DUNEDIN.

Grey River Argus, Volume IX, Issue 720, 20 September 1870, Page 2

DUNEDIN.

(PEOM OV& OWN COBRESPONDENT.) September 10. The quarterly meeting of Justices for licensing public houses took place in the Resident Magistrate's Court on Wednesday. There was less than the usual amount of business before the Court, and though there were several applications for licenses for new houses none were granted. It will be remembered that at the late municipal elections the one for Bell Ward Fas distinguished by very close polling — Mr Bagley being returned by a majority of one. At the first meeting of the new Council, the other candidate, Mr Woodland appeared, and laid claim to the seat, but the Mayor, putting the usual question to the Town Clerk, at once ruled hiai out. Mr Woodland then appealed to the Supreme Court, and after a long argument and a searching scrutiny, obtained, a rnle absolute. The Judge declared th^ numbers equal, and ordered a new election. Now, this is rather hard on Mr Bagley, who has incurred considerable expense in thus fighting a battle in which he is only slightly concerned, the returning officer declared him duly elected. He has, therefore, applied to the City Council to reimburse his expenses, and the matter is being considered by the Finance Committee.

The Criminal Session of the Supreme Court commenced on Monday and was concluded yesterday. Most of the cases tried were trivial in their nature, and all the interest of the session centred on' the Clyde gold robbery, to which Kennie pleaded guilty, having confessed all the particulars in the hope of a free pardon and a share of the reward. M'Lennan's trial commenced on Wednesday and lasted till Thursday evening, Rennie being placed in the box, and telling his story with great minuteness and circumstantiality. Mr Barton, for the defence, succeeded in very much damaging his testimony, and at the close the Judge summed up in his favor. After remaining a short time in consultation the Jury returned a verdict of not guilty, which was received with a loud cheer from a crowded court, and echoed by hundreds of people who had gathered outside. Yesterday morning Rennie was placed in the dock, and after a few remarks on the case the Judge sentenced him to three years' hard labor for each offence. He has thus realised the truth of the old saw, that— "Craft brings nothing home in the end." He gets no share of the reward, has returned all the plunder, and after all completely sold himself for nothing for six years. The clipper ship William Davie arrived from Glasgow on Tuesday, after an excellent passage of 81 days from port to port. In addition to a large general cargo she brings about 160 immigrants, mostly married couples and single females. Employment being now more plentiful, -there has not been the same bobbery on| the arrival of the Davie as there was when the Bouverie came with her living freight. The iron clipper Delhi has also arrived from Liverpool. . • ■

The presentation of the customary ! silver cradle was made to the Mayor yesterday. In addition there was a handI some tea and coffee service, weighing some 86oz. The cradle was a magnificent specimen of quilting and embroidery on a wicker frame, and may more properly be styled a bassinette than a cradle. The presentation was made in the Coui^l Hall, in the presence of a large number of the subscribers, by Councillor Thoneman. Several foot-races came off on the North Recreation Ground on the afternoon of Saturday last. A mile" race for a 10---guinea cup, brought four competitors to the scratches, for they were handicapped, and it was cleverly won by Fairly, 140 yards in 4min 44sec, or about five minutes for the mile. A hurdle race, 200 yards, followed, quite a hollow thing for Shell, who won easily. A 400 yards race by boys was got up, and about 20 started, the first prize, 10s, being taken by a wee urchin. The concluding race was one of six miles, in which the champion Austin, gave other three 660 yards start. After running about two miles Pollock gave in } after other two Shell stopped, and the remaining distance was run by Howes and Austin, Howes beating by about half a mile. Both these two ran very well ; at the close Austin put on a grand spurt, but he was too late, and could not make the requisite distance ahead of his op. ponent. Time, 38|min. The news of the breaking out of war in Europe, published yesterday morning, created immense sensation in town. It is felt on all hands that the chances of the Ministry being able to carry out their grand schemes of railways and what not are very small indeed. It is almost hopeless to expect that they will be able to borrow any money at all.

A nice little hoax was perpetrated on Thursday. Some one set agoing a rumour that a Chinese junk had arrived at Port Chalmers direct from China, with a crowd of immigrants. A good many people went down to port, but of course there was nothing of the sort.

The weather lias been fine all week, and farming prospects are looking up again. Things iv the garden are beginning to look green and promising. The roads are in fine order.