DUNEDIN.

Grey River Argus, Volume XII, Issue 1260, 13 August 1872, Page 3

DUNED IN.

[kbom our own correspondent.] . ,• August 3. The Municipal elections were completed on Thursday. There being contests in only one of the Wards, the town was comparatively very quiet, though a little stir was observable in South Ward nearly all day. Mr Walter, of the Occidental Hotel, was returned for South, and Mr Woodland for Bell Ward. Mr Sydney James and Mr J. Barr were elected auditors. This is the sixth time that Mr Woodland has fought the. same battle, having been defeated on former occasion.) by small majorities of one Upwards ; this time he beats his opponent by 76. He may make a good councillor, but he may '■ thank his pertinacity rather than anything else for his election. At the declaration of the poll, which did not take place till after dark, there was a good deal of disorder, yelling and shouting preventing such of the candidates as wished to speak from being heard distinctly. It was understood that Borne of them returned thanks for the honor conferred, Sec. Now that the Council is : complete, it is to be hoped that they will at once settle down to work, and only meddle with what really concerns the city's welfare, instead of maundering away at subjects which at best are only questionable benefits, such as water and gas, which may profitably be left alone for a few years to come. There ha* been quite enough of "gas" spent on these things ; let the Council now look to the . atattfof the streets, drainage, &c. The low position taken by the Otago boys in the late competition for the scholarships offered by the New Zealand University has drawn a good deal of attention to the matter. The whole ques- -. tion turns on the very high value .placed by the commissioners on the classical papers as compared with those for physical science and mathematics. TXovr in the Otago schools the reverse is the case. In deference to the advanced public opinion of the day classics here occupy only a secondary place, most attention being given to the subjects which fit a *"*^- man for the active life which lies before . him in a colonial career. The commissioners are mostly a set of old fogies, who have not advanced beyond the ideas current when they were attending college N in their teens, hence the absurd value placed* on the classical papers. Of what earthly nse can the classical studies be to most men in after life, no matter what distinction they may have gained? The classics won't make a man a better miner, farmer, merchant, sailor, or a hundred other things ; -while there is not th.c sUghtest.doubt that mathematics, chemis- • try, Ad, will be eminently useful to him in whatever line of life he may find himself in after years. The late competition will give a stimulus to education both I here and in other places, but to be useful, and really to have a standard equal to $ the wants of the day, the Commissioners will have to alter their plan and widen their basis. A widow named Halliday, residing in Batray Btreet, who had been ailing for some time,, died rather, suddenly on Saturday last. As the funeral waa being • harried on rather quickly, the neighbors became suspicions, and eventually pro,ceedings. were postponed till an inquest had been held. This took place on Monday, after an autopsy had been performed. The medical witnesses found that extensive internal disease had existed, but that so much sloughing had taken place that they were unable to tell, whether injury had been caused by improper operation or not.

(For continuation of A ews see 4th Page)

The w-oraan had died unattended even by her ddctor, and as that gentleman had drawn out a document whereby deceased made over her property to him, the neighbora naturally concluded that something was wrong. But there was nothing brought out at the. inquest to warrant this. The doctor practises homeeopath'y, though he is also ah allopath. After the evidence was given, the jniy returned a verdict that the death was caused by violent inflamation caused by sloughing. They also added a rider to tbe effect that though "not censuring Dr Docking, the jury expressed their regret that he w ould not volunteer a statement as to the cause of the death of the deceased." This affair made a great noise while it lasted. A case has been before the Supreme, Court and a special jury for some ten days back. . The evidenco and summing up of the Judge were completed yesterday, and the jury retired; but at midnight last night there was no appearance of a verdict. Tho case is one of those arising out of differences between the contractor, the architect, and the building committee of St. Andrew's Church, re-

