OUR DUNEDIN LETTER

Cromwell Argus, Volume I, Issue 38, 3 August 1870, Page 6

OUR DUNEDIN LETTER

(from our oum Correspondent.) .. ‘ July 24, 1870. As is usual at this season of the year) during the last three weeks the whole, town has been election mad. Contrary to my expectations, Mr Fish has beeen elected to the Mayoralty. This I ascribe in a great measure to the mistaken zeal of some of Mr Grifleu’s supporters—men of the lowest orders of society, who assailed Mr Tish at every meeting that he held, never allowing him to utter a single sentence without interruption, and asking him absurd, personal, or indecent questions. Behaviour of this kind caused a revolution in the minds of the intelligent class, and Mr Griffen lost more than he gained by these assaults on his opponent. I think it only right to remark that I do not believe Mr Griffen' was in any way connected with these disturbances. Since the election, an effort has been, made by some misguided individuals to stir up animosity between the unsuccessful and the successful, representing that the result was to a great extent the effect of nationality spirit. Mr Griffen, however, denies this, and states that many of his wannest supporters were Scotch Presbyterians. On the result of the poll being declared hist Thursday, the enthusiasm of the mob was something out of the common, the fortunate man being carried home on the shoulders of four of his “supporters" (iu a double sense). From first to last the contest was most spirited, and now that it is all over the parties principally interested show their good-sense and gentlemanly feeling by letting by-gones be by-gones. All is fair iu love, war, and elections; and, most decidedly, before the election-day none of the candidates were very fastidious in their choice of language respecting their opponents. Next Monday the election of Town Councillors in place of retiring members, and of City Auditors, takes place. Mr Inspector Barnes Las pnt up for Leith Ward in opposition to Messrs John ...Hyde Harris, W, Oram Ball, and James Wilson. Mr Barnes goes in for the regular democratic touch, telling the people whom he addresses that his “ heducation ” lies in his “’amis,” and that he is “the poor man s friend. These cries are growing too successful now-a-days. Mr M'Dermid at Port Chalmers, spoke in this fashion, and Mr Taylor, who was the general favorite, had the pleasure of finding himself at the bottom of the poll. So I fajicy it will be with regard to Mr Barnes. The votes of the better classes in Leith Ward will be split up between three candidates and carry little weight‘with them, while the working classes will bo enabled to put their man in. Bell Ward is contested by Messrs W. Woodlands and B, Bagley, either of whom would make a good member of the Council, and I anticipate a pretty close fight. High Ward has three candidates—Messrs T. M. Wilkinson (the retiring member), A. Mercer, and C. S. Reeves. Mr Mercer seeks election on the “ old identity” principle, while Mr Reeves makes progression his cry. Mr Griffen is unopposed for South Ward. The candidates for the post of City Auditor are Messrs F. H, Evans, Sydney James, James Skirving, and W. S. Douglas. I hear that on Mr Fish’s resigning his seat for South Ward, when entering on his magisterial functions, it is Mr B. B. Cargill’s intention to offer himself as a candidate.-v Taken as a whole, I think the candidates this year Wong to a higher class than at former elections. Vague rumours are afloat with regard to tho Porfc Chalmers Railway, I suppose there is some truth in them, but how much it is hard to determine. I heard the other day that the contractors had been offered .£2OOO to part with their contract, and to-day I hear that they have given it up altogether. It is . now fully time that energetic steps were taken in the matter, but the work is as yet at a standstill. There is a dearth of amusements in Dunedin at present Mr and Mrs Hilton give a concert each Saturday night, and command crowded houses. To-night an entertainment is going on in the Masonic Hall in aid of the Jewish Philanthropic Society, and despite the bad weather, there is a good attendance there, Mr and Mrs George Darrell are still in town. Mrs Darrell (better known as Mrs Robt. Heir) is, however, suffering from ill health, which incapacitates her, for the present, from appearing in public.