OUR DUNEDIN LETTER.

Cromwell Argus, Volume I, Issue 34, 6 July 1870, Page 5

OUR DUNEDIN LETTER.

(Ft'om- i>(Cr (mn'Oom.'sprmrtwtlj ,1 vine <lO. The last fortnight has' Iwon a most uneventful ono in Dtmodin. Had weather anti bad roads form the principal topio of conversation in the town. Ido not know how long this state of affairs, is going to last. The effort of it upon trade fa most ruinous, and I am convinced that a large proportion of tho shopkeepers are ra a decidedly shaky state. It fa now some tfoa® since L anticipated a very severe and trying winter. My anticipations are unfortunately coming too true.. Pauperism used to be an unknown thing it) Otago ; not so now; however. Walking through tho streets of tho city, I have on morethan one occasion within tho last few weeks been accosted by those old English, friends, beggars. Still, we need immigration r that alouo will cause a perfect revolution In the existing state of affairs,—so our politicians inform us, and how can I dispute the fact? In tho present abate of the country, however, I cannot help thinking that every grant mada for immigration purposes to be accompanied by another equally largo one and ia aid of the Otago Benevolent Institution. Mr H. 8. Fish, Jan., and MrT. M. Wilkinson, are aspirants for the office of Mayor. Considerable interest ia now felt in the approaching election, which will no doubt increase until the eventful day arrives. Mr Griffon still appears to occupy the first position In public opinion,, and I anticipate an easy victory on hfa port. The last nows from home with regal'd to flax is not of a vory cheering natum Ruling prices in the homo markets range from £lB to £3B, according to quality. These prices will never pay New Zealand flaxdreaaers. Expense of conveyance home cannot down under £lO ; and £IQ for first-class scutched sample ia Dunedin would, I should imagine, leave but very little margin for profit. The past rains have likewise been ruinous to the industry, and “ flax” has grown t» be a word of ill omen in the mouths of Otago peopla “ Who can touch tar and not bo defiled 1”—“ Who can touch flax and notget his fingers burned I” are twin proverbs, Still, my opinion as to the ultimate and consequent rise in price of New Zealand flax is unaltered.

Amusements have been plentiful in Dunedin lately. Mr and Mrs George Darrell dravr a tremendous crowd to theMasonic Hall the other night. Mrs George Darrell (late Mrs Robert Heir) is an old Dunedin favourite, and the people of Dunedin showed their appreciation of her talent on that occasion “ with a vengeance.” I hare never seen the Masonic so crowded before, but I tbink the siso of the audience was well merited by the talents of the lady referred to. I considered her readings the most delightful part of the performance. As for Mr Darrell, he is a young man, and will doubtless improva His principal forte is supposed to be comic singing, but I was more pleased with bis playing of Hamlat than with any of his comic selections.

Dr Carr has left town, and I fancy ha has had good cause to be satisfied with Dunedin patronage. The Bell-ringera are now at tha Masonic Hall, and are on this occasion supported by Mr Daniels, a fine baritone singer, who used to belong to the Thatcher troupe. The theatre is nowopened by Miss Rose Evans and Mr George Ciaromont—-the former of whom is a pretty blonde of Australian celebrity. Miss Evans’ forte is most decidedly burlesque, She is possessed of a pretty figure, is asmart and piquant talker, and a first-class dancer. She makes one unfortunate mistake, however, in her entertainment—viz., attempting to play tragedy and comedy as well as burlesque. I believe it is Miaa Evans’ intention to got up a company. I therefore trust soon to see the theatre reopened, after a long interval, in the legitimate style. The King of Prussia recently visited a needle-manufactory in his kingdom, and was shown a number of superfine needles, thousands of which together did not weigh half an ounce, and marvelled how such minute articles could be pierced with sa. eye. The eye-borer asked for a hair from the King’s head. He placed it under tha boring-machine, made a hole in it, fumiahed it with a thread, and then handed tha needle to the King. The Soientifia Amo-rixm says that a curious needle is in the possession of Queen Victoria. It was made at the celebrated needle factory at Redditch, and represents the column of Trajan in miniature. Soanes in the life of the Queen are represented in relief, but are so, finely cut and so small that it requires a. magnifying-glass to soo them. The Victoria needle, moreover, can be opened. It contains a number of needles of smaller size, which are equally adorned with rdtof-aoeaes, Holloway 1 » PiUo. —A. certain cure for Dropay. —Charles Hutchinson, Rsq., of Burghersdxop, C.0.H., was for fifteen mouths a sad victim t» this complaint. So bad was ho at ono part of tho timo, that water actually-oozed through tha pores of lil* akin, and thrice a day change' of apparel became necessary. Every time his doctor called he expected to find him dead, and in fact his friends no hope of his recovery, ilia aiater, who had derived great benefit from tho use of Holloway’s Pills, bogged him. as a favor to her, to try them. Fortunately for hint, lie did not refuse, and they soon produced a ini; iin natter. In umV weeks, he wan ■ tjiivyjicJlV.y :H of; ii| gonl ' s ■