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Southland Times, Issue 2055, 20 January 1875, Page 2

CON3HBACT IX RtJsaiA. — Wa have it on undoubted authority that thore has been a gigantic conspiracy in Russia, though it is officially denied. It was intended to assassinate the governors of fourteen provinces. Some of the best families in the country are implicated. Young ladies have been arrested and sent to Siberia ; and it is said that the inhabitants of two whole villages have also been sent thither. ACCIDENT. -~Mr Warden, of One Tree Point, while proceeding home from town on Saturday evening, met witli an accident, whereby his right leg was broken just above the ankle. He was driving his own dray at the time, and having fallen off while the dray was in motion, the wheel appears to have gone over his leg, with the result above stated. He was found by Borne neighbors during the same night, and has since been conveyed to the Hospital. A Disgraceful Scene. —A most disgraceful scene took place in the Resident Magistrate's Court yestordny, when a little elderly man named J, J. Bennet, treated the Bailiff to a sh .king and Beveral bruises, and the Bench to a lar^e amount of irrelevant talk, interspersed with profane swearing. For details our readers are re'erred to the report in another column of the proceedings at the Resident Magistrate's Court. It is needless to state that the offender was committed for contempt, and it is almost as unnecessary to remark that, had the police been present during the entire sitting of the Court— they were present at the beginning — no noteworthy breach of decorum would have taken place, for latterly, when a policeman was brought to the rescue, the offender, who previously behaved like a lunatic, smiled a meek, gentle smile, and walked away as quietly as a lamb. Death of an old Resident. — James Moreland M'Clure, an old resident, and at one time a public officer in Southland, died at his residence, Ryal Bush, on the 17th instant. The deceased had long been a victim to an asthmatical affection, to which he at List succumbsd. Hi was a man of extensive knowledge, ond of fine taste in polite literature, and until within the last few years he took an active interest in public affairs. He entered the Provincial Council of Southland, and held for a time the office of i'roviuciiil Secretarj-. He stood twice for a seat in the General Assembly, once for Mataura, and once for Invercargill, but witlu out success He had resided in Southland for about fourteen year?, and he was a man who, in private life, won general esteem ; but., in public affairs, he was noted as being a pleasant discursive speaker, with a facile, almost pootical mastery of language, rather than as a peculiarly practical man of business, with an arithmetical oast of intellect. WESLEYAN AITNIVKESARY SEETICE3. — A tea j meeting in connectioa with the anniversary services of the Wesfcyan denomination takes place t this evening in St, Paul's Church, A service of song, illustrative of the Pilgrim's Progress, is to be given, and several addresses are to be delivered. Cpbiotjs Fish. — We were shown yesterday, by Mr J. G. Brown, of One Tree Point, a curious specimen of the finny tribe, which had been caught in the race connected with that gentleman's flax mill. The fish resembled a lamprey, but it had seven holes on each side, into which water was drawn, and au air-hole on the top of the head. Mr Brown expressed His intention of handing the curiosity over to Mr M'Kenzie, in order that it might be placed in the Museum. Masonic — The regular monthly meeting of the members of the local Masonic lodge takes place this ercoiflg at 7 o'cjp.k,

I Holiday.— Monday was observed as a partial holiday in town, tho reason being that Captain Chandler, of the United States frigate Swatara, on that clay threw his vessel open to the inspection of tho public. The railway department put on excursion trains to run to and from he Bluff, which was visited during the day by about 500 persons from town. All who tried g ot on board the 'Swatara, which— she bsing anchoredin the stream — placed one of her boat's at the disposal. of the visitors, a select half-dpzon af whom voej, uncourteously appropriated the boat. Tho less select visitors' had either to hire boats for themselves, or remain on shore ; but nearly all proferreefcthe former alternative. Arrived on board the Swatara, every one was courteously permitted to go-almost wlwwror.ha; or' she pleased. Excepting the few persons Who have been described as monopolising, the ship's boat, visitors were" placed at the disadvantage of having no one to " show them over the ship ," but, it is only fair to state that Lieutenant Wright acted the courteous guide and hospitable entertainer to the " select few" wlie had the happiness of having bean introduced to that officer. The last train left tho Bluff at about seven o'olock in the evening, and an hour later the excursionists arrived safely in Invercargill. RUNAWAY. — Yesterday a horse (with cart attached) belonging to the General Government, and at present employed by the Tolegraph Department, ran away, but it CDncluled its gallop in a waterhole, without injuring itself or anything else. The Ship Ocean Mail. — The clipper ship Oceau Mail, owned by the New Zealand Shipping Company, and commanded by Captain Watson, is now loading at the Bluff wharf. She is a perfect picture of strength and naval architecture, and her internal arrangements — for tho accommodation of passengers — are of the most elegant and commodious kind. On Monday last a number of the visitors to the Bluff spent some tiraj on board this flue vessel, and were courteously received by the officers and crew. The G-azette. — It is notified in the General Government Gazette that the Invercargill Artillery and Rifle Volunteers have been formed into