DUNEDIN.

Bruce Herald, Volume II, Issue 41, 19 January 1865, Page 9

DUNEDIN.

(From our Own Correspondent.) Of course the chief topics of interest in Dunedin for the last week have »een the Exhibition and the (ibvernor. In the early part of last week all Dunedin was on the gui vit* in expectation of the Governor's arrival. Hooper's Commercial Hotel had been engaged by the Provincial Government, and a considerable outlay incurred to render it sui able for his Excellency's accommodation. Gates were erected at the commencement of the Jetty to prevent the vulgar crowd from pressing 6n to it. The volunteers were straining their ears in, momentary expectation of hearing the bng^ -falling them to weleoaU and ' «scori •

real live Governor and the members of the Light Horse, w ho were to have formed a guard of honor on the occasi n, are said to have slept for several nights in unform and to have pursued their miiltifariou's^daily avocations in the same garb. On the reekuuied land near ( leveand.. Co.'s new stores, a Ccyjple of pieces of cannon V^re placed t)a give notice of his Excellency's arrival. one o*bclock on Wednesday niglij a bugle" from near the police barracks gave, the M»nal tor firing, Ibang, bang went the gnns, and in a moment Dunedin was in an uproar. Everybody high and low turned out, and it was some considerable time beforcthe affair was discovered to be a cleverly managed hoax. The -guns had foolishly been lertamguarded, and some individuals inspired by Wie spirit of fun aud mis.chief had seized the c^portuniry of astonishing the weak nerves of the slumbering citizens ofDunedin. v

Next morning c me, but no signs of Sir George. . Up to the last moment hopes of his arrival were confidently entertained, but still he came norland ifis Honor the"Superintendent had to op^en the Exhibition hihwelf. Of that ceremony 1 tteed not write as you will have a full ai-count <*£ it, suffice it forme to say that the Exhibitionvitself is generally Considered as a great succvsV and'that its results pecuniarily and otherwise \ are likely to be most satisfactory. One great mistake was made in connection with the opening. There was no stir made outside the building, no proCession or anything of that kind. This wa« the more annoying, as the procession on the occasion of laying the foundation btone of the building was so successful. 'I he reason of the omission is supposed to lie in some misunderstanding between the Royal Commissioners and the Provincial Government, each thought it was the business 'of the other. The volunteers paraded in the Octagon, and afterwards marched to the Recreation Ground, where they had a review. It was very unfortunate that they were not in some way employed in the opening ceremonial. Driver MLean and Co.'s Intercolonial Live Stock Show commenced the same day and was continued < n the one following The S'iow was a ver\ good one, especially as regards sheep and horses. Tokomairiro came in for a good miny prizes in each of tlu se classes Writing of live stock reminds me that it is rumoured liere that several cargoes of ca tie affected in an unmistakable manner with Pk'uro- Pneumonia have within the last week or so been landed at Port Chalmers. It is said, and 1 have every reason to believe that it is truo, that some of the beasts Were killed and found severely diseased, thatWie Inspector refused to allow the others \\ be landed, but That on applying to the Government, permission was j»ivtn.

You will of course have obtained an account of the fire. The inquest on the remains of the -unfortunate Ohtru was held on Monday last ; the Juryinot being quite satisfied as to the identity, returned aii open verdict. There, cannot, however, be a doubt that the remains are those of Oberu, and it is equally certain that he-had nvide his escape lnun the house, but must have returned for some purpose or othar.

From grave to gay. The ball which was to have been given o the Governor on Thursday night came off", although the Governor was not there. It took place in the Princes!* Theatre, and was a great success; Jhe Theatre was very handsomely decorated, and it was completely filled. Jf the Governor weie to come here now, I think he would meet with but a sorry reception. Everyone is excessively indignant with him. Miss Aitken is nightly charming the Theatre going portion of our citizens. Since her engagement at the Theatre the " business" has revived in a surprising nphner, and good houses are now the rule, not the exception. In the "Relief of Lucknow" and *' Jeanie Deans" Miss Aitken is admirable, and is well worthy of being seen. Mr Wolfe, the enterprising lessee of the Theatre is still, I regret to say, very unwell and unable to >cave his house. The Opera Troupe is expected again next week, when they will commence a short reason. At the Corinthian Hall, Thatcher and Madame Vitelli are engaged, and every night the Hall is crowded. Thatcher, as usual, hits everybody in a good htttfored way, and some of his new local songs are really clever productions. The failure of Mr O.^Perriman, produce merchant, is announced. It is supposed to have been hastened, if not caused by the .«usp«n ion of Messrs Cleve and Co. The loss is not likely to be a heavy one.