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Southland Times, Issue 1019, 11 September 1868, Page 2

Messrs Hargin and G-raham, of Dee-Btreet, hare introduced the recently invented American Tube Well, a notice of which appeared in this paper some weeks since. They have successfully dri ver* the tubes to a depth of seventeen feet, on their own premises, at which depth they obtained an abundant Bupply of beautiful spring water. The advantages the tube has over the ordinary well are many, the chief, however, is that the surface drainage cannot reach it, and the water obtained is cool and pure. We have inspected the work, and consider it a great improvement upon the ordinary well, *nd we are informed that it is equally as cheap. Those interested in the experiment can see the result for themselves by calling at the premises.

We would desire to call the especial attention of the subscribers to the Southland Hospital, to the meeting to Be held, at the Council Hall, Kelvin-street, at 8 o'clock this evening. The business is important, and every subscriber who can, should attend.

A deputation of members of the Southland Jockey Club, waited on the Provincial Treasurer on Wednesday last. The object sought to be obtained by the Club, was stated to be a greater security of tenure of the ground embraced in the Eace course reserve. It was stated that the Club had at present only a permissive authority over the land, and as a considerable amount had been spent, and a still larger outlay contemplated they were desirous of getting a better title. The Provincial Treasurer acknowledged the reasonablness of the request, and stated his desire to place the Club <in such a position as would justify a continuation of the work of improvement.

Yesterday afternoon an extensive fire occurred in the vicinity of Captain Elle3's residence, which did Considerable damage. The whole of the eastern side of the fencing of that gentleman's property has been utterly destroyed. Had it not been for the exertions of a number of men employed in the vicinity, a very large amount of property would have beeu sacrificed. It is supposed that the flax was purposly set fire to, and a reward of £5 is offered for the conviction of the offender.

The London correspondent of the ' Argus,, writing under date 17th July, gives the following favorable account of the value of New Zealand securities : — " The conversion of the New Zealand debt has been, on the whole, eminently satisfactory, and the friends of that colony have now the satisfaction of seeing their debentures take rank with those of "Victoria and New South Wales, while they are much higher than the bonds of many of the oldest and largest states in Europe."

A meeting of gentlemen favorable to the formation of a Southland Art Union, wftß held at the Club, on Thursday afternoon. The attendance was not so large a3 had been expected, owing to other meetings being held at the Bame time, and also to the fact that several gentlemen, who had expressed an interest in the undertaking, having proceeded to the Bluff to nleet tlie mail steamer. There | were present — Mesars W. H. Pearson (in the chair), T. Watson, J. Harvey, J. H. Baker, Capt Raymond, D. Macdonald, A.*M'Collough, J. F. Jones, F. W. Scott, and J. J. Ham. It was resolved that an Association, to be called the Southland Art Union, should be established, and the following gentlemen were elected a Managing Committee, viz. : — Messrs Henry Armstrong, Thomas Watson, A. J. Biles, John Blacklock, W. H. Pearson, T. M. Macdonald, W. H. Calder, W. Stuart, James Harvey, J. M'Pherson, J. H. Baker, and F. H. Moore. Mr T. Watson was elected hon Treasurer, and Mr F. W. Scott> Secretary.

A case, which occupied considerable time, -was heard at the Resident Magistrate's Court yesterday, the 10th inst., before H. M'Culloch, Esq., R.M. Mr M'lntyre, lessee of the Albion Stables, sued Mr Cameron, of the Albion Hotel, for £20, for trespassing and making a forceable entry into the stables, and taking therefrom his horses, on the night of the 28th August la3t. From the evidence it appeared that Cameron leased the stables to M'lntyre with some indefinite arrangement that he was to have stable room for his private horses. However, previous to the above date a difference arose between the plaintiff and the defendant, and the latter attempted, on the night mentioned, to remove two fillies that had been in loose stalls for some months, but he was prevented by the plaintiff, who called for the aid of the police. Early next morning, however, the stables were entered and the horses taken away. It was proved in evidence that defendant's men had fed the horses, and had access to the premises during the whole time they were there. The whole question was simple, was there a forceable entry and trespass. It was not shown that the stables were securely locked, although the constable was under the impression that they were, he having seen one door fastened and ordered one of the defendant's servants to lock the other. Mr Harvey appeared for the plaintiff, and Mr T. M. Macdonald for the defendant. The Magistrate considered that the casa had not been sustained, and gave a verdiot for t/he plaiutiffwith coats.

