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Southland Times, Volume I, Issue 11, 16 December 1862, Page 2

A shoit time since, we drew attention to the necessity which existed for an increase of the police force of Southland. Since that time our opinion on the subject is rather strengthened, and the government should, without delay, make the requisite arrange- j ments. The force, so far as it goes, is excel- I lent, but we are sure that within a very short time the north part of the Province will require furthi; supervision. Expensive as that branch of the public service is, we should be neglecting our duty did we not call attention to the subject. The present head of the force, for instance, has to do duty both as chief, and, we may call it, "Travelling Inspector," whereas a second officer should be appointed, and no more fitting person can be found for the position than Sergeant Chapman. In our last issue we adverted to the fact of a Mechanics' Institute being about to bo established in Invercargill^ and called the atiention of the Government to the necessity of liberally aiding such an institution, both by funds and a grant of land. We have since learnt that a sum of £300 was voted in aid of the Institute, but we think this amount very inadequate to the requirements of such an undertaking, and would be glad to see a further sum voted towards this most desirable object. Nothing is more calculated to improve the general tone of young men's society than institutions of this kind, and it is one that should receive the liberal support, both of the Government and the public at large.

Our reporter writes from the Bluff as follows: — "The Gothenburg ai.d City of Hobart were literally crammed with passengers for Dunedin, a considerable number of whom (diggers) would have landed here if the vessels h*id made :i longer stay. I recognised several amongst the passengers as being old hands ; all of them regretted they could not land here, as they were well aware that by so doing some forty or fifty miles at least would be saved ; and many of them assured me that hundreds wished to land here, but j were told that no vessel was laid on, and ! that the steamers cannot and do not call at ! the Bluff. Now, who is at the bottom of this misrepresentation? Is it the merchants ? If so, are they not working against themselves. They may have a good market at Dunedin, but is that a reason why they should not have one also in Southland? or is it the masters of the steamers and other vessels. Do they think that their interest will be affected should an extensive passenger and goods traffic be opened up in the South. We of the South cau also give testimonials. "La sour is est mange par le chat." Well, we shall see in time, whether the merchants of Melbourne and the shipmasters shall represent the cat and Southland the mouse, or vi-e versa. Another three months will show. We shall then know whether the port of Bluff Harbour be not equal in every respect to i Port Chalmers. Great improvements are being effected here ; our harbour thoroughly buoyed— flagstaff s erected — signal-men appointed. Experienced pilots will take charge of the port in January next, and our jetty will shortly be commenced. Let our trade once be established, and we will have a steamtug ; in another twelve months a railroad I connecting us with Invercargill will bo com- | pleted, and the telegraph at work. A meeting of gentlemen favorable to the formation of a Caledonian Society in Southland, was held last evening at the Albion Hotel. The following resolutions were unanimously adopted:—!. That this society be permanent, and that a life membership be constituted by the payment of LlO, or annual membership of 20s. 2. That a deputation wait upon His Honor the Superintendent to request him to become President ; and, 3rd, that a committee be appointed to look out for an eligible site in the vicinity of Invercargill, for the purpose of celebrating the games, the first to take place on the Ist of January next — the same to be notified by advertisement. A meeting of the Invercargill Mechanics' Institute, was held on Friday evening last, to take into consideration the applications, in answer to an advertisement in the public papers, for a site whereon to erect a building for the Institute. Present: Messrs. Beaven (President), F. M. Cleike, Calder, Blacklock, and Lockhart. It was resolved that the offer made by Mr. Monkman. to sell that piece of land orignally intended for a site for :he Odd Fellow's Hull, be accepted, and the Secretary was instructed to apply to His Honor the Superintendent, for the sum voted for the Mechanics' Institute, and also to get in all donations and subscriptions, in order that the Committee miy at once proceed with the necessary works in connection with the erection of a suitable building. We are authorised to state that Captain Sinclair, who is now on the Wakatip, finding that the present boat accommodation is not sufficient, has built a skiff. He also states that there will be no difficulty or delay experienced in the building ef the steamer, part of the machinery for which was despatched from town yesterday afternoon. Capt. Sinclair also reports a new diggings on the v;r. st of the L ike, susposed to be richer than those previously discovered.

We understand that a ball will be given in the spacious premises of Mesars. Dalgety and Co.. now approaching completion. The event we are informed, will take place very shortly, and, judging from the preparations being made, it will be a most successful affair.

Last night, the Prince of Wales Hotel was the scene of a farewell dinner, given to one of our most respected settlers: Covers were laid for forty or fifty. After the cloth was iemoved,and the usual loyal toasts having been disposed of, Mr. Whitley's health was proposed, and drunk with all the honors. In reply, Mr. Whitley stated that, although absent, he would retain grateful remembrances of Southland, and hoped it would not be long ere he returned, when he would have the pleasuse of again meeting those friends he now saw around him. During the last trip of the s.s. Titania, from Dunedin to this port, in consequence of heavy south-west gales, she was detained beyond her usual time. Notwithstanding this, and the unpleasantness of a tedious voyage, the whole of the passengers bore testimony, (in the form of an address, which they presented to Capt. Jarvey,) to the kindness and attention experienced by them during the voyage. Capt. of the Storm Cloud, who was also a passenger, expressed himself very highly of the seamanlike qualities of Captain Jarvey. in handling his vessel in almost a gale of wind, and in some of the most dangerons parts of the New River.