INVERCARGILL.

Tuapeka Times, Volume VI, Issue 271, 10 April 1873, Page 5

INVERCARGILL.

(From our oion Correspondent.) April 2nd. The first portion of March was dry and 6ne, and enabled farmers to get their oats stacked in good order ; during tho latter portion we had several warm gentle rains that were detrimental to the wheat in stock, but were beneficial to potatoes, turnips and pastures. The annual races were held on the 6th and 7th March, the wta'h.r was fine, bnt the attendance was only moderate, harvest operations preventing many country people from attending. Lyndon won the Invercargill Handicap — the principal race, and many spectators thought he could have won the Town Plate if allowed. A piotest was lodged against Mr. Ward the owner of the horse, but the charge of ha\ing had Lyndon pulled was not proved. After this lapse of time, details of races would probably not be of intorebt. The autumn show of the Horticultural Society, came off in the theatre on the | lLth and 12th alt., and was an unqualilied success, the woather being fine, the I visitors numerous, and the exhibits — especially the fruit, first-rate. On the 15th ult., a fatal accident of an exceedingly painful nature, "occurred to a man named William Salter, employed at the New Zealand Meat Preserving Company's works at Woodlands. He was employed in the bath-room looking after the tins in the bath, and whilst reaching over for one he slipped and fell head foremost into the boiling liquid. After being assisted out, he was removed to the hospital at Invercargill, where he died next day. On the 19th ult., a man named Thomas Young whilst engaged in the rather dangerous work of felling timber for one of the saw mills, was struck in the forehead by a branch that fell from a tree, and had his skull fractured in several places. He never recovered consciousness, but died soon after being removed to the hospital Mr. Calder, late member for Invercargill, having become interested in a Government contract, has resigned his seat in the House of Representatives. Soon after Mr. Calder announced his resignation, it was intimated that Mr. J. R. Cuthl ertson wf.s a candidate for the representation of Invercargill. This gentleman was a Southland runholder, and represented a squatting constituency in the Southland Provincial Council. Last year he sold out his interest in the station, and became part owner of the " Southland Times." He has also acted as editor of the "Southland Times," which is the organ of the runholding interest here. In Vicoria, where the people have shown an intelligent and patriotic interest in the settlement of the country, Mr. Culhbertson's connexion would effectually stop his chance of representing a constituency composed chiefly of working men and shopkeepers, but here there is au apathy on the land question that somewhat surprises and disgusts one. S'il s squently, Mr. Wood has become a canditate, and. as during his mayoralty, he has given his time freely for the advancement of the town, the electors will probably bear 'this in mind ; his efforts also when previously M. II. R. for Invercargill to modify the provisions of the infamous Otago Hundreds Regulation Act, entitle him to the support of liberal party. Mr. Cuthbertson has not made a decisive statement yet as to whether be would support the Vogol ministry or oppose them ; but Mr. Wood in his published reply to his requisition, distinctly states that he is dissatisfied with their administration of the Publii; | Works and Immigration Policy, and would support an Opposition. As yet, these are the only candidates in tho field, and probably oue or b->th will take an early opportunity of addressing bko. electors. The " Southland Times " ntatos that during Mr. Ci.thbertson's caudidatr.ro he retires from the editorial management ; certainly laudatory articles would not prove c Tectivo if known to be written or supervised by the canditate himself. A Dunedin firm offered to take debentures for the whole of the municipal loan (£3,500) at 2 per cent, premium, and the i Council has accepted the offer. Although harvest operations are conj eluded, yet, owing to new saw mills starting, buildings erecting, and municipal and road board contracts, there is still- a good demand for labor.