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Southland Times, Volume 2, Issue 59, 2 June 1863, Page 2

In this issue we are enabled to lay before our Teaders, the first London Wool 'Report^ from our own correspondent, a gentleman well qualified to advise the state of th e London Wool Market. Several members of the Eire Brigade assembled at Messrs Campbell's and Co.'s yard on Monday afternoon, to test the capabilities of the engine in possession of that firm. Mr. Leary having been nominated to give instructions, the engine was manned and taken down to the creek in front of the Court House. Several sections of hose were soon fixed on, and the Brigade commenced pumping, most vigorously, a stream of water, about 50 or CO feet, in a horizontal direction, and another of about 20 feet in height rewarded their exertions. The road was so bad that the assistance of twv horses had to be procured to draw the engine back to Messrs. Campbell's yard. The following is a copy of the decision arrived at by the examiners appointed to enquire into the circumstances attending the collision between the 9.3. AVilliam Miskin and the Titania on Ist April l as t : — " We the undersigned, examiners, acting by authority in the absence of tho Marine Board of New Zealand, at an enquiry in the matter of near collision off Cape Saunders, Otago, on the first day of April last, with the screw steainer3 William Miskin bound north, and the Titania bound south, after due deliberation in summing up the evidenee. find that the master of the William Miskin was at fault in putting the helm of his vessel to port, said vessel being at the time the order was given, broad upon the Tifcania's starboard bow; and avail ourselves of this opportunity to remind all masters of steamers , while plying in the harbor and on the coast of Otago, that a lookout on the bridge by night and by day, that a leokout on the forecastle head by night, that the mast-head and side lights, and that frequent observations to ascertain the deviation of the compass, cannot be too carefully attended to. Signed, Thos. A. Mansford, R. M., Port Chalmers ; Wir.tAM Thompson, Harbor Master, Wixiam Adams. Port Chalmers, Otago, 27th Mav, 1863. " The above was handed to us for publicatioa by Captain Jurvey, of the Titania. The correspondent of the Wakatip Mail, writing from the Shotover, says : — " I have received authentic information respecting a quartz reef •which has been struck a little above Skipper's Junction. It appears clearly defined, and about two feet thick at either bank, and at the bed of the river dips eastward, and is proved to contain gold. It is difficult to imagine any means by which a reef could be worked in such a quarter, as the erection of machinery would be next to an impossibility." A daring feat is recorded by the Shotover correspondent of the Wakatip Mail us having been performed by three men who had been for some time resident at Skipper's " Having built a boat of wood and bullock hide, and supplied it with a long pole in place of a rudder, they took their tents, blankets, provisions &c, and cast off into the stream. The current took them down, to use their own expression, ' like shot off a shovel,' greatly to the astonishment of the miners working on the different beaches as they passed along. The police at Maori Point, who naturally concluded that they were going against their will, rushed out to their assistance, but onward they sped amid the cries and shouts of the astonished miners. Gliding past a populous beach, rushing between the rock-bound gorges, dancing buoyantly over rapids, till at length shooting over the fall at the head of Arthur's Point, they landed without injury, either to themselves or the frail barque that carried them. They state that the depth is very great in places, not being able to reach the bottom with a twelve-foot pole._ There is scarce a beach that can be got at. by any -means, that is not being worked."

A new rush haa.taken place on Fox's flat, Arrow-River.- In speaking of it, the Wakatip Mail says:—" Some very good prospects have been obtained, and as a proof of the high opinion in -which it is generally held, we may mention that £40 weieyesterday given, for a fourth share in a claim not yet bottomed. The average sinking in from 18 to 22 feet. Of course the completion of the race, which will entirely drain this large flat, is anxiously looked forward to by the holders of claims." Geordie Spiers and his talented company, have been drawing excellent houses in the Mechanics' Institute, notwithstanding the almost impassable route to the Hall. Our present entertainers are amongst the best corps which have appeared in Invercargill. The programme is much more varied than we have been treated to here of late, and the artistes in their several roles, are, in many respects, 'perfect. To-night it will he observed, the company take their leave for a time at least, and a more than usually attractive " bill of fare'' is to be presented on the occasion. The Caledonian Society are to attend as patrons, and we would strongly advise all who have not visited the Mechanics' Hall during the last week, to follow the society's example.