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Southland Times, Issue 1563, 12 April 1872, Page 2

The peiformanca at the Theatre Royal on Wednesday evening was not bo well patronized as we anticipated. This fact, however, did not interfere with the spirit in which the programme was carried out. It comprised a number of the delineations of character which Miss Dolly Green and Mr Small hare ma le their pa-ticular stu ly — the speedy trans'bi'mutions of the one artiste, and the wonderful facial expression of the other, being the subject of favorable comment. The entertainment was brought to a close with the farce of " The Pair of Pigeons," which sent the au Hence away in the height of good humor. Mr White's excellent accompaniments on the pianoforte contributed in no small degree to the evening's enjoyment. A new style of school desk, invented by Mr Laurie, the woll-known publisher of educational works, is perhaps the most important and ingenious novelty in school accommodation that has ever been introduced. By the simplest contrivance possible it may at once be transformed into a table, a comfortable seat, or an inclined desk for writing or drawing. It has already been employed and highly eulogised by distinguished teachers in England, Ireland, and Scotland. It is gaining ground in these colonies, and its singular advantages have caused it to be used by many of the missionaries in the Pacific Islands. It is strong, light, and neat, and can be transformed so as to be applied to all school purposes. There can be scarcely any doubt but that it will come into general use. " Shepherds," it is very evident, will soon be as extinct in Australia as the bunyip. The latest information on the subject is afforded by the Pastoral Times, which says that the question of advantages attendant on fencing in the runß and letting the shaep go at large, when compared with shepherJing the sheep on unfenced runs, has now been pretty well tested on the Darling. It is estimated that the sheep have at lea9t, on an average, lib of wool more when they are-per-mitted to go unshepherded. Nor is this all — the wool is decidedly cleaner, more free fiom dirt or • " gritty " substances, and has more yolk, so that the advantages of fenced stations are undeniably great ; in fact shepherding sheep will bo dispensed with wherever it is practicable to do so. The point may be considered as settled in these dia- ] tricts. The Business streets of Dunedin (siys the Dally Times of Monday last) presented quite a holiday appearance during the latter part of Saturday, most-of the tradespeople having closed their establishments at one o'clock, in furtherance of the objects of the Half-Holiday Association. The exceptions to the rule were few. Tbe weather, too, which was very unpropitious on Friday for outdoor exerjise, was all that could be desired on Saturday. So far, then, those who benefit by the Jlalf-Holiday Movement, and they are not a small or unimportant section of the community, have every reason to feel gratified that their eflorta have been so successful. In commemoration of the cent, and also to ensure the day being spent by the Association, and those who sympathised with them, as pleasantly as possible, a musical entertainment, under the auspices of the former, was given in the evening, at the Masonic Hall. The Nelson Colonist has compiled from official sources the following state nent of the cost of inland mail services during the periods stated : —

Total £23,55-5 7 5 £23,936 18 0 The increased expense of mail services in Wellington and Taranaki for 1871, is tho charge for the service between Wanganui and New Plymouth. Tho general charge of £1503 for 187 L is also part of the cost of that, service — tho whole cjst being £3000 a year. Tiie amount stated a3 the cost of services in Hawke's Bay for. 1871 includes the charge for service from Napier to Taupo and from Taupo to Tuumnga, namely, £303 a-year. These services were discontinued on Ist January, 1872. A service was established from Taupo to C.imbiJge in 1871, to ba per'ormed by a native once a vrook tor £L5O ayear. In the pron ice of Nelson a service wa3 established between Westport and Reefton once a wei'k, at a cost of £183 a-year on the 13th May, 187 L. In othor provinces, the mail communication maintaine 1 in 1370 wa3 continued in 1871, and was consilerably improved and extended during the latter year. The mail services generally throu ;hout the Colony were greatly improved and extende.l, and if tho cost of the service between Wanganui and New Plymouth , amounting to £3000 par annum, be deducted, it will be seen that these improvements were effected at a considerable reduction in tho total expense.

In 1870. In 1871. Province or County. Amount. Approximate amount. £ e. d. £ s. d. Auckland 35U 1 3 2969 0 0 Taranaki 230 0 0 630 0 0 Hawke's Biy 7L4 0 0 1239 12 6 Wellington 2321 0 0 2751 0 0 Nelson 1519 0 0 1275 O O Canterbury.. 4772 0 0 3910 0 0 Marlboiough 59 1 14 0 729 14 O Otago 6079 12 2 5120 0 O Southland 1145 0 0 9^5 0 0 WestlanJ 2676 0 0 2572 0 0 General Charge ... — 1500 0 0