DUNEDIN NOTES.

Cromwell Argus, Volume IV, Issue 189, 24 June 1873, Page 6

DUNEDIN NOTES.

By 0. P. Q.

Now that Mr James Macandrew has been ■again returned Superintendent of the Province, the excitement engendered by the suspense as to how the contest between that gentleman and Mr Gillies would end, has •subsided, and the political world is again comparatively quiet—if I may except the rather high party feeling which prevails in connection with the Peninsula and Caversham elections. Mr Macandrew has undoubtedly achieved a great triumph, and even the "opposition" admit that their candidate has not polled at all up to their expectations. So I suppose it must be accepted as an incontrovertible fact that the electors of the Province place every faith in Mr Macandrew and his •supporters, and have no wish for any change in their Executive officers. At the declaration on the election day, the cheering when the announcement of the numbers took place must have been very gratifying to His Honor, as it was without doubt exceedingly enthusiastic. Mr Macandrew returned thanks to the people in a short speech, which was of course vociferously applauded. That misguided young man, Mr H. S. Fish, jun., also seized the opportunity and endeavoured to make a speech. He has now arrived at such •a dreadfully high estimate of his own importance, and is so painfully inflated with selfconceit and assurance, that he seems to deem it absolutely necessary that his opinion on ■ any and every subject affecting the public "weal should be given. The cactiethes loqnendi : is a dreadful affliction, and with Mr Fish it is to be hoped that it has arrived at its height. In its simple form it is bad enough, but when there are associated with it such painful and sickening egotism and self-conceit as are displayed by Mr Fish, it is irritating in the extreme to people of more evenly balanced minds. At the declaration of the poll, however, a long-suffering public for once lost all patience, and seeming suddenly to awake to the fact that the opinion of '' Sir Lection•taktix Lyng" was not absolutely necessary in order to conclude the day's proceedings successfully, that despotic young gentleman '(no doubt to his intense disgust) was saluted with loud cries of disapprobation, almost immediately followed by some paper bags containing flour, one of which very nearly "burst upon his devoted head." Such a total disregard of the sanctity which should surround the person of an R.M., a J.P., &c., &c, (vide letter to the Minister of Justice) is of course highly reprehensible, and it is very p o'labia that the myrmidons of the law will track the audacious perpetrator of this act of sacrilege to his lair. Nothing short of hanging, drawing, and quartering, should satisfy the ends of justice in such a flagrant case. Had it been an " ordinary person" against whom these floury missiles were directed, it might have been overlooked ; but that Mr Fish, Mayor, R.M., J.P., &c, &c, should be made the subject of so dreadful an indignity, is alnnst beyond conception. However, I had better drop the subject, for were it by any means to come to the knowledge of Sir Lyng who I am, no doubt a dreadful fate would await me. Tlie fight for the seat for Caversham it is anticipated will be a severe one, and exceedingly close polling is expected. The friends of both candidates are working hard for their respective men ; the Macandrew party especially are trying all they know to get Mr Leary returned, and it is reported that devices which are not all the correct thing are being resorted to to gain this end. It is expected, however, that Mr Stout will have a small majority. Mr Fairclough, who is plying a round of Shakespearian characters at the Queen's Theatre, is drawing very fair houses. His best impersonation, so far, has been Hamlet. His delineation of the character was masterly, and deserving of the warmest praise. He is not particularly well supported. Miss Julie Le Grande, who is playing the leading female characters, is a young French actress of considerable merit, but unfortunately her strong national accent takes away from any pleasure which might be experienced at witnessing her impersonations.