DUNEDIN NOTES.

Cromwell Argus, Volume III, Issue 144, 13 August 1872, Page 6

DUNEDIN NOTES.

By 0. P. Q. The Municipal election terminated W Friday with the return of Walter and Wood land for South and Bell Wards respectively Mr Walter's election was gained only by narrow majority of half-a-dozen votes JJ opponent being Mr James Brown, an old gentleman who has been (politically) i n . somnolent state for the twenty odd years hahas resided in Dunedin, but who has, how ever, as he informed the electors at one of his meetings, succeeded in making his pife Of the fitness of the two candidates hardly any comparison could be instituted. Mr Waltij is a shrewd, active, business man, possess!J sound, practical views, and is able to gi T ! expression to them. Mr Brown, on the con. trary, cannot with the greatest stretch of irnal gination be admitted to possess legislative ability of even the most humble order, and seemed unable to answer the simplest quej. tions put to him by the ratepayers at his election meetings without being supplied with answers by his chairman and supporters Yet his cause was espoused by a closely-linked fraternity of individuals designated by Mr Walter as the Tammany Ring of Dunedin and tie most strenuous efforts were put forth' to secure his return. However, the sensible and independent electors proved slightly i n the majority, and Rip Van Winkle returns to his disturbed repose, with his comfortable " pile' : for a consolation. In Bell Ward, the contest was between Mr Livingston and Mr Woodland, and I regret to say that the former, a good and tried member, was thrown out in favour of Mr Woodland, who is looked upon as a tool in the hands of His Worship the Mayor and his supporters. Every p os . sible means that could be brought to bear upon the election were resorted to by the Fish party to secure the return of their manand some of these means wore a very ugly aspect. Among other discreditable proceedings, " roll-stuffing" seems to have been extensively practised ; and it has been discovered that for one small rateable property in one of the Wards there are no fewer than seven electors voting,-—the said electors being, H. S. Fish, Jan., (the Mayor,) his bro-ther-in-law, the foreman in his shop, one of his workmen, and others of his warmest supporters. This is very shameful, and scarcely admits of any honourable explanation. However, "Look after No. 1" seems t> be the prevailing motto now-a-days, even if you have to sacrifice all consideration of honour and fair-dealing in doing so. - The <irst meeting of the newly-constituted City Council was held last night, and if the proceedings are to be taken as a fair criterion of what we may expect for tie remainder of the Municipal year, Dunedin citizens will make the Council Hall a favourite place of resort on meeting nights. The anticipated debate on the question of the Mayor's salary had the effect of inducing a attendance of the public, and certainly they were not doomed to disappointment in their anticipation of " sport," for the discussion was entered into con spirit,). By the withdrawal of his support to the £IOO a year salary, Or. Nealo turned the tables, (for the issue would otherwise have depended on the casting vote of the Mayor,) and the salary was fixed at £'3oo. It was most gratifying to the public to learn, during the speech of Cr. Barnes, that he intends to come out as Mayor next year himself ; and it really would not cause me great surprise were he to be elected in the event of his doing so. The Dunedin electors have done stranger things before to-day. Meanwhile we pay our dutiful allegiance to King Fish for another twelve months. Judging from the large concourse of High School boys who assembled on the jetty the other day to bid bon voyage to Mr Pope, one of the teachers in that establishment, he must be a universal favourite with his pupils. Mr Pope has had a very severe attack of illness, mainly brought on by overwork, and having obtained six months' leave of absence, lias gone to Melbourne with his family to recruit. If the hearty, ringing cheers which came from the boys when the steamer left the wharf, and the gratified expression on their faces at his even partial restoration to health, were evidences of respect and love for Mr Pope, that gentleman ought to be, as no doubt he is, highly gratified at the demonstration of affection shown to him. With the boys, 1 wish Mr Pope a safe journey, a pleasant sojourn in Australia, and a speedy return of good health ; for, as I heard a lady remark the other day,—" Mr Pope is the High School." It is not often that we of the antipodes are favoured with the presence of literary celebrities from the old land, and the anticipated visit of Mr Anthony Troilope, the novelist, is therefore creating considerable interest in the city. It has been resolved to celebrate the anniversary of the birth of Sir Walter Scott by a conversazione on the loth instant; and Mr Troilope has been invited to be present. _ By the last Melbourne steamer, there arrived a clever company of Japanese performers. They open at the Princess Theatre on Saturday night, and if their performances equal those of the troupe which formerly visited Dunedin, they will no doubt have excellent houses.