Tbcref is to be no season of Euglish opera in Dunedin after all. We understand that the Minister for Public Works will visit Dunedin in a few days. The shearers in the Oamaru district are this season combining to obtain advanced prices, commensurate with the advanced price of wool. Last year they wee paid 15s per hundred ; this year they stand out for 20s. The North OUujo Tint's understands that at one shed 17s (id has been accepted, but we think the bulk of the men will stand shoulder to shoulder for 20s, which price has, we understand, been already conceded at several stations. Considerable progress has been made in the Oamaru harbor works during the past week, some 30 feet of concrete wall having been completed at the shore end, on the space from which the blocks have been re moved by the steam crane. The wall now runs straight out from tbe offices on the re claimed ground into about 1G feet of water at low tide. [f tine weather continue* for three or four months, the wall should be sufficiently advanced, if energy is displayed, to enable it to be used as a wharf. The Bruce Herald reports that at the Woolshed miners arc actively at work along the creek. The late hinh state of the river occasioned considerable damage by the Hooding and tilliug up of claims, breaking of dams, Ac., but this has bow been repaired. All the miners seem well satisfied with the returns obtained, and are hopeful for the future. There are about 150 meu at work, a largo proportion being Chinese. The Freemasons of Canterbury have re solved to establish three pcholarships, " which, while assisting the parents of the successful competitors in their education, would also fully enunciate the principles of tbe Order " They are to be of the annual value of L 25, each tenable for three years; one is to be competed for each year, and "opeu to the children of subscribing Masons, and to the children of deceased Masons, who may have been subscribing members within tive years from the date of decease to any in Canterbury." 'lhe age of competitors is limited to twelve. An inquiry into the death of Wm. Ruther ford, who was killed at Manuka Creek on Thursday evening, was held ou Friday. 