DUNEDIN.

North Otago Times, Volume III, Issue 46, 5 January 1865, Page 3

DUNEDIN.

(From our own Correspondent). January 2nd, 1865,

As the time approaches for its opening, the Exhibition appears to engross far more attention than it has hitherto done amongst the general public here. I have refrained lately from mentioning the subject because J shall no doubt have to give much space to it during the next month. Now, however, the preliminaries are all arranged 30 far as they can be until the Governor arrives, the long-expected event is close at hand, and either those irho have been predicting a miserable failure for this jreat project, or those who have believed hopefully in its success, will have the opportunity of saying " we always said so," before next week is over.

The movements of the Governor are somewhat certain. He is to leave Auckland this day I believe, but the opening of the Exhibition has been postponed to the 12th of the month because he officially notified to the Commissioners that he could not be here before the 11th. Speculation is rife as to what he intends to do in the meantime. That he will visit Wellington on the way, seems under present circumstances to be very probable. Whenever he arrives he intends to make his •tay ■very short—far shorter than those gentlemen who consider Otago to be New Zealand will approve. He has promised to be present at the Champiou Race in Canterbury on the 17th (I think 'that is the date), so that the old promise about visiting the goldfields is not likely to be fulfilled, on this occasion at any rate. His Sxcellencv has declined the hospitality proffered him (by Mr Harris, I presume), and has taken the Commercial Hotel in High streft<( for his residence whilst here. No doubt his suite is too large for any of our gentry to offer such accommodationaSanyhost must needs extend to him. ' The Colonial Ministry has, I believe, made a point of_ giving all the*eclat possible to the event. This might have been expected from an administration framed so exclusively of southern members, even though it does nclude Major Richardson, the mosfrredoubtable enemy he Exhibition has had to contend\rith. A guard of ion or of 100 soldiers will accompany Miis Excellency, in d the fine band of the 70th RegimernVwill also come lo wn; and if I am not misinformed, will remain here i ome time. These arrangements are of themselves a i ufficient indication that the Exhibition is recognised by t he Government as being in truth'what it lijUa always been intended by its promoters that it shall be—a colonial, and not a provincial undertaking. Aβ <at present arranged, the Exhibition will be opened on Thursday; in next week, with a suitable ceremonial. The! exhibition of live stock will also be opened on the (same day. Afterward* his Excellency will dine with thfe Commie-

sioners, and the day will close by a public ball. A levee will of cdurse be held whilst Sir George is here, but the day will no doubt'be fixed by himself. Friday will most probably be the day unless his Excellency should arrive earlier than is expected. The Superintendent will entertain him on that day, and some other affair of interest is to come off on the Saturday. The Provincial Grand Lodge of English Freemasons also purposes to make a demonstration of loyalty on the occasion, and will invite the Governor, who is a duly initiated brother, to a luncheon. 1 have not heard of any stir on the part of our oivic authorities in the same direction. They are so persistently snubbed that probably they have become reconciled to a "role" of insignificance.

Whilst all these preparations are going on outside, you may be sure the interior of the Exhibition building is a sepne of, no little activity. There can be no doubt now that any attempt to open the Exhibition to-morrow (the day origiually fixed upon) would have been a serious mistake. This is no fault of the Commissioners. The building which was to be lent to them for the Exhibition was not ready at the appointed time. Hence, not only were the Commissioners themselves unable to make the necessary arrangements, but exhibitors—especially those of this Province—were deterred from making proper efforts to prepare their goods. In this latter -way the delay in completion of the building and its transfer to the hands of the Commissioners has, I understand, deprived the Exhibition of many very valuable exhibits. However, all is now bustle and activity; and though, when visiting the building the first, thing that strikes the attention is the evident backwardness and apparent confusion prevailing, those who have the matter in charge speak with assurance of the result. Everything will be ready for the 12th except those exhibits which are still on their way from Great Britain and the Continent of Europe. Winds and waves cannot be controlled. Several vessels containing exhibits are making long passages; the Ramsey in particular is said to have half a cargo for the Exhibition, and though more than a huudred days out, has up to the time I write made no sign. Judging from what is to be seen of the arrangements going on, one corner of the building must of necessity be quite shut up until-she arrives. Amongst other matters of interest which she brings are the articles contributed by the India Board, forming a complete illustration of the natural and industrial products of British India.

