THE PROVINCES.

Globe, Volume I, Issue 26, 30 June 1874, Page 4

THE PROVINCES.

OTAGO. The “ Daily Times” of the 24th says : The Council of the University of Otago has granted a degree to a student of that institution. At a meeting of the Council held yesterday afternoon, the Professors reported favorably of the examination of Mr A, W. Williamson (not Hutchison, as previously given in our columns), and the Council resolved to confer on him the degree of B,A. It is a fact worth noticing, that the first degree granted by the University has been conferred on a student who docs not belong to this province, but who comes from as far north as Wanganui. It may be taken as an augury that in the future there will be many students coming from a distance beyond the province to go through the curriculum of the University, and that the benefits of the University will be felt and appreciated not only in the province, but over the whole colony. The “ Daily Times ” is informed by Mr Young, the Interim Secretary of the Colonial Bank, that 90,800 shares have been applied for in Otago. Besides the above, several thousand shares have been advised by telegram from the Bank’s agents in this province.

The movement for the establishment of a sailors’ home in Dunedin appears to be going on well. A meeting was hold, says the “ Times,” on the 20th, to take the matter into consideration. A strong and influential provisional committee was appointed for the purpose of collecting subscriptions, drawing up a code of rules, and reporting to a meeting of subscribers, to be held in a fortnight.

Visitors to Port Chalmers must have noticed, says the “Guardian,” the rapid manner in which the Graving Dock workshops are progressing. The walls and the framework of the roof arc now complete ; and it is expected that the building will be ready to receive the machinery in about a fortnight. It is understood that a portion of the machinery is already at hand. The ceremony of turning the first sod of the Eivcrton railway was performed by his Honor the Superintendent on June 26th. The “ Times ” says :—The railways to be commenced arc Riverton to Wallacetown, opening up a fine agricultural district ; Riverton to Otautau, ditto ; and Riverton to Orepuki, communicating with the goldfields and coalfields, and fine agricultural country beyond. A difficulty has occurred with the immigrants at the Caversham Barracks, but, after some trouble, they concluded to go to work, and did so. Wheelbarrows, made at the prison workshop on the reclaimed ground, were sent, says the “Times,” to the Barracks in the morning for them to work with, and the unruly ones have now the task of improving the barrack grounds.