DUNEDIN.

Grey River Argus, Volume XII, Issue 1391, 15 January 1873, Page 2

DUNEDIN.

(from our own correspondent.) Jsmnaxy4uc : ■ Our holidays are overV 1873 is fairly:' >~ introduced, and folks are beginning >to- ■ settle down to their work again, though this will hardly be done till after Monday,' when the citizens are to give a grand ball in honor of the Governor and his lady. The weather has been most propitious for out-door enjoyment, though the great heat rendered much exertion quite" o\it"o*f"~ the question, and the", consumption of "mixed drinks" large and indispensable. Indeed, regarding this "latter- matter, I believe the lemonade people could hardly keep pace with the demand which set in)' / during the last ten days or so. However,!.? after some preliminary cloudings and several slight showers, rain came L on -ton; Thursday evening, just about dark, and the air has; been somewhat- cooler since. . The thermometer stood as high as 82 to 88 degrees in the shade on- some of-the-days, and in the country it had. even a '.' higher' range. The most important event of the week was the opening of the Port Chalmers, ■? Railway, which, was formally done by Ms' Excellency the Governor on Tuesday...The promoters issued a great n imber of ■ invitations to be present, and about the hour appointed, there was a greatcrowd in waiting. There was quite a long train, and when the engine started off with its; |oad it lqokcd quite business like, giving the usual cautionary wh^tle. Bort was reached (including a short stoppage by the way) in 29 minutes. On arrival, the party spread over the Jetty, which is a very substantial affair indeed, . solidly constructed of Jarrah timber, from West Australia, and at the time had three ships . and a barque moored alongside, with plenty of room for other two vessels. , Another 100 ft or so have yet to be added to its length. The Mayor of Port Chalmers and his Council were in attendance, and opportunity was taken of the presence of Lady Bowen to perform the ceremony of inaming the pier, which was done in' the usual way, by breaking a bottle of ~cir<nupagne, — and — naming it "-Bowen Pier." The party then re-entered the train, and were conveyed back -to Dune- < din in 22 minutes. A fine luncheon was spread in the IJmversity HalL, to "which, all the excursionists repaired. The chain was occupied by Mr Oliver, one ot thepromoters, who proposed Jhe usual loyal toasts. ,The health of the Governor was proposed; by his Honor Mr Justice Chap^ man in a very humorous speech, to which his Excellency as cordially replied/ The Chairman then proposed tiie health of his Honor the Superintendent, to which 'Me, - Macandrew replied in a sort of historical speech, giving a few particulars of the state of locomotion in the early days of. . the Province. The Governor then, gave the hosts — Messrs Oliver and' Proudfoot, to which both replied. The Chairman then proposed the Parliament of New Zealand, which was replied to by Sir F. D. Bell. The trains have since been running regularly, and during the past few days have carried ~- a large number of passengers. Trains, run six times a day from each end, and three times on Sundays ; the fares being for first-class, 2s ; second, Is 6d; return tickets at 2s 6d and 2s respectively. Freight is carried at the general rate of 5s per ton. New Year's Day was brought in thistime in about as rowdy a way as it has ever been my let to see. Towards twelve o'clock the streets were very crowded, an 4 there was a good deal of promenading vp r and down ; but gradually a crowd gathered about the foot of High street and vicinity, waiting till the clock struck, when a cheer broke gut and general congratulations on all sides. The Battalion Band struck up a merry tune, and marched off on its round of the town accompanied by the mob. A salute of three guns were fired from the reclaimed land, some bells were rung, and lots of - fireworks let off. As the band progressed through the streets, the mob became gradually more and more rowdy, shrieking, yelling, and making all sorts of unseasonable noise. This continued till about: two o'clock, when the lamps were put out! ' and the night being very dark the crowd dispersed and the row ceased. A good deal of that old custom— "first footing.'' i was carried on. The day broke fioefy, and turned out very warm, and towards noon the Caledonian Gathering on the north ground became the object of attract t> tion. Gradually, on foot and in conveyances of all sorts, a well-dressed and happy-looking crowd of;over 6000 persons, gathered on the Grand' Stand and round' ' the ring, to witness the disposal of 'the long list of events on the programme. Shortly after two o'clock, the Governor and Lady Bowen, with their suite, entered the ground and were received by the Directors of the Society, conducted to the part of the Stand reserved for them. An address was then read to the Governor, to which he made a special reply, and the games were resumed. These were about the usual run, and did not provoke much excitenent. I must except- the wrestling, how>ver, about which there was great erithniasm when the two test standards-- f Robertson, the champion of last yean ; md Tyson— stood up to try the first thre^ i alia. After a little boggling, Tyson

threw Robertson, amid great applaua Next bout the state of affairs was i versed, and when they stood before ea< other for the third and final trial, t] excitement was very great. Several fal grips were made, and some little displi of temper ; but when they at last fair got hold and began the struggle, evei eye was strained to watch them as th< twisted and strained. At last Tyson, I a masterly display of muscle, got Rober son up, and in a moment over he wen a fair fall. Immediately arose a shoi which might have been heard a mile ol and the victor was rushed and carried o by his friends to the nearest bootl where, if he could have swallowed a hut dred drinks, he might have had them. ] was some time ere the excitement calme down and the sports could be proceede with. Next day a somewhat similar prr gramme was gone through. In th wrestling match of the day, another mai — Hoare — threw both Robertson ani Tyson, and remained the champion, ami immense enthusiasm. Altogether th > Gathering this year has been a very sue cessful one. In addition to the fathering there were trips on the railway, down thi harbor, &c. ; as well as Caledoniai Sports at several country places at varioui : distances from town, which were al' numerously attended. Last night the Governor and suite wen entertained: at a concert given by the Choral Society in the. University. Hall which was crowdedy The pieces selectee were Ronberg's '" Lay of the Bell," anc Bennett's ." May Queen," both of whict were fairly performed.- The principal vocalists were- Misses Marshall and Sinclair, and Messrs Campbell and Towsey. The Rev. R. L, Stanfordi late of Tokomairiro, was yesterday inducted to the charge of All. Saints' Church, in place oi Rev M. Granger, who is returning to the old country. ' Bishop Neville presided on the occasion, i A hotel- on- the Portobello road- was burned to the . ground • early yesterday morning. It made a great blaze, and being situated high up above the Harbor, the effect was very fine. Particulars have not come to hand yet. . The bush fires in the neighborhood are still smouldering- away, and only waiting another high wind to be fanned into fierce life again. All along the seaboard, whereever there is bush, fires have been prevalent, and' an immense quantity of valuable timber has been destroyed. At this rate there will be very little forest land left in another year or two. The weather this.- morning is rather dull, and there has been another slight shower, which will be welcome to many in the higher parts of the town, as on account of the long drought water is very scarce^ tanlfs and cisterns all empty; The Water Works Company are npw laying another large extension of their pines (twelve miles), which will go far to include every street in the town in the water supply. The harvest is begun at one or two places on the Taieri Plains— both wheat and oats being ready, but it will be a week yet ere it becomes general. The great heat has ripened the fruit in the gardens, and now preserving is the rule among most families, causing a great consumption of sugar, &c.