Local Intelligence.

Otago Witness, Issue 475, 5 January 1861, Page 4

Local Intelligence.

Bakaab. — The Bazaar In aid of the funds for the erection of the Port Chalmers Manse, was held in the Schoolroom, Dunedin, on Monday last. The admission fee was Is., and the attendance was not great. The stalk, which were furnished by voluntary contribution, consisting in part of the work of the ladies of Otago, were presided over by Mrs. J. Gillies, Mrs. Reynold:!, Mrs. Livingston, Mrs. Webb, Mrs. M'lndoe, Misses Margaret M'Glashan, Pinkerton (2), M'Gillivray, M'Gowan, Parker, Field, and Livingston. The articles unpurchased during the day were disposed of by auction, at the close of the Bazaar. The sum realized, we understand, was upwards of £200. ~ \ New Year's. Day. — New Year's Day, which with us has always been kept as a general holiday, passed off well. The' year 1860 was taken farewell of, and 1861 ushered in by the ringing of the bell and the firing of one gun : and, shortly after, the town was 'still and quiet, and appeared to us as if the system of " first-fitting," pursued in our native laud, had been entirely abandoned in Dunedin. The day was fine, and large numbers of the inhabitants of the town took the opportunity of getting a little fresh air. The Geelong took an excursion party of about 150 to Waikouaiti, where they were landed, and, after exploring the country around, spending some hours there, returned to Dunedin at 8 o'clock. The party was accompanied by the Dunedin Band, whose performances delighted the Waikouaiti natives exceedingly. A considerable 1 party went to Portobello Bay by the Pride of the Yarra, and enjoyed the pleasure of a Die-nic in that picturesque locality. Pic-nics in the neighbourhood of Dunedin were general, and every available conveyance appeared to be called into requisition to transport parties of pleasure, and Dunedin was quite deserted.— lt is a subject of gratification to us, and will no doubt be the same to our teetotal friends, when we state that very few persons indeed were to be seen the worse of drink during all that- day, which reflects great credit on our townspeople ; and all we wish is that they may continue to merit so good a name, notwithstanding all that has been said against. Dunedin in respect of her inhabitants indulging too freely in strong drink*.

Habvest. — Mr. Andrew Todd, of Johnston, East Taieri, cut a field of four-acres of barley on Wednesday the 27th December. The crop was a fair one, and was saved in excellent condition. This is unusually early for harvesting in Otago, and is an exceptional case. Harvest will not be general for a month or six weeks, most of the crops having been late sown, owing to the wet winter and spring. The advantage of early sowing ought to be well known to our agriculturists.

Mr. W. Junor has been appointed Adjutant and Lieutenant of Militia, but we do not learn that his Excellency the Governor has accepted the offer of the various corps of volunteers made by the settlers of Otago.