The Southland Times. MONDAY, NOVEMBER 23, 1868.

Southland Times, Issue 1061, 23 November 1868, Page 2

The Southland Times. MONDAY, NOVEMBER 23, 1868.

j The ss. Mataura with the Mails via Panama fc arrived at Wellington early on Saturday morning p last ; our boxe3 may therefore be looked for by the j s.s. Ashley, now due, but probably detained to 3 bring them on. The Nathan Troupe are somewhat unfortunate j_ in failing to draw full houses, although the per--3 formances are really good, yet the attendance 3 has been limited. This may be in some j measure accounted for by the inclemency of the 5 weather. We hope, however, to see a better at- , tendance this evening. A fresh programme would, we think, add to the popularity of the ■ entertainment. r The Grand Show of the Agricultural and t Pastoral Society takes place during the course of 1 the present week. This exhibition certainly now 5 forms one of the events of the year, and as the , association is one deserving of encouragement at ; the hands of all classes of the community, it is ' but right that the day should be observed as a ; close holiday. Such was the case formerly, and , as we understand the show of this year will be 1 fully equal to that of last, our townspeople cannot do better than avail themselves of the opportunity for a day's recreation such as they have not the chance too frequently to enjoy. On Saturday we paid aSvisit to the Yards of the Agricultural and Pastoral Association, when everything connected with the building and fencing of the ground and the interior accommodotion for stock and I other exhibits appeared to be nearly completed. Workmen, were however, still busy in various parts of the yard, but as two or three days have yet to elapse before the " grand occasion " everything will no doubt be ready in due time. Certainly the Committee have gone about their work, in this matter at least, ia right earnest. A more substantial, commodious, or better arranged show yard, will not be found in New Zealand ; everything has been done to render the enclosure perfect for its purpose, and permanent in structure. A Nelson correspondent of the ' Westport Times' tells a good story of Dr Hector: — Dr Hector, it is said, stated hi 3 conviction that a severe earthquake would occur on \he night of the 18th ult. He therefore invited several scientific friends to spend the evening with him ; in order to make observations, stating thac he believed the earthquake would take place about midnight. The mystic hour arrived, but brought no earthquake with it, and the learned doctor's friends began to jest with him on the nonfulfilment of his prediction. He, however, requested them to suspend their judgment for a while, and having gone out on the verandah for a few minutes, returned, and immediately commenced a mock incantation scene, calling around him by appropriate gestures, like anothor Zamiel, the dread powers of darkness, much to the amusement of his guests. Their horror, however, may be imagined when, only a few minutes after the doctor had commenced his spell, the earthquake really came , and we can hardly be surprised to learn, as the story runs, that, yielding to a sudden and irrational impulse, they unanimously implored him to desist from his unholy work.

New Zealand flax is about to receive a fair trial as to its capabilities for rope-making. A ropewalk is about to be established at Wattle Flat, f near Caatlemaine, in which the phormiutn tenax I will be the sole material employed. •

Mining affairs in Westland appear to be pro* mising. At Okarita the population has been steadily increasing, until it now numbers about 350, and a further increase is expected. Payable gold has also been found about 14 miles up Cook's river, and a party of four miners has managed to wash, about 15£oz. in four days, notwithstanding the fact that the only mode of sluicing available was by stretching a piece of calico on two sticks. At Big Paddock, also, the miners are making from £10 to £15 each per week ; while at Reilly's Q-ully their average weekly finds are from £10 to £20 per man. This latter place is described as being particularly flourishing, no less than eight hotels, besides several shops and stores, having been erected there. A singular phenomenon is reported to have occurred lately at East Melbourne. During a thunderstorm which took place there, a shower of worms, varying from two to two and a halt inches in length, fell, and in one instance, the windows , were covered, and the yard filled, with these unusual visitors. The Lake district is now fairly independent of foreign growers for grain and flour. — A fine sample of wheat from that neighborhood, equalling in colour and appearance the best Australian produce, has been shewn to us. It was accompanied by an excellent sample of flour from the l"rankton mills, putting beyond a doubt the adaptability of the agricultural land between Q.ueenstown and the Arrow for the production of cereals of first aualitv. The Polynesia Company has made some im portent alterations in the scheme for colonising the Fijis, They are detailed in the ' Argus ' as follows : — In the first place, the -whole of the land acquired (200,000 acres) will be made over to the company in consideration of 10,000 shares, on £2 will be considered as paid up. The capital ■will be reduced from £250,000 to 100,000, and the share from £5 to £2. Free grants of land will be given to all shareholders of the first issue in the proportion of forty acres of agricultural land to every ten shares taken up, and one town lot of half an acre to every twenty five shares. A Biverton correspondent writes as follows : — "The second of the Biverton Penny Headings came off on Tuesday, the 17th inst., and like the first, with complete success. Probably the largest audience ever collected together in Riverton assembled in the large hall to enjoy the entertainment. After a pleasing musical introduction, j the Rev. Mr Oldham introduced the first reader, ' Mr H. Lyon, who read a selection from the ' Old Curiosity Shop,' which although rather exceeding the time allowed, was brightly appreciated by the audience, and warmly applauded. The song, ' The White Squall ' followed, sung by Mr Aldred, who being encored, gave c Good-bye Sweetheart Good-bye.' The next reading was from 'Sam Slick,' by Mr D. Cameron, which was greatly enjoyed, by the boys amazingly. ' Never forget the Dear Ones,' solo and chorus, was very sweetly sung by a number of young amateurs, principally members of the English Church choir. Mr Nicholson recited a serio-comic medly of his own composition, which produced roars of laughter. He was followed by Mr E. Wilson, who sung ' When the Bloom is on the Rye ' very correctly, but whose voice is scarcely equal to the room. Mr Austin read ' How I became a Dummy,' an amusing piece of Life in London, after which Mr Lyon appeared again in the character of a vocalist, and delighted everyone with the song 'Bubbling Water,' which wa3 given with an ease and humour which could not have been surpassed. It would have been gladly listened to over again, but taking into consideration the lateness of the hour, he very prudently acceded so far as to repeat only one verse. ' Annie Laurie ' was sung as a duet by two young amateurs with great ease and feeling. ' The Minute G-un at Sea,' sung by Messrs Wilson and Cameron, followed, and the evening wound up loyally with ' God Save the Queen.' We must not forget to mention Mr Schmidt's services as a violinist, which were veiy acceptable, as usual. Great credit is due to the Secretary for his conduct of the proceedings, there not being the slightest confusion or interruption throughout the evening. During the quarter ending on the 30th September last, there were exported from Victoria 330,8460z 7dwt of gold, of the value of £1,323,166, the whole of which was the produce of that colony. In addition to this amount, also, there were exported 8-3,4870z lldwt of gold produced in New Zealand, equal to £333,908; and transhipments from New Zealand also took ; place to the value of £13,248. During the nine months the total value of Victorian gold exported was £4,974,268, and of New Zealand gold £842,422, making a grand total of £5,836,690, besides 21,4330z sdwt from New Zealand which for some unexplained reason, are not included in the above statistics.