DUNEDIN GOSSIP.

South Canterbury Times, Issue 2404, 30 November 1880, Page 2

DUNEDIN GOSSIP.

Uur Dunedin correspondent writes : I may note that the totalizator has found a sphere of usefulness in connection witli municipal contests. Two instruments were opened on the event, the odds running - at 5 to 2 on Fish, although some betting was done at 5 to lon Fish. Exhibited in shop windows in the main street, with the ligures clearly marked, they have also done business on the Melbourne Cup, the Championship Sculling match, and Hop Bitters contest.

The Spring Meeting 1 promises but little sport. For the principal hamlicaj there are only live acceptances, Le Loup being a hot favorite at 2 to 1. The good folk of Dunedin have been surfeited with concerts during the winter months, and as a result several of those given lately have left a balance on the wrong side—notably the Early Closing Association’s concert. A capital programme was provided, but the hall was only one-fourth tilled, and the treasurer instead of obtaining a substantial addition will have to “ shell out ’’ about £3(l. Signor Morlcy, assisted by his amateurs, produce the .opera “ Lucrezia Borgia’ to-morrow evening, at the Queen’s. J was present at a rehearsal last night. The band is a iirst class one, but the principals and chorus are not up to the Signor’s usual standard. However, when lie reproduces the opera at Christmas it will be well worth hearing. Miss Lack takes the title role, and Mr Murray that of the Duke. Your readers will have heard of Mr Mr Jordon Forhmg, who has been paying us a revival visit for some time past. This gentleman, who is aged and spare in appearance, came down at the invitation of Mr B. Short, of the Independent Church, his* mission being to convert the freethinkers of Dunedin. His special qualifications for the arduous task are that he is a barrister and a good special pleader, was for many years a Deist, but whilst studying Scripture for the purpose oi disproving it, was so struck with the miraculous wisdom of the decalogue that he turned orthodox, studied the Hebrew language and became a revivalist preacher. His addresses arc mainly devoted to Old Testament stories, such as the Ark, Adam and Eve, Ac. This gentleman, who is a landholder in the Welington district, will return in a few weeks and take np his abode permanently in Dunedin, occupying the pulpit of Mr Short’s church.