DUNEDIN.

Grey River Argus, Volume XII, Issue 1136, 19 March 1872, Page 3

DUNEDIN.

[from ouk own correspondent.] March 9. Folks, particularly Volunteers, were a little on the out v'm this week, expecting a visit from his Excellency the Governor. The mansion house at Fern Hill, vhich has been secured as a sort of town house for his Excellency, furniture and all, has been ready for his occupation for some time back. But disappointment seems the order of the day. The Governor returns to Wellington without paying a visit to the southern metropolis of the Colony. What may have led to the alteration of his plans of course nobody knows ; but it is generally thought that his Excellency might have come— even had it been for a day or two — as when last here he made plenty of promises to that effect. The dilatory manner in which the s.s. Rangitoto, containing a good many home letters and papers for Dunedin residents, has made her voyage round this island, has been, to say the least of it, rather aggravating. She arrived off Hokitika on the 27th ultimo, and only put in an appearance at Port Chalmers on Thursday morning, the 7th instant, thus occupying nine days in her circumnavigation. Oh, for the days of railways, when such a thing |wonld be impossible ! Even as it is, our letters might have been delivered a day sooner at least, had our slow authorities only availed themselves of the facilities existing on the coast. The presentation made last Saturday to the Mayor, brought out a most characteristic speech from that gentleman. For some weeks back a series «>f "Casual Notes" has appeared in the columns of the daily morning paper, and in some of these the sayings and doings of his Worship have been rather unsparingly critieued. He according took the opportunity I have mentioned to give the writer of the " Notes" as good as he gave— an out and oat scolding. The speech was published on Monday morning, and on Tuesday the writer of the " Notes" let out at him again most severely, which had the afoot of shutting him up for the time; for how long remains to be seen. The Dunedin Presbytery met in First Church on Wednesday, but the business transacted was chiefly routine. The Rev. Mr Alves, of Kaikorai, has resigned his charge. Several new ministers have arrived by the Margaret Oalbraith, from Glasgow. The Quarterly Licensing Meeting came off this week. The Justices, seem determined not to allow any increase in the number of public houses, r.s they refused several applications for new licenses, mainly on the ground that they were not required. The rival houses at the corner of Great King and Si Andrew streets, which have now been applied for about nine times each, were again refused ; as was a license for the old Provincial Bar at the foot of Stafford street, which was fitted up in Shadrach Jones's time regardless of expense, and has lain unoccupied for several jrearl back. Bottle licenses, too, ate getting into disfavor with the Justices, as tney also refused some applications fcr these licenses. Several publicans were cautioned as to the state of their houses, and plainly informed that without improvement the license would be forfeited. The recent dry weather is beginning to make itself shown in the lightness of the gold escort. The last one only brought down 98360z. There have been aotoe good falls of rain up-country, but the average is still far below the usual. During this week the weather has gradually improved

and is now quite fine again. We are enjoying something like the Indian summer. Farmeis are busy sjcnring the late crops, and a few days more of suoh weather will clear the fields.