January.

7.—Opening of Provincial Council (Dec. 30) in Mechanics' Hall. Mr. Macandrew elected Speaker.

14.—Executive Council formed (Messrs. Macandrew and Cutten).

26.—Second reading first Appropriation Bill (£1987) sent back for re-modelling by Council. Executive resigned, but afterwards withdrew.

February.

11.—Arrival (5th) of Revs. Messrs. Will and Bannerman, per Stately.

18.—Welcome meeting (13th) to Messrs. Will and Bannerman, at Stafford House.

March.

18.—List of Ministers at this time authorised under the "Marriage Ordinance, 1847": — Revs. Burns, Will, and Bannerman (Free Church of Scotland); J. A. Fenton, H. G. Johnston (Anglican); J. F. H. Wohlers, Ruapuke (Lutheran).

Proclamation convening General Assembly at Auckland on May 24.

John Sheppard appointed Chief Constable of Otago. Assistants—John Healy, John Duncan, John Barr. John Thomson to be Constable at Port Chalmers.

April.

1.—Election by public meeting of electors (27th) of R. Chapman, A. J. Burns, P. Proud-foot, Jno. Hill, Jno. Anderson, and Dr. W. Purdie to be a Board of Commissioners, along with the Provincial Council, to administer the public lands in Dunedin.

22.—Sale by ballot (April 18) of unoccupied sections, private estate of N.Z. Company, 189 applications for one particular section.

29.—Provincial Council rose (25th). Sum of £1225 17s. 6d. set aside for public works.

June.

27.—Presbytery of Otago constituted.

July.

8.—Inauguration of Presbytery of Otago. Present: Rev. T. Burns and His Honour the Superintendent (Dunedin), Rev. W. Will and Mr. John Allan (Taieri and Waihola), Rev. W. Bannerman (Clutha and Tokomairiro). Committee appointed to deal with question of education. The Presbytery offer every encouragement to efforts for promoting establishment of elementary and superior schools founded on a broad and liberal basis for affording instruction based on religion.

15.—Public meeting (July 11) of members of Church of England (Rev. J. A. Fenton, M.A., in the chair). Steps taken for building church and for organising various funds.

August.

5.—Seven business people intimate that they will close at 7 p.m., Saturdays excepted.

October.

14.—Launch (Oct. 7) of Star of Dunedin, 50 tons.

21.—Proclamation of three hundreds in Otago (Sept. 8)—Dunedin, Tokomairiro, and Clutha.

November.

4.—Second Session Provincial Council opened (Oct. 31).

December.

16.—Publication of Provincial Council ordinance increasing Council to 19, and defining 8 electoral districts.

23.—Second meeting of Presbytery.

Message (important on land question) from Superintendent to Provincial Council.