DUNEDIN.

Dunstan Times, Issue 311, 10 April 1868, Page 2

DUNEDIN.

(from our own - correspondent.) April G. The principal topic of the day is the approaching meeting of the Council (which takes place to-morrow). '1 he question raided as to whether the present Govertfvnent will retain office is eas ly answered by another question —Who is there of sufficient ability to replace them ? I learn that the Session is likely to be a short one. The Government intend pushing the busi noss through at all speed, a d it is thought that three weeks will suffice. A criminal action lias been commenced by Messrs. Murphy and Reeves, Treasurers of the Destitute Irish Prisoners Widow and Orphan Fund, against Mr. Besimeres, proprietor of the '• Evening News," for libel. The case arose out of an article litely published in that newspaper. Should a conviction succeed, Messrs. Wills. T>ick, and ; Co., the printers of the " Evening

JSewa will prohably come m lor sin actioi in the upreme Court. Awil'. known brewer, who made himself prominent as a collector and advocate of the fund, lias come in for a good share of what may be stigmatised as public persecution. A cry has been got up, possibly by rival brewers, agaih.-t the driaking of the offending brewer's beer, inasmuch as it is a Fenian production; but no persons have suffered harm from imbibing that liquid inDunedm,and it is almost universally drunk on the goldfields, so I presume that it is equally innoxious there. There is nothing whatever to warrant the assumption that any regular Fenian organisation exists in Otago. The Municipal conference have done nothing sis yet, owing to the absence of members from the country. Two Councillors from Queenstown, and one from Milton, under the wing and guidance of Mr. Manders, Town Ulerk of the termer place, have managed to get through a lot of prelimina y business. The formal meeting is to take/place to morrow, when the other representatives will be present. It is said that th Conference will resolve itself into a deputation to wait upon his Honor the Sup'vintendent, with a long stringof Municipal wrongs and grievances. The Monday evening Amateur Concerts continue to be well attended. Mr. Melhuish's series of dissolving views, were brought to a close on Saturday night last. Thcie have been very hesv»y rains during the last few days. Business is very dull. The English Mail, via Panama left yeiterday ai half past Teh, a m.