A tea meeting to welcome th 9 new pas tor (Rev. Mr Grant) of the Congregational Church at Port Chalmers was held on Tuesday evening in the local Foresters' Hall. There was a large attendance, and the proceedings proved very enjoyable. The Rev. Dr Roseby, who occupied the chair, in the course of his remarks, re ferred to the resignation of the Rev. Mr 'Maxwell, and to the manner in which the pulpit of the Church had been filled during the time the charge was vacant. During the evening, Mr A. B. Matthews was pre sented with a. copy of v Spurgeon's Treasury of David," which bore the following inscription on the fly-leaf : — " Presented to Alexander Bowes Mat thews, as a small token of his services to this Church daring the last few months. —21st November, 1882."

At the Land Office on Wednesday, seventy-eight tenders were received for fourteen lots of land in the Otara and Glenkenich districts. This, I understand, is the second time the new system of applying for Jand by tender has been tried, and, from all accounts, the various applicants were greatly pleased with the method, it being considered superior to the ballot system. The whole of the sections were disposed of at very good figures. The celebrated war correspondent, Mr Archibald Forbes, will be amongst us shortly, when he intends to give a course of lectures on his experiences. His name is in almost everybody's mouth, and there is every probability of his lectures being largely patronised. His arrival is looked forward to with interest by many. The Carnival in aid of the Benevolent institution was opened on Thursday by. the Mayor (Mr J. Gore) in the presence of a large assemblage. Mr Donald Reid's building is admirably adapted for the Carnival, and what with the various de scriptions of articles and varied colours, the inside has quite a brilliant appear ance. During the past few days, the Carnival has been liberally patronised. The takings on Thursday amounted to £140. On Friday and Saturday an im mense number visited the building. Your district is not the only one that suffers from the cattle- nuisance. AH the Boroughs around Dunedin are having a taste of the annoyance. Stringent measures are, however, to be taken to put down the nuisance, which of late has been greatly ou the increase. 