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Evening Star, Volume VII, Issue 2063, 15 December 1869, Page 2

Holiday.— To-morrow being a close clay, tbe Golden Age is announced to make a special trip to Portobello. If the weather remain tine, many will, no doubt, take advantage of the promised trip, especially now that the fare is reduced to 2s 6d. Launch.—The launch of the iron steam ship, now lying in Mr Wilson’s yard, which was expected to take place to-day, is postponed until Friday next. This postponement was unavoidable, in consequence of the tide not reaching a suHicicnt height today. The Wool Season.—The wool season has fairly commenced along the Upper Olutha. The first instalment came down a couple of weeks ago, and since then it has been coming in freely. The stations on the Nevis and Kawarau are scarcely so far advanced. They are at present engaged mustering, and will he under weigh for shearing very soon. Hands arc scarce, but managers are not disposed to give more than 15s per hundred for shearing. The Bendigo Gully Reefs.—Some idea of the importance these reefs have assumed may be gathered from the fact, that at present two conveyances are plying regularly between the township and Cromwell. The one is a daily conveyance, which leaves the reefs in the morning and returns in the evening ; the other is a tri-weekly, which leaves Cromwell every alternate day, returning at night. The single fare is 10s, and the return fare 15s.

The Goldfields.—Tlie weather on the Goldfields for some time past has been intensely hot, The water supply for raining purposes has not yet been exhausted ; but if the present state of affairs continues for any length of time, a serious interruption will take place. The crops are beginning to suffer from the drought. At Clyde and Cromwell they will be a total failure. At the Wakatip they are looking well; still they would be none the worse for a little moisture.

The City Council. — A meeting of the City Council was held at the Council Hall this afternoon. Present—Messrs E. M'Glaahan (in the chair), Fish, Dods, Walter, and Carrol. F timorous communications with reference to repairs of the streets, leasing of Corporation sections, leave to {remove earth, the construction of asphalt footpaths, &c., were all, after slight discussion, referred to the departmental committees to which they properly belonged. A progress report from the City Surveyor was read, and sent to the Works Committee, with authority to grant the request for extra day labor. The meeting had not terminated in time to be fully reported in our present issue. The Middle District School.— The examination of the pupils of the Middle District School took place yesterday. The attendance of parents of the scholars and others was numerous, the large room being crowded. The examiners expressed great satisfaction at the progress made during the year. The presentation of prizes and a musical and dramatic entertainment commenced this afternoon at 2 o’clock. The Hall was crowded to excess, and even the stairs filled with ladies and gentlemen unable to gain admittance. The presentation of prizes had not commenced when our reporter left, at half-past three o’clock ; therefore we are compelled to hold over our notice until the complete prize list is to hand.

Cromwell, —From Cromwell we learn that municipal matters are rapidly drifting into a perfect parody. The Government subsidy has been stopped; still that fact does not appear to prevent the irregularities for which this singular body has become notorious. The subject of selecting a site for a new court-house was lately the occasion of au exhibition which we believe eclipsed anything ever transacted in the name of constitutional authority. At a still later date the nomination of a councillor was fixed to take place, and not a single individual would allow himself to be put in nomination. So far as Cromwell is concerned there’is every appearance of a collapse. The present so-called council Lave doubts respecting the legality of their appointment, and the authorities have been solicited to bring in an Act to declare their proceedings legal. The matter is in dispute, aud will shortly be tried in the Supreme Court, Could the functions of this body not be suspended and the Council quashed. They cannot possibly do the place any good ; on the other hand, they are making it appear ridiculous in the eyes of the public.

The Consolation Match of the Otago Rifle Association will be competed for at the Kaikorai on Saturday next, the 18th inst., at 2 p. m. We see by au advertisement in another page that a moonlight excursion is announced to take place on Monday next, the 20th inst., when the steamers Wallace and Golden Age will leave the jetty at 7.30. Fleury’s band will accompany the steamer, and as an additional attraction, there will be a grand display of fireworks at Port dial-

mcrs. It is confidently anticipated' that a large number of persons will availtherasclves of this trip.