Social and Domestic.

Southland Times, Issue 997, 3 August 1868, Page 3

Social and Domestic.

Tip to the time ; of our going to press no additional felegramsiad been received from -Wellington relative to the progress of events, either on the Assembly or at the scene of war. The Theatre Royal was again crowded to excess on IViday evening last, oix the occasion of" the tenth popular entertainment under the auspices of the Penny Beading Society. Owing to oar space ' being . chiefly taken up with summary matter, we can, on this occasion, do little more than state generally that the entire programme was carried out most satisfactorily,Jwith the slight exception that some of the readings were rather lengthy. The musical portion of the entertainment, it is almost needless to say, was excellently performed— the * Greek March,' and "Twas on, a Bank of Daises Sweet,' being probably the best amongst the instrumental and vocal pieces respectively. The Original Paper on life Assur r ance, with the reading of which the evening opened, was listened to with much interest, the subject being treated in such a manner as rendered it both instructive and interesting to a large proportion of the audience. The reading which followed, 'The Brook,' from Tennyson, was sadly interrupted by the cries'", of a baby in arms, which refused to be pacified, and was far too long in being carried out by the mother. The subject itself was also ill adapted to a mixed audience. The second reading, 'Against inconsistency" in our expectations,' was a most appropriate selection — beating in mind the primary objects of the Penny Readings — and was admirably read by Mr Irvine. It was, however, just a few minutes too long. ' The Spanish Maid,' from Picnic Papers, (was rendered by Mr Nichol in his usual masterly style — the hushed attention paid throughout its delivery being most noticeable. Mr Wotton read the last piece, ' Lucretia Borgia Smith's Soldier,'. by Mark Twain, to which, although scarcely in his style, he did very great justice, and highly pleased the audience. ; Our Bluff correspondent, under date 28tli~inst., sa y 8 : — I have to report a narrow escape from drowning which occurred here on Sunday morning. The party in question, Torrence Galloway, took a small flat bottomed dingy from the wharf with the intention of having a paddle about the bay, but not knowing the harbor he proceeded too far out and was caught in the current — it being ebb tide at the time, which he couldnot stem, and from which he could not extricate himself. Finding he was being rapidly carried out to sea he raised an alarm, which was fortunately heard by a few people on the wharf, who manned a whale boat and put off to rescue him. At the Bame time a boatman who was at Tewais point, seeing the dangerous position G-alloway was in, put off to a convenient distance, and under his guidance Galloway succeeded in pulling through the cuirent about 30 yards from the rip — where there was a very heavy sea on which would have instantly engulphed his frail craft. The whaleboat having now got down Galloway was safely transhipped on board, and landed again on terra firma — the dingy being left at Tewais point. -We observe that the butcher's shop, at the corner of Dee and Spey-streets, recently occupied by Messrs Paterson and Craik, and formerly by Mr Bitterath, has just been enlarged, refitted, repainted, and reopened in the same line by Messrs T. Swale and ' Co. The business, we understand, is under the immediate management of Mr Swale, who, from his position as an extensive stockowner and grazier, ought to be able to supply the public with meat of the best quality at a moderate price. The carcases iis--played inJ3ie_6hpj3i_Bigce opening have certainly been excellent. We understand that Mr Smith, who for sometime past has had charge of the Invercargill Telegraphic department, has been promoted to a good position in the head office at Wellington. During his term of office in this thown, he has made many friends, and earned the reputation of being an efficient and painstaking public servant. '•■•:■■ On Thursday evening a large number of friends and acquaintances assembled to partake of the hospitality of mine host of the Shamrock end Thistle Hotel, on the occasion of the reopening of the house. The hotel itself, formerly known as the Newmarket, has received at the hands of the new proprietor, Mr J. McMenamin, a thorough renovation — the entire premises having been freshly painted, papered, decorated, and replenished with handsome furniture. In short the house has been fitted up and furnished in a style to render it a commodious and comfortable hotel. The old Theatre at the back is also under process of improvement, and last night formed a very excellent ball-room, in which dancing was kept up to a late hour. We (" Ly ttelton Times ") understand that the Government have appointed 0. 0. Bowen Esq., 8.M., and J. W. Hamilton, Esq., 8.M., to act as commissioners to enquire into and report upon certain charges made against Mr Warden Kyniiereley. Messrs Bowen and Hamilton 1 start for Westport this morning, 21et July.

