DUNEDIN NOTES.

Cromwell Argus, Volume IV, Issue 167, 21 January 1873, Page 6

DUNEDIN NOTES.

Severe strictures have from time to time been passed on the conduct of the Provincial authorities with reference to the Martin's Bay settlers, and not without being in a great measure deserved. No doubt the consciences of those in authority must have upbraided them for the cruel neglect shown to the unfortunate sufferers in the far west during last winter, when any communication across the mountains was effectually stopped by the frosts, snows, and inclement weather of the inhospitable region ; but I should imagine that the climax of humiliation has been reached and felt by the Superintendent of Otago in connection with this his pet scheme. It is impossible that he can regard with anything else but feelings of humiliation the fact that lectures have actually been delivered in Auckland " to raise money for the purchase of seeds and other necessaries for the settlers at Martin's Bay." Of all the Provinces in the Colony, Otago has been looked upon for many years as the wealthiest and most prosperous, a Province in which industry and energy were pre-eminent characteristics of her population, and where everything that was taken in hand was gone into with a will and determination that could not fail in ensuring success. Hence the necessity for this assistance to her distressed, settlers at the' west coast is all the more disgraceful to her Superintendent and Executive. While before she was the cynosure of all eyes as being the wealthiest and mosi, rapidly advancing Province of New Zealand, this miserable Martin's Bay affair will most certainly cause a good deal of odium to attach to her, and detract from her prestige. It is to be hoped that nothing will be allowed to stop the formation of the road and the erection of the shelter sheds recently authorised by the Provincial Government before next winter sets in. Even when this work is completed, a journey to or from Martin's Bay in winter weather will not be without some danger ; but with a well-defined track to guide them, those who from necessity may have to undertake the trip will not have the fear of losing their w r ay if caught in the fog, sleet, and snow-storms which ever and anon beset travellers on the mountain sides and in the deep ravines they have to traverse. Dunning v. Hepburn and others was a case in the R. M.'s Court yesterday in connection with the purchase of a number of shares in the Nil Desperandum Company, and in which some little interest was centred among mining speculators in Dunedin, partly owing to the grounds on which plaintiff brought the action, and partly owing to the fact that since the purchase of the shares by plaintiff a heavy call had been made, which fact had rendered the shares almost valueless in the market. From the evidence given it appeared that on the 11th of December Messrs M'Landress, Hepburn, and Co. offered for sale by auction by order of the mortgagee 80 shares in the Company named, and that plaintiff bought the whole of the shares at 6s. per share, and paid a deposit of £6, in reply to a question the auctioneer undertaking to deliver the transfer and scrip, which would arrive by due course of post, "within a reasonable time." Plaintiff called upon the auctioneers about eight clays after the sale to procure the transfer and scrip, having sold during the interval a number of shares at a profit. These necessary documents had not arrived, and as he could not procure them on either of two subsequent occasions when he called, he was unable to complete the sales which he himself had made, and requested a repayment by the auctioneers of the deposit he had made, and that his purchase of the shares be declared void. A day or two subserpient to this the scrip arrived, the delay having been caused by the fact that the transfer had to be sent to Queen stown for signature, but the plaintiff wanted to complete the transaction and brought an action for the recovery of the de-

posit lie had paid, basing his ground of action on the fact that he was unable to obtain delivery of the transfer and scrip "within a reasonable time." After hearing the evidence adduced by both parties, the Magistrate gave judgment for defendants, so that plaintiff will be obliged to retain his 80 Nil Desperandums, while he has to submit to the unpleasant reflection that there is a call of 12s. 6d. due on each. There was a little scene at the annual educational meeting of the Dunedin School District the other evening. After other business had been despatched, the election of the Committee for the ensuing year was proceeded with, and on the baltot being taken the name of Mr Wright appeared as the last on the list of the gentlemen elected, the next name on the list being that of Mr Hardy with one less than Mr Wright. Upon this H. S. Fish, jun., the chairman, claimed his right to vote, and gave both his deliberative and casting vote in favour of Mr Hardy. This raised an uproar, and the excitement was not subdued until it was decided to ballot for the parties over again. This was done, and the result was that Mr Wright was elected by an overwhelming majority—the meeting thus showing their appreciation of the conduct of the chairman. The bumptiousness of EL S. Fish, jun., is certainly of the highest class. He seems to be equal to any emergency, and to rise superior in his own estimation to the opinions of all and sundry who happen to hold views opposed to his own. Were it offered to him he would doubtless accept the Governorship of New Zealand without the Slightest hesitation, and bumptiously dictate to Vogel, Watcrhouse, and Company what line of policy they ought to pursue and how their Executive work should be carried out, a la his usual supremely self-confident and inflated air in the Dunedin City Council. ' O.P.Q.