INVERCARGILL.

Tuapeka Times, Volume V, Issue 237, 15 August 1872, Page 8

INVERCARGILL.

(From our own Correspondent.) July has been as unusually mild as Jnne was extra severe, and fanners have been enabled to make up for the delay in ploughing whilst the land was undet [snow. The various ploughing matches were favored with fine weather, the most successful being held in the western district, where, in addition . to 11 single-furrow ploughs, 8 doublefurrow ploughs competed, and formed the chief attraction. Although the east road is not so bad as it was last year, yet it is very much cut up in places ; and the New Zealand Meat Preserving Co. have announced the suspension of their operations for the season, as their stock of preserved meat, &c, was accumulating faster than it could be conveyed to town. The fears entertained by some that there would be a deficiency of stock to supply the establishment at low prices have not been realised, and the Company had to refuse a number of offers of cattle.

In Invercargill there has been a scarcity of amusements for passing the long nightf. With the exception of a temperance soiree on the evening of the 17th, the only entertainments given during July were given in the Theatre, on the 12th and 13th, by amateur negro melodists and coined iams. A considerable population having settled around Woodlands, readings have been held in the scboolhouse there and at Long Bush every alternate fortnight, and have been well attended.

The first year's existence of the Municipal Council having terminated, four members retired ; and at the nomination on the 11th ult., in addition to the retiring members, three new candidates were nominated. Mr. Wood, the Mayor, was unopposed, and consequently re-elected. It has been generally admitted that the Councillors devoted a considerable amount of time and attention, to the fulfilment of their duties, and it has no doubt been gratifying to them to find their labors appreciated by being all returned at the election held on Ist inst. In compliance with the wishes of residents here, the legislature, by enactment last session, authorised a sale of a portion of the public gardens reserve fronting Taystreet on deferred payments, the amount realised to be expended on the improvement of the reserve. At sale the land brought abont £3000 when payments shall be completed, the Council obtaining 25 per cent, iv cash and security for balance, A premium of £20 was paid for the best design for public gardens ; bnt as yet little has been done in carrying it out, owing to the difference of opinion amongst Jtho Councillors, some thinking it better to borrow the money for general town improvements, others wishing to abide by the strict letter of the law, and pay the amount received and to be i*eceived into a separate bank account. Considerable warmth has been displayed in discussing this question. ; and if it had not arisen, probably no opposition would have been made to the re election of retiring members ; however, the electors have still left Councillors to settle the matter for themselves. Last municipal year the Council commenced by levying the high rate of 2s. in the £ ; that it was paid without open grumbling shows that confidence in the future of Invercargill has been established. From rates and subsidy about £1,500 were received, and most of it judiciously expended in street improvements. As a larger amount will be received from licenses, &c, than from subsidy, a gi eater sum ■will be available for expenditure this year. Mr. Anthony Trollope, the novelist, arrived by steamer from Melbourne, and, after a short short fctay, went on to Queenstovn.

Messrs. Brogden have taken an office in Tay-street, and the agent is making preparations for commencing work on Hataura Eailway.