DUNEDIN.

Grey River Argus, Volume XII, Issue 1291, 18 September 1872, Page 2

DUNEDIN.

[from, our own correspond bnt. ] September 7. The last act of the Sutherland-Firs fcChurch comedy, or rather raelo-drama, has been played out, the different scenes being somewhat as follows :— On Sunday, Mr Sutherland preached his farewell discourses to large and attentive audiences, the church on both occasions presenting very much of its old appearance, nearly every seat being filled. The sermon in the morning was a labored defence of his work as a minister during his connection with the church, but studiously avoided every approach to what was the real cause of quarrel between him and the congregation — his overbearing and pragmatical treatment of the office-bearers in the management of the church business. The evening discourse I did not hear. On Tuesday evening a prayer meeting was j held, at which Mr S.s friends mustered strongly. After the devotional performances were finished, Mr Law, the single elder who adhered to him throughout, in the name of the subscribers, presented the retiring preacher with an address, and what was still better a purse containing 100 soys. After which those present had the opportunity of personally bidding him farewell, by shaking hands. On Wednesday, Mr S. was accompanied to the jetty by a number of friends, who exhibited much cordiality of . sentiment, by kissing the children, waving their handkerchiefs, &c, remaining there until the. steamer was a good way down the harbor. The Rangitoto sailed late in the afternoon, and the appearance of Mr Sutherland's name, and wife and family, in the passenger list next morning, is the last .we are likely to hear for some time of one who has filled no small space in the annals of Dunedin during the last year or so. I hear that the congregation think of sending home for a first-class man to overseer them in spiritual things, and will offer a screw of LBOO ; but even if they were able to offer such a sum (wluch I doubt), I doubt also this would not get anything like a first-class man for the money. First-class men at home fetch much more than that, and would not entertain the idea of going to the antipodes at a zate like the one named. Of course there'are plenty of men, and good men too, floating abont at home, who would be glad of the chance, looking at it from a mere mercantile point of view ; but there are s other matters to consider, of a much' more weighty nature, to a conscientious man, which will make think twice before he would accept an invite from a congregation so situated as that of First Church has been during the past few months ; and these will, in my humble opinion, prove a very formidable difficulty in the way of the congregation getting a suitable preacher, for the congregation, is too much "divided, or rather demoralised, to hope for unanimity. Every one was much disgusted with the mail muddle at the beginning of the week. The " muss" made by the Government in transhipping the Southern portion.of the mails from the Wellington to the Rangitoto was really too bad, as thereby a complete . day was lost, and the chance of replying by the outgoing mail was lost to very many of our citizens. — The letters appearing in the papers about the -misery and want of comfort on board the San Fraucisco boats, ought to prevent passengers going by that Erie, and so the sooner " bust" the concern, for it is most miserably inefficient. Will the new Government be able to do anything in the matter? As an inducement to the agriculturalists in the Province to turn their attt-ntion to the production of superior barley, the local distillers r»d brewers offer two very handsome prizes for the best two samples, to be exhibited at the forthcoming show of the Agricultural and Pastoral Association. Nearly all the brewers hero are going in for making their own malt, and large erections for the purpose are being put up. Marshall and Copeland have just completed an extensive range of floors, built of bluestone ; and at Joel's Red Lion Brewery, a somewhat similar building is now in progress. The quantity of beer produced by these "establishments is now very large, and its consumption is increasing both in town and country ; very little of the imported article is now used. - I notice, however, that though our local "pubs" still charge 6d a glass for beer, the same liquor in the other towns to the north is only charged 3d. Why should this be 1 seeing that there is the cost of freight, &c., to be added to the price of the beer as sold in the north, while the Dunedin public arestill charged the same figure as us,ed to be paid for British beerl The profits of the local men must be large. The Choral Society had their first concert for the season this week. -Romberg's "Lay of the Bell" was the principal piece .produced. It was pretty successfully got through, and was given before a full house. — The Japanese Troupe concluded their season in the Theatre last night, and a burlesque company begin a short term to-night. Mr Westropp, well known locally as a very clever amateur comic singer, is leaving the town, about to embrace the stage as a profession, and was presented with a complimentary benefit in the Theatre on Thursday even-" ing by his comrades in the Colored Opera Troupe.. A crowded house was the result. — Though hardly " amusement," the Spiritualists give an opportunity every fortnight for the public to come forward and learn what they are about, which is generally done by means, of a lecture by one of their .number, followed by a debate, in which many an old argument is brought out, furbished up to serve for new. The Escort for last month only totted up some IOjOOOok odd ounces, showing that the late bad weather has not been without its influence on the diggers. The weather this week has been really fine — bright sunshiny days, with a brisk drying wind, raising clouds of dust. The roads are now in good order both north and south of town.