a united body, under the designation of " The Invercargill Volunteers," and that Captain John Dalglicsh, of the Artillery, has been appointed Captain Commandant. Illustbated Nbw Zealand Herald. — Tho Illustrated New Zealand Herald for this month contains a bird's eye view of the town of Napier, Hawke's Bay, a portrait of the notorious Sullivan, and a number of illustrations of Australian scenery, &c. One Tube Point. — Our correspondent, wiiting on the 16th, says : — Mr Thomas Brown, who has officiated as teacher here for the last three years, having received the appointment of the second mastership in the Grammar School of Tokomairiro, brought his labors to a close on Wednesday, 13th January. During hia residence among us, Mr Brown has gained the respect and confluence of the parents, and the esteem and affection of his pupils— in testimony of which he was prosented by them with a very handsome writing desk, &c, accompanied by a suitable complimentary address, to which Mr Brown replied in feeling and appropriate terms. Some of the parents graced with their presence the auspicious event, and the children were regaied with a plentiful supply 'of buns and other good thin'iP. The meeting, interesting, as well as creditable to all concerned, was brought t> a close by a unanimous expression of good wishes for Mr Brown's success in his new sphere, and of enrnost hopes tlv.it his future life may be an uninterrupted career of prosperity and happiness to himself, and of usefulness and honor in the profession to which he belongs. Pboduction of Bank Books, — In the Supremo Court at Christchurch, during the trial of a case of embezzlement, Mr Joynt objected to a Bank clerk giving any evidence as to the contents of the books of the Bank without tho production of the books themselves. His Honor Mr Justice Gresson overruled the objection, stating that he would not require a Biink to hawk its books over tho country . It had been the invariable practice there for "a Bank clerk to examine the books beforehand, and to give his evidence in Court, in accordance with the result of such examination. At the request of the learned counsel, His Honor took a note of Mr Joynt's objection. Concekxe Buildings. — The concrete cottages now being erected by the Provincial Government, for immigration purposes, at Hillside, near Dunedin, are said to compare most favorably with wooden cottages in point of cost, besides being more durable and less needing repair. Gold Expost. — During the year 76,890 ounces of gold, valued at £292,486, were exported from the Province of Auckland . New Postal ABBANGEMENTS.—The Welling, ton Tribune states that the rule as to the method of dealing with unpaid letters and book-packets for delivery within the Colony has been altered, and in future such letterß will be forwarded, but a fine of double the deficiency in postage will be levied j on book-packets a fine of 4d will be charged. Th" 1 rule still holds good, however, as regards newspapers and letters out of the Colony. Also, in future, halfpenny stamps will be recognised when used for lettero, as well as newspapers. Wellington. — A new Presbyterian Church is to be erected in Willis street, Wellington, on the site of the present building, at a cost of £3270. Peebbyterian Synod. — The annual session of the Presbyterian Synod of Otago and Southland was commenced in Dunedin on the 13th inst. The Rev. John Allan, of Inch Clutha and Kaitangata, was appointed Moderator. The following ministers and elders represented the Southland district : — Ministers : Revs. A. H. Stobo, T. Alexander, A. Stevens, Robert Morrison, C. S. Ross, and J. H. Thomson ; ciders : Messrs Thomas Watson (Invercargill), and J. M'Donald (Ri7erton). The Rev. Messrs Stobo and Ross, and Messrs John Duncan and Thos. King, were appointed a committee to consider a resolution of the Wakatip congregation, suggesting some means to devise a fund to defray the travelling expenses of members to meetings of Synod. The report of the Church Extension Committee having been read, it was, after some discueeion, adopted, and, in accordance with its recommendations, it waa resolved to authorise the sending Home for four additional ministers during the year if the necessities of the Church should require it. Presbyteries were enjoined to make a report as soon as possible to the Committee of places within their bounds requiring immediate attention. The proposal to employ a settled minister of the Church in the work of ohurcli extension for bucli period of the year (not exceeding six months) as might be con-, gidered requisite, waa sanctioned j as was also the appointment of an agent in Stewart's Island, as recommended by the report. Bkickuaking by Machineey.— The Bruce Herald states that Messrs Calletider Bros, of Springbank. have got their briclstnaking machinery almost complete. They are about to fire their first kiln, and it is believed the clay they have got is everything that could be desired to make a first-class article. With their preseut machinery they expect to be able to turn out bricks at tho rate of 1200 per day. They have at present ten men employed, and twelve more were tq commence last week. Michineoy for making drain pipes, &c, is daily expected. S;r AETHrjB Goedon.— -The Argus supplies the following about the new Governor of Fiji : — Sjp Arthur was private Secretary to his relative the Earl of Aberdeen, when, Secretary qf S|tafe for Foreign Aiiairs, between, September, \ii\, and July, 1846, and also when First Lord of the Treasury. He was . subsequently member for Beverley, in the House of Commons. He accompanied Mr Gladstone in his mission to the loniaa Islands, in 1858. In 1861 he was appointed Lieutenant-Governor of New Brunswick, and was afterwards transferred to the Mauritius, where he became extremely unpopular, and was consequently relieved.

