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Southland Times, Issue 958, 27 May 1868, Page 2

A meeting of those in favor of the " Penny Reading " movement was held in Dee-street, in Buchanan's old store, on Tuesday evening, the 26th inst. The attendance was numerous, and those present appeared to take great interest in the proceedings. Mr M'Clure was called to the chair, and briefly explained the object of the meeting. Considerable discussion ensued as to the best place to hold the entertainment in ; but it wap ultimately decided to leave the question open, and in the meantime to continue to use the Exchange-buildings. The following gentlemen were elected to act as a committee: — Messrs M'Clure (chairman), GWrnour, Burns, Perkins, Dickenson, Crouch, Hauan, Stewart, M'Rorie, Irvine, with: power to add to their number. Mr Irvine was appointed managing director, Mr Perkins, secretary, and Mr Dickenson, treasurer. It was resolved to hold the next reading on Friday «vening next. Every one present appeared to speak hopefully of the success of the movement. A 3 oung man named Shepherd, of this town, whilst endeavoring to cross the River Mataura, on his way to Switzer's, was accidently drowned. The band of the Invercargill Rifle Volunteer Company turned out for marchirg practice on Friday evening last. The muster was good, and the tunes played were more correct as to time I than ha 3 yet been observable. We regret to have to state that some evil disposed person or persons were vicious enough to throw stones and mud at the performers, which resulted in the destruction of tlie tenor side drum, and also injured the large drum. A very fine specimen of coal was brought to • our oflice on Saturday last. In burning it pro-, duced a steady heat, with a clear white flame, and whon consumed left very little ash and scarcely any cinder. We should say it would be found perfectly suitable for nearly all the purposes for which coal is used. The specimen was taken from a seam, said to be eighteen feet in thickness, which crops out on Captain HowelTa run, in the Jacob's River district. Surely such a " natural resource," such a mine of absolute wealth, will not be allowed long to remain undeveloped. We learn that upwards of 750 acres of land were sold yesterday, at the Waste Lands Office. '

The Invercwgill Rifle Priae Match came off on Monday i&st. The weather was most unpropitious, and consequently the firing fell far short of expectations. The rain and wind prevailed during the whole day, and the target did not show its division with tlmt, distinctness. essentjjajLj to'first tlass firing* on | the ground including some ladies. The Volunteer j Fife and Drum Band, under the leadership oj^lr Eae, was in attendance during a large portion of, the day and played several marches and other popular music. At noon, at the call of Captain Harvey, three cheers were given for Her Majesty the Queen. The gallant Captain then announced that another prize match would be arranged for some convenient day in the ensuing mon^h, when two valuable silver medals, presented by ladies, would be the first prizes. The subjoined is a list of the scores made :—

Ist prize, Private A. Brown ,• 2nd, Private F. Campbell ; 3rd, F. Henderson. There was in this class an extra prize of 10s. for the best score at each distance, wliich fell to the lot of Private A. Brown, for 300 and 400 yards, and Private Campbell at 500 yards.

. , First prize, Private M'Conechy j second . piaza. Or. Mitchell ; third prize, J. Taylor. The dulness of Inveicargill is about tojljfl- enlivened with a series of evening entertainments, which will consist of readings, vocal and instrumental music, &c. The first entertainment will take place on Friday evening, at the Theatre Boyal. Wo observe that this is also the evening selected by the Committee of the Penny Headings movement for a similar purpose. There ought to be some arrangement made between the two Committees toavoid clashing with each other. The Nathan Troupe may be expected to arrive by the Airedale shortly. Our old friend jgSmall, the comic singer — a host in himself — is amongst the company. We congratulate Me Jones on having secured so popular an attraction to his theatre. Monday, 25th May, the Queen's birthday, was observed as a general holiday. The weather was wet and cold, and the general aspect of the streets uninviting in the extreme. Several picnics were postponed, and, with the exception of the rifle-match, little or any amusement was observable. It will be seen from our telegrams published elsewhere, that the same description of weather prevailed in Dunedin, and must hare to a considerable extent damped the ardour of those loyal citizens who purposed taking part in the demonstration in that city. The following return shews the quanties of , gold exported from the different ports in the i colony during the quarter ending the 31st of March last : — [

The quantity and value of gold exported from each. Province is as follows . —

The total quantity of gold exported, is 160,295 ozs j value, £634,036. „

300jds. 400 yds. 500 yds. Tl. Pr. 0. Brown ... 4 11 4 19 „S. Dalgleish. ... 5 6 0 11 „E. Henderson... 13 8 4 20 „ Thomson ... 11 3 0 14 „F. MUlar ... 9 2 0 11 „F. Campbell ... 10 9 6 25 „ Ch. Franklin ... 6 0 2 8 „J. Huffadine ... 7 9 0 16 ..A. Brown ... 17 14 2 33 „S. T. Henderson 6 2 0 8 „ G-. Beese ... 12 7 0 19 Sgt. Dunlop ... 4 2 0 6

FIRST CLASS,

100 yds, 200 yds. 300 yds. Tl. Pr. M'Conechy ... 19 14 16 49 . „W. Smith ... 17 6 8 31 „C. Fraser ... 7 4 0 11 ..J.Taylor ... 20 8 4 32 „0-. Mitchell ... 17 13 15 45 „J. Dunlop ... 18 11 0 29 Serort. Von iammer 18 . 8 0 26 Pr.Dean 16 _18 ,^-" .36

JUNIOR CLASS.

QUANTITIES. TAiTTB. OZ3. £ Auckland 8,405 24,476 Picion 401 1,604 Q-reymouth (produce of Marlborough Province) ... 3 12 Nelson 2,120 8,48 Westporfc 29,823 119,292 Brighton 7,905 ■■> -31,620 Greymouth (produce of Nel- ■■'■ k- - ■ ;. ■'■ • iios h-; ■■. son Province) 11,671 46,684; Qreymouth (produce of West- r land) „ 10,397 41,588 Hokitika ... 40,352 161,408 Okarita 2,526 10,104 Dunedin (produce of Canterbury Province) ... ... 3 12 Dunedin (produce of Otago) 43,950 175,800 Invercargill 2,739 10,956

Auckland 8,405 26,476 Marlborough 404, 1,616 Nelson 51,519 206,076 Westland 53,275 213,100 Canterbury 3 12 Otago 43,950 175,800 Southland 2,739 10,956