Untitled

Otago Daily Times, Issue 390, 21 March 1863, Page 4

The Maryborough and Dunolly Advertiser gives the following narrative of the successful continued reworking of auriferous earth at Avoca, and we havo no doubt that a similar process will, at some future time prove equally profitable on tbo carelessly worked diggings of Olago. Speaking of the Avoea diggings, the Advertiser says— " Time was when thousands of miners were busy as bees in the deep lead there, and when the golden sweets of their labors came thick and fast,—when a couple of men namedEossgot as much as eleven thousand pounds sterling from one hole on the glcrious lead. To prove tho richness of the lead, maybe instanced facts, some of them of recent occurrence, whicli look almost like romance, but which nevertheless have the very best testimony in support of them. The custom was to wash the greater part of the stuff in the creek, and manythousands upon thousands of loads were carted thence from the lead. The digging on the lead having been stopped (principally by a cause we shall presently allude to) a pa; ty of Europeans took'up that portion of the creek where the stuff had been washed, put up dams and set to work to re-wash the tailings, for which they were re-> warded with a return of one and a-half ounces to the load. After these re-washed tailings wero supposed to be done with, a party of ever inde»

fatigable Celestials took up the place on which they were, and they cleared out with L4O per man—a fortune for a Chinaman —and this after paying for the ground on which to carry on their operations. Another company then set to York on these prolific tailings and have crushed them with a handsome return; and at the present time boys may be seen busily occupied with tin dishes washing away at the old spot on the creekmaking an average of thirty shillings per week."

The Wakatipu correspondent of the Southland News says: —"The steamer Wakatip, built on the lake by and for Messrs C. N. Campbell and Co., and Messrs Hamilton, was launched last Frida}', went into the water like a duck, and was sailed down on Saturday under jurymasts and very light canvas; her cargo was timber, very hastily stowed, and her trim, consequently, not the best; still, in spite of this, she made the passage to the foot of the lake—a distance of about 60 miles—in eight hours, a proof that sho is a good boat. She is now taking in her machinery, and is expected to be running about next Monday week. She is built of timber seasoned by steam, so that there is little fear of her being leaky; her length is 00 feet, beam 16 feet, aud depth of hold about 8 feet ; and, when launched, her draught was not more than 1 foot 10 inches. The cabin will accommodate about 20 passengers to dinner. I believe it is the intention of her proprietors to , run her from the foot of the lake (Trotter's) to the head, calling at Rces's to land passengers and cargo, and making the return-trip the following day." .

The authorities of Nelson are threatened with a "Native difficulty" at the Buller River diggings The Nelson Examiner says : —" A small number of natives from Waikato and Taranaki have already crossed Cook Strait for the diggings at the Buller. They announce that large numbers from those districts may be looked for shortly. The ' native difficulty ' is about to descend upon Nelson. It may be that the Waikato men will prove the quietest andj most orderly ot diggers; and it ,' may be that the European population now estab-'' lished on the river will receive gladly and acces- , sion to their numbers in so remote a district. But it will not do for the authorities to trust to the -chapter of accidents. They should bo beforehand in organising government for the place, and pro- , viding against possible collision, misunderstanding, or illwill. The approach of a large body of natives requires the Superintendent to proclaim aud carry into effect the Gold-fields Act in tho West Coast gold field, a course which the prospects of the Buller diggings would of themselves justify. At present tliere is not a single Justice of the Peace or a single policeman on the West * Coast." The Southland News, whicli from the first was a stout believer in the wonderful advantages that would accrue to Invercargill from the establishment of " Our Escort," bemoans the fact that the last Southland escort brought down only GOO ounces of gold. But our contemporary should not tell fibs of his more fortunate neighbors, as he does in a paragraph stating that the Dunedin Jescort only took down 1,000 ounces. Our southern | friend has omitted a nought, as the Dunedin | escort bronght down over 10,000 ozs. We would suggest that the troopers of " Our Escort" should reply to the invitation for tenders for conveying treasure from Wakatipu to Dunedin. They might ! then at least earn " tucker," whicli is more, we 1 fancy, than they do now.

