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Otago Daily Times, Issue 86, 24 February 1862, Page 2

In consequence of the pressure on our space we are compelled to hold over notice of Princess' Theatre, and other matter. AYe sire indebted to the Captain of the " Pet,' from Hobart Town, for papers to Bth instant, and to the Captain of the "Martha Ellen," for dates to Feb. 3. but we iind little to extract. The principal tonics of interest are the expected visit of the Ail England Eleven, and the Governor's tour. We have later dates via Melbourne. The " Omco," on her last trip, brought down three Victorian race horses, which have, we velieve, been imported by Sir. S. E. X, Jones, for the purpose of running at the ensuing races. AYe already know of several horses that are at present in training for the same purpose, and it is said that Mr. ¥. liichardi-on's " Speargrass" (the winner | jat Invereargiil during the last two seasons) is; likely to contest the honors of the turf with both the Victorian and Otagonian horses.

In referer.ee to a letter that appeared in our columns a day or two ago, conn-lamina of the unpunctual delivery of newspapers at one of the country oilices, and blaming the Post Office for the same, we should in fairness say that part of tlw fault may have j rested with ourselves, inasmuch as from one cause ori another, sundry irregularities have occurred in the j posting of papers from this office, especially since the j sJtered tima;; of tho mails closing. Such, however, a* | fur ;i=; we are concerned will not occur again, as wej have made soeciul arrangements to prevent them. j Port Chalmers was particularly guy on Saturday. In consequence of the day being the anni-| vei-sary of the birth of Washington, the American shipping r.t tho port displayed all their bunting. anil as a compliment to our cousins, the British j vessels did the same. Colors were aiso hoisted! at diitercnt prominent points ori shore, and till j sunset Port Chalmers had quite a gala-day appearance. The nomination of candidates for the representation in the Provincial Council of the Western District, is to take place in the Wakari school-house to-day at noon.

A large number" of the members of the Cricket! Club met on the ground for play on Saturday, j A well contested game took place, and we learn that the return match with the 70th Regiment is likely to take piace on Saturday next. It is also rumoured that a chaliangc may shortly be expected from the Taieri District. A meeting of the club is to be held on Friday evening for the purpose of electing a committee. &c. The Victorian Government have put a sum of .fiSOOO on the Estimates to pay the expenses of six gentlemen who are to be sent home to lecture on the advantage of Emigration to Victoria, There are already a host of candidates for the six appointments. The Age says members of the Assembly will not be eligible, under the Officials in Parliament Bill. The isame journal siufljests that efforts should he made to secure the (Jreat Eastern for the Victorian trade, to bring out emigrants and cargo. In reference to tho manufacture of spurious gold, the Mount Alexander Mail has the following : — The manufacturers of spurious gold dust have evidently not abandoned tlieir nefarious operations. Last week aTChinanian offered two ounces of counterfeit gold to I a Campbell's Creek storekeeper, but though the imitation was almost perfect, the imposture was fortunately detected, and tho dust impounded._ The seller, finding his roguery discovered,'took to his heels, and ;no doubt will uot return to claim his property. Storekeepers now generally prefer confiscating tbe.alloyed metal, to the uncertain results of prosecuting ■-he offender.

The following is a sample of the veracious communications which the provincial journals of Victoria are glad to insert concerning Otago. The present is an extract from what purports to be a letter from Otago, published in the Talbot Leader. " I may also inform you that the Otago settlers are the most disagreeable 1 ever met with. ' They are brimful of prejudice against strangers, particularly Australians, so much so that when the rush first set in they set apart a day for humiliation and prayer, calling upon the Ruler _of All Things to save their herds from pleuro-pneumonia, and themselves from tho ungodly Victorians.^ When a new arrival goes shopping at Duncdin, ha is so well attended that while one is serving him three are watcliing him for fear of theft." j