THE JANUARY MAILS.

Daily Southern Cross, Volume XVI, Issue 1208, 29 March 1859, Page 3

THE JANUARY MAILS.

The English January Mails have not arrived, in accordance with the prognostications of many who prophesied that the Lord Worsley would come into the Manukau without them We are merely in receipt of the intelligence that the Columbia had not arrived at Melbourne, by the latest telegraphic communication, when the Lord Worsley left Sydney, on the fifteenth. Instead of English news therefore, up to the middle of January, we have merely colonial news up to later dates than our last. The latest Indian news will be found in another column, and seems to be satisfactory, although, notwithstanding all that is beinst done, much still remains to be done, before we shall be able to look on our Eastern Empire as saved.

Match between th* Yachts " Fo\m " avd " Echo." — This match, which appeared to excite considerable interest, came off on Saturday last. The weather on the whole was favorable, the wind from about S.W., and not too much of it; indeed, rather too little for the '"Foam," consequently causing the betting to be rather in favor of the "Echo." At the time appointed a capital start was effected, tl c topmast of the "Foam," however, coming to grief whilst the topsail was being sheeted home. The loose gear was immediately taken in, everything made snug, and the colour "nailed to the mast" in almost less than no time. On starting the '"Echo" shot some two or three hundred yards ahead, and for the first half mile gradually gained on the "Foam" ; after which, the latter rapidly les soned the distance, and, evidently on mischief bent, endeavoured to weather the "Echo," but, failing in the attempt, bore up and passed under thp lee, rounding the first buoy about one minute in advance, From this to the North Head the "Echo," in running, drew on the "Foam," being not more than two boat's lengths astern on round ing the Noith Head buoy. From this point both boats stood in close-hauled for the Bastion. The " Foam" here rapidly opened daylight between them ; and, on passing the end of the Pier, it was quite evident that, unless some unlooked for accident should occur, the "Echo's" chance was gone. The distance, nineteen miles, was performed in something less than four hours, with a stiong ebb tide. Both yachts looked well, were skilfully handled, and the race gave generai satisfaction, as affording a fair test of the relative merits of the boats. The "Foam" came in an easy winner, beat'ng the "Echo" by about 22 minutes. The former boat was sailed by Mr. Win. Burgess, the latter by Mr. Philpot.

Choral Sociktt. — On Thursday last, the First Public Rehearsal of the fourth season of the Auckland Choral Society took place ; concluding, however, at too late an hour for notice in our issue of the following morning. The concert was opened by Mr. Brooks, a harpist of no inconsiderable power, lately arrived in the Province. He received a hearty encore. Mr. Brooks was followed by Mr. Albert Alexander, also a new arrival, on the piano» forte. He gave ihe march and quick movement of Weber's Convert-Stuck, one of the finest, but also one of the most difficult concertos ever written, with much effect, though seemingly a little nervou6, being a very young man, at finding himself before so large an audience. Handel's Pastoral Serenata, Acis and Galatea, was then performed by the Society, in a very creditable manner, and so far as we were able to judge, to the great satisfaction of the audience. When last we made mention "of these performances, we we obliged to express our opinion that th« Society, having reached a certain point, had become stationery, manifesting no signs of further improvement. We are happy in being now able to state that they are again making an onward step ; the improvement, both in precision and in purity of intonation being manifest.

Concert. — "We understand that Mr. Schmitt, who arrived in Auckland, by the •• Breadalbane," on Saturday last, proposes giving a concert in about three weeks' time. Mr. Schmitt's musical abilities are most highly spoken of by the Sydney press.