DUNEDIN.

Grey River Argus, Volume V, Issue 363, 12 May 1868, Page 2

DUNEDIN.

(PROM OUR OWN COKRESVONiXENY;) May 4, 1868* There has been very little business of * public nature done in the Provincial Council during the week, the time, of th& members being mostly occupied in attending Select Committees, of which there are a good many this session, and on very different subjects. The High School formed the subject of a rather animated discussion in committee on Thursday, the* principal point being th» recommendajtion to establish ay boarding-house under the control of the Rector or other of tha masters. The vacancy in the representation of Bell Ward in the City Council has called forth no fewer than four candidates. Thia is rather different from what it used to be* when there was sometimes a difficulty in getting an eligible party to stand. At the nomination on Wednesday the following gentlemen were propoggd and seconded : — Mr Peter Sherwin, sen., Mr L. Thoneman, Mr E. Bastings, and W. Woodlands. Each of them addressed the meeting, and all promised to do their best for the interests of the city and the Ward. Meetings have been held in the Ward by the partizans of the various candidates, and a keen canvass is going on. The poll is fixed for Monday, at the Oddfellows' HalL Thone« man has most names in his requisition, and it is expected that he will be returned, A fire, involving the destruction of. US stacks of grain and a portable threshing machine, broke out accidentally on the farm of Mr James Kemp, West Taieri, on Wednesday last. There was a strong southerly wind blowing at the time, and although assistance was at once got, it was found impossible to save any of the stacks as th*ey all stood together. The wind also carried the fire to several other stacks, standing a quarter of a mile off, and they were consumed also. None of the Btacks were insured, but the machine was insured in the New Zealand office for L 450. This is the third fire which has occurred in the Taieri district this season. The achievement of the Otago Representatives at the colonial prize firing at Wellington has been the subject of much jubilation amongst the Volunteers during the week. This is not to be wondered at> when the Otago men have not only carried ■ off the whole of the champion prizes, but nearly all the others, thus beating theother provinces hollow. Our men have been rather better received at Wellington this year than on previous occasions, having been dined and feted and much made of generally by the Wellingtonians and the Government. A brilliant reception awaits them when they arrive here again, a committee having been appointed to make the necessary arrangements. The Speaker of the Council is to present them with a congratulatory address immediately on arrival at the jetty, and their comrades have arranged for a supper and ball in their honor on a grand* scab. They are to leave Wellington by the sTs, Lady Bird QH Monday, so they will likely arrixe here

on Wednesday or Thursday nexi, the boat having to call at the intermediate ports. I mentioned lately that the Celestial Queen with the salmon ova had arrived. That turned out to be a mistake, the vessel seen having proved to be the Viola, bound out. But the Queen arrived on the 3rd inst. She was boarded about 25 miles off the Heads by Mr A. J. Burns, one of the members of the Executive, who went out in the Wallace, steamer, which had been engaged as a special tug, and which brought the ship to the Heads in capital style. The first news given to Mr Burns, by Mr Dawbin, who came from England as superintendent on behalf of the Government, was disheartening. The live fish that were shipped had ceased to exist. Of the gudgeon, five, died before the ship sailed. On the 18th February, (several more died, owing to getting bruised through the heavy rolling of the ship ; and before long the gudgeon class had ceased to be on board the Celestial Queen. The carp died in the tropics — gradually, but inevitably, for there was no means of keeping down the temperature of the water in the globes. The trench continued lively and doing well — they had grown considerably — until the 26th March. Then, through mere carelessness, one of the ship's boys, who was changing the water for the fish, got them into a bucket of freshwater, and emptied it over the ship's aide, instead of so Uealihg with a bucket of stale water that had been drawn off. The oysters had sickened and died, until but two remained ; and they were confided to Mr Seaton, M.P.C. of Portobello, upon whose " bank" in the harbor it had been resolved by the Government they should be placed. There they may thrive, and become " natives "of New Zealand ! The salmon and trout ova were found to be in tolerably good condition generally. In the Princess Theatre during the week s succession of comedies and farces have been produced which have attracted fairish houses. On Friday night, that well known public favorite, M. Fleury, leader of the orchestra, took his annual benefit, and had a capital audience, notwithstanding ' the bad weather. Business continues rather dull, with prices of most goods firm.