DUNEDIN.

Dunstan Times, Issue 301, 31 January 1868, Page 2

DUNEDIN.

(fno.'l OUR OWN CORRESPONDENT.) January 21. Tho Superintendent Iris return cl from liis flying visit round the goldfields with what results time will prove. Themining community will endorse my views—tint his Honor should have given every opportunity to the different out-lying districts of having their requirements properly repre sented to him. That he did not do so is a fact, and, considering that Dunedin has the benefit of his company all the year round, I think that another week devoted to the interior would have helped to show that his Honor had a desire to do good. The time has arrived for the Super intendon t to act with greater energy and independence. The prevailing idea is that he is led 100 much by a certain clique which has sprung up since his election to office, and that so long as his Honor allows himself to be swayed or influenced by any political party, all Ills endeavors to do good for the out-lying districts will fail The idea among the would-be politicians here is that Dunedin is Otago. Let them take the hint from last Session of tho Genera! Assemb'v, or else StaTOrd v-Jll

take their measure,and, when too late, they will complain that the boot is too tight. The principal topic of conversation is the anticipated visit of the Duke of Edinburgh to Otago and Canterbury. The Old Identity are to call their different clans together, so as to display their pecular musical lalent on the bagpipes on his arrival. The new post-office is nearly competed, and should the Superintendent succeed in getting the Athenaeum removed to the new building he will deserve the thanks of the entire community of Otago, especially should the Committee adopt the same liberal principles as are adopted in connexion with the Melbourne Public Library, At the present time the thenseum is merely a resort for the fashionable. The working-classes do not benefit by it; in fact, to a certain extent, they are debased from the benefits accruing from the establishing of such a va liable institution. The wet season has done a great deal of damage to the crops, and has caused the price of farm produce to increase. Potatoes and oats are likely to be very high next winter. Bread has already risen from Gd. to lOd for the fourpound loaf. News from Auckland is that alluvial ground has been discovered, but your readers must be cautious about these flying reports. Land can be bought in Auckland, frcehold from the Crown, for 2s. 3d. per acre, and should alluvial ■ iggings break out in that pro v ince, Otago will lose a large portion of Inr nio.-t valuable population, simply through t ie narrow sighted policy of the Executive in not allowing the people to settle on the lands of the interior. There are thousands upon thousa 1 ds of acres of land lying idle in the hands of the squatters. There is not a station in the country properly stocked, and should the Government have the power to cancel any portion of these runs that may be required for settlement round the goldfields by the ud' lug population lot them take action at once The policy adopted respecting the land has been to Imni hj the miners from the country. Talk about immigration to Otago, when the lands are lock'd up, and people's horns and cattle are being sic zed by the runholder, and sc t miles away to ! e impounded ! The whole affair requires serious attention at the hands of our Superintendent, and ii he is the ma c the chosen of the working class now is the time tor him to gain frc.-di laurels. The tbeate is to In closed for a week, when-it will be opened by the new company. Vr. Wilmot, has resigned the stage managership, and is to be succeeded by Mr. John P. Hydes. Tho first number of the “ Dunedin Punch" has appeared. 'I lie cuts are good, but the reading matter is certainly a poor attempt at fun or wit. It is printed at the “Evening Star” office. Mr, W 0. ItPehin, the champion billiard player, has not proved very successful. Mr. Simmons is again dragged before the public by the tree Presbyterian Church Ministers. They appear to be a most uncharitable lot. By their proeeedingsthev provothemse vi s a most bigoted-set. Nothing short of persecution is shown by (hem towards the Rector. Let them fo'low the example of their Master, and show more Christian charity. At present they appear determined on getting him removed from the High School. The simple truth is that Mr. Simmons wrote a letter to Bishop Brechin, exposing the selfishness of the Anglican and Presbyterian Ministers, and giv'ng a correct account of the state of society in Dunedin : thus he is treated for daring to write the truth. Rumor has it that. Mr. Burns, son of the Rev. Mr. Burns, is to propose, at the next meeting of the Educational Board, the discharge of Mr. Simmons front the High School. Public sympathy is in favor of tho Rector, and should the Board dismiss him they are not likely to hear the last of it lor.some considerable time. The frequent occurrence ef wrecks on the Auckland sles is attracting tho attention of the whole of the Colony, and doubtless ns several of tie Brovin cesaswell as tho General Gove nuient are about to send vessels to exnlr.ro the coast, depots of provisions will bo established.