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Otago Daily Times, Issue 62, 27 January 1862, Page 2

A decision of considerable importance to storekeepers and purchasers of gold on the diggings was given in the Supreme Court on Saturday. In the trial of Wilson for stealing money and gold from a tent, the robbery was so clearly proved that the prisoner withdrew bis first plea of not guilty, and pleaded guilty during the hearing of the evidence. It appeared iliac the prisoner had sold the gold stolen, or, at least, the same quantity, to a storekeeper, and his Honor decided thai the gold must be returned to the prosecutor, as it was evidently his property, and the storekeeper had no title to it, as no store on i he diggings could be considered an " open market." Storekeepers will, therefore, have to be very careful of whom they purchase gold in future.

A short while back, in referring to the way in which the ferries were generally mismanaged, we incidentally mentioned that one of them was yielding its fortunate lessee, who pays an annual rent of £50, an income of ,£IO,OOO, and we urged tiiat the ferry charges should be reduced. We find, however, that we were mistaken. Ferrykeepers are bound to furnish, traffic returns to the Superintendent, and the ferryman in question, Mr. Dyer, of the Tnieri, has just furnished a return for the last quarter of '.he year. By this return, which gives the traffic and receipts f r each day, we find that in the month of October the. receipts were £257 His. Bd. ; in November, £327 4s. Cd. ; and in December, £.i 42 Bs. Cd.. making a, total for the three months of £957 9s. Sd., or, at the rate of less than £1,000 a year, a sum less than a third of what ie was supposed Mr. Dyer was receiving.

We arc. glad to observe that a really good coat of metal is now laid on the road leading from Princes-street to the Beach. This will be a great boon to everyone connected with the discharge of lighters on the beach, as this road is the only means of approach

Gilloghly, who was recently arrested here by Detective Tuckwcll, on a warrant from Gcclong, for wife desertion, was sent back to that place by the Onieo, on Saturday. Ho was placed under the charge of Captain Maclachlan.

An adjourned meeting of the Town Board is to take place to-day.

The importation of fruit from Victoria is becoming very extensive. Large quantities of apples, pears, peaches, plums, &c, arrive by every steamer, and are usually landed in excellent condition. A large number of the members of the cricket club assembled on the ground on Saturday afternoon for play, and had a capital game. The ground was in much better condition than on the last occasion, and we understand that before next Saturday, a much larger space will be enclosed, and put into playing condition.

Tuai-eka Hospital.—We have been requested to inform the miners, storekeepers, and others, resident in the vicinity of Gabriel's, Munro's, and Wetherston's gullies, that open air meetings will be held to take into consideration the measures to be adopted for forthwith establishing this much needed institution. The meeting in Gabriel's Gully will be help at the rear of the Provincial Hotel, on Tuesday next, the 28th instant, at 4 o'clock, in the afternoon, and the meeting in Wetherston's gully will take place on Wednesday the 2t)ih instant, at -1 o'clock p.m., at the rear of the Washiugton Hotel, when it is particularly requested that all who are interested in this important subject will attend. We have been informed that in addition to the sum of £150 already collected by members of the provisional committee, it is anticipated a similar amount will be received so soon as the subscription lists shall be collected from the bankers and

A meeting was held at the Northern Hotel' Oamaru, on Wednesday, the 15th instant, to elect Stewards, &c, and make arrangements for the ensuing Waitaka Races. Present : Messrs. F. Fenwiek, W. Fenwick, M. Noble, G. W. Roxby, W. Morley, R. Julius, H. A. Julius. It was agreed that the races take place on Wednesday, the 12th March next, and the following gentlemen were elected stewards :—Messrs. M. Noble, H. R. Parker, R. Julius. W. Morley. A full programme will shortly bo published.

The second session of the Provincial Council of Southland was opened on the 17th instant. ]) . Mcnzies, the Superintendent, made the usual speech on the occasion, aud alluded with pleasure to the financial state of the province, ami after reminding the House that for the first few months after the constitution of the province the revenue had been little more than nominal, he proceeded to make the following statement :—" The Land Revenue from 31st March to Ist August was only £956 ; tlie Provincial share of the ordinary revenue, from 31st March to Ist Jnly, £475. The Province was then languishing under the depressing influence of an external attraction which drew away many of the more energetic settlers ; there appeared to be no immediate prospect of a favorable rcllux, although it was confidently believed that such would occur at no distant time. It did occur sooner than might have been anticipated, aud, as a necessary consequence, the Revenues, both Territorial and Ordinary, have greatly increased. The Territorial Revenue for the last five months has exceeded £19,50U—the Provincial share of the Ordinary Revenue for the last six months has amounted to £1323 ; and, after deducting Expenditure, a balance is Jeft, on the Ist January, in favour of the Province of above £13,500.