DUNEDIN.

Grey River Argus, Volume XII, Issue 1343, 18 November 1872, Page 2

DUNEDIN.

"" [KKOM OXJK OWN CORRESPONDENT.] November 9. As far as regards . incidents, or auything to write a long letter about, this week has been a very dull one. Not that things are flat ; business is brisk, and workmen pretty fully employed, but affairs go on in a humdrum monotonous manner, which affords hardly a point on which to hang a paragraph. The invitation, thrown out by the Government here to parties willing to form a local committee to further tho purposes of the Christchurch- Vienna Exhibition, fell through from various causes, and it seemed as if Otago was net to be represented at -the forthcoming show at all. But though publicly a failure, privately it is not so, and the local manufacturers will be well represented there. It is not easy to explain why the original 7 movement fell through. ; there was a want of energy apparent, and an ignorance as to what was really wanted which was not so easily supplied. Information: is now, however, patent to everybody, for a long notice has appeared in the papers giving full details, and I hear that a good many exhibits from this quarter will be sent up. m ■:■ ; : Mr George Brodie, the Accountant in Bankruptcy, died here on Sunday last. He had been aiding for along time, but nothing serious was anticipated till recently, when he became much worse. Indeed some weeks ago it was reported he was dead, and the fact was telegraphed up country. But he rallied on that occasion, only to succumb as above stated. He was buried on Tuesday, a large number of his 'friends and fellow officials following his remains to the grave. Hewa3 much liked by all who had anything to do with him, N whether officially or otherwise, and various paragratns have appeared in the papers giving short sketches of his career. He has left a widow arid four children rather indifferently provided for. Captain Baldwin, who is employed by the Government in travelling the Colony, lecturing on their Life Assurance schemp, has .come round tp this neighborhood' again, and of late hai? been delivering lectures in the country districts. Caversham was the nearest place to town that has yet been faVored in this way, and a large and apparently appreciative audience listened .to his lecture the other night. The meeting was presided over by Mr R. jßtout ? M.P.Q. From the gallant lecturer's remarks, it would apj^ear that he had been eminently successful in inducing business, and that the scheme stands on a very substantial foundation. After all the fuss and exposures made at the late trial — Nutter v. Pritchard, it seems that the parties are not satisfied, for at the sitting of the Supreme Court in banco the other day, Mr" Macassey (gave notice, of his intention to move for a trial de nova. His cliant substantially gained the case the last time; what can he want by stirring up all the mud again ? One would think that the verdict of a jury, once given, ought to be final ; but our New Zealand law seems to be made for the lawyers, they make it such an easy matter to get up an argument, and go at it again as fresh as ever. \ The opposition between the port rail- 1 way and the harbor steamers, of which i '$. said a few words in ; my laßtJ :■ is i growing a little smarter. The Ste&ra i Company complains that the rail is carry- 1

ing passengers and freight without being legally open for traffic, not being yet completely finished; but the rail makes no charge for passengers, aud dont pretend to be running trains — only if the engine is going up or down the liae you are welcome to jump in and have a ride. It will be a month yet ere the ballasting i 3 finished. A steam stone-cracker is now being fitted up at the quarry at Logan'sPoint, with a shoot so that the stones may run into the waggons on a siding, which arrangement will materially facilitate the works at the end. The ship E. P. Bouverie, "from London, is to be hauled alongside the railway wharf to-day^ for the purpose of more easily discharging her heavy cargo. Great preparations are being made by the Volunteers and the Foresters for a joint fete to be Held on Monday, which is to bo observed as a holiday in honor of the Prince of Wales's Birthday. A novelty in the sports on this occasion is that the Volunteers are to go through several manoeuvres, fire a royal salute, a feu de joie, skirmishing, &c. The entries -for I' the various events aTe pretty numerous, so that if the day keeps fine, a good day's sport may be anticipated. The late rains have had the usual good effect on the gold fields in increasing the yield— the last escort bringing down the total of 'lsjß7soz. The weather during the week has been very fine, plenty of bright sunshine. An hour or two's rain would be welcome to lay the dust, and freshen things up a bit. The engagement of Mr Hoskins and Miss Colville at the Theaire has termi^ nated, and Mr and Mrs W. Hill are expected from Auckland to keep the establishment open. The present company is breaking up, and some of them give a performance in the Masonic Hall on Monday evening, preparatory to beginning an up-country tour.