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Southland Times, Issue 1137, 7 April 1869, Page 2

Southland Building Society. — The Committee appointed to draft the rules of this institution presented their report at a public meeting held last evening in the Court House. The attendance was very good, the chair being occupied by Mr K. Rose. The rules of the Otago Building Society with some slight alterations were recommended for adoption. Mr F. Nutter was appointed provisional Secretary and Treasurer, and the share list being opened 130 shares j were taken up in the room. A Committee | for the transaction of preliminary business I was elected from the shareholders present, and it was understood that a canvas would be instituted to ascertain the number of shares which could be at once disposed of, as the basis of the Society's operations. A public meeting of shareholders is to be held in the Court House on Wednesday evening next, the 14th inst. It is calculated that at least 400 shares must be taken up to render the Society successful, and there is no reason to doubt but that the number will be realized. Auction. — A sale of valuable household furniture, &c., is announced to be held tomorrow, at twelve o'clock, on the premises of Mr Hume. Mr James Surman is the auctioneer. English Mail.— "We had occasion to allud6 to the absence of responsibility on the part of either pest-office or telegraph authorities in hoisting the black ball on the arrival of the English mail. We might mention as a case in point that it was not hoisted yesterday until just previous to the train arriving in town, although the arrival of the Rangitoto was signalled at an early hour in the morning. The local Government should apply to the Postmaster to take charge of the ball ; we believe he would do so. The Obeti Kailway. — The works have fairly commenced. The entire length is about twenty miles, and it is expected that the completion will take about twelve months, and will afford employment to about 250 or 300 men. Already a large number of hands are engaged on the line, and the Rangitoto brought a further addition to our laboring population yesterday. The Duke op Edinbubgh.— The time is drawing near for the public taking some steps towards ensuring a fitting reception for His Royal Highness, when he pays this Province a visit " A meeting might be held, and a committee appointed to collect subscriptions and draw up a programme for the occasion. Prince Alfbed.— H. E. H. the Duke of Edinburgh has gained the favour of the Irish residents in Sydney by a simplo and graceful act, which is related by the Herald as follows :— On the evening of St. Patrick's Day, the Prince and the Hon. Eliot Yorke visited the Royal Victoria .Theatre, where Mr Walter Montgomery is playing an_ engagement. There was a very large house. His Royal Highness was received with loud and long continued cheering. It soon transpired that, although unablo to attend the pic-nic in honor of Erin's patron saint, His Royul Highness the Duke of Edinburgh had, throughout the day, exhibited his love for "Old Ireland" by wearing a bunch of shamrocks on tho breast of his coat — instead of the bouquet he usully wears. This expressive tribute of regard and thoughtful consideration was, of course, deeply gratifying to every Irishman who saw it. The Hon. Mb Fitzhebbebt. — The . Hon. Mr Fitzherbert was to leave England by 1 tho Suea Mail on tha 83rd February.

The "White Eebel Bent. — One of the women who was taken prisoner at the rush of Otoia, on the 13th March, states that the notorious Kiinbell Bent "was shot through the jaw on the occasion. She besides confirms the reported defections from Titofco of considerable numbers of followers, which we announced three days ago. They becoming tired of war, now that defeat has overtaken them, and even those who have no hope of reconciliation miy betake them, selves into the interior. The vigorous prosecution of the war was never more necessary for the subjugaton of the native race than now. — ' Wanganui Paper.' i A Sad Stoet of Digging Life.— The following strange story is told to the ' Bendigo Independent ' by a resident of Sandhurst, as ' having been witnessed by him recently, Springfield Creek : — " Having occasion lo call on an old acquaintance, he tapped at the door, and a faint voice desired him to go round to the back. He did so, and espying a door half open, he went in, when his eyo rested upon a coffin. Behind the door, sitting down with his head resting upon his hands, was a man emaciated and almost ghostlike in appearance. To the gentleman's sympathising inquiry the man replied that he had buried his wife a few days previously, that the coffin in the room contained the remains of his son, and that he felt that in a few days he should himself ' drift out to that unknown Sea which is round all the world.' He ascribed the death of his wife and son, and his own illness to the effect of inhaling the all-pervading and horrible dust of the diggings, and our informant says that the last time he saw his acquaintance (a few weeks back) he was as hale and hearty a man I as he would wish to see." Wellington. — Wellington bids fair to offer a prolific crop to members of the legal profession for some time to come, that is if the Provincial Government can only find the necessary funds to detend themselves with. The Messrs. Kennard have already taken steps for the recovery of some £50,000 for breach of contract, while we learn privately that Mr, McNeill, whose tender for the erection of the Wanganui Bridge was accepted, and who, for a small consideration, consented temporarily to forego his claim, is about to take proceedings with, the view of recovering damages to indemnify him for the loss he has sustained. In his speech the other day, His Honor said he had heard nothing of this matter, but we have! — 'Advertiser.' The Aieedale. — The ' Evening Post,' 30th January, says : — " By telegram received from Napier to-day we learn that the Circular Saw Co.'s s.s. Airedale, on her passage to Manukau, encountered a violent storm, in which she lost her foremast with all its gear and rigging. Tenders for repairs have been accepted, and it is expected that they will be completed by Saturday next. 18th Eotal Ibish. — It seems probable that the 2nd battalion 18th Royal Irish will be retained in New Zealand at the cost of the colonial funds, but this will not interfere with the return home of the 50th Regiment, which the 18th were to have relieved at Sydney. The 50th, in any event, may be expected in England about April or May. — Home News. VOLTTNTEEBING AT THE THAMES. — The ' New Zealand Herald,' of the 4th instant, has the following : — " Major Cooper, we understand, has been so successful in raising a corps of Taranaki men at the Thames, to serve in defence of the Taranaki province, as to have enlisted some forty -five men who have already seen service. These men marched out yesterday to the Manukau, en route to their destination — the south. Rockets, &c, will, we understand, be sent by the vessel to the officer commanding at Taranaki. Major Cooper has also been so far successful in raising a local force for the defence of the Thames, as to have enrolled one company of eighty men, and to have another company in course of formation, which a few days will no doubt see raised to the strength of the first-men-tioned. His difficulty, we understand, consists in the fact that the Government — because, we suppose, it has not the money — refuses to give pay at once to the men. These corps are daily drilled, at night and morning, in squads near their several claims ; Saturday afternoon, on which no work is done at the diggings, being the day for a general drill and parade. There are, we are told, some first-class shots among these men ; and if a good rifle range could be obtained near Shortland, it would be a great advantage to them. There ought, and no doubt will be, companies sufficient at the Thames to iorm a very efficient regiment. The enrolling of considerable numbers at the present time is of no small importance." Wakamabdta Diggings.— The ' Marlborough Express," of a recent date, has nothing favorable to say of the Wakamarina diggings. The people who had flocked there on the intelligence of gold being found in payable quantities, are fast abandoning the ground. Municipal Cobpobation. — The town of Blenheim has been proclaimed a borough under the " Municipal Corporations Act."