LATEST TELEGRAMS.

Timaru Herald, Volume VIII, Issue 268, 21 December 1867, Page 2

LATEST TELEGRAMS.

[fkom our own correspondent.] Dunedin, Friday, 3.30 p.m. The Omeo has arrived from Melbourne. When the steamer left there was no sign of the English mail. n The Otagb -with the' Government mails is postponed till to-morrow. The distribution of prizes at the High School took place yesterday. The results were very gratifying. Mr Taylor is appointed music master to the Otago School. The English Mail.— Up to our going to press last night, the English Suez Mail had not been telegraphed from the Bluff. The Panama Mail is also due m Wellington to-day. . The Southern Provinces' Almanac 1868. — We have to acknowledge receiving a copy of the above almanacs from the publishers, Messrs Ward and Beeves, Christchurch. The Almanac, although somewhat smaller m balk than the one for this year, contains a large quantity of . most useful information. : Amateur Dramatic Company. — The! Timaru Amateur Dramatic Compauy intend giving a performance m the Mechanics' Institute on Thursday next. The funds derived from the performance will go to the benevolent aid fund. . The Simonsen's Concerts.— These talented performers will give two concerts on Thursday and Friday of next week et the Royal Assembly Rooms. From the manner their concerts are spoken of by both the Australian and Otago press we look for a rich treat of music. ■■.:■'>' ■■■■: i." ..- /;■■■.;: Graving Dock at Port Chalmers. — At a meeting of the Olago Dock Trust m Dunedin on the 13th inst., the following communication was ■ received from the Govern^ ment: — "That the Government is prepared at once to guarantee the payment of principal and^interest • -on- bonds -issued by the Dock Board, not exceeding £50,000, m terms, and as empowered by the Otago Dock Trust] Ordinance, 1865 ; " and further, that the Government is' preparedi to render every assistance m its power towards enabling the Board to fulfil: the object for which it was instituted." It was then unanimously reresolved that tenders should be' called for, for building a graving dock ;, and tha^the advei> tisement should be published m Dunedin; Christchurch, Wellington, Auckland, Melbourne, and Sydney ; and that the time for receiving tenders should be until March 25th', 1868.

Electoral. — We learn that Mr Travers has j resigned his seat m the. Provincial Council as member for Heathcote, and that Mr Andrew Duncan and Mr G. Hart are mentioned as candidates for the scat. Duke ov Edinburgh's visit to Atokland : — The programme ot the Duke's visit I to Auckland has been published. It embraces four days, and the cost is estimated at £1500, two-thirds of which are to be raised by public subscription. _ , , . . ... Tj>iaru Mechanics' Institute. — At a Committee meeting of the Institute, held on Thursday evening, there were present i — Messrs Healey, (Chairman,) Me' ln tyre, Cuff, Beswick, Cullman, Durand, Fyfe, George, Hill, and the Secretary; After the minutes of the last meeting were read and confirmed, a letter was read from Mr Horton, suggesting the desirability of appointing a sub-com-mittee to report on the share subscription list. A letter, was also read received from the Secretary of the Presbyterian Church Committee, stating that they were prepared to sell the seats previously applied for. The following resolutions were passed. — "That a Sub-Committee be appointed to prepare a report on the share subscription list and general account, to be laid before the next general meeting. Such Committee to consist of Messrs Chisholm, Horton, Cuff, Mclntyre and the Secretary." "That the Secretary inform the Secretary of the Presbyterian Church Committee, that should the statement of accounts to be prepared prove satisfactory, they will be happy to avail themselves of the offer to purchase the seats," "That the Secretary advertise for a Librarian." "That members return any borrowed books before the Ist January." "That the Library would be closed from the Ist January, to the Bth January 1868, to prepare a fresh catalogue," The meeting then adjourned until the Ist day of January 1868. Q-eraldine. — A meeting was held at Mrs Maslin's house, Geraldine, on Tuesday evening, to discuss the possibility of erecting a Wesleyan Chapel m that, district. The attendance was pretty good, and the Revd. J. B. Richardson of Timaru was present. Mr Charles Meredith made an offer of half an acre of freehold land, as a site for the proposed chapel. A committee to carry out the preliminary arrangements was formed, consisting of Messrs. Job Brown, (Treasurer,) Robert Miller, (Seci-e---tary,) Hughes, Ford, Webb, C. Meredith, and