DUNEDIN.

Grey River Argus, Volume XII, Issue 1248, 30 July 1872, Page 2

DUNEDIN.

[from ouk own correspondent.] July 20. The unfortunate Gas squabble seems really interminable. It occupied a large portion of the time of the regular meeting of the City Council on the evening , of Wednesday last, the discussion arising on a letter from the proprietor of the works about the contract price to the City and private consumers. In this letter the promise to supply gas for three years at a certain rate per 1000 ft' is reiterated in as positive terms as one man could well use to another. But this does not satisfy the leading spirits in the Council, they must have a something stronger and more binding, a legal guarantee ; while, on the other hand, the proprietor of the works does not see why the Council should interfere between him and his customers, after he has made the formal promises already referred to. lam afraid there is a good deal of clap-trap in all this, seeing it is election time, and so on, and that the Mayor and his followers are just bidding for popularity, and, perhaps, another silver cup.

The fight for the Mayoralty is a pretty warm one, and both candidates and their committees have been busy daring the week. Mr Fish's first meeting was held in the Masonic Hall on Thursday evening, the hall being most uncomfortably crowded, and the evening being a wet one, made being in the hall an unpleasant duty. Mr Fish made a pretty fair speech, running over the more important items of business which has been discussed by the Council during the past year, and claiming personal credit, of course, for the most of it. He ran over the financial state of the Corporation, giving, his audience plenty of figures to amuse them; and then went into a similarly figurative statement regarding the proposed pur* chase of the Water Works. In reference to the future, he did not say very much', but pointed out a few things that might be carried into effect in a gradual way, such as the ornamentation of {he Town Belt, &c. He then proceeded to' speak of the work the Mayor had to do, as a reason why there should be- a liberal salary attached to the office, and pointed out that the amount voted (L 400) was far from being a fair equivalent for the time occupied in fulfilling the multifarious duties he had to perform. After this came his explanation as to the office being a " rolling one," and why he thought this office should not roll away from him. This was a piece of very special pleading, and was productive of a good deal of merriment. After .the speech, a number of questions on different subjects were put and answered during a good deal of con* fusion ; and then there was a row between Councillor Barnes and an agitator named M'Laren, which nearly resulted in a fight, but was happily stopped. That Mr Fish is a fit and proper, &c., was carried unanimously.' The rival candidate, Mr Bosabotham, only came personally before the electors last night, which he did in KralTs Caledonia Hotel, Great King-street, to ail audience of under 100 persons. He has not the self-possession of Mr Fish, and read his speech— a bad beginning. He was subjected to a good deal of interruption, there being a few of his opponent's friends in the room, and did not get on very well. His speech was a very shallow one, and like the attorney with a bad cause, he did little more than abuse his fellow candidate. He replied to a great many questions, relevant and irrelevant, and there was a great amount of merriment, a hot fire being kept up for a lons time. Eventually it was moved and seconded that Mr Rossbotham is a fit and proper person, &c, and an amendment to the reverse effect was also moved and seconded, amid much applause, and uproar generally; and after .a show of hands the Chairman declared the motion carried. The poll resulted in the return of Mr Fish.

A very important mining case has been heard before the Supreme Court this week. It originated before the Warden at Queenstown, and some rather irregular proceedings appear to have resulted. The amount in dispute is large— over LBOOO

representing the gold taken out of a certain disputed claim, the ownership of which is fought for by rival parties. The case was heard before the Warden and Assessors, and a decision given-- a bailiff being placed in charge. Bat the other party forcibly dispossessed the bailiff, acd proceeded to work the claim, an armed sentry patrolling in front, to keep off all comers. A strong force of men was put on, the claim being worked night and day, and all the gold possiblo was got. The other party appeal to the Supreme Court for a rule, but while this is being done the old story of the oyster is being acted out. Daring the legal argument, the gold is being all washed out, and nothing will be left for them who gain the cause bat the empty tunnel, the race, and other works on the claim. j

Thflro was quite a panic here on Monday ; somehow or other a rumor got into circulation that a case of small-pox had occurred in a house between George and Great King streets, and alarm became general. The faculty were stirred into action and proper enquiries were made, but it was soon discovered that it was all nonsense, and that there existed no such thing. This had the effect, however, of cansing many people to get re-vaccinated, and the doctors have since been rushed by those desirous of taking" these precautionary steps. During the past few days some hundreds have been operated upon, there being a plentiful supply of lymph. Notwithstanding the season the town is at present in a very healthy state. The weather during the first three days of this week was very fine and mild, and people began to imagine that the worst of the winter was over, but on Tuesday evening rain again came on, and daring Wednesday and Thursday it hardly ever ceased— a close heavy drizzle. The wind varied from north-east to south-east,* moat likely a south-east gale off the coast a little way, as a heavy sea came rolling in. The rivers are all in high flood, though no damage is reported. The brig Oar Hope, discharging the material for the Waitaki Bridge at Oamaru, came to grief through carrying away her anchors, and not being able to work out through the heavy sea, had to be beached to save

life. The cargo . will be .saved, but the vessel will be much damaged No other casualties are reported. There has been a thick fog prevalent, too, which haß delayed coasting ve&sela both north and south.