DUNEDIN NOTES.

Cromwell Argus, Volume V, Issue 215, 23 December 1873, Page 6

DUNEDIN NOTES.

By 0. P. Q. December 18, 1878. The expected arrival of his Excellency the Governor is causing no little stir in Dunedin, and notwithstanding his request that no fuss should be made over him, preparations are being made to receive him in a manner worthy of his high position as the representative of her Majesty the Queen. The-frame-work of a large arch already spans the roadway through the Octagon, and when it receives its covering of leaves and flowers it will give a verv different appearance to that generally dead-and-alive part of the city. Sir James Fergusson comes to Otago having the good wishes of its inhabitants, and with the knowledge that his sensible views on Colonial affairs since his arrival in New Zealand have earned for him a very general liking and respect. His early visit to this Province contrasts favourably with the dilatoriness of former Governors in this respect, Otago as a rule having hitherto been one of the last Provinces visited by the representative of royalty. It is only natural, therefore, that some little demonstration should be made on his arrival. It is very gratifying to know, however, that His Excellency will not be much troubled with the “address nuisance,” which is generally carried to such an absurd length on occasions of the sort. Sir James is now on his way, so that in a few days wo may expect bis arrival. Our community has been sorely exercised of late on the question of drainage, and a largely attended meeting was held in the new drill-shed in the early part of the week, the Mayor (who presided) and all the Councillors being present. A.s is usual, the question at issue could not be discussed without a number of our prominent citizens having a fling at each other, and introducing entirely irrelevant personal matters into their remarks. The public mind seemed to be pretty equally divided on the two schemes of underground and surface drainage, and various motions and amendments were proposed and discussed. It was finally resolved, on a motion proposed by Mr Sherwin, that the resolution of the Corporation to spend some £IO,OOO on drainage works should be confirmed by the meeting, it being considered it would be inadvisable to wait any longer without some steps being taken to remedy the defective drainage in one or two of the wards of the city. Considering the rapid strides Dunedin is making, and the large amount of land which is being and still re mains to be reclaimed, it seems to me that the views expressed by one or two of the speakers that a general survey of the whole city should be made by a scientific competent person, and a thorough system of drainage organised for the whole city, shoidd have been adopted by the meeting without, any further immediate outlay being sanctioned. Dunedin was visited by a very severe thunderstorm last Sunday. The rain came down in torrents nearly all afternoon, and the hailstones which fell during a portion of the storm were of an unusually large size. Following the clerk of the weather’s performances of Sunday we -were treated to a very severe squall on Tuesday afternoon. The gusts of wind were very violent, and did damage in various parts of the city. The

most serious result of the storm, however, was the drowning of a young man in the bay about three o’clock. In company with a mate he had gone out in a small boat to collect a lot of palings which had been blown off one of the jetties. They ventured out with only one oar, and being unable to manage the boat, she drifted broadside on ,to the waves and capsized, with the unfortunate fatal result I have mentioned. Up to the present the body has not been recovered. A meeting convened by circular issued by his Worship the Mayor was held a day or two since in the City Council Chambers, with the object of forming a committee to take in hand the getting up a banquet to the Hon. the Premier, who is at present on a visit to Otago. An influential committee was formed, and a grand banquet arranged to take place some time next week. Mr Vogel is also to have presented to him a piece of plate in recognition of the important services ho has rendered the Colony, The affair will doubtless be a grand success, as every one you meet now-a-days seems to speak in terms of praise of the Premier, and those who intend to be at the banquet seem very numerous.