DUNEDIN.

Grey River Argus, Volume XI, Issue 976, 12 September 1871, Page 3

DUNEDIN.

[from our own correspondent.] . September 2. The election of a member to represent Waikari district in the Provincial Council resulted in the return of Mr James Macassey by a majority of 21 over his opponent, Mr George Hepburn. The election was a very vquiet affair, there being no principle involved, and neither candidates said much on the matter. Indeed, Mr Macassey is too busy for the sort of work implied in canvassing or' electioneering generally. All the share he took in the election was fcimply thanking .the electors through the medium of advertisement in the papers, for the honor they had done him, &c., &c. An active canvass is being I carried on for the vacancy in the House of Representatives for the Roslyn district, consequent on the resignation of Mr Driver. Only four candidates are likely to come to the scratch — Messrs. Cargill, Cutter, M'Glashan, and M'lndoe. The City Council now meet in the evening, instead of the afternoon, as formerly, doing so for the first time on WjedU nesday last. Among the business then transacted was a long discussion on the proposed alterations on the Water Company's Amendment Bill, which was before the public meeting on Friday night last. The alteration, and a petition on the subject, which had been hawked about town by men who were paid so much per 100 for the signaturesthey obtained, have beenforwarded to Wellington by the Nevada yesterday. A petition got up in such a. manner is not entitled to any weight at all; and I dare any, if the Legislature knew the circumstances, it would be at once rejected as discreditable to all concerned. Another matter discussed at the above meeting of this Council was the proposed cemetery for North Dunedin. A Bill to legalise the taking of a piece of ground on the Town Belt for this purpose was presented to the Assembly, but it seems they are inclined to treat it there as private Bill, which is equivalent to shelving it for the session— the proper notices not having been given. This is a pity, for the proposed cemetery is a real want, the present one being far too crowded, and, besides, is far distant from a large and increasing population. In order to encourage people to make use of the newly-opened market places, the Council have agreed to open each of them two days in the week free of all charge. The quarterly sitting. of, the. Supreme Court, for the despatch of the criminal business of 1&« term; commences' on Monday, ' -The first case on the list is that of Biecheldt, for fire raising. It is expected to last for' a few day*, and will be the only case Wed during the week.

There are other eight cases for trial, son;e of them rather serions in their nature. The calendar is rather i.Keavier^idn this occasion ; tnan for some time past* . We htfve «xperienc&t i a complete breakdown in the feather this week. After the lone; spelL<)f "dry mild weather, whi#Ti has lasted, neatly all Winter, the change has been; to mosli: people rather disagreed able, though the miners and farmers upcountryiire quite, jubilant over it, as it has given them a, supply of very much neoded moisture. In our own immediate vicinity, fipwever, the farmers had rather much 6f it for on a part of the east side of the Taieri plain the rivers were backed up and overflowed the hank's to a serious extent, nearly 3000 acres with from three to fonr feet of water. What makes ifr more unfortunate, too, is that most of the land was newly sown down in grain. The change begnn on Monday, which was a dull, quiet, threatening day. Rain began just after dark, and con- j tinued with very little intermission until Thursday evening, when it commenced to clear up Jagain, cut rain fell at intervals till yesterday about noon, when the sun slione out. Most of the rivers have been more or less flooded, both north and south, but; except at the Taieri, there is no damage-reported. The wind was very variable while the rain fell. First it set in strofipffrom S.E., then shifted to S.W., then back to S. and S.E., and latterly to NE. Now th tit has become fine, there is a light breeze from S.W. blowing. The p.s. Nevada left yesterday with the British Mails via Honolulu and San Francisco. She takes a few passengers.