically, that a correct census should be obtained. All such communications if m irked " Census business only " wil go post free.