We understand that Mr Winsfnnley, who has been acting for some time as second clerk in the Dunedin Post-office, will succeed Mr Butts as Chief Postmaster in this district, but wo have been unable to learn whether the appointment will be permanent, or merely temporary. The contractor for the formation of the first section of the Winton and .Kingston railway, Mr J. M. Watßon, commenced operations at Winton on Tuesday last. Although only a few men are at present employed, the contractor hopes in the course of a short time to have fully a hundred "at work. The Chamber of Commeroe met on Wedneßday, 16th inah, when a letter was submitted from Messrs A. J. Smyth and B. B. Williams, jointly offering to convoy the mails between InTercargill and Balclutha from the Ist September next thrice weekly, instead of twioe as at present, ■for the same subsidy As now 1 paid, /provided the ' term of the contract be extended to the time of completion of the Mataura railway. This letter was sent to the Chamber to induoa that body to take action in the matter, by way of an attempt to induce the postal authorities to conclude the proposed arrangement. It may be noted that the present mail contract will not terminate until the end of the present year, and Messrs Smyth and Williams propose from September Ist to carry the mail thrice, insteai of twice weekly as now. The Chamber resolved to communicate with the postal authorities, with the view of inducing the Government to accept I he proposal of Messrs Smyth and Williainß. It wa3 also resolved to call the attention of the t)unedin Chamber of Commerce to the mail contract recently concluded to convoy the Suez mail via Hokitika, and- to that the Otago and Southland mails should be eonveye;l from Melbourne by a vessel direct to the Bluff and Port Chalmers. The lecture on " Ghosts and Magic," by Mr Perkins, at the Theatre on Wednesday evening, was but thinly attended, there being only about 100. persons present, chiefly upstairs. There Wt*re several counter-attractions, or engagements, in tije town that evening, and the Athenffium cpmnnl tteo conferred as to the propriety of de^ ferring th ■> lecture. It was, however, resolved that it be p/oceeded with, and it will be admitted that for any <K"W> however « accustomed to public jpeakiug," BUC&aßsfully to go through with % lecture or performance in the Theatre, with fcbe house* not one-third full, is by no means an ea*^ or comfortable task. The Lecture itself was f&ipjy given, and was thoroughly appreciated. The Bubjectof "ghosts,"

together with spectral and aural illusions, was clearly and humorously put before the company, and tUo relation of " spiritism" to unoiont "magio" and neoromnnuy, and modern conjuring, wua shown by numerous illustrations The ohuir oa tho occasion was occupied by Mr Giltaour (treasurer to the Athanauim), and votes if thauka to lecturer mid olmirmun concluded what was generally spoken of as a pleasant and instructive evening. The annual meeting of the Aeolinla.ti9a.tion Society wua held last evening at the Prince of Wales Hotel, with a good attendance, and the report of tho Committee was unanimously adopted. Tho report stated that 703 of the salmon ova had been successfully U itched ; that 30,000 trout ova would be available for disposal this season, and that starlings, larks, pheasants, and hares had been successfully introduced into the district by the Society. Six membors of the Committee retiring by rotation, Messrs Bell, Nurse, and Wood were re eleoted. and Messrs Cleave, Perkins, and M'Kollar wore eleoted as new members. Mr W. Wood was re-elected President, Mr C. Baßstian Vice-President, and Mr H. Gh Fielder hon. Secretary and Treasurer, in tho place of Mr E. D. Butts, resigned. The cordial thanks of the Society wore accorded to Mr Butts for hit long and valuable services. The Municipal Council met last evening, with Councillors Ross, Goodwillie, Pratt, Jaggers, and Garth waito (chairman), present. The tender of Messrs Bowen and Hayward was accepted for draining in Clyde street, and tußßOoking in Tweed Btreet, £27 7s. The surveyor was instructed to advise the Council of the number of bricks necessary to drain Daestreet on both sides, from Spoy to Esk streets, also, on the north side of Tay streot, and one side of Esk street, with estimate of co3t and time when bricks could be delivered, and also to report as to ooßt of a sewer in ths middle of the street. The following accounts were passed for payment, namely, £10 10a to C. Wells for breaking metal ; £34 16a levelling and drainage to gardens, £6 Is for trenching with a progress payment of £36 for work in