DUNEDIN NOTES.

Cromwell Argus, Volume III, Issue 133, 28 May 1872, Page 6

DUNEDIN NOTES.

By 0. P. Q. Since my last letter the Provincial Council have set in to their duties in an energetic manner. The Financial Statement has been delivered, important debates have taken place, and the Estimates have heen under discussion for the last day or two, with the result of a rapid disposal of the items which have as yet been discussed. The debate on the education question has of course been regarded as the most interesting one of the session, and has pretty clearly demonstrated that Otago at least does not want any alteration in the provision which she has made for the educatian of her children, willing though many of the members of Council are that concession should be made to Roman Catholic prejudices. Mr Reid's Financial Statement has given very general satisfaction, and it certainly shows the Province to be in a much healthier condition than was generally imagined, although the fact of the large overdraft at the Bank of New Zealand having been reduced by the alienation of fifty thousand acres of land at Moa Flat to "Big Clarke" is looked upon by many as detracting very materially from any credit which may be due to the Reid Executive for their management of the affairs of the Province. At the present rate of progress, the Council should have all its business despatched in little over a week's time from this. A mile flat race between the well-known racehorses Tomboy and Pilgrim came off at Forbury Park on Wednesday morning. Tomboy (now owned by Mr E. Devine), came in an easy winner, hard held. A meeting of gentlemen (professedly nonSpiritualists) was held in the London Hotel on Wednesday night, having been calied for the purpose of taking steps to induce the Rev. Dr Copland to visit Melbourne in older to witness the reputed spiritual teaching aijoyed by the children of Mr James Smith, who recently paid this city a visit, and so astcnished the inhabitants by giving expression at public meetings in the theatre to the extraordinary opinions which he holds on matters affecting the present and after life of the human race. It was resolved at the meeting to invite Dr Copland to visit Melbourne for the purpose stated, and also of witnessing other manifestations which are said to take place, all his expenses being guaranteed. After the recent hot controversy between Mr Smith and Dr Copland, it would be rather comical if the reverend gentleman were to come back a convert to the new faith ; but I am informed that there is little likelihood of Dr Copland accepting the invitation. The arrival of the eight Auckland desperadoes last Saturday caused quite a commotion in the neighbourhood of Rattray-stree» jetty, where they were landed. Besides tliree or four constables who had accompanied them from the North, a strong body of the Otago police also met the criminals, and marched with them to the Gaol, with the usual large muster of curious people, idlers, loungers, and tag, rag, and bobtail who assemble on such occasions. Notable among the prisoners, and handcuffed together, were the notorious Cyrus Haley and another murderous scoundrel named Johnston, whose cheeky looks and conduct were the subject of remark. It is certainly gratifying to us that the Otago gaol and its officers are looked upon with such confidence as the sending of all these hardened characters for safe keeping indicates ; and as the Provincial authorities are paid for the cost of their maintenance, I suppose we must not growl at this addition to our population, but rather rejoice that we are in a position to secure our Auckland friends against further depredation at the hands of men of the Plummer stamp, to whom an escape from the Mount Eden Stockade seemed a comparatively easy matter.