OUR DUNEDIN LETTER.

Tuapeka Times, Volume XV, Issue 832, 5 April 1882, Page 5

OUR DUNEDIN LETTER.

(From our own Correspondent.) Considerable dissatisfaction is being expressed by the volunteers at the action of the Government in not providing camp equipments, so that an encampment might be held at the forthcoming review. It is thought by many that the interests of the volunteers have been sadly neglected of late, and the refusal by the Government to provide tents, etc., has fully confirmed that opinion. As it is, the commanding offic-Ts in Dunedin have no alternative but to billet the visiting volunteers. This state of affairs is greatly to be regretted, for if there is one combination more than another that deserves to be encouraged it is certainly the volunteers. The men who form the various companies expend a great, deal of time, and money too, in the performance of their duties, for the purpose of becoming efficient in military tactics. They receive little or no recompense for their trouble ; and taking into consideration the advantage the volunteers would prove in c\s<3 of need, the least the Government might do is to encourage them in attaining efficiency. Of their worth we have had an example in connection with the late threatened outbreak of the Maoris. Had vuluutee'-s not been in existence, the probabilities are that we would be plunged at the present time in another disastrous Maori war. When danger threatened, they all showed their willingness to confront it by freely offering their services. The salutory effect of their presence on the Maoris we are all acquainted with, and if it was merely in consideration of such valuable services as they rendered on that occasion, the Government should make efforts to accommodate the volunteers in the matter of holding an encampment. Of course the Government have pleaded that they are not iv a financial position to meet the wishes of the volunteers, but such an excuse is all the more ridiculous when it is considered that they have decided to reinstate the old capitation allowance.

The Christchurch Exhibition, from all accounts, will prove agreat success. From all quarters of the globe exhibits — numerous and rare — are pouring in, and every day there is a demand for more spice ; in fact, the anticipations which first existed that the Exhibition would not prove a very brilliant speculation have been agreeable dispelled by the large amount of patronage, in the shape of exhibits, which has been accorded during the last few weeks. Even Dunedin seems to have arisen to the importance of the occasion, for instead of being "miserably represented" as was at first predicted, there is every probability of her being thoroughly well represented. Mr Grant (the Dunedin agent for the Exhibition) informs your correspondent that a large number of exhibits have been received from different tradesmen in this city ; while from other parts of Otago, the applications for jspace give promise of an exceptionally good show. The Exhibition will no doubt draw a large number of visitors from this part of the country, especially so when the liberal concessions of the railway department are taken into consideration.

Messrs Kincaid and M' Queen, 'of this city, |are at the present time busily engaged preparing for the erection of the now steamer to be placed on the Clutha River. The vessel will be composed of steel, with the exception of the deck and deck-house, which will be constructed of iron. The length of the steamer will be 100 f t; beam, 22ft ; and depth, 4ft. The boiler will be placed towards the front of the vessel, and the engines aft. Paddle wheels similar to those used in the old Balclutha will be placed at the stern. Messrs Kincaid and M'Queen are preparing a number of machines for dispatch to the Christchurch Exhibition.

On Saturday, 25th inst. , a Chinaman named Hoo Mook stabbed another Celestial named Ye Lung at the Chinese Camp, Walker-street. From all accounts, it appears that Hoo Mook was of unsound mind, and was laboring under the impression that Ye Hung intended stabbing him. Acting upon this delusion, he took time by the forelock, and while Ye Lung was standing at the door of the house in which he resides, Hoo Mook made for him with a pen-knife and stabbed him about the face and breast. An hour after the occurrence, Hoo Mook was arrested, and on Monday morning was brought before the Bench on a charge of wounding Ye Lung, but the charge waa withdrawn on the application of Sergeant Bevin, and a charge of being of unsound mind preferred against the accused. Ye Lung is the cook in the Camp mentioned.

