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Southland Times, Issue 1100, 26 July 1869, Page 2

We understand that it is the intention of the Australian and New Zealand Agricultural Company to ereot a boiling-down establishment in the Eastern District. It is to be hoped that the | Government will offer every facility by setting aside a block of land for the formation of roads in this district, and encourage in every way in its power the operations of a company which' has already expended so much capital in the province. ! The Bazaar, in aid of a fund for the erection of a Temperance Hall, to which allusion was made in these columns a few days ago, opens at the ! Exchange Buildings to-day at noon. On Saturday we paid a visit to the Hall, and found a tried and staunch champion of the cause just completing a counter, which extended along one side and I necrose one end of the room, for the display and sale of wares. The decorative department was also in full operation, several pairs of willing hands being actively engaged in fixing up flags, ferns, evergreens, emblems, mottoes, deuces, &c, &c, while the prospective saleswomen were eagerly discussing in groups about the room the probabilities of the approaching event. Even in its unfinished state the Hall had a very pleasing appearance, and will, no doubt, be quite charming when the display is at its best — when the last touch shall have been given to the adornment of the walks, when the tables are loaded with an infinite variety of pretty articles, temptingly offered for sale by as great a variety of prettier ladies, and the scene is rendered still more animated by the strains of music and the presence of a cheerful crowd. Telegraphing accross the Atlantic has become comparatively cheap. On the Ist of Juri6 the tariff on Atlantic cable messages was to be reduced from £3 7s 6d for 10 words, and 6s 9d for each additional word, to £2 for 10 words, oharging for address and signature, aud 4s for each additional word ; that an im iortant reduction would also be made for newspaper press messages, and that all political and general news would be conveyed from either side of the Atlantic at half rates. This would practically reduce London press messages from 6s 9d to 2s a word. On Friday afternoon last a young man, a half caste, was admitted to the Hospital in consequence of having received a gunshot wound in the leg. From what we have been able to learn, it would appear that he came by the injury in a very peculiar manner. On the Monday previous, the lad, Leech by name, and a man named Manuel, by whom he had been brought up , j were out on in a boat fishing, in the vicinity of their home at Stewart's Island. Thinking they might combine shooting with fishing, they had taken with them their only firearm, a dilapidated fowling piece. It likewise happened that their stock of ammunition did not include percussion caps, to. reroedyjwhich deficiency tbey determined

to try matches. After proceeding for BOrne dw- I tance, and while Leech was rowing leisurely along, Manuel sitting on the stern of the boat proceeded to experiment with the lucifers. Having loaded the gun, he cut the ignitable end from a vesta, placed it on the nipple, and drew btJck the hammer to full cock. One of the defects of the old piece consisted in the spring being unable to retain the doghead in this position, and it consequently required to be held back with the hand until the moment for firing arrived. By accident, while Manuel was raising the gun to a level, the hammer slipped, the matchhead answered only too well, and the consequence was the poor lad received the full charge in the knee joint. Immediately the disaster took place the boat was of course directed for home, where everything that could be done for the youth was attended to. To make matters worse, the boisterous state of tbe weather rendered it im- | possible for the following few days, either to j bring the sufferer across, or send to Invercargill for surgical assistance, so that it was iour full days after the event, ere the sufferer reached town, where his wound could be attended to. Ou his arrival at the Hospital it was at once seen that amputation would have to bo resorted to. The operation was accordingly shortly afterwards performed by Drs Grigor, Deck, and M'Clure, with what will, we learn, be a successful result, as, notwithstanding the evil effects consequent on the long time elapsing J before proper remedies were applied, the patient is in a hopeful state, although low from exhaustion.