Iluffey. Before the meeting separated, subscription lists were drawn out. We have every reason for supposing that before very long the result of. the meeting. will bo seen, and that the Wesleyans m that scattered district will soon enjoy a place of worship of their own. Wesleyan Sabbath School Anniversary. — The anniversary of the Wesleyan Sunday school m this town was held on Monday last. The scholars, numbering about one hundred gathered soon after noon near the chapel, and enjoyed themselves for a time by playing at various games. Abont 3 p.m. they were regaled with tea, cake, &c, to which they did ample justice. Further sports, together with scrambling for nuts occupied the remainder of the time until the parents and other friends assembled for the public tea at 6 o'clock. The attendance of adults was respectable, though (owing to counter attractions elsewhere) not quite so large as was expected. After the tables were cleared away the guests assembled m the chapel for the evening meeting. The ohair was occupied by the Rev. J. B. Richardson who opened the proceedings with prayer. The report, presented by Mr Holdgate (Secretary), was as follows : — " In presenting their second annual report, the committee of the Timaru Wesleyan Sunday school would acknowledge with gratitude to the Almighty God the many mercies they have received at His hands since last year's meeting. They have had the supply of means needful for carrying on tho work of the school. There has been a gradual increase during tho year of teachers and scholars. And more than all they have witnessed tokens of spiritual success. Assured further that God's word shall not return unto Him void, they feel warranted m the expeotation that greater results than are now visible will appear at the day when the secrets of all hearts wil be revealed. Convinced that the importance of training the young m the paths of peace and m the knowledge of God, cannot easily be estimated, they ask for the sympathy, prayers, and support of their Christian friends, aud thank them for the assistance afforded m the past." The number of teachers on the roll-book was nine. Appended to the report was a tabular statement of the number of children belonging to the school, by which we find that for the three quarters past of the present year the numbers respectively wore 75, 78, aud 85, and for the present quarter 105. The average morning attendance of the scholars being for the three quarters respectively 39, 44, and 49, and for the present quarter 62, while the afternoon attendance has 1 been 47, 52, and 54, and for the present quarter 75. The receipts for school purposes amounted to £7 Is 4d, and the expenditure to £6 16s 4d ; leaving 5s balance m the hands of the Treasurer. After the report was concluded, instructive addresses were delivered by the school officials and others. Prominence was given to the need for more teachers to instruct the 'large number of children who at present attend the school. The proceedings were enlivenod with the performance of several pieces of music by .the choir which were well received. The meeting separated at 10 o'clock. Wife Advertising.— A Wellington contemporary says:' — A short time ago there appeared iv the advertising columns of a contemporary, m Wellington, an invitation to young ladies desirous of entering the married state, to communicate with the > advertiser, who was simply described as " a gentleman desirous of settling for life.". The young lady it was stated,'' must lie '" respectable and possess an "amiable temper" that would " conduce to the happiness of both parties." Some mischievous, wags thought this too good an opportunity' fora' practical- joke to be lost and having persuaded one or two lively damsels' to act as their confederates, they addressed sundry epistles (the ladies, acting. as their amanuenses), purporting to come from maidens on the look-out for husbands, to the advertiser ; to which the latter duly responded, enclosing copies of his carte, devisite. A trysi ting" place having been arranged, with ; the most likely of the fair correspondents, the amorous swain duly attended, and was received by a blushing damseL A sweet hour of bliss folio wed.*nd anothermeeting was agreed upon. Flushed with his former success, and doubtless eager. to push on his conquest, the deluded bachelor was punctual tohis appointment, but instead^ of being met by the sweet smiles of his lady love, he was welcomed with a peal of derisive laughter from a score of young men, who, moreover, refused to allow him to depart uutil he had "shouted" all rouud. The tale, we beg to inform our readers, though romantic, is perfectly true.

