INVERCARGILL

Tuapeka Times, Volume III, Issue 215, 14 March 1872, Page 6

INVERCARGILL

(From our own, Correspondent.) March 4th, 1872.

Although February went out rather etormy, on the whole it was a favourable month for farmers. There were a good many fine days for cutting the early crops, and a few; wet ones that helped the late oats and were beneficial to the pastures and green crops. As about half the grain is still to cut, it is to be hoped we may have a spell of fine weather, in order that harvest may be completed before the advent of the equinoctial gales. Most oat crops on new laud are very light, but on well-wrought land, not worn out, they are not so much under an average. In many fields oats are ripening very irregularly, patches being ripe and others green, but as the season is advancing, farmers are commencing to mow rather green. We had a visit from Captain Hutton, sent by the Government tqj'eport on our coal fields. After his tour, he gave a lecture embodying his observations, the proceeds being devoted to the Invercargill Athenreutn. Most of the coal seams he inspected were of good quality, but not sufficiently thick to pay for working. A field of brown coal, good enough for coasting steamers, towards the Western District, is of considerable extent, but cannot be utilised fully till means of communication are improved. Mrs. Nugent Wood gave readings, also for the benefit of the Athenseum, in the Theatre to a fair house. Afterwards the Theatre was occupied for a few nights by the Star Comique Company, consisting of Messrs. Barny O'Niel, Kelly, and others, their entertainments being well patronised.

A public meeting was held, a committee appointed, and subscriptions raised for the sufferers by the floods at Greymouth. The demands for charitable purposes are generally fairly responded to in Invercargill. The annual race meeting came off on the 22nd and 23rd ulf., on a course about seven miles from town. Unfortunately the first day was wet, causing a small attendance- Although the next day was sbfvery with a strong wind, it was observed as a holiday, and many found their way to the course by rojid and rail. Generally, the contests were not close, j;he local horses not being able to contend against such visitors as Slander. Tatterina, Lyndon, Don Pedro, &c. Afterwards, a private match for £20 a side, distance, three miles, between Firetail, a local horse, carrying lOst, lib., and Maniototo, carrying 6st. 111 b., came off. Betting was in favour of the three-year-old, but after a slow-run race, Firetail won by a neck. Some thought that if Maniototo had been let out sooner he would have won.

The valuator whose valuation was disallowed by the Town Council sued in the Magistrate's Court for about £60, i but a verdict was returned for defendants, with £0 3s. costs.

I do not see why only three months in the year should be allowed for registration of votes ; such being the case, however, I am glad you remind your readers of the importance of this duty. I should like to see the colonies grow into nations, where, avoiding the blemishes that disfigure Democracy in the United States, the producers of material wealth should show themselves as capable of governing and see ring life arid property as hereditary legislators. Country settlers here have paid little attention to their public duties. I purchased forms and filled them up for any willing to register. However, at last elections I found many farmers easily misled by the supporters of the squatting interest, and many willing to dispose of their newly acquired votes, as the purchasers of their produce might direct ; so perceiving it is not so easy to convert the selfish, ignorant clodhoppers into intelligent patriotic electors, I have ceased to talte further trouble in the matter till I get more encouragement.