DUNEDIN.

Grey River Argus, Volume V, Issue 301, 17 December 1867, Page 2

DUNEDIN.

(FRQ3I OUR OWIJ qORRESPQNI>?if T, ) l November gO. j We have experienced another week of most unseasonable weather— windy, cold, j and very wet. Sunday morning was i ushered in by a. south-easter, accompanied '• by a heavy steady downfall of rain, which , speedily converted all the water courses in the neighborhood into roaring torrents. The gale increased in strength till mid-day, when it slightly moderated, and the rain ceased about 2 p.m. By that time all the rivers in the district, both north and south, had overflown their banks, and inundated all the low lying frovmd. Extensive damage has been done all along the river courses, both to the crops and fences., as well as to stock, houses, and other property. From all parts of the province, accounts of a similar nature continue to. be received. The Taieri and Tokomairiro to the south, and the Waitati, Waikouaiti, and other rivors to the north, have all been flooded; while in the interior about Tuapeka and the other gold fields, heavy damage has been done. In town the usual scenes took place, many of the streets being hardly passable from the quantity of water which kept rushing across them. Houses and gardens in low- lying places ware all swanked. n Monday ] morning there was a very cold wind blowing, and the hill tops were covered with snow. Tuesday and Wednesday till afternoon, were fine, but just about dark on the latter day, heavy rain again began to fall, and up till midnight there was, without a single moment's pause, a regulaj^ deluge, which soon set eveaftjig -irfT^f again^^Tluu^viS^ing again saw the finT snow-covered. A strong dry wind has since been blowing, and the roads are rapidly drying up again. It is a pity we have no means now of ascertaining the amount of rain which falls in the district, nor any register of these meteorological changes, such as we used to see pretty regularly at one time. The province possesses all the apparatus, if they would only publish the result. From the late heavy rains the Water Company's Reservoir is now full, and a large stream is running down the storm channel. The directors intend inaugurating the works on Saturday week, when there is to be some slight ceremonial at the turning on of the water. The dam is to be named "The Royal Alfred Reservoir." I was nil over the works on Tuesday, and found only a few yards of the piping to lay, when connection with the town serviue will be complete. The reservior is a splendid sheet of water, and adds largely to the beauty of the landscape in which it is situated. It is of very easy access from town, and will become a favorite resort for the citizens. The Hon. J. H. Harris, the Mayor, having been gazetted as one of the Prince Alfred Reception Commission is being adduced as a pretty fair intimation that the authorities will advise H.R.H to visit Dunedin. There are no visible preparation made yet ; but 1 believe that the decorators generally- have things so in hand that they will be able to. meet the demand that will be made upon them. Bunting is at a premium. The deputation appointed at the meeting held last week on the subject, had an interview with the Superintendent, on Monday, and ascertained that the Executive would do all they could to secure a visit from the Prince. The City Council met in their new quarters on Wednesday — a suite of rooms on the upper floor of the new Post-office. The Council Room is a fine chamber, about 40ft by 20ft, but looks bare in the -'absence of anything like ornament. The paddle steamer Geelong has been engaged by the Government for the exploring expedition to t^e West Coast, to 1 start on Thursday next. .The Superintendent, accompanied by Mr Surveyor Wright, goes with her, and she will also : take a number of passengers. Various harbors and inlets are to be explored, and sites for settlement surveyed. The Supreme Court sat in banco yesterday. Among the questions brought before the Judge was one relating to newspaper comments on a pending action. The Daily Times lately published some reports and remarks on the case Cameron v The Otago Daily Times and Witness Company, and a rule nisi was asked for and granted on the ground that such comments were illegal. The Criminal Sittings begin on Monday ; there are 14 or 15 cases to try. iudu<ittngtiw<i for murder — Le AhCheong, for the one at Kawaru Gorge, and J. White, for the one at Switzers. To-day being St. Andrew's is to be observed by the Masonic body with the usual ceremony, and the Foresters are to make another effort to hold their fete at Vauxhall. But the weather is dull, and threatening rain, so little enjoyment may be anticipated. The holiday was partially held yesterday — the banks and public offices being closed. The clay was fine. Business; on account of the weather, lias been dull, the same cause has raised the price of flour and potatoes. The Timaru has arrived from London, with a large general cargo and some passengers. December 7. The Quarterly Licensing Meeting came off on Wednecday. There were ninetynine general hotel licenses granted for the Dunedin district, and about the usual number of bottle licenses. The police made very little opposition to any of the applications.- The decisions in one or two cases were postponed. The Supreme Court has been sitting all week, under the presidency of Mr Justice Chapman. The calendar is rather heavier oxt this occasion than for several sessions back, and includes three cases of murder. '* The first one tried was D. Maclaren, for killing a man in a drunken row near Hawksbuiy, and the crime was charged as of manslaughter only. The trial lasted all Thursday, and resulted in a verdict of guilty. Yesterday was occupied in the trial of J. White for the murder of Vincent Fiddes, in October last, at Switzer's. In many respects the trial was very interesting, as it brought out numerous traits of character, and pictures of the viscissitudes of a digger's life. After the examination of a great many witnesses, White was found not guilty . The Grand Jury found a true bill against Te Ah Cheong, for the murder oi his mate, Ah Hang. The Court wa^ adjourned last night till Monday. The Geelong has sailed on the ex-: ploryig expedition to the West Coast N The Siiperih.tendent, the Secretary for

