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Southland Times, Issue 1764, 8 July 1873, Page 2

One of the mail bags belonging to fie overland mail, which arrived in town on Saturday night, 'having been inadvertently left behind at Tokomairiro, the contractor lost no time in having it despatched by pack-horse, and it was duly received on Sunday evening. Owing to the prompt action thus taken, no inconvenience was caused by the delay. The organ lately imported from London by St. John's Church of England congregation was ÜBed in the services of the Church for the first time on Bunday last. Special psalms were selected for the occasion, and Mr Tanner preached appropriate sermons. There was a large attendance. The instrument, though powerful enough for a larger building, is of remarkable sweetness and mellowness of tone, and gave universal satisfaction. The organ was erected by Mr George "R. West, organ-builder, of Dunedin, and organist to the Church of All Saints in that city. Mr ■West played and conducted the opening services. We understand thn vestry of St. John's sent by the last mail to fingland to Mr W. Hautrie West, who for many years has filled the position of organist and choirmaster at Bagshot and the Military College at Aldershot, offering him a similar appointment here if he can see his way to come out immediately. We are informed that Mr Duncan M'Arthur has commenced proceedings against the Tuapeka Times, for a statement regarding the recent Oteramika election, in the Invercargill correspondent's letter published in that journal on 26th June, which Mr M'Arthur regards as libellous. The girl M'Chesney, now in custody on remand for a charge of infanticide in November last, was delivered of a female child in the gaol on Friday. There are about 6,42t,49S acres in Otago, and 1,500,000 acres in Southland, in pastoral occupation. V We observe from the list of prize-takers at the drawing of the London Art Union, held on 29th April last, that Messrs Francis Hamilton and George W. Nichol, formerly, "of mis' town, hare drawn the right to choose a prize of the value of £75 and £15 respectively. Mr D. S. Montagu, i6f the Bank' of New Zealand, 'has won a volume of etchings by the Etching Club ; and several other prizes have fallen to Nqw Zealand subscribers. A large sperm whale visited the New River Heads on Tbursdav, 3rd. , inst. Unfortunately hone' of the boats at the pilot station 1 were in readiness to start in pursuit of the prize. A social gathering of the members of the local Oddfellows lodges took place at the Oddfellows' Hall, Tay street, on Friday evening, the 4th inst. The chair was occupied by Mr George Goodwillie. Readings were given by Messrs Porter and Eatctiett, recitations by Messrs C. L. Frederic, C. Morton, and W. W. Brown, and vocal and instrumental , music by several members of the order. . The selections by the band (comprising four gentlemen connected with the Invercargill Stringed Band) were not the least enjoyable part of the programme. Throughout the entertainment was successful. About one i

hundred brethren were' presont, there being only two exceptions in favor of invited guests. There were also at least forty ladies present. A new feature — and one worth imitating — appeared on the programme. It was announced that the entertainmont would commence at 8 o'clock, and precisely at that hour, the chairman openod the proceedings, whilst opposite each performer's name the time fixed for his piece was notified, the result being that nearly twenty different selections were gone through without any delay, and completed within a few minutes to ten o'clock, the hour fixed upon for closing. The chairman in thanking the company for th^ir presence, intimated that the next reunion would probably be held on the Bth of August. The following telegram from Mr Yogel to the Chief Secretary of Victoria is published in the Melbourne Argus :—" Wellington, 17 | 8 | 73. — Congratulate you and Langton on contract. Have not seen terms, but price less than I anticipated. We shall write you notifying our acceptance of your proposal to join you in Suez service upon the terms determined in Conference." The daily average number of resident patients in the Dunedin Hospital throughout the past year was 127 — 102 males and 25 females ; and the average daily cost of each 2b, which includes the supply of medicines to out-door patients, and to the inmailiis of the Lunatic Asylum. The immigrants per Edwin Fox, which re» cently arrived at Lyttelton, have been landed on the Quarantine Island. V Mi* Carmthers, the Engineer-in -Chief, is reported to ba inspecting the site of the proposed breakwater at Napier, Hawke's Bay. The total amount of land revenue received by the Province of Otago (including Southland), during tiie finan'oially&ur ending 31st March last, was £1 95 : 376 $s lOd. A correspondent of the Wakatip Mail, writing from Moonlight, says that winter has now set in with unusual rigor, the snow lying to the depth of nine inches on the low ground, and the temperature being at freezing point all day in the shade. The report that Captain Moresby, of H.M.S. Basilisk, had taken possession of New Guinea on behalf of the British Government, seems to have been incorrect. The Melbourne Ar? U8 says : — As regards Nt,w Guinea, Captain Moresby did nothing whatever, but, pending the decision of the Imperial Government, he exercised the common right of discovery by taking possession of some small islands hitherto supposed to be portions of the mainland. The length of the roads m the Province of Qtago is said to be 1700 miles. The Thnaru Herald reports that a large area of wheat has been sown in that district, which in many places is fro en two to three inches in height, and looking strong and healthy. A number of farmers are still breaking up for wheat, considering that as good or better crops ' will be obtained by sowing in the beginning of July than earlier;