A meeting of tho seitlera of the Western district "WiU be heH held at tb.B Odd Fellows Sail, JRiverton, on Monday evening the 14th miU ffev the purpose of considering tha desirability of aesking to obtain loea) Betf^o,vettv meat,

The Post OSloa authorities of South Australia have recently ooiomen.eed the issue of a new kind of twopenny stamp, struck off from electrotype iautead af steel plate, of whioh the following additional particulars are famished by the « Express 1 *—" Tho new stampja more distinct and ovaate than the old, and is more secure from imitation. The Ink Is fugitive, so that the poßto, marks cannot be removed without removing the color of the stamp itself j and another safe-guard against fraud is provided in the water mark, consisting of a crown, withS. A. underneath j at the back of the stamp, 1 '

There are now nearly 5,000 miles of lines of tolegraph open to the publics, in New South Wales, and the department is in a highly satisfactory state. Other lines are in progress, and ere long telegraphio communication will be extended to every small town in that colony.

The Captain and passengers of the ship Rose, of Australia, irom Newcastle, New South Wales, which arrived at San Francisco, on 27th June, report that shortly after passing between Curtis and Macauley Islands, of the Kermadec group, in latitude 30 degrees south, longitude 179 degrees east, they experienced a severe shock of an earthquake, which lasted about four seconds and was accompanied by a low rumbling sound. Those on board thought the vessel had grounded. Another, but slighter shock was felt about seven hours after the first.

The * Argus ' of the 28th ult., states that the late news from Gympie has stopped the rush from South Australia* A number of miners who had reached Port Adelaide from Port Lincoln, on their way to Queensland, on Tuesday of last week, and then heard the latest news, wisely resolved to save their money, and remained where they were.

From the Geelong " Advertiser," we learn that the new reservoir for the water supply of Adelaide is to be made capable of containing nine hundred million gallons, and is to be constructed a« an estimated cost of £75,000.

The Friendly Natives (gays the ' Herald") have been distingishing themselves in Auckland. A select party had come to enjoy themselves, and in the evening some of them were fonnd drunk and disorderly in the street. The police seized an offender and handcuffed him, but they had no sooner attempted to drag him along than 40 or 50 of his comrades set to work to rescue him. They carried sticks, spears, and tomahawks. A fight in the style of ijonnybrooi Fair soon followed, the poiice were injured, and their prisoner escaped. One of the Maories who attempted the rescue was captured and lodged in the lock-up.

The Hawke's Bay people are still casting a longing eye at the south-e astern districts of the province of Auckland. A Wellington correspondent of the Hawke's Bay ' Herald* says :— " A strong feeling now exists in the House (promoted by the case of the East Coast as laid bare by the member of Olive [Mr Ormond] in his recent speech) to hand over to Hawke's Bay the administration of the East Coast. It is quite time that it was administered by some body. Whether your Superintendent will, at this stage, undertake to unravel the tangled web of mismanagement which may be offered for his acceptance, remains to be seen. In any ease, I trust he will not undertake it without that money aid from the colony which is neqg^sary to effect a thorough settlement under existing circumstances."

A meeting of the General Committee of the Penny Readings Society took place at the Provincial Hotel, on Wednesday evening last, at which the sub-committee brought forward their report of the progress of the Association for the four, months it has been in existence. There was a very good attendance of members, each of whom displayed unabated zeal in the movements After the business for which, the meeting was specially called had been disposed of, the question of the propriety of discontinuing the entertainments for the summer months was taken into consideration. It was ultimately decided to give two more performances, that of this evening, and one this day fortnight, the latter to take the shape of a grand effort on behalf of the Hospital. As a matter of couise for that evening the prices will, probably, be slightly raised, but as the funds are to go to our most deserving institution, the public will no doubt respond most liberally. The report of the committee will be found in another column.

A statement of the liabilities and assets of the various banks of the colony for the quarter ending June, has been published in the ' New Zealand Gazette.' Bank of New Zealand liabilities, £1,762,460 7s 3d ; assets, £2,324,396 I7s> Union Bank of Australia, liabilities, £941,765* 16s; assets, £1,226,314 19s 7d. Bank of New South Wales, liabilities, £849,228 11s 8d; assets, £1,295,806 4s 7d. Bank of Australasia, liabilities, £156,460 13s ; assets, £397,649 13s Id. Bank of Otago, liabilities, £157,770 13s 7dj assets, £429,547 5s sd.

A lai'ge whale was captured, after an exciting chase, on the 22nd ult., in Portland Bay, opposite the Narrawong Beach, and towed by boats to the new jetty, where it was anchored. The value of the prize is estimated to be between £300 and £400.

The Hobart Town 'Evening Mail ' states that a sow belonging to Mr Wood*, near Bridge water, lately gave birth to 23 young pigs, all in a healthy condition, and they are at present thriving well.

We (' Nelson Examiner/ 27th ult.,) understand that a reference has been made to Wellington by telegram, a3 to whether a compliance with the instructions published in the c Gazette' relative to the alteration in signalß was necessary, and the reply received has been that any disregard of these rules involve a penalty of £50 and a liability for damn^es that might arise in consequence. The sign li staff is not to be erected on the Boulder- ba. i!-;. is desired by the Harbor Master, but will hi continued where it is, and we are to havn :.:i« privilege of using the lesser flag-staff, prc.ui.ied the signals used are approved of by the Marine Engineer.