INVERCARGILL.

Tuapeka Times, Volume V, Issue 259, 16 January 1873, Page 8

INVERCARGILL.

(From our own Correspondent.) Like November, December was unusually warm and dry, but although we had no heavy falls of rain, we had several showers of material benefit to the crops. January has commenced with a lower temperature and slight showers, but the ground is very dry, and a day's steady rain would be of great service. The early sown crops are looking exceedingly well, and although the late sown are short yet, generally they look healthy ; in some places the grub has done considerable damage, but the area affected is not very large. The New Zealand Meat Preserving Company has resumed operations at Woodlands, and the fine weather having greatly improved the pastures, cattle aud sheep are now in good condition. In-door amusements have been at a discount. On the 12th and 13th ult., amateurs] gave dramatic performances in the theatre to thin houses : on the other hand, excursions aud out of door sports have been extensively patronised. The Agricultural and Pastoral Association, held the sixth annual show on 12thDec. A cold wind blew all day, and although there was an average attendance of males, fewer ladies visited the yards than usual. Draught^ntires, mares, and geldings were well represented. The first prize for entires went to Dan O'Connell, Lord Raglan last year's winner being placed second ; thorough-breds and hacks were shown in average numbers, ana of ordinary quality. The cattle were chiefly a- moderate lot, but as usual long-woolled sheep were shown in considerable numbers and of excellent quality. On the 16th H. M. steamer Dido, arrived at Bluff Harbor, His Honor tbe Superintendent being a passenger by her. On the 18th the ship was thrown open to public inspection, and, the day being observed as a holiday in Invercargill, a considerable number left by the excursion train to Campbellton, and gave employment to the watermen's boats conveying passengers from the wharf to tbe Dido, where they were courteously received and shown over the vessel. ' -On Boxing Pay the heat was intense

for this locality ; but many availed themselves of the excursion trains to visit Campbellton and Winton — race 3 being held at the latter place. In Invercargill, on the grounds of the Agricultural and Pastoral Association, foot races came off, the chief attraction being Austin's, an Australian runner, uxatch to ran 1 0 miles within the hour. He accomplished 5 miles slightly under the half-hour, but as the weather was so hot and the attendance of spectators not very large, he did not persevere further. On the 27th, Messrs Yogel and Reynolds called at Invercargill on their way to attend the Colonial Conference. A deputation waited on them with reference to a supply of plant for the Mataura Railway and various other local matters, and Mr. Yogel promised that attention should bo paid to the matters brought under his notice. On the 28th, the Zealandia, the first immigrant ship that has come direct from Britain for a number of years, arrived at Bluff Harbor with 320 immigrants. Most of them were landed, and have gone to work ; the remainder, chiefly single women, went on in the vessel to Port Chalmers. On New Year's Day, a gentle southerly breeze and occasional clouds felt pleasant after tbe heat of the previous days, and the grounds of the Caledonian Society were crowded with visitors of both sexes of all ages. To persons who are not acquainted with the competitors, throwing hammers, putting stones, tossing cabjg|L, &c, seems rather tedious ; but I ha^Ta partiality for the garb of old Gaul and the Highland dances, and I think most visitors considered them amongst the chief attractions. As the Riverton Society held their sports on Boxing Day, the attendance of competitors in Highland dress was greater than usual in Invercargill. The Horticultural Society show was held on Ist and 2nd inst. Owing to the favorable season, the exhibits were in fine condition, and on both evenings numbers visited the exhibition. The Colonial Government steamer Luna called at Bluff Harbor on the Ist inst., having previously landed Dr, Hector at the mouth of the Mataura. After examining coal seams in the neighborhood, he rejoined the Luna at Campbellton, and the vessel proceeded on her voyage to Preservation Inlet and other parts of the west coast, where several scientific gentlemen who are passengers will examine the country in quest of minerals. During the past year Invercargill has made satisfactory progress ; and I trust that during the year upon which we have entered the prosperity may continue not only here, but throughout New Zealand.