garding the price of some alterations in vthe plans of the new building — a rather expensive comment on the loose way of doing business adopted by committees generally. - Till within the last day or two a real coal famine existed in this neighborhood, no vessels having arrived from Newcastle or other coal port for a good long time. The famine was aggravated by the loss of the barque Hydra, belongin^tQ Mrßrodrick, of Dunedin, then on her way here with a cargo of 800 tons of 3oal. However, within the last three or four days, several vessels have arrived coal laden, so that now a pretty full stock is in store. Had the Nebraska- come on here instead of waiting at Wellington, some difficulty would have been felt in filling her bunkers. This famine of coal, which occurs every now and then, ought to force attention to ""tnarimmense coal deposits in our own island. It /seems a strange thing that with coal lying almost under our feet, large sums of money should every year be sent away abroad to fetch it here. Had ooe«half of that money been spent in the development of the Otago or West Coast opal deposits, we could long ere this have , f been quite independent of all outside the island. There is no sign yet of the promised supply from the Preservation Inlet Company, nor even the one nearer hand at Kaitangata, the quality of which coal, from a sample I have seen, is first-class, though only lignite, not a.true coal , From the little village of Blueskin has emanated a movement which will be productive of much good to the rnral classes generally. It is the organisation of all the* Agricultural Societies of the Province into one for the inauguration of an annual Provincial Show of "Btock and produce, to be held the first year at Blueskin, as a central spot possessing all the requisites in the shape of yards, paddockß, &c., for the purpose, thereafter to come off in the other agricultural centres , in rotation, Bomewhat on the system adopted with so. much success by the Highland Society of Scotland. The question was. considered this week by a meeting of delegates from the various districts, and though not definitely settled, was thought so favorably of that it seoms likely to be carried out. '•■*■, The Gas question has been settled at last by both parties agreeing to the con—tract so much disputed of late. Consumers are now secured gas at 12s 6d per 1000 .for three years, and the Corporation may buy the works as a going business at any • time within the same period. The weather has been changeable during the week — one or two of the days very "■"Wet. - "• " - • ■ ■• ;

The Eye Ib one of tbe most delicate organs of nature. From the fear of appearing ancient, many persons will refrain from arti-ficial-eid when really needfuL It is absurd, and .only aggravates the defect and causes disease of the optic nerve, which may become chronic, and finally result in premature BHNDNBSS. The oftometric treatment not only remedies defective vision, but it has frequently restored the eyes to their proper functions from a state of comparative Dlindness. It is the only accurate method known ' to modern. science for detecting the several affections of the eyesight, wniph comprise Myoma, Presbyopia, Diploma, Hemerai,. opia, and CHROMATOPSEUDorsis. The van*.

oub eye dieases, such as Amaurosis, Cataract, OPBTHAIMIA, STAPHYJtOMA, SPKCSi OD Fi&ms on the eye, and any other defeoksj. ca» only be detected by Mr SOLOMON'S combination of Optomktkio and opmaAj.Mo--scopio observations. There exists an erroneous idea, that when once glasses, are adopted, they can't be discontinued; Snch is only a fact when non-professionalfr are resorted to. Donders, who ib acknowledged, to be the highest authority on the science oi optics, says in bis treatise on tbe refraction of theeye :— "Sofar fromßhott-sishted-neasimproving in advanced life, as is popularly believed, it is too frequently a progressive affection, and evQWprogrcsßive M roriA is threatening' ■with, iespect to the iiAvue, ioanmyach, tliftt if? not checked in due season fo tfto aid of SaiTABLB GjjAsses, the vision VU be irrevocably lost. Spectacles or eyegtapa,; it injudiciously selected; usually aggravate .the evil' they are intended) to remedy. Therefore, an oculist of reputation ahould always, rf possible, be consulted V to. she choice of them. " He farther states,. in reference to long-sighted people, "tllot or weakness of sight, is as natural a concomitant of advanced life as grey hairs or wrinkles. It is. occasionally met with in young persons,, and may be the precursor of AmaukOsip, hence such eases should be carefully watched; and the advtee of an ocuUst regarding the csotck of Bpectaoles ia well w,orth, hi|i fee." Mr S. will shortly issue a, small; treatwe on the different defects and; diseases of tfco eye. Mr SPLOM.6N, the inventor t>t the OrTo}iETß.iq apparatus, V *■• only man ia existence ofr w.hoi* the warrftated; pure Brazilian ?ewk& Spectacles! and Eye Glasgea, o^TO3«ETWiCALLTr guaranteed to the precise focus of sight, are ; obtainable. Mr, SOLOMON'S Coußulting Booms are at Johnson's Private Family Hotel* Mackay stuect^-ADviL