DUNEDIN.

Tuapeka Times, Volume VII, Issue 394, 26 September 1874, Page 3

DUNEDIN.

(From our own Correspondent.) We hare had quite a return of winter Weather since my last communication was despatched, tie paj^week Laving been one of the most disagreeable we have experienced for months, with its cold winds, driving 1 sleet showers, and occasional hailstorms j while the manner in which the ocean has been roaring for the past two or three days, following on the heavy gales experienced on the coast, has been almost unprecedented. So loud indeed was its "hoarse and hollowsounding roar " (as Mrs Fulton, of Blue Spur fame puts it in one of her little poems) that one night in the early part of the week more than one person in Dunedin rose from his bed to* satisfy himself as to what the unusual sound could tw. The breakers which rolled in at the Ocean Beach gave a fair idea of the discomforts whigi must be experienced by those who are compelled to land from eteamers in the surf-boats, at the open road steads of the Province, and induce- those- of us who are not obliged by our occupations^ submit to this unpleasant landing process, to be thankful for our exemption. Accompanying this unpleasant weather there is a greater than usual scarcity of news of any interest to communicate to your columns. Matters there are which more particularly interest Dunedin residents, but nothing of any particular interest — unless I may perhaps mention another projected addition to the Joint Stock Companies of the Province, and this time one of a rather peculiar nature— nothing less than a "piggery " company in fact. I suppose it only a start, and to be prefixed with the favorite title " National," to ensure its being * placed side by side with our National Banks, National Insurance Co.'s, and National Building Societies. Mr. Pavletich, of the Universal Hotel, is the leading spirit in the projected enterprise, and his views on the subject are of a rather extensive nature. Porkers are to be bred and reared in immense numbers, and large profits are to be the reward of those who embark in the scheme. So here is yet another opening in the Joint Stock Company line for any of your Tuapeka readers who have spare capital at their command which they may wish to invest. Our volunteers are having their own trouble With the Provincial Government, in the matter of the sum of money which was ■ voted by the Provincial Council in lieu of land grants, and which yet remains among the unappropriated amounts standing on the Estimates. A deputation of officers and members of corps waited upon his Honor the Superintendent in the beginning of the week in reference to the matter, and urged that there should be no further delay in making payment to those entitled to it of the sums of money respectively due them, specialj force being given to the argument that the volunteers had a right to expect prompt settlement in consequence of their having many months since agreed to accept half the amount they were entitled to as represented by land grants if the Government would settle the matter without any further delay. His Honor promised to lay the matter before the Executive, and to do wliat he could to further the views of the deputation, although he at the same time seemed to express his individual opinion that the volunteers had not much reason 'Co complain in the matter. It would be interesting if statistics were kept showing the number of accidents which happen in the saw and other manufacturing mills of the colony ; and probably if this were done, their frequency would astonish a good few people. Hardly a week passes by but there comes a report of 6ome severe injury, the result of coming into contact with the merciless teeth of those terrible circular sawß, or of getting into too close contact with mill machinery of some kind. Yesterday another accident of this nature was added to the already long list of cases of severe suffering which have occurred in the Province. Mr. Austin of the Sawyer's Bay saw mills, while explaining to a visitor some particulars connected with the working of the mill, incautioußly placed his left hand near the saw, and the thumb and palm of the hand were so severely cut, as to afterwards necessitate *^ amputation of the thumb, the operation being peoformed by Dr. Dryadaleoi Port Chalmers.