Railway Mi.NAQ-BMKrrr in Auckland. — A recent telegram informod- us". "that the people of Auckland wore greatly annoyed at the excessive rates charged for excursion tickets'. to Ellerslie, and that Ihaj had appealed 'tp.^Sir |l)onald M-Lean on fche subjeot. The Auckland' qorreg. pondent of the Evening Post furj?i?tf|£tlie following particulars:— Popular. irritdiion^ is kopt, awake by fresh scandals in, i connection with the railway,' management under Mr^J?.,,. Pa*smoro. Four milesjcfrom Aucklaad,v A ,j&^tHe|irailway, stands the 'future township of'<\Kl!erslie.' ; %iobert Graham, resident proprietor, has erp,end^& eight thousand pounds in forming publics gartlens, but •as Air Graham had touched aornebody'a pride, on. Boxing Day the return tickets for El'erslio wero fixed at 2s 6J, and during the afternoon, after public refasal, Is 61, while the return tickers. to. Penroso, further on the line, wore 9 1, and to Onehunga, twico the distance, only Is. Such a gross wrong created, quito a furore. To prevent continuance of the outrage, Mr Stewart, acting manager, telegraphed to Mr Passmore urging that the rates to Ellerslie should be reduced for New Year's Day anl the day following. Mr Passmoro did not condescend to reply. Mr Stewart telegraphed again, and was curtly answered, no. The case was represented to Sir D. M'Lean, now here. He vras astonished, and at once, without consulting Mr Passmore in any way, ordered the fares to bo reduood proportionate to the other stations. The public were delighted, and amused at this snub direct. It appears that many years ago Mr Graham gave, at a nominal price, three acres (or the station house, on condition that it should be built on his side of the line, which is nearest Panmure, Howiuk, and the whole settlod district, as well as the garden. He also stipulated that he should have a site for an hotel beside the station. The hotel was built, but the station was built on the opposite side of the line, and not this alone, but Mr Passmore has just sent orders to have a fence erected along the front ot" the hotel, so as to prevent passengers having access thereto, and intimation is also conveye 1 to Mr Graham that the gate-keeper's lodge will bj built before the hotel door. <•. HABVBSTrNG. — Harvesting is now going on in Canterbury, where it is oxpected that the average yield, of oats especially, will be larger than for many years past. In Otago proper we learn that harvesting operations have boen commenced in the Waihola district. Auckland Habboe Boibd .—The revenue of the Auckland Harbor Board for last year amounted to £17,589. INTKBESTIN& StTEGUOAi OPKBATIOK.— -A B'irgical operation (says a Melbourne contemporary) has recently been performed in this city, which, for skill and success, would do credit to any of the largest cities of Europe. The operator was Mr J. G. Beaney, assisted by Drs Brownlos3, Q-ilbee, Hewlett, and Teague. The patieut, a lady from New Zealand, had been suffering for some years from a malignant tumor of the upper jaw, and had been, operated upon for its removal. Soon after the operation it grew again, and that so rapidly that in a very short time it caused a fearful deformity of the face, and the inward growth so filled up the mouth as to interfere seriously both with the functions of mastication and speech. Having placed herself under Mr Beaney, he decided upon removing the entire jaw, which he did in October last, assisted by the before men'ioned medical gentlemen. The patient is now quite recovered, There is no facial deformity, and her speech is perfect. Dr Gilbee examined her a few days since, and pronounced her cured. A Peolific Cow.— According to the North Oiaso Time 3, Mr David Kennedy, of Maerewhenua, has a cow which has given birth to six calves in four years. The cow is only five years old. Her first was a fine bull calf. The next were twins, both heifers, next one heifer calf, and this yenr twins, two fine bull calves, both doing well. The same owner also has another cow which two years ago gave birth to twins. The Theatre. — " The Octoroon" was the source of attraction at the Theatre Royal on Saturday and Monday evenings, when there were large audiences. The tragedy was well acted on both occasions, but particularly on Monday evening. Owing to there being a ball given in the drill-shed to the American transit of Venus observers, and the officers of the Swatara, thero was no performance last night. " The Serious Family" is announced for this evening.