DUNEDIN.

Southland Times, Issue 1122, 1 September 1869, Page 2

DUNEDIN.

(from oitb. own cobeespondent). 28th August, 1869. Since my last communication there has been a collapse as far as political excitement is concerned. The city elections having terminated, the citizens have settled down to busiaess again, and the great gas question is no longer the topic of street corner disputation. Now, the discoveries of quartz reefs in your proi vince, fresh goldfields in the Oamaru j district, and other place?, have become the leading subjects of conversation, save and except, the now all important question — re-union of South 1 and to Otago. Since the result of the resolutions of your Provincial Council in favor of the project was made public, this subject has been freely debated, and, if I can feel aright the public pu^e, it beats decidedly in favor of the movement, if it can be accomplished on fair and distinct terms. Many who, a few weeks since, professed indifference to the question, when there appeared but little probability of Southland desiring union, are now loud in expressing an opinion that Otago, in order to bring back to its arms rebellious Southland, might make some present sacrifice for a grea,t future benefit. I may almost say that both the Provincialists and the Centralists are agreed upon this point. The former, on the ground that united Otago and Southland will be materially and politically the most powerful province in New Zealand ; and the latter on the ground that, as the great constitutional changes which must preceed Centralism, pure aud simple, cannot be brought about for some considerable time to come, it is better to commence the work of amalgamation by allowing the krger provinces to absorb the smaller ones, as by so doing the county system will in some shape have to be adopted . by sucb. provinces, and consequently the machinery for local self-government provided, which, when the time comes foe complete Centralism, will be in good working order. The Otago members of the Assembly, with the exception of the hon. Mr Dillon Bell, may be expected back within a few days, and then exciting times may be anticipated — Messrs Driver and Reynolds have already returned. The Otago Hundreds Regulation Act has caused an amount of agitation in the up-country districts, which will necessitate all the members not pastoral dtlejates meeting their constituencies, and freely explaining their conduct regarding this particular meabure. This is much to be desired, inasmuch as the effect of this piece of legislation on the settlement of the country is so differently estimated, and partially understood, that the majority have not yet formed a decided opinion as to its merits or demerits. The Otago Institute — a reflex of the New Zealand Institute — may now be considered an established fact. His Honor Mr Justice Ward delivered the inaugural address in the Provincial Council Hall, to a large and attentive audience, on Tuesday evening last. In explanation of the objects of the society, His Honor said : — '* As the Otago Institute is now fairly launched, the first question for us to determine is whether we are to stand alone or to be incorporated with the Institute of New Zealand. The principal advantages of incorporation, shewn by the Act of 1867 (by which the New Zealand Institute was created), are that we shall obtain, Ist, the invaluable services of Dr Hector in superintending any museum or laboratory that we may hereafter possess, or which may be entrusted to us ; and secondly, a share of any sum placed on the colonial estimates for the purposes and expenses of the N. Z. Institute. But the greatest advantage of all lies in the fact, that in all such societies as the present, co-operation is the highest requisite for success. In all probability I the most useful work that at this moment i lies before the New Zealand Institute is j the compilation of a complete Natural i History of the Colony ; and to that history the Institute of each province should contribute a chapter. "Without the co-operation of all, to attempt such a work would be hopeless. If, however, we prefer independence, the path is open ; and, whichever we determine upon, I trust we shall loyally unite in carrying out our present undertaking so far as our ability extends. I trust, too, that we shall be guided in our pursuit by the precepts of that philosophy which has been mentioned as one ot the special objects we hope to promote." The foundation stone of a New Wesleyan Church, in Stewart-steet, was laid by the Eev. T. Buddie, on Wednesday. The site of the building is really firstclass, being on the opposite side, and a little higher up the street, than the Church of England. Mr Law son is the architect, and Mr Edward Willis TPRen, the contractor for the building, and the contract is taken at £2,475. The

"WWeyan congregation have for. some time been holding service in the Masonic Hall, the old. church, being unsafe for use, has been sold and pulled down. The news from the goldfields are more ( than usually encouraging. From almost j every district the reports are' good, and new diggings have been discovered at Marewhenu. This field is said to extend from the Awamoko, a river running into the Waitaki, about 16 miles from Oamaru, to the Awaka, a few miles beyond the Kurow, and includes within its borders, besides these two rivers, the Marewhenu, part of the Kakanui, and Otematakau, also the Otikaike and Oteake. Mr Warden Robertson has visited the locality, and although his official report has not been | published, it is generally known to be favorable, so much so that it will be forthwith declared a goldfield, and the boundaries proposed embrace over 500 square | i nrles. The climate is said to be beautiful, | I and the prospects of extensive and profitable workings very good. Quartz reefs of surprising richness are reported to , have been discovered in the Mount Ida district, the exact locality has not been divulged, the discoverers not having yet secured a lease of the ground. The specimens shown me are certainly among the best I have examined in Otago. "While on this subject I may mention that the value of the Chinese as mining colonists is becoming generally recognised. They have proved that ground considered worthless by Europeans can be worked with profit by them. On Tuesday last there was much bustle in town, owing to the arrival, per " Gothenburg," of 93 celestials, direct from China. They were certainly to all appearance a superior batch, and at once proceeded to the diggings. If Southland could secure only a few score of these plodding miners I have no doubt your Longwood Banges, Pahi, Mataura, and other auriferous country would soon be thoroughly developed and prove to be of equal richness as the fields they are working with profit in this province. There is no question as to their being industrious, systematic, and enterprising workers, and I believe we have no fields for their particular energy superior to those you possess. Business transactions during the week have not displayed any noteworthy change or briskness. Very few country orders have been executed. The following extract from the report of Mr John Brook, Produce Merchant, may be taken as a fair quotation of the rates now ruling in the produce market :— " Elour, £11 10s to £12 per ton ; oatmeal, £17 to £17 10s do ; pearl barley, £26 do ; wheat, 4s 9d per bushel ; oats, 3s 2d do ; barley, 5s 6d do ; maize, 5s do ; bran £4 per ton ; pollard £4 10a do ; hay, £5 10s do , chaff, £4 10s do ; straw, £2 to £2 10s do ; potatoes, £2 17a 6d to £3 do ; onions, none; carrots, £3 do ; turnips, £2 to £4 do ; rye grass seed, 5s 6d per bushel ; butter, Is 3d per lb j cheese, 10£ d do ; bacon, 8d do ; bags, 14 s 6d per dozen."