DUNEDIN.

Grey River Argus, Volume IX, Issue 723, 6 September 1870, Page 3

DUNEDIN.

[FROM OUR OWN COKRESPONDENT.] August 27. The labor question is still the trump card. On Saturday a meeting was held l n the Octagon, ostensibly of the unemployed, a varying number of from 150 to 200 of whom attended. This agitation has been a splendid opportunity for orator Grant, who has not failed to seize the occasion for the purpose of airing his wellspiced harangues. He held forth to the crowd as long as he could get half a dozen or so to listen to him — the result of his ill-minded exhortation being that a feeling of thorough dissatisfaction was roused among his hearers with the doings of the .Government and employees of labor generally. This was manifested on Monday, when a disorderly crowd presented itself at the terrace of the Government Buildings, and demanded work. The Deputy-Superintendent attempted to quiet them, by promising work at stonebreaking at the Water of Leith in the meantime, as well as work on the roads for as 'ma ny as liked to take it at 5s or 6s a day. But this was refused by the majority of those present. In fact, the majority did not want work ; they were not the sort of men who do work, unless they cannot help it, and so they only hooted and niacle a row. They wern; back to the Octagon and held another " koiero," passing resolutions, Ac. Eventually, a uumbtsr of men have take:i employment at the reduced figure. The Government advertised that any number of men would be taken on to work on the road between Tokomairiro and Tuapeka, and asking all that were willing to call on the Road Engineer, who would give them tickets for the purpose. Since this was done, I believe that about 100 men have gone up-country to be employed on that road line ; and there are a good many working at various jobs in the immediate neighborhood, so that the cry for labor is sated in the meantime. All the new chums who came by the last two ships have been employed. j I hear the Port Chalmers Railway is leally to be started on Monday, so that will also help to give employment to a good many navies and such like, who have been hanging about town all the winter in expectation of a start with the work b,eing made. A special meeting of the City Council was held on Wednesday, for the purpose of considering the advisability of borrowing LSOOO on security of the rates, tube expended in completing many of the unfinished streets and other much-needed improvements all over the town. A long discussion ensued, and at length it whs determined that each Ward should be gone over by the representatives and the surveyor, the requirements noted, their expense estimated, and then the amount to be borrowed determined. If they do j this anything thoroughly, I hope they will uhd it necessary to spend LIO.OOO at least, ' and so put an end to the tinkering which ] has been going on for this year or two back on the streets and footpaths generally. • Onr Mayor, Mr H. S. Fish, has had a son born to him. The old custom of presenting a silver cradle on the occasion is to be kept up. Subscriptions are being gathered and a committee has boen formed to manage the affair.' " Mr Heller finishes his season in Dunedin to-night. His performances here have astonished everyone who has seen them. His pianoforte playing, in particular, is wonderful. He took a benefit last night, and had a crowded house. Indeed, he has been very successful. He proceeds to Christchurch next week, so you may likely have a visit. The weather has been very disagreeable all week, cold and moist. On Wednesday, a constant heavy rain set in, which towards midnight fell in torrents, with the usual consequences. All the streams in the vicinity, big and little, ran bank high ; but beyond some temporary inconvenience 1 have not heard of much damage being done. The Taieri plain, however, was flooded, and some damage done to the recently sown crop 3. A man was drowned on Tuesday in attempting to cross the Shag river. — There wac a brilliant display of Aurora on Monday evening, a sure precursor of bad weather. The colors — red, blue, green and yellow, were very bright for some time.