OTAGO.
: [From a Correspondent.] . # January 9th, 1860. Some^ time having elapsed since my last communication, I now send you a brief summary of events Bince then.
The scarcity of labour is ntill very much felt, especially in the country districts; and m some time will elapse before the arrival of the neat emigrant ship, an agent has been despatched to Auckland, who, if successful thoro, or in the event of the scheme not being approved of by the Government of that province, will proceed to Australia to sccuro and forward what labour can be obtained in the interim, that the want now felt may be partially relieved. His Excellency the Governor, accompanied by Capt. Steward and Col, Mould, R.E., arrived in H.M.S.S. Niger, Capt. Cracroft on Sunday evening, the 18th December, and the following morning proceeded to Dunedin, when the usual amount of addresses, deputations, hall, levee, &o: took place", and a general holiday was proclaimed in honor of the event. The excitement caused was however confined to a few; numbers not even being aware that His Excellency was in the Province.
His Excellency left on the following Saturday, being accompanied to the Heads by a large party. Before his departure he expressed himself highly satisfied with his reception and the arrangements made.
The Christmas and New Year's holidays have passed over very quietly, with the usual amount of pleasure parties, excursion trips, &c, which by the convenience of the Pride of the Yarra and Victoria, • harbour steamers can now be easily arranged. Crime appears to be on the increase, several cases of felony having lately occurred, and the known fact of some bad character* having arrived from other quarters leads to the conclusion that we shall not in future, even in proportion to the population, be so free from this curse as we hitherto have been. The prevalence of sly grog selling to such an extent as at present exists cannot by any means tend to improve matters or keep back those offences which drink invariably leads to. The elections are passing over very quietly, and with nothing like the excitement formerly prevailing on the occasion. The nomination for Superintendent took place on Tuesday the 3rd, when James Macandrew, Esq., was returned without opposition. The election of five members for the town came off on the next day, when twelve candidates were proposed, which caused a poll to be taken, and resulted in the election of Messrs. Dick, Kilgour, Gillies, Cutten, and Reynolds. Mr. Gillie 3 being the only new member. On the following Friday I learn Mr. T. Taylor was again returned for Port Chalmers, no other candidate appearing. Report says that a keen contest is likely to take place in the Eastern, jf not also in the Western district. The Ocean Beach Road has been commenced; and will, when completed, form a pleasant promen- ! ade and drive from our town. ' Generally speaking, the crops are looking well. Wheat is likely to be a good if not above the average; early potatoes are however rather behind. The Cheviot is still discharging her inward cargo, which I believe has with most articles fully stocked the market; timber is still in demand, but with a downward tendency. The Pirate has arrived and sailed again, having* been much improved; her cabin accommodation is now ample, while the table kept on board will bear comparison with any boat running s and will cause her to be sought by passengers for New Zealand. Royal Bride arrived on the Ist January, and commenced taking in her cargo on the 9th. Our next emigrant ship is the Gala, to leave on the 16th November. The Boswortb from London may now be daily expected, being 91 days out. The Airedale has paid her maiden visit and is certainly a fine boat, with comfortable accommodation, but it is to -*be hoped that we shall not in future be cut off so much in our time for replies as in the last instance. January 10,1860. The Airedale arrived yesterday afternoon and leaves again to-morrow at 9 a.m. Mr. Justice Gresson came by her to hold the sittings of the Supreme Court; there are three or four criminal cases to try, but I have not yet heard of any civil business. ,
OTAGO.
Lyttelton Times, Volume XIII, Issue 750, 14 January 1860, Page 4
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