I Relief op the Deststction at Jackson's | Bat.— The West Coast Times, of the^lOth says:— The return of the j Kennedy yesterday morning with the pleasing intelligence of the . safety and well-beidg ofj the "isolated^ little Jackson's Bay community! excited a feeling of ' intense relief, for it was -ffeared. that the unfortunates had been reduced~to r dire straits by starvation. It is true they had undergone great inconvenience and some Buffering, but not to the extent anticipated, small fish and wild fowl being tolerably abundant, whilst fern Bprout9 and a herb, named "Biddy, Biddy" by the diggers, supplied a vegetable diet. For several weeks, however, they were utterly destitute of flour and other necessaries, but at last obtained a small supply from Mr Cleave and his party, who arrived at the Arawata river from Big Buy m a sailing boat, and ascertaining their condition, generously left the whole of their scanty stock, and immediately proceeded to Bruce Bay for more. The Kennedy reached Jackson's Bay on Saturday night, and next morning at daylight Messrs Sale, M'Farline, and Captains Turnbull and Carey landed and visited the graves of poor Claud Olivier and Mr Boxhill, who perished, and were buried there when exploring the coast some years siuce. The graves and fencing round them were found m good preservation. The party then proceeded to examine the unfortunate Mr Marsden's tent, which stood near the graves, but found nothing of value, although they dug up the ground m and around the tent to the depth of eighteen inches. They then returned to the Kennedy, which got under weigh, and steamed fire miles north, to a point opposite the diggers' settlement, which is situated about t.vo miles north of the Arawata river. A lauding was effected without difficulty, the sea being quite smooth. Only Mr and Mrs Howard and their children and a man named Freshwater were found there, and five diggers who were mentioned by Mr Friend and his mates having left overland for Bruce Bay a few days previously. . The meeting was a very joyful one on the part of the Howards and their companion, Mrs Howard especially being quite overpowered by the kind consideration of the ladies who sent down a much needed supply of clothing for herself and children. She desires to return them her grateful thanks. The Howards purchased about £50 worth of goods from Mr M'Farline, paying for them m gold dust. They were, however, very reticent concerning their earnings, merely stating that : moderate wages could be obtained there, but refused to leave the place, notwithstanding that a free passage was offered them m the Kennedy. The workings are shallow and confined to the beach and terraces adjoining it. Two of Mr Cleaves party decided to remain and try their luck, the others returned with the Kennedy. Before leaving Arawata Mr Sale and party examined the river which is described as having two outlets, separated by a sand bank. The last resting pines of Buggy and Friend, who, together with Marsden, were drowned on the 10th ult., were pointed out to Mr Sale by Howard. The body of Marsden has not been recovered. Christchurch Horticultural Exhibition. — The first exhibition of the season, under the auspices of this society, was held m Coker's gardens last Monday, and proved a decided success, notwithstanding the auguries of many that the choice of the anniversary day for the exhibition would- prove a bar to its success. The Committee, however, m spite of these prognostications, determined to abide by the natal day of the province, and argued that if Christchurch folks left town on that day, the people of Lyttelton, Kaiapoi, and the neighborhood would no doubt avail themselves of the opportunity to see what the gardeners on the plains could do m the matter of horticulture ; and the number of visitors who the exhibition tents throughout the day proved that the committee were correct. We only hope that the society can for the future make such arrangements with Mr Coker as to be able to hold all their exhibitions there. These gardens are centrally situated, and beautifully planted with trees, so that the visitors can have the advantage of' shelter from sun, wind, and dust The band, under the leadership of Mr B. Buttorfj was m attendance, and discoursed a variety of popular music throughout the day. Towards the afternoon various sports were organized amongst the young folks which tended vastly to the general enjoyment ; these consisted of: short races, jumping m sacks, and other innocent amusements. The tents m which pot plants and cut blooms were staged was' 1 10 feet m length by 25 feet m width, the: vegetables and fruits being shown m a; separate tent of smaller dimensions adjoining it. The tents were placed under parallel rows of weeping willows,' which served the double purpose, of shelter and shade. The pot plants occupied the whole of the centre tallies, whilst the cut blooms'filled a smaller one which ran around the tent We will first notice a few of the plants and cut flowers sent for exhibition only. In pot plants Mr Gould, as usual, sent a large collection, consisting of Begonias, Cissus discolor, Pelargoniums, Calanthe veratrifoliaj Clerodendrons, &c. Messrs W. Wilson, : Hislop, and Duncan and Son also contributed extra stock, as also Mr R. H. Rhodes with fine Cactus upeciosmima, Echinocactus sp., and Platycerium- alcicorne. Mr T. Abbott had a collection of variegated plants, amongst which we observed a fine Mrs Pollock geranium, Mrs Deans a Cactus speciosa, covered with bloom, and Mr A. Stewart several large pelargoniums and several varieties of native ferns. We must not omit to notice a very curious bulbous plant sent for exhibition by Mr B. Reed, Lyttelton, which puzzled the gardners to name. In appearance it looked like a well-formed Spanish onion with ermumlike leaves, and we feel inclined to hazard a guess that, when it flowers, it will be found to belong to that genus. Amongst the cut flowers Mr Greenaway sent Beveral nice blooms of roses, ranunculus! and double sweet-williams. Mr W. : Wilson sent fine verbenas, picotees, and antirrhinums. Mr Nalder showed some ' noticeable foxgloves, and Mr Mackay a miscellaneous assortment of border flowers. The hand and table bouquets we thought were not quite equal to former exhibitions, but what they wanted m quality was more than counterbalanced by the large number staged. The floral devices were not. of great merit, but one sent by Mr Larcomb was most ingeniously gotup.it being a cottage inserted m the middle of a flower garden. Passing on to the articles entered for competition, we first glance at the pot plants belonging to the nurserymen. .In the Class for Six Store Plants Messrs Duncan and Son's

