SUMMARY OF CURRENT EVENTS, FOR TRANSMISSION TO MELBOURNE PER ALDINGA.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 171, 3 June 1862, Page 5

SUMMARY OF CURRENT EVENTS, FOR TRANSMISSION TO MELBOURNE PER ALDINGA.

Since our last Summary for Melbourne on the 22nd May, no events of much importance have occurred. The winter season was ushered in by beautiful sharp clear weather, but about a fortnight ago Otago was visited by a succession of snow-storms, and a reenrrence of wet bleak days. The high lands beyond Dunedin were covered with snow, and the traffic between the city and the country was considerably impeded in consequence. As might have been expected, the inclement weather has effected a diminution in the amount of gold brought down by Escort, but as yet no very considerable number of miners have left the Province, the bulk of those that have at present ceased work at the diggings, preferring to remain in the Province until the winter is over. Considerable numbers have proceeded to the new diggings at Highlay, near Waikouaiti, to the northward of Dunedin, which new discovery was referred to in our last summary. 'A report of the now diggings by a gentleman specially dispatched to Highlay, will be found in another part of this issue. From all that can be learnt, there is little doubt of the district turning out a profitable gold field, the auriferous iudicatioiis being of a very favorable character. The escort brought down on tho 22ud iust., 53010z , and on the 29th, 4110 oz. The sluicing parties at Tuapeka and Waitahuna are doing well. . Tho rush to the Tuapeka river is turning out successful, most of the miners engaged there making good wages, and occasional instances of lucky finds taking place; one party of four having got 42 oz., and another party of three, 20 oz, for their weeks' work. i Considerable damage was occasioned last week by the heavy rains, causing land slips in places where the banks of the streets had been cut perpendicularly away. A portion of the Australasian Hotel was knocked in, and accidents of a similar character occurred in other parts of the town. A Gas ani Coko Company, under the auspices of Mr. llutchinson, C. E., has been started. The proposed capital is £15,000, in shares of £5 each. At a meeting held in the Criterion last week, Mr. ITutchinson submitted his proposal to a number of tho most influential merchants and others, and was very favorably received, and steps have been taken to carry out the object. The Port Chalmers Regatta took place on Monday, the 20th. The sports wore attended by great numbers of people from Dunedin, and were on the whole good. Preparations are being made for another regatta on a larger scale to be held in a few months. 'The Provincial Government have for some time had it in contemplation to organize a Goldfiekls Department, and Mr. Vincent Pyke lias received an appointment as a Commissioner of the gohlflolds, and will organise the Department. The salary of the contemplated Chief Commissioner is to be £700 a year. The Provincial Council resumes business tomorrow. The nomination for candidates for the vacancy in the representation of tho city of Dunedin took place on the 28th. The proceedings were of the dullest possible character, but few people attending and neither of the candidates nominated being present' His Honor the SuperitP.ndent, [Major Richardson,] and Mr. J. Patersou were the candidates proposed. The show of hands being in favor ol Mr. Paterson, the friends of Major Richardson demanded a poll. The polling1 which took place on the 3rd, resulted in the election of Major Richardson by a majority of 6 the number being Richardson 45 ; Patterson 37. Some estimate of the apathy manifested on the occasion may be drawn from the fact, that out of 420 electors only 82 voted. • Coal of good quality has been found at .Shag Point, between Moeraki and Waikouaiti, north of DunTlio long- expected visit of the Governor is still unaccountably deferred, and no intelligence of bis movements has been received.