DUNEDIN NOTES.

Press, Volume LX, Issue 11480, 13 January 1903, Page 6

DUNEDIN NOTES.

.«. (special to "the phess.") DUNEDIN, January 12. The weather is still very unsettled. A heavy thunderstorm swept over the city this afternoon, rain coming down in torrents. The weather fox this time of the year is absolutely the worst ever experienced in the south. November and December were bud enough. January promises to ire equally' as bad, for there has not been one really fine day since the beginning oi the year. Farmers are beginning to ieel the effects of this long and unprecedented spell of rain. Mr AuntUKl, a member of the Drainage Board, has brought forward a scheme for dealing with sewage by means of seven septic ti'.rks placed in different parts of the city and .oubuibs. The drainage engineer estimates his scheme will run into between iILOO.OGO ajid £318,000, and Mr Aimand reckons his scheme will not cost one-half that amount. Mr Amuind contends that the upkeep and annual cliarges would be a mere trifle as compared with the combined .syytem of drainage with its many eu-itly sewere, elaborate piynping plant, OLeun outfall, and staff of officials and emplojees. Under his proposal the pumping of the sewagie would practica/llv cost nothing, and the septic tanks would run themselves. An Australian gang of safe breakers, who reaped a good harvest here last week, are now supposed to be in the country, where several similar robberies have been committed. They are believed to be working their way north. Sir William Russell, says the " Star," will not be a candidate for the Speakersbip. He is strongly of opinion that Mr Guinness ought* by reason of "his long service as Chairman of Committees and Deputy-Speaker, to be elected to the position, though he acknowledges that many members of the Opposition will be found supporting the candidature of Mr McNab, if the member for Mataura is nominated. The North Island Braes Band Association has removed the disqualification imposed on the North East Valley Band. This will enable the band to go to the contest at Masterton next month. Kaikxxrai will also compete. The Acclimatisation Society has recommended March 20th for the opening of the zed deer season, to last two months. March 15th to the end of April is recommended for the shooting of fallow deer. It was stated that a good deal of poaching was going on against fallow deer, but the general opinion seemed to 'be that the grievance TV as too big a one to be remedied by the Society, and should be undertaken by the Government. The season for shooting native and imported game was recommended to be from April Ist to the end of June.