DUNEDIN.

Grey River Argus, Volume VI, Issue 386, 4 July 1868, Page 3

DUNEDIN.

(from our own correspondent.) June 27. During the week the Volunteer Companies have undergone a most minute and thorough inspection by the Hon. Colonel Haultain, the Defence Minister. In the early part of the week several of the companies were inspected individually ; but work of that sort, done in the dark, and in very inclement weather, could not be otherwise than unsatisfactory, arrangements, therefore, were made for a general parade on Thursday. That day, luckily, turned out fine, that is to say there was no rain ; but it was cold, and the ground was very Bloppy. The Volunteers mustered at the front of the Custom House, and after the preliminary movements were made, ammunition served out, and so on, the battalion, headed by -the band, marched to the reclaimed ground at the south end of the town. Here, there was room enough for movements of any description, but the ground was, from the late weather, in a most unfit state for anything like easy marching. After the corps had arrived on the Sound, and taken up their position, Col. aultain received the customaay salute, after which he inspected the ranks, front and rear. The whole then marched past in quick time, some of the companies performing the wheeling part of this movement in very good style, while others were so hampered by the muddy state of the ground that the wheeling was unsteady, to say the least of it. The review proper then begun. An enemy was budposed to have landed and attempted entering the town by Auderson's Bay Road. To prevent them, the line was advanced, skirmishers thrown out, supported by the fire of the artillery, and rapid and well sustained file firing from the main body. The skirmishers were then called in, and squares were formed ; then line was reformed, and a general advance made, ending with a charge. The fight was then over, and the corps were afterwards formed into square, and shortly addressed by Col. Hanltain, Lieut. -Col. Cargill replying on behalf of the Volun-< teers. No. 1 Company were then presented with Col. Car<jiU's annual paize for the best average score for the year ; tliree j hearty cheers were then given for Colonel Haultain, and the force marched back to the Oustom House, when the various companies were dismissed to their respective drill sheds. The total number of men on the ground, of all ranks, was 348. The annual ball of No. 1 Company, City Guards, came off hist night, and was very successful, adding another to the many brilliant affairs which have come off in the Hall of the new Post Office. The Presbytery of Dunedin met in the First Church on Wednesday. Very little business of a public nature was transacted, very interesting returns were laid before the Presbytery, showing the places of study of all the ministers, their various charges previous to coming to Otago, &c. ; also, the numerical strength of the different congregations, cost of the churches and manses, Sunday school teachers and scholars, libraries, contributions to the funds, &c. Another clergyman, the Rev. Mr Alves, has 'arrived per the Panama mail steamer yesterday ; he will likely be placed at Oamaru, which charge has become vacant through the resignation of the Rev. Mr Connor. By way of giving an account of their stewardship, several of the constituencies have been, and are about to be, addressed by their representatives in the Paovincial Council, as to their sayings and doings in that august body. It does not appear, however, from what has yet taken place, that very much satisfaction is felt with them, so that, if the general election does take place about the end of the year, there will be more changes than were at first thought possible. Major Richardson's speech at the Clutha is exciting a good deal of attention all through the country, and is very much criticised by the press in general unfavorably. The City Council had its usual fortnightly meeting on Wednesday. Beyond some bickering about the doings of the surveyor there was little of interest. As usual, at this season, the state of the streets seem to tax all the energies of the Inspector and his daymen. But, notwithstanding the effort made, complaints are numerous, and the mud seems to increase in depth daily. Really the weather is very trying just now. After the wet and sloppiness of the early part of the week has come a few days of hard frost, which the bright sunshine of midday rapidly dissolves and then everything is muddy again, which lasts till an hour or so after dark, when the ground hardens. There has been a great deal of snow up-country, and much interruption to work, as well as to travelling. An advertisement is in this morning's paper relative to the formation of a Curling Club. But I doubt much the possibility of there ever being ice strong enough for the purpose anywhere near Dunedin. •_