We some time since drew attention to the very bad,state of the roadway opposite the Immigration Barracks, but it has been allowed to remain in the same, or rather a worse state. The Town Board^ whilst discussing the commencement of large undertakings, are very negligent of simple requirements. ■

The Colonial Treasurer of Tasmania states that the revenue of that colony ba3 shown, since 1859, an annual and continued decrease of LIO,OOO per annum. He ascribes this to the general depression of trade, and tlie large etnigation to New Zealand. The total deficiency of revenue, to be met this year, is L 70,000.

Great dissatisfaction is expressed with the postal arrangements on the Dunstan, and the Dunstan News complains of the irregularity which occurs at the Dunedin Post-office in respect to letters, which being advertised as unclaimed, the applicants tor them have great difficulty in procuring in anything- like a reasonable lime. We commend the subject to . the notice of the Chief Postmaster.

The sitting of the Supreme Court, for civil business, has been postponed from the Ch April to the 15th May. Tiie Criminal Session commences at the Court House, on Wednesday next, the 25th inst.

Notwithstanding tlie dreadfully muddy state of the roads, the Princes Theatre was last evening crowded in every part—a compliment which Mr Holt, whose benefit it was, specially acknowledged. Ho acknowledged, also, another compliment to the beauty of Gerald Griffin's play, nnd the general excellence of the acting, which was a very marked one. " Gissipns," was from the first scene to the last listened to with the closet attention ; and even during the four cntei-acte intervals, the audience stuck to their places, the pleasures of " nobblerising" being postponed, and the Vestibule being all but empty. Mr Holt emphatically said that he, aud the members: of the corps, felt this kind of compliment ; and that it would be the best of spurs to cause them to do tlieir best, in producing and sustaining the best of pieces. " Gisippus " is really a noble play, and contains sterling writing. Gisippus and Titus Fulvius are dear friends and tried brothers in arms. They discover that each loves the same lady ; and that she—as in many old tales and dramas—so loves each, that she could be happy with either. Gisippus sacrifice's his feelings on the fraternal altar ; joins the hands of Fulvius and Sophronia, and depirts. He is unfortunate, ancl becomes a bondsman ; while Fulvius, the beloved of the Emperor, attains to Prcetorian honors. At last, heart-weary, from his longings once again to see Home, despite what seems the cold neglect of his friend, he makes his way to the Eternal City," only to be struck down by lictors, at the bidding of Fulvius, who unnoticingly passes by. Chrenics, a friend of the friends, has offended Lycias, the freedman of Gisippus, and has also recognised Gisippus in his misery. He would bring the friends together ,- but while on reconciling thoughts intent, he is set upon and slain by LyciaF. While) cowering in a sepulchre, Gisippus hears the clash of arms and rushes forth, only to receive a charge from Chrenies to deliver certain papers to Fulvius. Determined to die, Gisippus allows himself to.be supposed the mur. derer of Chrenies, and as such be is condemned to death. He gives the papers to the jailer, to be delivered after his death ; but they are sent at once, and Fulvins, who has been told that Gisippus is in Home, learns or deives the truth, and rushes to save his friend, whose innocence of the murder has been established by the confession of Lycias. Gisippus scorns the proferred hand, and sneers at explanation ; but Sophronia appears and takes his hand, and he reluctantly, falls on Fulvitts's bosom. So ends the play. Mr Holt while acting most carefully throughout, was especially telling in the Tinion-likc acting with which Gisippus rails at Man and his vaunted friendship, and pours forth invectives upon tho upstart ingrate whom he thinks has stung him. Mr Tom Fawcett looked every inch a noble, light-hearted Roman, and was pathetically eloquent in his pleadings to Gisippus when he finds, how deep a wound his light forge! fulness, not cold indifference, has caused. Mrs Holt was an excellent Sophronia; and the same may be said of Mr Wolfe as Chrenies. Mr Holt was called at the end of the i econd act; and at the close of the play the compliment was repeated, and he thanked the audience as before mentioned. Then Mrs Holt and Mr Fawcett were forced to come before the curtain. Special orchestral performances, under the direction of M. Fleury ; a ballad by Little May ; a double Irish jig by Miss Ada Hart and Mr Hall ; and the farce of "An Alarming Sacrifice," concluded the performances. "The Merchant of Venice" and " Gilderoy" are announced for this evening.