Tthan-Btreet. It was resolved that no further work be done in Leven-street until the Surveyor submit a plan showing the level. An emergency meeting of the members of the Southern Cross Lodge of Freemasons was held on the evening of Wednesday last, mainly for the purpose of bidding adieu to P.M. Bro. E. D. Butts, whoso appointment as Chief Postmaster at Wellington, and consequent removal from the district, severs a connection which has existed for a long series of years. After the formal business of the meeting had been disposed of, the brethren, upwards of thirty in number, adjourned for re. freehment. The usual Maßonic toasts having been duly honored, the W.M., Bro. F. W. Wade, proposed the toast of the evening, " The health of P.M. Bro. Butts," in highly eulogistic terms, dwelling not only on Bro. Butty's invaluable qualities aB a freemason, but blbo on the good example which that brother had get as a citizen, referring especially to Bro. Butts's connection with the Acclimatisation Society and the Volunteer movement. In concluding his remarks, tho W.M., on behalf of the brethren, presented a very handsome gold hunting watch and Albert chain, together with a beautifully illuminated address, to Bro. Butts. In returning thankß, Bro. Butts a!luded, with much feeling, to the large attendance as being very gratifying to him, and said that the handsome souvenir with which he had been presented, would be a constant remem. brancer of the many valuable friendships he had formed in connection with the Southern Cross Lodge. A number of other toasts, interspersed with song*, were afterwards proposed and responded to, and the company separated after spending a very pleasant evening. Bro. Powell, of the Prince of Wales Hotel, liberally provided a substantial repast in honor of the occasion. The watch and chain were purchased from Messrs J. and M. Hyaniß, of Dee-street. - At the meeting of the Waste Land* Board on Tuesday, Messrs M'Arthur, M'Oulloch, and Baker were present. The only applications granted were those of Mr G. M. Bell, for 1240 acres in the Hokanui district, being in four applications. The application of James Angus for an alteration of boundary lines of land included in his sawmill license at Seaward Bush was ordered to stand over for 14 daya. Messrs Ousels and M'Donald applied for an extension of their sawmill reserve at Ljngwood to 1000 acres, and F. Jack for a sawmill license in Winton forest over 800 acres. Both applications wore adjourned for .14 days. A , protest waß entered by Mr Harvey on behalf of J. and N. Campbell against the sale made by auction 'on the 11th inst. of R4O acrcß in the Taringatura district to Mr M. Holmes. The sale having been open, Mr Harvey contended that the competition should have been limited to the two applicants for the land, Messrs Campbell [and Mr G. Torrie. The latter named having withdrawn his application , Mr Harvey asked that the land be awarded to his clients, Messrß Campbell," but acting upon the instruction in the Act directing the land to be put up to " public auction," and making no special provision for any such case as that before them, the Board deo'inod to interfere. Mr Matthew Scott'B application for lease of 20,003 acres in Stewart's Island waa-held over. Our Catnpbelltown correspondent writes :— A very interesting and amusing lecture, on the subject of " Dreams," was delivered here last Tuesday evening by the Rev. B. J. Westbrook, of Inveroargill, in aid of the school funds! Mr Waddol occupied the chair. Tho meeting broke up with a vote of thanks to Mr Westbrook for the great trouble he had takon, and for the very efficient manner in which he had succeeded in amusing those present. Our Riverton correspondent informs U3 that the first pile of the proposed bridge over the Jacob's river at Riverton will probably be driven early in next week, the contractors being now very bußy making preparations. The new sawmills now in course of erection in the neighborhood will occasion the employment of at least 100 additional men in the district,, and such are the Bigns of prosperity, and the impetus likely to be given to trado by the public works, and the circulation of more money, that some of the townspeople are contemplating very extensive business improvements. The population, at Oiepuki ia now about 250, and is gradually increasing. A Maori wedding took place in the English Church on the 16th, and a grand supper and ball in the kaik in the evening, which was duly honored by both Pakeha and Maori. Mr J. L. M'Donald was duly elected Mayor of Riverton on the 16th inßt., the illness of Mr Taylor preventing his re-election.