Land and Works, and a mining surveyor, with several practical diggers, jind a number of gentlemen, more or less interested in the settlement of th© West Coast, have sailed with the steamer. The annual examination of the District Schools came off this week, and the great and solid progress made by the pupils show the pain b taken by the masters to ensure success. In music, the Middle School particularly came out in great force, some of the pupils, evincing considerable talent in the art. The Graving Dock at Port Chalmers, seems now to have a better chance of being started. The trustees have had interviews with the Executive as to getting the Provincial guarantee to the^ debentures, which seems lilely. The Port people, too, are moving in the matter, and urging a start with the works, and deprecating any further delay. The Floating Dock is gradually assuming form, and will soon be ready for launching, The dredge New Era has got nearly all her machinery fitted, but there is yet a good deal to be done to her before she can start to work. The small dredge is employed at present in widening the channel to the RattrayTstreet jetty. The weather during the wee's has been characterised by extreme changeableness. A few hours fine, and a few hours bad. The Foresters fete, on Saturday last, was a failure from the rain ; and the Masonic procession, in honor of St. Andrew's Day, had to be hurried over under umbrellas. Tuesday and part of Wednesday were fine, but since then it has been again rainy. This continued wet weather is causing serious apprehensions about the . safety of fhe crops. Prices of breadstufts i are hardening, and Provincial flour is iv** • worth from Ll2 10s j i; - JL jj-ll ■ SLp'Toat * "Su xioexx 'Ad. If there was any appearance of the weather taking up, it would be far more bearable ; but every change of wind seems to bring more rain with it as matter of course. Six years ago, lam told, there was just such another season — late, wet, and cold, till far on in summer. The slap Chile has arrived from London, with a 1 .rgo cargo and over 100 passengers. She experienced very heavy weather on the passage, was at one time in imminent danger of foundering, having six feet of water in her cabin, and losing two men overboard, washed away by a sea. Her cargo is to be subject to general average. Some of the vessels in port are beginning to load up with wool, which, however, is coining down country rather slowly. i An addition has been made to the artistes at the Princess Theatre this week. The Simonsen Troupe are engaged to give a series of concerts, in aid of the usual ! dramatic programme. They made their first appearance last night, and were very well received by a good house. Musical talent is very strong at the Princess now, so it is likely they will try opera again. The wet weather, however, is sadly against the house paying. . A rival entertainment opens to-day in the shape of a collection of animals — a menagerie, in fact, under the management of aMr and Mrs Ternander. They are to exhibit twice daily in the Polytechnic Hall. A very successful concert was given on Tuesday evening by the German Union. ' It was called a "Kranzeheu," and was followed by a ball. The Escort wjis very low this week, only totting up 44350z. This is partly on account of the weather, and partly by the diggers holding back their work, so as to i get a big washing up for Christmas. A fair amount of business has been doing during the Aveek, but not nearly as ; much as would have been done had the weather been better.