INVESCARGILL.

Tuapeka Times, Volume III, Issue 206, 11 January 1872, Page 6

INVESCARGILL.

(From our own Correspondent.) 2nd January, 1872When the spring has been back;ward here, December has generally fee£njjifine growing montb. However, '^fcht& seSfeo% December,- like its pre-

/ontinuance of strong cold . winds 'that on the 23rd rose to a furionp gale; by its force windows were broken, fences and chimneys blown down, the steeple of the Presbyterian - Church overthrown, and many gardens injured. In the bush I never saw 80 many trees and branches brought by any former gale. *Oirtbe 14th the annual show of the

.Southland Agricultural and Pastoral /Association was held. The day • though rather windy vjas moderately aud the attendance about an --average. I b&vo frequently deplored itilne , small attendance of country Settlers at nominations, elections, and public meetings, but they come iv - JBUjnbers to see the beasts — a fact that IJ^Pnstrates the power of natural The horses and cattle xrere average in numbers and quality, |^H a greater number of superior Rng-'wooljed sheep were shown than Visual. t As dairy produce has fallen so Npw probably farmers will in future (^^more* attention to sheep. The k show has never .received much countenance from the runholders, and no fnerim sheep were exhibited. There .ajras only a small display of agricultural as we have no local Brnoß engaged in this manufacture _■ j^VTien Invercargill enjoyed a brief gleam of prosperity after the discovery of the Lake goldfields, an enterpris- . ing publican built a theatre that rink iaLjemjal^ to that in Dunedin. professional actors have " visitpd 'Invercargill lately, but early in the month the musical amateurs gave a concert in the theatre in aid of the organ fund of St. John's Episcopalian •€&urch. The building was filled, the audience pleased, and thß fund considerably augmented. On the nighi preceding and also on the night ►after the cattle show, the theatre was JSlled to hear a miscellaneous dramatic .and musical perforance. TheV^matc'fer.H sought to give the iMufience the worth of their money, Bie programme being one of tbe longFit T have evei» seen. [/ The scholars attending the principal [pcbtSJl^here were examined on the nit, and at tbe theatre in the delivered their recitations to (a large and appreciative audience. tiieir ages, tbe boys ac-',-quilted themselves well» however, J jlniipspd tne prsturpg with which we Ijfc-eompanied elocution when Iwaa a schoolboy. In a community like that of Southland, composed principally ofScnrehYnen. niore attention ia paid to New K^av than Christmas holidays, E|wover, gome enterprising publicans llLjup sports of various kind* on

Boxing Day. Excursion trains ran to Winton, conveying passengers there and back, about forty mile 3, far tbe low fare of 2a. The day was one of the finest of the season, and a lal*ge number availed themselves of the opportunity of tak'ng a cheap pleasure trip. Racef and other sports came off at Winton, and I believe the majority of excursionists thoroughly enjoyed themselves. After returning' to 'invercargill, the Oddfellows wound up with a supper and ball. New Year's day has come and gone with a clear sky and a cold breeze, and has been kept a» a general holiday in town and country. The chief attraction h:is been the games got up by the Caledonian Society, held in the yards of the Agricultural and Pastoral Association, which are extensive and conveniently situated on the rown belt. ]n tbe afternoon the ground was crowded by old andyoungof both sexes, and everything passed of satisfactorily, although the programme was rather lengthy. It is warm to-day and excursion trains run to fie Bluff, where various sports are to be held, and in Invercargill the Flower Show presents attractions of a different nature. The season has been against fruits and vegetables, but as most flowers are grown under cover, they make up an attractive display.

At present business and political questions are superseded by amusements, but in the middle of December Tnvercargill was visited by bia Honor (I wish every one who receives this title really deserves it) the Superintendent, accompanied by Messrs. Bathgate and Cu'tten. A deputation from the Sclool Committee which waited on his Honor, were informed that £800 was available as a contribution from the Provincial Government towards the erection of a Grammar School; aud steps are now being taken to get one erected. A deputation from the Hallway Committee were told that Mr. Maca-.drew did not think ir likely the Mataura Kailway would be opened to -"Woodlands before winter, but he would urge the General Government to prosecute the work as rapidly as possible.

Jnvereargill is slowly recovering: from past mismanagement. A few new buildings are being erected, and there are not so many empty as hitherto.

Bnsinessvthough not extensive is sound, and is conducted generally on principles the reverse of " small pi'ofits and quick returns."

I trust the year upon which -we have entered, may be a prosperous one' for the mining interest upon which the futuz*e of the Province so much depends.