DOMESTIC INTELLIGENCE.

Daily Southern Cross, Volume 1, Issue 6, 27 May 1843, Page 3

DOMESTIC INTELLIGENCE.

Mechanics' Institute.-—! very interesting and animated discussion took pli.ce ou Thursday la-f, at the Debating C!as , on 'he comparative happiness ot Matrimony and Coslibacy, which was decided in f .vjur of the latter by a larje majoiity. We hope the married Ladies will not be too angry with their hu-bands for having argued so lamely in their favour. And we also trust, the young Ladies will vise t-veiy endeavour to convince the world thut this meeting was wrong in coming tv such an extraordinary decision. The subject for the debate on Thursday fortnight, is: " Whether the condition of the Working Closes has been improved by the discovery and application of steam as a motive power." Tuis is a very interesting subject. Post Office.— Her Majesty's Mail Broken* Opj£N.~ We have had of late several complaints made to us regarding this most important department. Our room will sot allow us this week to treat of this subjecs as we could wish. But, we would ask why the Postmaster is seldom, or never to be found at his own post. If the situation is not by him deemed worthy of his care, let him resign, and write ambiguous letters at the Secretary's Office, as long as he, or Mr. Shortland likeb. But let not the letters of the Public be left entrusted to any, and every irresponsible person he chooses to place, for his own convenience, in the Post Office. We understand that a mail from the Bay of Islands, was .he other day, conveyed to the house or office, of a private individual, where it was opened. Why has there been no public enquiry into this matter ? The Public have a right to such an enquiry ; and, unless the Postmaster satisfy them in regard to this subject, and attend better to his duty, let a complaint be instantly maJe to Lord Stanley, he will then perhaps, discover where his interest lies. Goths and Vandals. — Our readers would no doubt have noticed in late numbers of our paper an advertisement from Mr. Smithson, intimating a desire on* hi* part to add to the sources of innocent amusement by the erection of a small Theatre. — Few of them, we dare say, would be disposed to believe that, at such a time of day as this, any person could be found so thoroughlyvandalized as to discourage such a spirited attempt — especially in a colony like this, where it too often happens that men betake themselves to the public house and.gin shop merely to Bpend their idle hours, because they have no better place of amusement.— Mr. Smiihson (who is himself a publican) was not only deserving of support, but of much credit in coming forward in such a spirited manner. — Our litilemen in brief authority, hcvivver, thought dfferently, and loving the fines exacted from drunkards more tuan the moral improvement of the people, they have intimated their intention, of vetoing Mr. Smithson'3 good intentions. We do not think, however, that the Civil Magistrate has a right to interfere in such a case as this in the absence of any Colonial Act upon the subject.— -Mr. Smithson may go on with his Theatre, and open the same as soon as he: Tikes, and, if properly conducted, no person can interfere or put a stop to him. ■ Mercury Bay Saw Mills. — "We are glad to hear that Mr. Webster's Saw Mill is at length in operation Ihe more mills of this kind we have the better. Its construction is very simple, but we trutt efficient. It has been erected by an American engineer on the American principle. Mr. Br^wn is erectiDg a similar one at Mauranghi, which may be expected to work befora the water is over.

Queen's Birth Day.— This day was celebrated in our metropolis in much the usual manner, with the exception of the Leree and Ball at Government House. Tbe Officer administering the Government inspected the troops in the morning, and attended a Bachelor's Ball et the Hojal Hotel in the evening.