Local and General.

Southland Times, Issue 967, 12 June 1868, Page 3

Local and General.

This evening the entertainment at the Theatn Koyal will be for the benefit of Mr J. Small, and it will also be the closing night of the perfor mance of the Nathan Troupe, as they intend tc proceed by the steamer to Melbourne, thai leaves the Bluff on Sunday. It is nece33ary that more than a passing notice should be taken of the performances of the Troupe during their stay here. On their arrival, nearly a fortnight ago ( the most discouraging prospect, in the shape of weather presented itself, and Borne illnatured persons predicted that the company would have to leave without performing. Fortunately the weather suddenly changed, and there has since been fine nights and crowded houses. But it must not be forgotten that Mr Small largely contributed his share in entertaining the audience with his inimitable drollery, his excellent acting, and reaily good singing. His popularity was very generally acknowledged by the people ol Inrercargill, when he was here some four years ago, and since his return the same approbation has been manifested. The programme for this evening presents a great many attractions, and as it is the last occasion Mr Small will have of appearing before an Invercargill audience, we hope that his benefit will be luccessful, and that a bumper house will testify that his talents are appreciated by his friends in Southland. We understand that the Provincial Treasurer, Mr Blacklock, is about to proceed to Melbourne on business of a public nature. For some days a number of men have been employed at the railway reserve preparing machinery for two steam saw-mills, one to be erected by Mr John Murdoch, in the neighborhood of Clifton. We understand that the intention is to cufc timber for export, as well as for local purposes. The other is to be erected by Messrs A. J. Smyth and Co. in the vicinity of the rising township of Tapanui, the increasing demand for timber in this district and the adjacent goldfield settlements being great. It speaks well for the province to find such enterprise displayed, and will no doubt contribute to the increase of our railway traffic. We have been requested to call attention to Messrs Russell and M'Collough's sale of timber, which takes place this day at noon. The lot is well worth the attention of builders, being all thoroughly seasoned blue gum, the material, which composed the store recently occupied by Mr Todd, on the Jetty Road, is piled in suitable lots, and will be Bold on the ground. A special meeting of the members of the Acclimatisation Society is advertised to be held at the Government Buildings on W ednesday night, the meeting previously called for last Wednesday evening having lapsed through paucity of at-j tendance. The members ought to make it a point to attend, as business of importance, including the election of office-bearers for the ensuing year, has to be considered. We remind our readers of the extensive sale of general merchandise, which will be held by Mr Osborne, at the stores of Messrs M'Pherson and Co., Tay-street, this day, at 12 o'clock. We have been requested to state for the information of the trade, that the flour will be put up at 1 o'clock precisely. The "Wellington Independent" of May 30, referring to the telegraphic news from Greytown, remarks : — From a telegram which is published in another column, it will be seen that Mr Grove, who has for some time been prospecting, has discovered what is alleged to ba "a gold-bearing quartz reef of seventy feet in thickness," and that he has brought to Greytown twelve specimens all of which " indicate the presence of gold." The telegram is exceedingly vague, and does not particularly indicate the locality of the discovery, further than by saying " that it is on ' the Manawatu line." Until, therefore, Mr Grove's report has been published, we will not be in a position to judge of the value which should be attached to the discovery. Our correspondent does not sufficiently describe the nature of the twelve specimens He says " that all indicate the presence of gold,' 1 but that gives us no idea whether the reef is a payable one or not. We shall await with much anxiety further information on this subject, and trust that the discovery may prove to be of a valuable character. Our correspondent telegraphs us that Mr Grove wants a sum of £30 to pay the expenses of further prospecting, and that the Government should assist him. We have no doubt whatever that if the favorable character ol this intelligence is confirmed, the Government will not be laggard in affording the means to aid in prosecuting an undertaking, the success of which would be fraught with the greatest benefits to the province. At present the information about the alleged discovery is incomplete, and until it is supplemented by fuller details, nc proper estimate can be formed of its value and importance. A very remarkable gold coin has recently been brought to this country, observes the "Athenseum," from India. Its value and importance appear in a few words of description communicated by General A. Cunningham, " But what," he writes, " is a double gold mohui compared to the great gold Eucratides which hae just been brought from Bokhara by Aga Zebalun Bokhari? It is two inches and a half in diametei and weighs ten staters, or eleven guineas! It has the usual helmeted head on one side, with the horse-mien arid inscription on the reverse. The owner has refused £700 for it. It is genuine, and beats all.the Greek corns hitherto discovered."