The General Committee of the Separation League held a meeting at the Athenasum yesterday afternoon. Mr James Rattray presided. The draft of a memorial to Her Majesty the Qiieen, praying for a separate and distinct Government for tho Middle Island; was presented by the Subcommittee specially appointed to prepare itSome suggestions for minor alterations were made ; and after discussion, Messrs T. B, Gillies, J. H. Harris, F. Walker and J. Vogel were appointed a Sub-committee to go through and settle the draft, which is to be submitted to the General Committee at a meeting to be held at four o'clock on Thursday afternoon next.

A special meeting ofthe No. 1 Company ofthe Rifle Volunteers will be held at the Shamrock, ou Wednesday next, for the purpose of electing officers.

We notice that Mr Harris will address the electors this afternoon at the Royal Hotel, Port Chalmers, at two o'clock, and the School House, Anderson's Bay, on Wednesday, the 25th instant, at two p.m.

We notice that the Show ofthe Southland Agricultural Society will be held on Wednesday, the Bth of April.

We are glad to notice that a very desirable improvement has been made in the arrangements of the Athenseiim. Hitherto the building has been closed between the hours of one and two altogether, and the obtaining of books was also limited to certain times. We now observe that the institution will after Monday next be open the entire day, from 9 a.m. to 10 p.m., and the library will be open from half-past 12 till 6, and from halfpast 6 till 10 p.m. for receiving and issuing books.

The screw steamer William Miskin, wliich arrived on Thursday from Invercargill—having just come from Melbourne, to be employed in the Dunedin and Invcicargill trade—will be the flag ship at the Eegatta on Monday. The owners have not only placed her at the disposal of the Committee, but have invited those gentlemen and others to " assist" at a dejeuner on board. The entries last evening, for the several races were very satisfactory ; but we postpone any notice of them until Monday. The Maoris do not intend to allow the " white fellows " to have all their own way. A native crew has entered for the whale-boat race; and as they declined to comprehend the necessity of mounting a distinctive dress or badge, they will pull in native " costume," which will be distinctive enough. It has been arranged to have steamers in attendance to convey parties from the Jetty to view the different races. The holiday on Monday will be a general one; and with fine weather there will surely be no lack of visitors.

The Foundation Day of the Province has always been kept as a holiday. We have already stated that on Monday next, the 15th anniversary, the Custom House will be closed ; and we are now requested to state that such will be the case with the Offices of the Supreme Court. It is officially announced that the Government Offices and the Post Office will be closed, but as to the latter, it is added, " Should the British mail arrive on the 22nd or 23rd, the office will be open for a short time on the 23rd for the delivery of letters."

A meeting of tlio members of tho Rifle Voluuluntccr Corps was held last evening, in the assembly room of tlie Shamrock Hotel. Mr F. J. Moss was called to the chair. Twenty-six members paid their subsciptions. The Committee appointed to suggest a temporary uniform, submitted a tunic obtained from Mr Hislop, as a sample of tlie style of make they recommended. It is rather loose in fit, with black braid, frogged on the breast, and with shoulder knots. The tunic submitted was blue ; but tlie color recommended was dark (or parson's) gray. Upon a motion that the Committee's recommendation be confirmed, two amendments were proposed—one for gray cloth, witli red braid nnd frogs; tho other for simple black piping only. The former amendment received 3 votes and tlie latter 5 ; while for the Committee's recommendation 15 voted. The Chairman said that tbey might now consider the vexed question of tlie temporary uniform settled ; for the Committee had worked upon the. distinct understanding that the minority should be bound by the decision of the majority. Mr Hislop had effered to supply the gray cloth at net cost ; and it was resolved that tenders for making tunics, and cap 3 of the same color, should be advertised for, Mr Hislop supplying French peaks and straps, as well as the cloth. It was resolved that it was expedient to elect officers and non-commissioned ofliceis without further delay ; and a special meeting for that purpose was ordered to be called for Wednesday evening next.

The deposits in the Lancashire and Scottish Relief Fund Box yesterday, amounted to 19s 4d.