OTAGO.

Southland Times, Volume 2, Issue 90, 15 September 1863, Page 2

OTAGO.

fFBOM OUR OWJ-r COBRESPOJTOENT.) Dunedin, Wednesday, Sth Sep. I forwarded you a communication on Saturday last by the Titania, but in consequence of the severe weather which has beset our coast, I opine tliat Captain Jarvey, even with his new boilers, ahd trying' all he knows* will not arrive at Invercargill in time for your Tuesday's issue. You will therefore accept this, as a mere postscript upon, my Saturday's letter.. There is nothing of importance to communicate, if I except that the ferry question at the Dunstan is not yet settled to the satisfaction of the mining population. Mr Hill has been requested by the Superintendent to reduce his charge for ferrying passengers, i cattle, &c, to one-half his preseat rates, but Mr Hill refuses to do anything of the kind, and so the matter remains in statu quo. Not so the diggers, for these gentlemen are becoming very demonstrative, and aie showing symptoms that they do not intend to stand the imposition any longer. A general emeute, attended witli outrage, will, I fear, be the result if the ferry .tariff be not reduced forthwith. The Dunstan correspondent of the Daily Time.', states that the next escort to arrive in Dunedin will bring down 19,000 ounces of gold ; but I am strongly inclit*ed to believe that this is an error of figures, nine thousand, and not nineteen thousand ounces is probably meant. The Victory's passengers, now so many weeks in quarantine, were, by an order of the Executive, admitted to pratique. But, as soon as tfee information became known, a public alarm, amounting almost to a panic, was created, and a meeting of the inhabitants was conveued on Saturday afternoon, in the long room of the Shamrock Hotel, the result of which Avas the appointing a deputation to M r ait on his Honor the Superint -ndent requesting him to retain the passengers in quai-antine for a further space of time. The public wishes have been attended to, and the unfortunate passengers wi if have to icmaiti'in durance vile for probably another month, ancl even longer than this, should any fresh case of .smallpox make its appearance. This morning a most terrific gale is blowing, and great fears are entertained that much damage will be done to the shipping on our coast.