The annual congregational meeting of the First Church was held on Wednesday last. The following portions of the report may interest your Presbyterian readers : — There have been added to the membership of the Church during the year 78 ; 28 as young communicants and 50 by certificate ; and by death and by certificate, 67 names have been withdrawn from the communion-roll. A Sabbath morning Bible-class for senior scholars is about to be started by Mr Wood in the hall of the Church. During the past year, the ministers' Bible-class, on Tuesday evenings, was well sustained. There were over 100 names on the roll, and there was a fair average attendance throughout. The Ladies' Association has continued its good work on behalf of heathen missions, and the poor connected with ourselves, with unremitting diligence. Mr A. C. Begii, in speaking of the financial condition of the Church, said that there had been an increase in the amount contributed to tha Sustentation Fund during the last year. The amount raised was £498, lut he thought that £600 should have been collected amongst so large a congregation. The annual meeting of the Mornington Presbyterian Church was also held on the same evening, and the report showed that the Church was in a flourishing condition. The following gentlemen were elected as a Committee :— Messrs W. Nichol, J. A.

Wallace, James Craigie, Alex, Imlayson, J. A. Matthews, A. Millar, Jas. Pickard, W. Morrison, R. Niven, T. Menzies, Alfx. Chisholm, and Alex. Watson. The new dredge waß tested for the first time on Saturday last, but the work which it performed was not considered of a very satisfactory nature. The dredging operations took place at Port Chalmers on a sand bank near the George-street wharf. The cricketing season will soon be over. Indeed, this pleasurable pastime during the past few weeks has not received so much attention as usual. On every hand preparations are being made for the football season, a number of Clubs having held their annual meetings and made arrangements for the football period. Taking everything into consideration, it must be said that the cricket season, so far as Dunedin is concerned, has been a very successful one, and judging from the number of Clubs established, and the number of matches which have been played between them, more attention has been given to this healthy recreation than was anticipated at the beginning of the season. This certainly speaks well for the future progress of this delightful field sport.

On Tuesday night last, a report was brought into town by a settler at Highcliffo to the effect that a ship was on fire at sea. The authorities were communicated with on the matter, and a steamer was dispatched to find out if such a disaster had really happened ; but after searching for some time the vessel returned, without having seen any signs of boats, etc. It is thought that the fire observed was due to the Stella flaming up at sea. During the past few weeks, tho sale of land and properties ha 3 been very poor indeed. In almost every township surrounding the city, one may see countless sign-boardß stuck up intimating that " this property ia for sale," but to all appearances no purchaser seem to come forward, and relieve tho owners of their charge. It is to be hoped that things will take a change for the better shortly. Business, however, it must be said, is steadily increasing, though not at such a rate as one would expect.

On Tuesday ni^ht last a concert was given in the hall of the Trinity Wesleyan Church, for the benefit of the building fund. There was a large attendance, and the programme, which was a very good one, passed off successfully. The singing of Misses Shepherd, Borrows, Bolton, Coventry, and Hindle was exceptionally good, and they received well- merited approbation for their efforts. The Rev. Mr Best (Chairman), in the course of his opening remarks, mentioned that only £50 of the £1200 required for the fund now remained to be collected, and he gave speciril praise to the young ladies' meeting for having contributed £40.

The Lyceum for the Dunedin Freethought Association is expected to be completed in a couple of weeks hence. The building will be a very handsome one, and will add considerably to the architectural beauty of the city. The front portion of the building will be very imposing, being of the Doric style of architecture. At the corners of the front portion of the building, two figures, representing Justice and Liberty, will be placed. The main hall will measure 66ft x 45ft, and will be capable of holding between six and seven hundred persons. The gallery, which will extend all round the hall, will accommodate another 250 persons. The opening of the building, it is stated, will be celebrated by a grand concert and ball. Mr H. Martin (of South Dunedin), is the builder, and Mr Burnside the architect.

The Otago Licensed Victuallers' Association held a meeting on Wednesday last, when it was resolved that any case of a vexatious nature against members under the Licensing or Beer Duty Act should be defended by the Association's Solicitor. It is currently reported that strenuous efforts will be made in certain quarters to have a number of licensas refused at the annual meeting of the Licensing Committees.

The agricultural returns for th^ year ending February, 1882, have been published, and are of a very satisfactoiy nature. The report, however, shows a decrease of holdings in the Taieri district, but a noteworthy increase in the Waitati portion of the Waikouaiti County, and also on the Peninsula.