The musical entertainmenta during tlie month: have been more than usually attractive. Madame Carandiui, with her talented- daughters, accom* panied by Mr Sherwin, have payed us another visitrand are now giving a series'of : concerts:/at the Theatre Eoyal. We regret that,-owing to the inclemency of the weather up 'to - the present time, these concerts have been .but 'thinly attended, but the high estimate in ;which $hi*.. company is held, will ..doubtless ensure for them success, should the weather moderate during the remaining part of the, time fixed for. their stay in this town. As Vocalists they are most accomplished," arid, " by nature, highly favored. In addition to this, a" J*eriny Reading" Society Ja* been • established-, 1 that has;' instituted weekly^ entertainments of a varied kind, embracing 1 lectures, vocal and instrumental music, select . readings, recitations, &c. The success of -this Society has been unexpectedly, great. :> A plan of an improved sheep washing machinehas been shown" us" ('Timaru Herald ') ; as far as we can judge by a cursory examination of the plan, the apparatus seems admirably adapted for the purpose; intended, that of washing the fleece on the sheep's back well and expeditiously, and giving it thereby a far higher value in the market than obtained by the old and primitive 'process. "EevelsTstationtr >rhe* patentee^f^i^is^JHir^loffii Alves, of Dunedin. The apparatus complete is | by no- means costly, and would well repay the ' flockmaster. ja .the increased value given-to-his TTOOI. ;■.:":■ ."■■ The 'Sydney Mail' says: — "The Governor has gone for a cruise to the : southward and the i south-west. It is his intention, after getting- a glimpse of Riverina, to return; home by ; way (; pf*Melbourne. He has been received with loyalty wherever he has gone, but under the present constitutional regime he can promise nothing as he goes. That is a prerogative which belongs only to a Minister, and Mr~Martin accompanied him to do all that is needed in that line: Perhaps it makes it all,' the more enjoyable- for .the Governor not to be worried by deputations about roads and bridges." . .>- The following summary of Parliamentary news, is compiled from the telegraphic correspondence published in the 'Otago Daily Times.' The Road Board Bill contains' 248 clauses ; existing road districts may be brought under the Act by petition to the Governor when the petitioners outnumber those that in a similar way oppose- it. The new districts are not to be. less, in area than 15 square miles ; if the petitioners against the formation of a Eoad District are in the majority, the application can be renewed from time to time. The Board is to consist of six members elected by the ratepayers, and the revenue to consist of rates, tolls (except on the Main roads), any grants from a Provincial Council or the Assembly, and 20 per cent of the land fund where less than half the land is sold j 25 per cent where fths is sold, and SO per cent if ftbs or more is sold. This regulation is not to be applicable to Timaru or Gladstone. All bridges, roads, or ferries, are to be managed by the Board. The Superintendent may direct the Boards to construct Main Roads, and, on refusal, construct them at the expense of the Board, The Main Roads made, all funds applicable to 'them can only be expended in repairs. The Minister is to report annually to the Assembly. The Governor may issue regulations to facilitate the work.' Where the Superintendent has failed to act, the Governor may do so. Wellington, July 20th. The Escapees have retired from their entrenchment, and scattered— it is expected to their homes. Mr Booth, R.M., has arrived from Patea. The Natives along -the country to TaranaM are avowedly disaffected. Colonel Gorton at .Wan>: ganui, has scarcely obtained, any of the. 100, Volunteers called for. Wellington, July 21.^ Nearly all tho member* sire now' present.' The Treason Felony Bill has been in .committee .all the afternoon. After an attempt to throw it but by Messrs Q-'Neill, Gallagher, Haughton, and others, it 'passing with slight amendments?L Colonel Haultain is going forthwith to Patea. Wellington, July 22. — On Tuesday, the Treason i Felony Bill passed with slight amendments. A petition from Waikouaiti to be made a County has been On the committal of :thd . Bridges and Ferries Bill, Mr- Yogel moved, and Major Heaphy seconded, that it be committed that day six months. An animated debate ensued, ' but Mr Hall declaring that the Bill was absolutely necessary for Westland, the motion ' was lost by ,32 to 20. On going into committee, Mr;Trav»rs moved an amendment that the title of the bill be ' Westland bridges and Ferries Bill.* After a long debate, Mr Vogel's amendment, . that the bill should only apply to districts, was carried . on the voices. Thereupon Mr Hall refused to go further that night, and moved that the chairman ' report progress.' On Wednesday a petition from Picton to be made a County was presented; A despatch dated May 22 was read. It stated that transports would be provided for moving the 18th Regiment to the Australian colonies, relieving "troops there ordered elsewhere. Th« Crown Agents leport that £92,000 of General! -"efOYßruaimu uvea; *2y/,uou ditto sixes, ■ and £521,151 Provincial sixes had been sent -in for consolidation. For the new loan, double the amount required was tendered for in the first two days, one firm tendering for- the whole. Mr Stafford moved the first reading of the Disqualification Bill. It debars office-holders of the General Government from seats in either House, and } provincial officers also while the . provinces share in the consolidated revenue. The Colonial Executive and Superintendents alone are exeepted. No one spoke upon it. Wellington, July 24. The Offences Bill was under discussion all last night* The Houss was one continued scene of laughter, confusion, and recrimination. The Sunday Observance Clause waa thrown out, by 30 to 18 ; and an attempt to do the same with, the whole Bill was defeated on a division, by 28 to 21. Mr Travers gave notice of a motion to consider the Government Native Policy, for Wednesday. 'Mr Haughton's motion, for a reduction of the Gold Duty, is 'to come on the same day. This afternoon, the second reading of the Mortgages of Stook Registration Bill came on for consideration. It was opposed by Messrs Travers, Bell, Borlase, Fox, Brown, and Brandon ; but it was carried on Mr Hall consenting to refer it to a Select Committee. The Provincialists held a party meeting this morning. ■■ ■■■ The " Melbourne Herald ", of July 8 says:— It was rumored hut night that Sir Charles Darling was likely to be appointed to the Governorship of South Australia. vi ' '' lj