The most pleasant and social gathering ever known at the BlufF was held on Friday evening last in the schoolroom. The objects of the soiree were principally to furnish the scholars with a treat, and by gathering together the parents and friends in a social way to promote the interest already taken in tbe school, and incidentally to form a fund for the purchase of rewards for the deserving. The whole of these objects were most satisfactorily accomplished. About ninety persons sat down to tables beautifully decorated, and not only amply but luxuriously furnished. The wonder on every hand was, how so many people could have been got together, and " the oldest inhabitant " had, until then, been dubious as to the existence of such a multitude in the localityAfter tea and the clearing of the tables, Mr Waddle was called on to preside, and introduced the juvenile contributors to the evening's amusement. Three or four of the little girl pupils, of ages apparently about twelve years, made their first appearance in public, performing piano selections in a very creditable manner, and boys and girls in recitations grave and gay showed their understanding of the subjects and their abdity to do justice. One little fellow, for whom a chair was specially provided, was remarkably happy in the part allotted him. Pour boys gave a rendering of a scene from " the Knights of the Round Table," which was much applauded. The juvenile portion of the entertainment concluded, the ordinary caterers for public amusement at the Bluff took their respective parts, and with humorous readings by Messrs O'Toole, Waddel, and Nichol — singing by Messrs Burrows and Stevens — interspersed with instrumental music, tbe long programme was satisfactorily disposed of. Happiness and good humour beamed ou every face, and it is hard to Bay whether the young actors in the evening' s amusement or their parents and friends were most plea sed. The meeting was so decidedly a success as to lead every one to wish for it 3 recurrence. To W. Fordham, as the working bee in the details of the fete, too much praise cannot be given. Certainly he achieved success, and what is more he deserved it.

The Committee of the Popular Entertainments may be congratulated on the success of their effort on behalf of the Bagged School, on Friday evening last. The programme issued for that oocasion was probably the best that has yet been placed by an amateur company, before an Invercargill audience, and when first announced, gave rise to doubts in the minds of many, as to whether it would be carried through without a break down. The acknowledged difficulty of execution characterizing Mozart's compositions generally seemed to afford more than sufficient grounds for those fears, and doubt was increased almost to certainty, when it was observed that the first part consisted of six selections, four choruses, one quartette, and one tenor solo, and choruß from the 13th mass, and Handel's magnificent " Hallelujah." When it ia remembered that the amateur pei'formera are but few in number, that they have not long been organised as a body, that their practices are frequently interrupted — some, from distance, being able to attend only very occasionally— and that their powers are heavily taxed to carry out the ordinary weekly entertainments, it will be better understood how great the exertions must have been to get up and carry through most triumphantly such a programme as that now under discussion. Certainly, short intervals of rest were afforded during the performance of several pieces, given by new friends, but from the time the curtain first rose, until the last strain of the National Anthem, the weight of the whole affair fell upon what we may term the permanent musical staff of the society. Fortnnately for the funds of the chp,rity, on behalf of which the concert was given, the night was most favorable, being clear moonlight, with tolerably dry roads. By the time advertised a goodly crowd had gathered round the Theatre, and the doors were not long open before the whole of the upper part ef theTiouse was crowded, while downstairs the attendance wasalso very good. Shortly after eight the curtain rose, and a scene was presented to the audience worth a good deal only to 'ook at. A great improvement in the stage arrangements had been made by the erection of a dais for the rear rank of performers, which had a fine effect by throwing into a mass, and showing to the best advantage, the whole strength of the choir, which was seen in position, ready to begin, when the intervening Bcreen fwas rolled up. A very audible murmur of admiration ran round the house at the moaaent the stage was exposed to the gaze of the audience, but it was quickly suppressed as the talented conductor, Mr J. Kingsland, raised his baton as the signal for attention. From beginning to end the whole programme as we have already aaid, was well rendered every one engaged seemingly being determined that no flaw should occur or energy and spirit flag. It is contrary to recognised etiquette to criticise amateur performances, and we have no wish to make a breach in the rule, still we may be allowed to mention a few of the pieces which, of superior excellence, merited more than a mere genera