A very remarkable gold coin lias recently been brought to this country, observes the " Athenaeum," from India. Its value and importance appear in a few words of description communicated by General A. Cunningham. " But what," he writes, " is a double gold mohur compared to the great gold Eucratides which has just been brought from Bokhara by Aga Zebalun Bokbari? It is two inches and a half in diameter and weighs ten staters, or eleven guineas! It has the usual helmeted head on one side, with the horse-men and inscription on the reverse. The ewner has refused £700 for it. It ia genuine, and beats all.the Greek corns hitherto discovered." .

3 The following was published as a " Gazette" j . •xtraordinary on Thursday, the 28th. ult. :— Colonial Secretary's Office, Wellington, 28th May, ' 1868. His Excellency the Governor directs the publication, for general information, of the follow--3 ing reply from His Royal Highness the Duke of fc Edinburgh to the numerous addresses of sympathy f from the different parts of the colony. It is hoped that the reply which;] His Royal Highness 1 has been graciously pleased to make will be accepted in the case of each of those addresses. — E. W. Stafford.— Government House, Sydney, 3 April 6, 1868.— 1 desire to return my warm 1 thanks for the expression of sympathy which b these addresses contain. Through the merciful - interposition of Providence, the injury I received t was but slight, and I believe no further evil conr sequences are to be anticipated from the wound. It has, however, been considered that I shall be unequal to any great exertion for some time, and J therefore decided that it would be most advisable for me to return home direct. It is a great disappointment for me not to be able to visit New Zealand, and I am afraid it will also very much disappoint the people there. The cowardly act of one individual has not in any degree shaken my confidence in the loyalty of the people of these , colonies towards the throne and person of her Majesty, or in their affection for myself ; and I Bhall8 hall gladly convey to the Queen the universal expression of horror and indignation which the attempt to assassinate me has called forth from . her Majesty's faithful subjects in Australia and New Zealand. — Axprbd. j The "Otego Daily Times" thus summarises on ' the position of Provincial Politics :— " The Provincial Council has continued in session since our last Summary, but has only within the last few days made any progress in real work. Questions in connection with the administration of the Land Act, especially as to the proclamation of Hundreds, were made the ostensible causes of constant attacks upon the Government. Those attacks resulted in a motion of want of confidence, ' which was negatived. Then Mr Donald Reid, , a member for the Taieri, brought forward a motion, attacking the Government on the ground of their financial proposals ; but at the close of the discussion which followed, he consented to adopt an amendment by Mr M'lndoe, which was directed against the general policy of the Government. This proposal was carried by a majority of one, and thereupon the Government resigned. Mr M'lndoe failing to form a Government, Mr Reid was sent for. He did form an Executive, consisting of himself and three country members. That Executive existed about two days and a half, when it was defeated by a majority of three. The mover of this vote of want of confidence was Mr M'Dermid, who was sent for by His Honor the Superintendent, and the result was the formation of an Executive, in which Mr Togel, Mr Duncan, and Mr Haggitt resumed their old places of Secretary and Treasurer, Secretary of Land and Works, and Solicitor ; Mr Hughes remained aa a Goldflelds non-official Member, and Mr Mr M'Dermid as a second non-official Member. Messrs Burns and Mollison, who were members of the former Yogel Government, retired. Good progress has now been made with the Estimates. A resolution has been carried in favour of a dissolution of the Conncil, so that new elections might take place in December next ; bu^ the concurrence of the Superintendent, in requesting a dissolution, may at least be regarded as open to doubt, seeing that the resolution was voted by less than a majority of the Council. An indication of tho possible concurrence of His Honor, however,"in the appeal to His Excellency, was given yesterday, inasmuch as the Government consented, after the Estimates and Appropriation Act should have been passed , to bring in a Bill for a general readjustment of the representation, if it is so desired."