DUNEDIN.

Tuapeka Times, Volume III, Issue 179, 13 July 1871, Page 5

DUNEDIN.

(From our own Correspondent.)

The past week has been one of peculiar interest in the history of the Province, signalled as it has been by the opening of the University. The whole affair was a complete success. Tho citizens showed their appreciation of the institution by the large numbers who attended at the ceremony, and the interest evinced in everything connected with it. The Chancellor put his best foot forward, and delivered an address able, eloquent, and pointed. The Professors drew forth great praise by the sensible practical remarks they uttered. Mr. Justice Chapman's remarks were very effective, and a large amount of information was imparted in what he said, and the gratifying fact that over 30 students have already enrolled themselves augers well for the future. The large hall in the building has been vastly improved by thfr alteration of the roof, and other changes which have been made, and it will be a comfortable room in which to assemble. Each of the three Professoi-s, who have arrived, are to lecture next week, and as the public are admitted, free, there will certainly" be go«<l attendances.

One other incident of the week worthy of notice was the celebration of the anniversary of American independance on board of the steamer Nevada, her commander having invited the Provincial Council 111 1 lunch on board. Almost the whole of the members took advantage of the occasion. There was not much speaking in proposiug the different toasts, but Mr. Bat.hga.te uttered some nmnitigated nonsense in attempting to talk tall. Fancy such an absurd remarks as that the ouly two days worth celebrating were the anniversary of the American emanci-

pation from the British rule, and the release of the children of Israel from the bondage of Egypt. Why these two events should be put on the same eminence is impossible to determine, and very possibly the speaker could hardly give a reason. Perhaps the fact that the Israelites went in for a heavy "loan from the Egyptians before leaving, and neglected to provide for the interest and sinking fund, may have been present in his mind, and associated with that circumstance some of the states repudiating their obligations. The proceedings of the Council were interrupted during the week by the occurrence of these two events, so that not so much progress was made in the Estimates as if the House had been sitting constantly. They are now, /however, passed, and a retrenchment to the extent of about £6000 effected in the departmental expenditure — not so much as was expected, and not so much as could have been made. Of course there is considerable waitings amongst the unfortunates ; and taking advantage of the occasion, Mr. B. Isaacs has a capital caricature exhibited in his window. The motto is " probable effects of retrenchment." Around a table are seated five skeletons supposed to be Government officials — the tankards in front of each are lying on their sides, and a long clay pipe, without tabacco, is stuck in he fleshless jaws. The Land Bill has been laid on the table, and the Government were desirous of pushing it through it one sitting, but the House would not allow it, so its consideration has been postponed. Very likely there will be pretty keen debates on its principles, although many of the members are determined to have the principal debate in Wellington. Winter is passing over with extraordinary dry weather. It is altogether unprecedented. The blossoms on peach and plum trees are beginning to burst already. Professor Sales' lecture on Monday evening was attended by a large crowd of attentive listeners, and during its delivery he was frequently applauded. His lecture was of course simply a consideration of the subjects to which the attention of his students would be directed, and the method which he intended to follow iv giving his instruction. He seems thoroughly imbued with the idea of the present day in regard to education, viz., eschewing steriotyped rules of grammar and rather to educate by examples ; and in very strong language denounced the plan of compelling children and scholars to commit to memory sentences and phrases without having a complete comprehension of their meaning. The text books for this course are to be — in Greek, Plato's Apology ; in Latin, Cicero's Second Philippic ; and- in English, Chaucer. His rrason for taking an old author being that a strong desire exists to bring into use old Saxon words, which are plentiful in Chaucer, and are much in want at the present to express the feelings. The lecture was a first-class specimen, and the style of delivery equally suited to the position.