DUNEDIN.

Dunstan Times, Issue 708, 12 November 1875, Page 3

DUNEDIN.

(FROM OUR OWN CORRESPONDENT.) Our distinguished visitors have left for their respective homos. Various opinions are expressed as to the result of their visit. A victory is claimed on the one side, and tho other do their best to cast ridicule on the subject, apd are put to sore straits in their endeavors. Tho latest was a puerile attempt of tho Guardian in describing their departure from tho railway station. It said : “An attempt at a cheer was made, hut at Pelichet Bay a lot of young urchins cheered lustily.” No wonder that the “ little black cloud, no bigger than a man’s hand” has appeared, hence the various changes in the management; and if gossip can be relied on, the editorship also. Such conductdoes not in any way aid the Abolition cause that it is supposed to advocate, nor the respectability of what aspires to he one of tho leading journals of the metropolis. Sound argument is always treated with respect, though we may be opposed to it, but such unmitigated rot is met with the contempt it deserves. This shows tho incapacity of the party, or the weakness of the cause.

Mr Stout, unlike some of onr defunct M.P.C.’s. has met, not only his constituents hut non-oieotors also, to hear an account of his stewardship. After touching on what may be called the domestic anil social subjects which occupied the late Parliament he said he was now a stronger Provincialist than ever. Tho demand of the Abolitionists that the Opposition should propound a policy was childish in the extreme. It was the boast of the abolitionists that they had a policy; hut could any candid man say what that policy was. The Government did bring down what they called a local Government Bill, which probably ono fourth the supporters of the Abolition Bill had never read. That Bill did not confer us much power of local self-government as the Otago Road Board Ordinances. He would be quite willing to retire and let tho Abolition have all their own way and let them show what they would do towards providing a substitute for Provincialism ; hut tor two reasons : Firstly—he did not believe that tho people of the Colony were Abolitionists ; the cry was confined to a few—ha might separate these into three classes: -Some ha must admit had done the Colony some service, and who were Abolitionists from sincere motives ; but there were a large number of electors who were Abolitionists because they bad nothing else to think about, and take their opinions from the majority of newspapers they read. But there were others who were not Abolitionists from any of tho above causes, and who he was afraid were desirous of ■curbing the rights and privileges of the people. The latter class were afraid of the popular legislation of the Provincial Council lest their monopolies should bo disturbed ; they knew the pastoral leases would soon expire, and that the Provincial Councils would cut up the runs and the people would settle on the lands. He must explain that he was not an exponent of the plans of the Opposition, but simply speaking frankly what he thought himself. Secondly—The ■minds of the electors must he directed to the question of Centralism or Federalism, •and decide which flag they will tight under. Ho was in favor of Federation, and he looked on Provincialism as a species of Federation, Without abolishing they might ■consolidate these to two provinces for each island instead of five. The Upper House must be annihilated, and if they must have an Upper House it should he as was first proposed by tho constitution elected by the Provincial Connells, then there would be ■good government. The functions of the Provincial and General Governments should ha defined, so that they should not overlap each other. These could be so defined that there would he no necessity for the Federal Government meeting oftener than once in two years. It should he insisted on that the Land Question should be put on a proper basis. The Financial position should he . looked to and strict economy insisted on. The electors should frame a political catechism and put the question to each candidate :Ist—Why was abolition demanded. ■2nd —flow did they demand it? What good is it to do ? If the electors considered well the answers given, the results he had no fear. What he feared most was that the electors had not given the matter the consideration it should have in an unbiassed manner. If every elector calmly and rationally as a sacred duty to himself, and the country posterity, exercised the ballot, it would matter little whether it was Provincialism, Centralism, or Federation, they would have a good form of Government. Our R.M. Mr Bathgate is and always was great in giving reasons for his actions— I am not sure if he heralded forth why he made himself a Judge—he may he like Sam Weller—must draw tho line somewhere—and he it appears draws it at that point. Like another celebrated Judge this penchant for giving reasons often turns out rather ludicrous. The other day he made a sweeping reduction in a grocer’s bill, by striking out five pounds odd, amount ■charged for whiskey, but allowed the items for wine and bear. The Times commented on this. Mr Bathgate took the opportunity to give his reasons and said, ho under the Tippling Act was compelled to act as ho did, and that it was not a matter of discretion. Soon after a case was called on wh-roin defen lant was charged with a bot le of ale, to which ho denied having had. Whether'our worthy K,M. was as oblivious as ho said ho was as regards sweeps, which ho supposed came from Calcutta, that ho was not aware that Old Tom was a spirituous liquor, I cannot say, bat where innocence is bliss it wore folly to be wiso. Anyhow, in spite of the protest of non-rcoeipt tho deftndant was mulcted in the full amonnt claimed.

Many of vour readers will bo glad tojlcarn that Mr William Davis, who lately met with an accident, whereby he was seriously injured, having several ribs broken, is in a fair way of recavary.

Jupiter Pluvious continues to shower on us. Wo could well spare you a portion of his favors, wh : oh, I have no doubt, would prove very acccp'a'do to your district- the cockatoos iu particular. Great interest is being taken in the march of the Colorado Bug or Beetle—tho potato destroyer. Tho latest is they havo resolved on a trip across the Atlantic. It is said that they have been seen some miles out on the ocean. We do not wish you any harm, but hope that you will confine your caterpillar pest to your own district. It is a painful duty for me to have to record the deaths of two Clyde residents. Mr John Petty, late of the National Hotel, of your town, died in tho Hospital here, last week ; and Mr Kirk, late manager of the Pneumatic Dredge, died and was buried this week.

It will be gratifying to your readers to know that one of your townsmen, Mr J. D. Feraud, of Monte Christo, Clyde, has achieved a great success in the manufacture of what he calls Feraud’s Aromatic Tonic Bitter Wine. Professor Black, who has analysed two samples, gives a very flattering report. He states that they are entirely freeiromany deleterious compounds, and are wholesome and agreeably cool and refreshing beverages when diluted with three or four times their bulk of water. I understand that orders for a large quantity for consumption in Dunedin have been obtained.