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Southland Times, Volume I, Issue 9, 9 December 1862, Page 2

It will be 6een from our advertising columns, that tenders are called for leasing or purchasing a piece of land in Tay or Esk streets for the purposes of a Mechanics' Institute. We think that an institution of this kind ought to receive the support of Government, both by funds and a grant of land. It is the usual custom in Victoria for local bodies of a beneficial nature — as Mechanics' Institutes undoubtedly are— to receive every encouragement from the Government, and we hope that so good a precedent will be followed here.

Late last Light mounted troopers came into town, bringing with them, it was rumored, large parcels of gold from the new diggings. On inquiry it was ascertained that Sergeant Morton had arrived from Lake Wakatip, bringing with him the most cheering accounts from the recently-disco-vered diggings. The official report will be found in another column.

An inquest was held on Saturday last, before Dr. M'Clure, on the body of a man named James Eastman, which was found on Friday last, on the beach, about eight miles from Invercargill. From the evidence it appeared,that the deceased was employed about eight weeks ago, on board the coal hulk, Content, New Biver, and had left that vessel in a boat, in company with two others, to procure fresh water. They had only proceeded a 6hort distance when the boat was capsized by a heavy sea, and the deceased, in endeavoring to reach a buoy or channel mark, was drowned, the other two men being rescued from a similar fate,by the boat of the steamer Aphrasia, which was sent to their assistance. The jury returned a verdict of 'accidentally drowned.''

It will be perceiyed from our shipping columns thatthe ship Storm Cloud, from Glasgow, has arrived at the Bluff, after a fine rnn of 85 days. She brings a number of assisted immigrants, amongst which are 8 female domestic servants, 1 dressmaker, 5 ploughmen, 2 shepherds, 3 carpenters, 1 storeman, 16 laborers, and a number of others which -will be open for engagement in a few days.

We are glad to perceive that an addition has been made to the number of pilots in Southland, in the person of Mr. Francis Aldred, -who will be stitioned at Riverton.

The formation of the Bluff road is about being rapidly proceeded with. Messrs. Grevill and Whiting, have just taken a contract for forming part of it, which amounts to nearly £3000.