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Otago Daily Times, Issue 40, 31 December 1861, Page 4

By the arrival of the Lady Bird, from Melbourne, we have three days'later news (to 23rd Dec), but there is little of interest to note.

We understand that an offer has been'received from a Melbourne firm to light the Town with gas, but that the terms demanded are of too extravagant a character to be entertained. Would not the founding of a Local Company for this purpose be a subject worthy of serious consideration.

George Frazer, who was charged with being one of the principals in the sticking-up at the West Taieri, and also with endeavoring to intimidate one of the witnesses against Burns, has been discharged from custody, after making a written statement with regard to the affair, and giving security for his appearance at the Supreme Court, to give evidence against Burns. Mr. McGlashan's Lecture on the " Connection between Mental and Mechanical pursuits" will be delivered this evening, in Dr. Burns's Church. We have files of Tasmanian papers to 20th Dec. The latest intelligence from the Gold Fields is to the effect that a new rush has taken place to some gully about midway between Wetherston's and Waitahuna. Large numbers of miners were leaving both of the latter places for the new ground, —but we have received no reliable information as to the prospects of the rush. A. mounted constable has been ordered to inspect the locality, but his report has not yet been received. We are glad to observe that our remarks yesterday have not been without fruit. For the five vacancies at the Town Board, fifteen candidates have come forward. We do not desire to influence the election, but we may express a hope that the electors will feel the responsibility that rests on them, and, entirely disregarding- personal considerations, will select those men they deem best qualified to fulfil the duties that pertain to the office. Six tenders were sent in yesterday for the extension of the Jetty at Port Chalmers. The offers varied from £805 to £473. The last, by Mr. Aldridge ? was accepted. To-day the tenders for constructing a large portion of the road between Saddle Hill and the Taieri have to be opened. We trust that with the present large accession to the population, less difficulty will be found than hitherto in ieUuig- contracts.