DUNEDIN.

Tuapeka Times, Volume V, Issue 241, 12 September 1872, Page 7

DUNEDIN.

(From our own Correspondent, )

The hopes entertained by the CQlonial Executive, that Mr. Tolmie's vote would perchance save them from defeat, have proved fallacious ; and the energy and promptness they displayed in despatching the Luna to Otago, in order that the member for Caversham might arrive in "Wellington in time to give his vote against Mr. Stafford's resolutions, have been thrown away. On the whole, the defeat of the Government appears to have given

satisfaction in Dnnedin, although, of course, they have their friends and supporters a* well as the Opposition. The vacillation displayed by the political old woman, Mr. Bathgate, is vifiwed with considerable disgust j but, like our worthy Superintendent, he has been gifted by nature with such a plausible, oily tongue that he will no doubt be able to explain, in the most satisfactory manner, his reasons for the glaring inconsistencies in hia political actions, and secure the usual unanimous vote of confidence from his confiding constituents, when next he meets them in public.

The Rev, George Sutherland, whoEe ministrations in connexion with the Dunedin First Church, for the last five years, have been productive of anything but that concord and good feeling which should characterise a cangregation of worshipping Christians, took his departure on Thursday last for his new charge in Sydney. A very large number of people assembled on the jetty to witness his departure — prominent among the crowd, of course, being those of the congregation who had espoused his cause and done battle on his behalf with the opposing deacons and office-bearers. The parting was not altogether unaffecting, when it came to the final farewell with the " loved pastor " and a few of those who considered he had been unfairly dealt with ; but, on the whole, I do not thing I am far wrong in saying that there is a general feeling of relief that Mr. Sutherland has gone, and that he will be no longer the means of causing division and ill-will amongst the members of a congregation which ought to be the strongest and most united of any in the city. The boats' crews engaged in the whale fishing, which are stationed at the Heads and Waikouaiti, have during the past few months been pretty successful on the whole, and have hitherto succeeded in landing their prizes without a great deal of trouble. One day last week, however, Bradshaw's party harpooned a cetaceous monster off Waikouaiti, which took the boat in tow, and did not stop until it had taken its captors some thirty miles in a north-easterly direction, out of sight of land, and, said by the boat's crew, to be nearly opposite Oamaru. The return journey presented a marked contrast to the rapid manner the boat went through under the whale's guidance, for by the time the weary crew had succeeded in towing their prize to Waikouaiti they had spent two days and two nights on the water, and that too without having had anything to eat during the time.

The Dunedin Choral Society gave a most successful and enjoyable concert last Thursday. Rombery's ' ' Lay of the Bell " was produced, and the whole of the music was rendered in a moat creditable, correct manner. There was a large and fashionable attendance, as indeed there always is at the popular concerts of this Society.

The fine clipper ship Otago, of 1000 tons, sailed for Newcastle, N.S.W., on Saturday, to load a cargo of coal for Dunedin. The trip is made in order that the ship may not lie idle in Port Chalmers during the interval that will elapse before she can obtain her usual cargo of wool, preserved meats, &c, for the English markets. Newcastle coal always commands a ready sale in this market ; and this trip will no doubt give a handsome return to Messrs, Shaw, Saville, and Co., by whom the vessel is chartered from her owners, Messrs. Patrick Henderson aud Co., in addition to the profits of the home and colonial voyage.

Dr. Copland is to have a new manse built for him shortly by his congregation. The site on which it is to be erected, situated in suitable proxmity to the church, has been purchased, and the building will, I understand, be gone on with without delay — the Presbytery having agreed to vote the usual building allowance.