plants were everything that could be desired, especially Gardenia florida, flart pleno, Streptocarpus Rexii, AUamatider neri folia, Columnea Schiediana and (Torenia Pulcherrima. These plants not only! attracted the attention of those who thoroughly understand this class. '<i)f plants, but were really a credit to the exhibitors. Amongst greenhouse plants m the first -prize lot the Hoya carnosa, Pimelia deausala, Rhyncosgermum JasminoidesjNere exhibited m such form that we have no hesitation m saying that they would grace any first-class London Exhibition, and were really a credit to their exhibitors. ~ Amongst Mr W. "Wilson's"exhibits m this class we noticed one very fair Hoya carnosa. Fine Foliaged and Variegatedleaved Section Again we notice the Messrs Duncans' exhibits as being brought to the show m their best form, especially Dracaena terminalis, Ligidaria Keampfttii Argentea, Coleua Wolfii, taMlcea Zebrina, and Aphelandra Leopoldii. We may remark that the Calathea, Dracoena, aud Coleua were really a treat that real lovers of flowers seldom see m the colonies. Mr Hislop also exhibited some really good plants m this class, though certainly inferior to those of Duncan and Son. Yet we can't pass this class without drawing attention to iheßilbergiaGigantea, a variegated VUis, sent under the name of Oissus Heterophyllw Variegatus; this last especially was a well known plant —The Press 17th Dec. Leestox Races, — The Press of the 18th inst., m speaking of these races says : — The annual race meeting at Leeston took place yesterday. For the past two or three years this event has been looked forward to with considerable interest, as some of the horses entered were usually to be found amongst the number running at the Christchurch meeting m the following month. Yesterday, however, the number of entries was not great, aud with one. or two exceptions the horses were ulniost unknown. The attendance on the ground, 'although ample accommodation m the way of grand stands was afforded, was far inferior to ithot of last year. No velricles of any pro{tensions were there, although there were a 'considerable number of drays belonging to our '. country friends drawn up on each side of the 'course.' The number of visitors was probably between 300 and 400. Several coaches left Christchurch for the course at an early hour m the morning, but none of them were well filled. Private conveyances were also to be found on the road, but the Christchurch visitors did not show up -nearly so well as last year. The distance of the course from Christchurch is about twenty-five miles, and the fastest coach accomplished the distance m about three hours and a-half. The racing was auything but good, hardly any event being well contested, although the entries gave promise of better things. There was not a race which was not won by the favourite at starting, and of course the betting men had the knowledge, and there was consequently very little speculation. A few sweeps were got up, but no great interest appeared to be excited. The first event was the Hurdle Race, and for '■ it ' there were three entries'; but a rumour having got afloat before the race that Lunatic, whom by-the-by we think we have seen at other races running under the name of Spider, would not come to the starting post, threw all the excitement on the other two horses, Maori Girl and Centurion, the latter having the best of what little betting was there ; but on its being known that Mr Spinks was to ride the Maori, matters somewhat changed, and the horses were backed level at starting. Lunatic, howover, came to the post, and made the running although he had never had a chance of the race, which was easily won by the bay gelding. The next nice, the Maiden Plate, was a very tame affair. There were originally seven entries, but the first horse on ' the card, Revenge, having been scratched, reduced the number of competitors to six. Of the horses which came to the post, Zouave was perhaps the most spoken of ; he certainly looked fit, and the mare Banshee, without whose name scarcely a meeting haß been held for the past two years, also found some admirers. The only- money* that was laid, however, as far as we 'could hear, was on Waterhen against the field ; the cognoscditi were right, the mare winning easily. The next race, the Ellesmere Plate, was supposed to be the race of the day. There were six entries, but Banshee, after having received punishment m the prior race, was scratched. Odds were laid on Presto, who won easily, although there was a tussel between him and Coromeka on coming into the straight ' running. Lady of the Lake entirely lost her chance 1 of the race by bolting at the time m the first round ;. if she had had a stronger jockey the race might have ended differently.' After this race there was some talk of a private match being got up between Presto and the Lady for £200 a side, to come off to-day, but we are not aware that the conditions' have been decided on. The next race, the Leeston Trial Stakes, was a walk over by the Lady of the Lake. There were four entries, but Revenge and Zouave were scratched, and .'the other two horses being stable companions, Young Jenny and Lady of the Lake, the former retired m favour of the hitter, who walked over the course. The Hack Race -brought to the post several animals, and the race was a somewhat spirited one, being won by a horse called Dod, Mr Shadbolt'i Duke taking second place. The race certainly afforded more amusement than any of the others, the course being very narrow, and the difficulty of running through very great.