DUNEDIN.

Grey River Argus, Volume IX, Issue 738, 11 October 1870, Page 3

DUNEDIN.

(from our own correspondent.) • October 3. The Otago University Council met yesterday, under the presidency of the Chancellor, the Rev Dr. Burns. There is an unfortunate hitch somewhere in the arrangement for carrying out the amalgamation of the local with the Colonial University. By the Act, as proposed by the Assembly, it appears there is nothing to prevent the General Government carrying ihe whole thing away, endowments and all, to any other town or Province. Also the new Council, as nominated by the Government, is most objectionable in many ways, and appears to be totally unworkable ; the residences of the members are so scattered that it will be difficult to get a quorum. The Otago Council, too, is altogether ignored in the selection. A number of telegrams were sent to Wellington asking for opinion on various points, the Attorney-General and Mr Sewell both desiding on the matter. But a good deal of doubt still remains on the subject, and it cannot be said that things are at all on a satisfactory basis. Meantime, the appointments to the professional chairs will require to be made now, and arrangements for the working part of the University perfected, and it will be a pity should anything occur to interfere with or delay the opening of this Insiitution, from which so much is expected. [Since the above was written, 1 have learnt that the j Otago Council have, under the circumstances, determined against amalgamating, and have appointed Messrs G. S. Sale, of Trinity College, Cambridge, and John Shand, of Aberdeen University, to the chairs of Classics and Mathematics respectively.] Mr W. H. Reynolds, M.H.R., addressed a. crowded meetvug of the electors in the Princess Theatre, on Tuesday evening. In the course of his speech he entered into a long explanation of his conduct in regard to the Separation resolutions moved by him in the late session, and defended the line of conduct he then adopted. . He also gave an epitome of the business and reviewed the result arrived at. His ex-

piahations were not very clear, but they were evidently honest and conscientious. At the close he was subjected to a severe cross-examination, the tire of questions being very hot for some time. He intimated his intention of standing again at the coming election, and a vote of thanks was afterwards passed. — Mr Birch, our other member, is to address his constituents shortly. The trouble about the late election for Bell Ward is not yet over. The nomination was to have taken place on Monday last, but it has been discovered that until the Supreme Court has given its decision on the point raised, nothing can bo done, and it is not improbable that the Court of Appeal may have to finally settle the case. Meanwhile the Ward has only one member to represent its interests in the Council. The anniversary meeting of the Fire Brigade was held yesterday. The usual torch-light procession took place in the evening. The hose reels and the hook and ladder carriages only were paraded on this occasion, fire-engines now playing second fiddle when we have a constant high pressure in the street main. The procession was accompanied by the Battalion Band, and had a fine effect wheu passing through the streets. The members of the Brigade afterwards supped together. The members of the new corps dra matique for the Princess Theatre are expected to-day, per s.s. Gothenburg, from Melbourne. The theatre is to be opened next week. The weather has been very fine all week. Warm genial sunshine has prevailed daily. But on Sunday it blew a whole gale from N.N.E., stiff and strong, raising clouds of dust. It moderated on Monday morning, and did little damage.