A report has been circulated in the city that several proprietors of waggons, etc., intend to take action against enginedrivers who allow their locomotives to remain on the crossing in Ratt ray-street. The reason urged why action can be taken is that the Public Works Act only gives the Government power to pass over crossings with engines, but it does not allow them to remain stationary on any crossing whatever. Such au argument may appear all very well on paper, but it is not believed that it would stand good in a Court of law. So far as your correspondent ha 3 been able to ascertain there appears to be no truth in the report, and it is supposed to be the outcome of a strong imagination. At the City Police Court on Tuesday la3t, Charles D. Hitchcock was charged with having, on the sfch February, unlawf ull and maliciously written and published a certain false and defamatory libel concerning Richard Quinn (Secretary of the Benevolent Institution.) The alleged libel was c >ntained in a letter which the accused hal sent to Mr R. B. Martin, in which it was stated that Mr Quinn had committed a rape on a girl fifteen years of age. The evidence having been submitted, the accused was committed to take his trial at the Supreme Court, bail being allowed — himself in £50, and two sureties of £25 each.

The four members of the Otago Rowing Club who are to take part in the Christchurch boat races left for that city on Wednesday last. During the past few weeks they have been in active training, and it is expected that they will acquit themselves in a highly satisfactory manner. The Dnnedin Jockey Club have resolved to allow the volunteers the free use of the For bury Park iv which to hold their review. Arrangements have been made to billet 500 men, and a programme of sports in connection with the demonstration has been prepared. It is thought that a large body of men will take part in the review.

A meeting of the Otago Acclimatisation Society was held on Wednesday last. A quantity of business, dealing with trout and salmon ova, etc., was transacted. The following extract of the business may prove of interest :— Mr Humphreys of Strath Taieri, reported to the Society the very interesting fact of Paradise ducks breeding in England. In February, 1878, he took Home to England frem Strathtaieri with him in the Calypso three Paradise ducks and three drakes (flappers). Of these two drakt- s only survived. Some time afterwards Mr Bartlett, of the Zoological Gardens, London, who had in his possession two Paradise ducks, exchanged a duck for a drake with Mr Humpherys.

The latter pair were given to Mr A. 0. Humphreys-Owen, of Glensevern, Montgomeryshire, who placed them H hi 3 artificial lake. In May, 1881, they hrod, and have hatched out six young ones, which are thriving very well. — A vo'e of thanks was passed to Mr Humpherys fir communicating so interesting a ciic instance in the natural history of the Now Zealand Paradise duck. — The shooting season within the Otago District as defined in "Gazette," September 9th, 1880, was fixed as follows :— For cock pheasants and Oalifornian quail, from June Ist to July 31st, 1882 ; and for taking or killing hares, from May Ist to July 31st, 1882, from sunrise to sunset, excepting within the Lake County; license fee, 408. Within the Lake County — for taking or killing Californian quail only, from May Ist to July 31st, 1882 ; license fee, 30a. Brief Notes.— A meeting of the Committee of the Otago Cricket Association was held on Monday evening last, when the Challenge Cup was given to the Excelsior Club, it having been won by the members of that cricket combination. — At the adjourned meeting of the "Morning Herald " Company, the report and balance sheets were adopted. —The trophy presented by Major Wales to the No. 1 City Guards' cadets was won by Ser»eant Beadle, with 21 points.— Mr John Hydes gave a lecture on Monday night, the subject being his experience of the stage during the last thirty years. There was a fair attendance. — The Novelty Exhibition, at which an armless woman may be seen using her feet in the execution of needlework, &c, has been fairly patronised during the past few weeks. — Mr A. E. Ross wai returned as Councillor for Bell Ward by a majority of 254 votes over his opponent Mr J. Jolly, jun.— The Otago Anglers' Association's medal fell to the lot of Mr S. Thompson, his basket being made up as follows :—lO: — 10 fish weighing 101 b l£nz, heaviest fish, 2lb ll\oz. Mr W. D. Smith came next with 9 fish weighing 71b 8oz ; heaviest, 21b Boz. Mr J. Aitken Connell's basket contained only 2 fish weighing lib 9oz. — At. the meeting of the Harbor Board, held on Thursday last, the financial position was again discussed at great length.