remark. Passing over the chorusee, md instrumental parts, which were all admirably rendered, the first in order calling for special notice, was the duet " Oh, ye Voices Gone," beautifully aung by two ladies, one of whom made her first, but we hope not her last, , appearance on this occasion, possessed rich melodious voices, of that exact difference intone which tells so charmingly when blended. "The Blind Girl to her Harp," by a lady who has long been a great ! favorite, was the next gem, and but for the determination announced by the chairman—J. Blacklock, Esq., at the commencement — " That no encores would be allowed," would have had to be repeated. A duet " I Would that my Love," from Mendelsshon, was the next on the list, sung by the lady who took part in the first duet» and another whose musical talents have long been acknowledged as of a high order ;it fairly I delighted the audience, as was manifested by the I warmth of their applause. The grand duo, « Ah se de Mali," Hossini, by Mr Maiten, and a lady, an old favorite, was well given, and received due acknowledgment, the next song was so exquisitely rendered that it is difficult to refrain from naming the charming Bongstreas. It must, however, suffice to say that she is one whoße aid has frequently been given in similar circumstances, and whose presence is ever welcome to an intelligent audience. On this occasion, however, she fairly eclipsed herself, and in "Molly Aathore," fairly entranced the house. The duet, " Mira O Noroia," followed, and when it ie said that the ladies who sung it were two of the best tried of the regular staff ife wUI be under, stood that it was worthy of the admiration it elicited. " By the Sad Sea Waves," by a young lady who has greatly improved since she sung it at a former entertainment, was deservedly applauded, and was the last solo of the evening. A chorus and the Queen's Anthem, brought to a termination, at about 11 o'clock, a most successful and pleasant evening's entertainment. We understand that something over £12 will be the amount to be handed over to the School Committee. Of course the gross proceeds were considerably over this, but the terms under which the committee undertook to give this entertainment were that the amount of their usual prices should be deducted from the total taken, the excess only going to the charity. Considering the position in which the committee were at starting, and the difficulties they have had to contend with since it must be acknowledged, this was arery fair and equitable arrangement. It is also but right to mention that the house was generously given by Mrs Puettelkow for that night free of charge, a circumstance which will not be overlooked on fnture occasions, and which allows of a considerable addition being made to the amount accruing to the Bagged School. Th& 'Melbourne Age' has the following:-— «« Collisions between the Judiciary and the Press are so rare in British communities, where, upon the whole, the liberty of journalism is recognised as one of the best safeguards of the public interest, that no little surprise will be created by a decision of the Supreme Court in Sydney, 25th June. Our telegram \ announces that criminal informations filed against the ' Sydney Herald ' and Dr Steel, for having published comments upon the trial of Captain Hovell and Rangi prior to a decision upon theiaw points reserved in their cases, came before their Honors on the 25th June, that the 'Herald* was fined £100 and costs, and that Dr. Steel was reprimanded and ordered to pay the costs of the proceedings. Had the comments been made while the eases were sub judice so as to influence the verdict of a jury, -+c could understand this ; but surely it is not to be supposed that the publication was likely to influence the court itself, which would be the Hole essence of the offence. Our contemporary distinctly repudiated any intention of ' Baying anything that could influence those in whose power it now is eitherjto enforce or restrain tbe law in the final disposal of these men,' and merely commented upon the abominable traffic their connection with which had been established. When the court itself sentenced them to death, in accordance with the verdict of the jury, how can it have been wrong for a public journalist to express what he deemed the verdict of public opinion ? So far as we can at present judge, in punishing the ' Sydney Herald ' the court appeals to have taken a step which it will hare to retract at a serious loss of dignity. The ' Nelson Examiner' of the 7th inst says : — Our readers learnt from the letter of our Wellington correspondent, on the 9th June, that the body of a native, believed to be that of Te Kooti had been washed ashore in Hawke's Bay, which went to confirm the statement of his having been killed at the pah he treacherously obtained possession of in his late raid into the Mohaka valley, and that his body had been taken out to sea in a canoe and thrown overboard, By the St. Kilda steamer, which arrived lately in Poverty Bay, the following particulars were obtained :— "The body of Te Kooti has been found lying naked on tne beach near Wairoa (about eight miles north of Mohaka), with a long rope tied round the waist, and which is supposed to have had some heavy substance attached to it to sink deceased. Tbe rope, however, had broken, and l the body was washed ashore. It will be rameip, bered that on two or three occasions the report has been circulated that Te Kooti had been shot and buried at sea, so that his remains should not be identified. The name of the native who fired the shot has also been repeatedly given, but the arch-rebel had been reported killed on so many previous occasions that his death was not generally believed in. Captain Jones, of the ' Murewai' (in whoso employ Te Kooti was for some time when he was engaged in the whale fishery), has identified the body as thafc of the murderer Te Kooti, by the tattooing on his thigh which he had observe.! on him when he had been out with him after whales, it being often necessary for men to strip when engaged in the w »rk. Also the wound that he was reported to have received in the breast when shot was still visible when the body was found. His name could also be traced, tattooed on his breast. The seetlers of Wairoa do not entertain the slightest doubt that the bloodthirsty leader has at last met bis just punish' ment." We learn from the ' Nelson Examiner,' that the season of one month allowed for pheasant-shooting in the Motueka and neighbouring districts, has commenced, and we find that nearly double the number of licenses were taken out to what were issued last year. The birds are becoming very plentiful in the Waimeas and in the suburbs of the town, and if preserved for a year or two longer, there will be no reason to cross tbe bay for sport.