OUR DUNEDIN LETTER.
(prom our own correspondent.) Dunedin, September 6.
The most important event of the month has been the opening of the Dunedin and Clutha railway; which took place on the Ist instant. I believe the contract was not finished until midnight of the 31st August; nevertheless a train, consisting of ten carriages and two engines, and carrying about 400 people, went over the entire line to its terminus at Balclutha on September 1. The day was magnificent, and the trip throughout was highly successful. The train left the Dunedin station, which was crowded with spectators, at half-past ten o’clock, and sped upon its journey at a very good speed. But there were several stoppages that could not be avoided upon such an occasion. Every place through which the train passed wore quite a holiday appearance, and at Milton the people turned out in hundreds, and cheered, waved their hats and handkerchiefs, and the local brass band struck up an air appropriate to the occasion. The Mayor and Corporation presented an address of welcome to his Honor the Deputy Superintendent, which was duly responded to ; and then, after partaking of some slight refreshments, the party returned to the train, which resumed its onward career, arriving at Balclutha—a distance of fifty-two miles from town—at halfpast one o’clock. It is thought, however, that the entire trip through will shortly be made in two hours. 'lf or the greater part of the distance the track' runs along a purely level country, where there is nothing to prevent the train going at the rate of forty miles an hour. Great rejoicings were held at Balclutha, and the visitors were entertained at a feast, which had to take place at two places at once in consequence of no one room in the town being sufficiently large to accommodate all comers. The train left again at a little after five o’clock, and made several rather long stoppages in its return to town, which was reached at five minutes past nine, all present having thoroughly enjoyed themselves. The next day a still larger number of people travelled along the line, for two trains were put on free, one at each end, and while the Dunedinites availed themselves in hundreds of the opportunity of making a cheap excursion into the country, the country people came into the town by droves. And now the line is open for regular traffic, and two trains run each way daily. The coaches which have for so many years been plying to these southern townships have now been taken off to seek a trade elsewhere. •
The weather, with the exception of now and again a wet day, continues to be magnificent. Such weather at the time, of year has neverbeen known before. But there are not wanting people who say we shall have to pay for it in the long run. Business of all kinds is very brisk just now. No doubt in considerable part due to the fineness of the weather. Some of the drapers are sufferingagooddealof inconvenience through the non-arrival of the ship Strathmore, which has on board large shipments of spring goods. For some time past there has been considerable anxiety as to the fate of this vessel, but the general impression now seems to be gaining ground that she is lost. She is 156 days out from London. She had no immigrants on board, and but a few passengers, but she had twenty-five tons of gunpowder, which in case of fire must have blown her all to pieces. Still many nautical men say that a variety of causes may have led to her very lengthy passage, and that she may still turn up. In the way of amusements,- Mr. Davis, the ventriloquist and party, at the Temperance Hall, are still holding their own, and likely to do another fortnight’s good business. The man-fish, who has lately been on exhibition in Melbourne, will shortly appear, and that is the only novelty we are likely to have for some time to come. The Darrells’ season is drawing to a close, and on the whole it has been a very successful one. On their retirement (in about ten days), Mr, and Mrs. F. M. Bates, who have been for some time in Invercargill and have only now returned, will make their reappearance, and promise to give us some novelties ; but theatrical business is likely to be slack for some time. I hear that Mr. and Mrs. Darrell may be expected to visit your city shortly, and it is likely they will afterwards proceed to Sydney, Mr. Darrell has not been able to play all his pieces here on account of their being no good second lady to support his wife. Truth to say, a good many pieces are spoiled from the same cause. With regard to the new theatre, I believe Mr. Sibbald has awarded the magnificent premium of £lO for a design ; but so far as the theatre is concerned actually it is just as far from being rebuilt as ever. Indeed, I hear that only yesterday Mr. Sibbald was in treaty with a livery stable keeper, and that it is not impossible that a suite of stables may be built upon the site of the old theatre.
Our recent poultry show was highly successful, and promises to become still more so every year. There was an “art union” in connection with it, and a number of very handsome prizes were given away at the close of the proceedings. Some rather angry correspondence is going on between the cricketers and the footballers. The latter want to play the match against Auckland on the cricketers’ ground, which the cricketers refuse to let them, as they say the ground is greatly cut up and injured, as it is, through the kickers having played upon it during the winter. The reserve, however, belongs to the public, and as much to the footballers as to the cricketers ; and if the latter show any bad spirit over the matter, I should not be surprised to see it taken away from them altogether, for they have no prescriptive title to it.
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New Zealand Times, Volume XXX, Issue 4517, 11 September 1875, Page 3
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1,025OUR DUNEDIN LETTER. New Zealand Times, Volume XXX, Issue 4517, 11 September 1875, Page 3
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