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Southland Times, Issue 1826, 2 December 1873, Page 2

Yesterday being St. Andivw's Day, was observed as a holid ly by the bunks and Provincial Government offices. The weuthor during the day was very boisterous, aud anything but con- J ducivo to out— door enjoyment ; and this probably prevented many projected picuics, which otherwise would hive taken place. We have to acknowledge receipt of a copy of the Australian School Review, published at Yass, New South Wales. It contains a large amount of information pertaining to educational matters in the different Australian colonies, together with several very interesting original articles. The postal authorities announce that the first mail for the new San Francisco service will be made up in luvcrcargill on Friday morning. For a long time past, considerable difficulty has been experienced in procuring copies of the O:ago Roads Ordinances. This difficulty is now removed, as Mr L. Rodgers informs us that he has received a supply of these Ordinan.-ea. There was a full house at the Theatre on Saturday night. Mr Searell opened the entertainment with some charming solos on the piunoforte. Mr Bromley followed with " John Chinaman's marriage," which was amusing, and very well sung. Then came Mies Neilson with her " Letter from Home," a domestii balla 1, which she sang most fascinatingly, and with irresistible pathos. Signor Ferrari's Monkey Jenny went through her surprising feats on the flying trapeze, with her usual skill and dexterity. After this Mr Margetts sang " The land of love and flowers," a new Bong, written and composed by Mr Searell since the company arrived in Inver— cargilL The song was loudly applauded, and not undeservedly so, for although it possessed nothing peculiarly original, the language was poetical, and the melody pleasing. It is unnecessary to particularise the rest of tho individual performances which constituted the evening's entertainment, the whole being concluded with a screaming farce, in which Eeveral local amateurs took part, with credit to themselves and pleasure to the audience. After the performances were over, the usual jiift distribution took place. Among the articles given away were a crystal sugar-basiu, a snail looking-glass, a pair of ducks, a hammer, half a dozou tablespoon?, £1, half a dozen red herring? (these last the " gods" bounteously scattered broadcast all over the house), a pair of clothes-lines, a spirit level, a goose, and n live fat pig — the giving away of the latter being a source of immense merriment to the audience. Tho company's last performance in Inrercargill is announced to take place to-night, when, besides the usual gift distribution, prizes of £1 and 10j will be given for the best and worst local conundrums respectively. Owing to yesterday being St. Andrew's Day, the annual meeting of the Inveroargill Chamber of Commerce was adjourned ' till Monday, the Bth inst., at noon. The passenger carriages for the Mataura railway are built on the American principle (that is to say, the entrance is at the end, and the passage, two and a, half feet wide, runs longitudinally), and are fitted up with all the latest conveniences and improvements. Ins to ad of the bogie system, guide wheels, working on a centre pin, are provided, which will enable tho sharpest curve to be taken without the slightest difficulty or perceptible change of motion. There are first and second class carriages — an arrangement which will no doubt be much appreciated. A public tea-meeting, in connection with the Primitive Methodist Church, is to be held in the Drill Hall to-morrow evening at 6 30.

Ail sorts of crops an; suid to bo t>»rdy of | growth thia seasou, but, judging by a specimen now before v?, the potato crop must, in some localities, be in a highly satisfactory state. The potatoes to which we refer were brought to us on Saturday lust by Mr Rankiu, of Waikiwi. They are American earliea, or more commonly kno.vu as white kidneys. Though not exactly ripe, they are flue, fresh, healriiy-looking roots, nearly full sized, and quite fit for the table. The Australasian Skotcher for November contains tho following illustratuna : — The Cup naj 2 a sketch on tho lnwn ; the Glamor's visit to Sandhurst ; the Cup winner, Don Juin ; junction of the Warragainba with the Nepean, New South Wules j tho iiuish for the Melbourne Cup ; Government House, Hobart Town ; landing the Carl captives ; Cook's Cove, New Zealand j portrait of Mr Parkes, Premier of New South Wales, &c. At a nu-etinsj of the Provisional Directors of the Southland Steam Navigation Company (Limited), the National B ink of New Zealand were appointed bankers to the Ojmpany. We understand that it is contemplated to hold a concert in connectiou with St. John's Church on Tuesday next. It is notified that the Governor -has accepte 1 the services of the Inveroargill Highlaud Hiila Volunteers. A meeting 13 to be held iv the Drill Shed on Friluy evening, when it is announced that business of importance will be submitted to the Company. Tho following is a list of the prices to be paid for the different mail services in Southland during the year 1874 : — Between Invercargill and Balclutha, A. J. Smyth, £465 ; do- Invercargill and Kiverton, A. M'lntyre, £30 ; do Invercargill and Flint's Bush, D. Camp'icll, £45 ; do Winton and Kingston, W. Flint, £97 ; do Athol and Nokomai, J. Coulara, £30 j do Mataura and Switzer's, A. Mathieson, £115 ; do Mataura and Fortrose, W. Laurie, £60 ; do Rivertou and Otautau, J. Clark, £35 ; do Otautau and Bellemont, T. Clark, £45; do Otautau and Dunrobin, T. H. Walker, £50 ; do Elbow and Mararoa, W. Flint, £60; do Wiuton and Forest Hill, J. Hodgkinson, £45 ; do Riverton and Orepuki, J. J. Cuff, £40. The Cromwell Argu3 Bays the price of gold will be reduced on nn.l after the Ist of December from £3 16s to £3 15s per ounce. The following telegram, relating to the now Licensing Act, has been received by His Honor the Superintendent from the Colonial Secretary : — " The necessary steps are being taken to bring the Licensing Act of 1873 into operation, so that licenses may be issued in accordance with its provisions (see 13th and subs -quent cl-iu33b) for the year commencing on the Ist July proximo. In the meantime any licenses that expire before the 30th June proximo may be renewed under the local Ordinance, with the understanding that the licensees must take the necessary steps to obtain licenses under the new Act at the proper time in March next, and that a proportionate deduction from the fee for tho new license will be made for the unexpired term of any license that may be required to be issued under existing circumstances." A Murlborough paper states that the Provincial Exeoutive has requested the General Government to make arrangements for the shipment of immigrants to that province at tho rate of 100 per month, for the next six months, and also for a supply of single females at the rate of 50 each month. Immigration barracks are to be erected at Blenhii'n immediately, the Government having authorised the expenditure of £1,000 for the purpose.