The Evening Star. DUNEDIN, FRIDAY, DEC. 1, 1865.

Evening Star, Volume III, Issue 803, 1 December 1865, Page 2

The Evening Star. DUNEDIN, FRIDAY, DEC. 1, 1865.

The proceedings in the Provincial Council this afternoon were uninteresting to the general public. Several returns and departmental reports were laid on the table. Mr Maddock asked the Government “ Whether the City Council have applied to the Government for payment of salaries to the City Commissioners, and if so, what amount, and whether they will consent to lay the correspondence on the table?” The Provincial Treasurer replied that all the correspondence on the subject had been laid on the table, and he would add that the City Council in reply to a communication on the subject had replied that they knew nothing of, nor had anything to do with, the matter. The House afterwards went into Committee on the Land Regulations.

An important public meeting convened by the Dunedin Volunteer Fire Brigade, took place this afternoon at St. George’s Hall, for the purpose of laying before the citizens a full statement of the finances of the Brigade since its formation, and also for the purpose of devising means for its future support. Considerable interest was manifested in the proceedings by a numerous assemblage of ratepayers and citizens, but owing to the late hour, five o’clock, at which the business commenced, we are compelled to hold over a report of the meeting until our next issue.

We understand that the Bev. Mr. Hill, of Auckland, is to preach in St. Andrew’s Church, Walker Street, on Sunday first—morning and

evening.

The attractions at the Circus to-night, aided by the change in the weather, should ensure a good attendance. To-morrow there will be an afternoon performance, and those who take their children to Vauxhall early in the day will be able to return early and afford the juveniles a fitting finish to their holiday.

The following memorial from the inhabitants of Queenstown and district has been forwarded to his Honor the Superintendent :—“ Your memorialists desire that your Honor will take such steps as shall, as soon as possible, secure to them the advantages of local self-government by the establishment of a Municipal Council with the necessary powers, and holding its meetings and having its seat at Queenstown, Dake Wakatip, in accordance with the terms of the ‘ Otago Municipal Corporations Ordinance, 1860.’ Your memorialists respectfully suggest that the Municipal District of Queenstown should be that defined by the course of the .Shotover river from the Arthur’s Point Bridge to its junction with the Kawarau river and thence to the Dake, and as otherwise hereinafter described, and as per plan hereunto attached. Your memorialists further suggest that the above district be divided into four wards. [Here follow the wards —South, East, North, and West.) Your memorialists further pray you will be pleased to give to each of said divisions two Municipal Councillors who, with the Mayor or chairman, being elected by the ratepayers, may constitute a council of nine. And your memorialists will ever pray, &c.”

Her Majesty’s war st jamcr Devastation has been ordered, in search o£ the Shenandoah, with oyders to treat her as a pirate, the United States war vessel Shawanoe boxiig also in search of her. The A.ltct California, says it is probable the pirate will have to take water’’ or “ climb a tree” at tqo very distant date.

The weather in the interior seems to have been very severe and stormy lately. The Warden at the Upper Shotoever, in his official report to the Government, states that during the last ten days the weather has been the most broken and unseasonable ever yet known in that district. Several falls of snow have taken place, and the river and its tributaries have been in a constent state of flood. At the Nevis the weather has been cold, wet, and stormy, and mining operations have been considerably impeded thereby. The Warden at Queenstown states that heavy falls of snow and rain have swollen the river, and the mountains are covered with snow to the winter snow line. The roads are described as being in a frightful state from the continued wet, and supplies of all kinds in town are very short in consequence. The crops, however; look well, and a considerable breadth of land has been sown with oats. Mr Warden Robinson states that the road over the mountains to Campbell’s is still very bad, and the stores have not yet been able to open for the season. Mr Neiper, of Butcher’s Gully, informed him that a day or two ago he had been out, but was not able to get to his store with any goods. A woman and child were taken over at the same time, and it was with difficulty their lives were saved.

The usual monthly meeting of the Council of the Otago Rifle Association is advertised to take place to-morrow evening, at M'Cubbin’s Hotel. The business is important, viz., the consideration of the programme for the forthcoming annual match meeting.

The weather has rendered the roads to Hindon so bad that the opening of the works of the Quartz Crushing Company is postponed for a short time.

At the Police Court this morning two persons were sued by a Building Society for arrears of rent due from the mortgagees of the premises to the Society in question. It would be well for all tenants to ascertain when they rent houses whether the landlord’s title is unencumbered or not. Although it matters Itttle to them who receives the rent, yet there may be certain allowances promised by the landlord for repairs, &c., which the mortgagee or the Society is not bound, and probably does not care to fulfil.

His Excellency the Governor has proclaimed the West Coast a quarantine ground for cattle from infected districts, thus allowing their importation.

The extension of the telegraph system through the Middle Island is slowly progressing. The main line is expected to be open to Blenheim and Picton in the Marlborough Province about the 14th of this month, and to Nelson in about a month later.

The Oamaru Times states tliat a requisition is in course of signature amongst the electors of the district, for presentation to H. J. Miller, Esq., asking him to come forward as a candidate for the representation of the Electoral District of Oamaru in the General Assembly. It is reported that Mr Miller will resign his seat in the Upper House, and that he will accede to the request of becoming a candidate for a seat as member for Oamaru in the Dower House. It is reported that Mr Campbell, of Benmore station, will be asked to stand (and that he is willing to do so) for either Hampden or Manuherikia. We have not yet heard of Mr Wayne’s intentions, nor of any likely candidate for Waikouaiti district. We learn from the Oamaru Times than an exhibition of barley for a prize cup, value twentyfive guineas, given by Messrs Williams and Whitmore, brewers, Oamaru, will take place on the 2nd Thursday in April next. Exhibitors will require to show one hundred bushels of the present season’s crop. The Committee of the Northern Partoral and Agricultural Association have resolved to hold a general show of grain at the same time, which we trust will turn out a successful affair.