It will be my duty very shortly to give your readers a " full, true, and particular account of the Exhibition itself, so I shall not poach on my own manors by describing what I saw when I visited the building on Saturday. The more valuable and sightly exhibits from all parts of the world will of course be gathered into the main building; the machinery and more bulky articles into the annexe. A room has been set apart as a picture gallery in the building that unites these two; and £am glad to hear that, as the time draws near, pictures are being sent in in much la r ger numbers and of much greater interest than there had previously been reason to expect. The Art Gallery will afford a feast to many eyes which have had no chance of such a treat for many long years. The pictures sent fiom the Northern Provinces are for the most part in water colors (conspicuous among them being those from the pencil of Mr Barrand); from Australia or Great Britain I do not hear of anything. Otago will naturally contribute the major portion of the works of art, but in" the production of her own artists she will, if I am rightly informed, fall sadly into the rear.

A very suitable arrangement has been made by the Otago Committee, by which the handsome corridor which unites the annexe to the main building, and into which the refreshment rooms and Fine Arts Gallery open, will be decorated with living flowering plants. The fountain which was originally intended to grace the central hall, will also be placed there, and the preparations made will give it a fine jet of water. A sun-dial contributed by a townsman of yours has lately been a conspicuous object in the large hall of the main building 1 hear that a place for this is also to be found in the corridor, where, among flowers, green leaves, and (I hope) sunshine, it will find itself at home.

These holiday times have of course been duly celebrated by the good people of Dunedin. Christmas and New Year's Days being Sundays, last Monday and today have had to do duty for them. Last Monday was a splendid day, and we have the promise of equally beautiful weather for our holiday-making to-day. This is very fortunate, as in the interiin we have had much showery weather, and the new year itself was ushered in with drenching rain -not unwelcome to the thirsty land and those whose interest is in the soil and its products.

Pleasure seekers have also had plenty to amuse them here lately, besides the attractions got up specially for the holidays. Mr Thatcher has been causing crowds to split their eides nightly with his local songs. His " Summary for Europe " is pronounced by his admirers to be inimitable; and his suggested additions to the " happy family" of cats, monkeys, kc, at Vauxhall, have been received with such demonstrations of popular applause as their personality rather than their wit might have been expected to secure for them. One of his couplets—

"Mackenzie, too, will fraternize With Vogel at VauxhaU," looked rather like a prophecy when those redoubtable combatants returned lately arm-in-arm (figuratively speaking) from Auckland. Besides Mr Thatcher, we have been visited by Roberts, the champion English billiard player, to describe whose exploits would require a letter itself. He has played various matches at the Empire Hotel, and those who paid their sovereign and watched him, speak rapturously of the splendid manner in which he executes everything he attempts. For a full description of his really beautiful play I must, however, refer your readers who delight in billiards to the Dunedin papers. His opponent has been a Mr Perotti, from Arthur's Point, to whom the champion appears to be able to give seven or eisfht hundred points in a thousand with the greatest ease. The political life lately awakened amongst us, and which showed such vigorous signs at the late election, is not, as might have been fearerl after that excitement, dying out again. A new Separation League will shortly be formed here, and a political association of a more local character also. The period for the registration of electors has returned again j and it is to be hoped that everyone who possesses the requisite qualification will avail himself of the occasion. Recent events have ouly shown that the crisis in our history, whether as a province or as a colony, has by no means reached its climax. The recent proclamation of the Superintendent in reference to the sale of lands is beginning to attract attention to the peculiar condition of things we are living amongst. I expect that I shall have a good many matters political to chronicle ere long.