Our bunedin Letter.

Clutha Leader, Volume XX, Issue 1036, 8 June 1894, Page 6

Our bunedin Letter.

(Prom Our Own Correspondent.) " What shall it be 1" This is the question that has been agitating quite a number of our residents re the memorial to the Rev. Dr Stuart. The Mayor convened a meeting of citizons in the Town Hall last week, which was very well attended, and nn influential and representative committee was elected in furtherance of the object. At the suggestion of His Worship it was decided to let the subscribers, at a meeting convened for that purpose, settle in what way his memory is to be observed. Since then the newspapers have been full of schemes, s'lme of which are enough to make the worthy doctor "turn in his grave" — a free library, a statue, a university scholarship, a hospital pavilion, a road to St. Clair, a road at Pelichet Bay, etc., etc. From a letter which appears in the Daily Times, contributed, by Mr W. Craig of Shag Valley, a pettier for 32 years, he states that the estimated yield of wheat in the Waihemo and Waikonaiti counties which was put down for agricultural purposes an average of 22 bushels and 17 bushels per acre respectively, has been thoroughly misleading ; the actual results only showing about half. He considers that if similar results are found in the Waitaki and Canterbury districts, sufficient has not been grown for local requirements, and as a consequence he thinks th;it the importing value and not the exporting should rule this season.' The weather since my lash communication has been very wintry the rain being very plentiful. Since Saturday matters have improved, but though it is keeping fine it is very cold especially mornings and evenings, and I suppose we are not likely to have much better for the next two months. Amusements have been pretty plentiful in the city recently. The Thornton Arnold Company drew excellent houses at the Princess Theatre and had a prosperous financial season. Deering and Kennedy have been giving dramatic entertainments in the City Hall at sixpenny and shilling prices, and popular concerts af. the Garrison Hall have been well patronisad. A Caledonian Ball is the great attraction for next week. Since the decision about reduction of licenses and tho election of the present licensing committee who were all run on the " prohibition ticket," most of the hotelkeepera have been in a s>tate of uncertainty as to what would be the probable outcome at the annual meeting as to what houses would be refused renewals ; and as a consequence the painters,, paperhangers, etc. have been very busy renovating a number of places against the important day. The feeling which has existed among those interested was that the present committee in addition to making the maximum reduction allowed by the Act would administer affairs from a strictly partial point of view. That this feeling was the correct one was evidenced by the refusal to grant conditional licenses at the coursing and race meetings and as the day appointed for the annual meeiing — viz. , the 4th of June kept getting nearer and nearer the uncertainity as to which houses were to be closed was intensified. Last week notices were issued by instruction of the committee to some 45 hotelkeepers that objections would be made to a renewal of their

licenses. As the number was just double that which can be closed it made things ' look peculiar and the public reading the S list which appeared in the papers could ■ not understand the lines on which the • committee were acting. In George Street j there are wine hotels and notice was served ! on eight, the European (Carrol's) being | the only exception and in the other parts f Wain's, the Shamrock, Court's and the I Provincial (Theatre) were included in tho " black list." Monday 24th however same at last and the committee met in solemn conclave. Mr E- H. Carew S.M. acted as chairman. The members of committee present were Messrs. Scott, Spanes, Selby, Jolly, Dickson, Wardrop, and Walker — the other member Mr Warren being absent in Ohristchurch. The first business was the consideration of an application from Mrs Con way for license for the Morriington Hotel. The granting of this was objected to by a large number of memorialists who said the hotel was not required. After hearing evidence the application was adjourned until tho 12th as were all those who had been objected to. Licenses up to 10 o'clock were granted to the remainder of the applicants and as to whether they will be extended will be considered at the adjourned meeting. The feeling generally existing in the community is thai the committee are rather extreme in their action, and some of the houses objected to should have been left alone. The City Council have a big contract on their hands on Wednesday evening, as the Mayor has given notices for several motions for discussion — viz., "That the council withdraw all opposition to the building of a new gaol on the present site, and so enable the unemployed to get work, as the Premier says the amount available for such purpose can be secured at once." " That the council vote LIOO towards a road round the Pelichot Bay reclamation, on condition that L3OO is raised lodally. " This is also to s;ive work to the unemployed. Mr Cohen has also a motion for discussion re tha "living wage " question. He also intends moving " That the finance committee consider the desirability of issuing debentures for for the purpose of wiping out the existing municipal overdraft." Mr Gourley intends to traverse the mayor's ruling at last meeting, li That the mayor can speak as often as he deems proper on any question." Mr Swan has also a notice of motion re drainage works. " Court St. George," A.O F. of Juveniles was duly opened at Roslyn on Friday evening, when 29 candidates were initiated as members.' A.C. R. , Bro. Morgan, assisted by P. C. R. , Bro. M. Fraer, conducting the ceromonie3 very efficiently. A great deal of enthusiasm prevailed among the boys, and the court promises to be a successful one. Mornington and Caver3ham are arranging to' open similar courts, and a meeting is called in the City Ball for Wednesday evening to establish a court for women in connection with Court Enterprise. I am informed it is likely to be a strong one, but I will send you particulars in next letter.