OCCASIONAL NOTES FROM THE METROPOLIS.

Cromwell Argus, Volume 2, Issue 80, 23 May 1871, Page 5

OCCASIONAL NOTES FROM THE METROPOLIS.

Dunedin, May 18. The jladdle-Stahrilel? Nevada—thte piotieoi’ boat of tlie new line recently started, under coiitract with the Goveniraent of New Zealand—arrived from San Francesco vid Auckland and othei’ ports a few days sincd Crowds of visitors have been down to Port Chalniets to see Her, and the Harbour Steirtl-b'oat Company have reaped a rich harvest in passenger fares. I went down to see Het ih one of the steamers, which of cdiirse was crowded to suffocation. On the whole; though; we had U very pleasant day, and when we arrived at our destination we trooped on board the huge ship in such numbers as induced the Yankee mate who help’ed Us up the steps to reiitark that “ he guessed this was a tall tUrn-outand one of the sailors supplemented the observation by further “guessing” that “we Britishers were ft darned curious race.” And there was, nd doubt, very ample cause for tlie remarks of the two mariners, for ever since tier arrival the Nevada has been placed under embargo by the inhabitants, who have been perpetually visiting her. I penetrated into every adCessible corner, add everywhere found groups discussing whatever was worthy Of notice. Down into the ladies’ saloon, and you find them there; examining tlie comfortable though not ex-pensively-furnished cabins : the gentlemen’s quarters are still more crowded ; down lower still amongst the polished machinery Of tlie engines, and eten atnong the sOOt-begrinied toilers in the coal-bun-kers, where you can scarcely see your hands before you, are people still to be met with, pursuing their investigations and determined to see every thing that was to be seen ; and when you ascend from the lower regions; arid after , tnoui.iing numerous flights of stairs finally reach the deck, you find the cook’s territory is invaded; the bar has a thirsty throng before it; the hurricane deck is crowded with ptotlldnadors, and the cry is “still they come.” Yes, the sailor was right, we Britishers “ are a darned curious race.” Yet the steamer was well worth a, visit ; and a marry trip up the harbour in tbo bright moonlight terminated the day’s pleasure in an enjoyable manner. , , The police have beer! making a raid upon the lower class of tlie denii mondc in our city; and with the threat of divers pains and penalties in default of th-ir doing So, have; with the assistance of the Resident Magistrate, succeeded in inducing a ndmber Of them to leave our shores; td pfb'y upon society in some other province dr colony. It is hardly acting up to the “ do iirito others as you would nave others to do unto you” maxim, for the wretched creatures must find a, harbour of refuge somewhere, and they will no doubt be as great a pest wherever they may drop anchor as they have been here. The houses lately occupied by some of the emigrants were dens of the most infamous description, and,were the hotbeds of vice and crime of all kinds. But as it is a generally acknowledged rule that .people must look aftet number one in this progressive 19th century of, ours, I suppose we ought to be very thankful to the police and the magistrates for the ostracism of the.unfdrtuhates in question. THU Mining Conference has commenced j its laboUrs, and bids fair to be the means j of some much-needed improvements being introduced into oiir goldfields legislation; From the great practical experience of all the members of which it is composed, and the clear, business-like tone which has characterised the discussion of thq questions that Have come before them, I have no doubt that the result Of tlieir labours will b'o valuable. The graving dock at Port Chalmers, which has cost some £IO,OOO, although not yet Handed over ,to the Dock Trust, has been opened for the admission of vessels. The steader Phoebe was the first vessel to enter it. and she now undergoing some necessary repairs. There is a leak in the bottom of the dock Which has caused sonic little uneasiness; There were some two or three feet of water in it on the day I nw it, and in the'vicinity of the leak Uie water was bubbling up just as it is to be observed in a pool of .water where there is, a spring underneath'. Whether they will he able to stop the leak or not,I cannot say, Arcavum;