DUNEDIN.

Dunstan Times, Issue 712, 10 December 1875, Page 3

DUNEDIN.

(FROM OUR OWN CORRESPONDENT.) The event of the week has been the Hon, W. H. Reynold’s address to his constituency, which was delivered at the Drill Shed. There was a large attendance expectant to hear at least an outline of the policy of the Government. In this they were doomed to disappointment. Mr Reynold’s speech consisted in the main of a resume of what had been done during the Parliament’s existence. Referring to the abolition measure, he had nothing new to tell, but went over the old thread-bare talc, that out of the consolidated revenue the shire councils and municipalities are to be sub-divided, but that charming little “ if” comes in the way very conveniently. The consolidated revenue is to have a fresh charge on it for the payment of interest on loans—then comes in the if any—the residue is to bo paid away in subsidies, or whatever it is pleased to call them. But experience goes to prove that residues, aftcrc the substance has been manipulated at Wellington, are rather mythical. On the mention of Sir George Grey, three cheers were given. Mr Reynolds denied having said or proposed that the revenue from rai'ways should be put into one fund, so that those which did pay a surplus—as the Otago ones—might help to pay for those lines of a political character, and which ought not have been made at all. But Ijo was brought up standing by a quotation from Hansard. Then he tried to explain, which made matWs worse. After he had concluded his address, he was questioned for upwards of two hours. The mam answers were not satisfactory, and when he egotistically said ho was bettor able to judge than the electors of what was best for the country, was met with deafening derisive cries. Mr J. G. S. Grant, in a short and sarcastic speech, proposed that, ' as Mr Reynolds—l suppose I most call him the Hon. W. H. Reynolds—had a presumption or prescriptive right of the twenty-two years service to their confidence. An amendment was proposed by Mr Sligo, which was

ultimately taken ns the substantive motion —That this meeting thanks Mr Reynolds for his address, but regrets ho did not como before his constituents before ho voted for the aboliiiou measure. Sir F. Dillon 801 l is to address the Dunedin electors on Tuesday next, at the Temperance Hall. A correspondent in the Daily Times suggests that a league should,bo formed to watch over the doctors and the administration of the Waste Lands of tho Colony. It is tho opinion of a great many here that something of the kind should be organised. Despite the protests of the pastoral party, there can bo no doubt that something like a pastoral association is in existence, ami that they are combined in their actions in endeavoring to return men favorable to their interests.

Tho Adamant, a swift tub engaged by tho Immigration department to convey immigrants, has arrived at Invercargill after the magnificent run of hundred and thirty nine, days. The captain died of delirium tremens, and there were several other deaths, hut not of contagious disease. It is expected that tho agents will next charter the nearest approach to Noah’s Ark, guaranteed to sail about two knots an hour, and warranted to make the passage under seven years. The Waimato with 300 emigrants has arrived at Port Chalmers, also, tho Caermarthenshire. Several other ships are over due. We had our spring races on Tuesday and Wednesday. The result of the principal races you have had by telegraph. The weather was fine, and a good muster of spectators were on the ground. Betting was rather slack on the course, though a fair amount of money changed hands. There were the usual little games and swindles inseparable from racecourses—Aunt Sal ly, the Devil among the tailors, &c. At one time a kind of general shindy took’ place, one of the talent with a board sold tickets with numbers on, and a lot of numbered marbles are let loose at the top, the first that reaches the bottom is the winner, and the holder with the corresponding number gets the money. A dispute occurred. The people standing by seized the board and broke it up, and for some time the pieces were Thrown up in the air, and a surging crowd amused themselves, no doubt much to the chagrin of the talented owner, who thought it prudent to heat a hasty retreat. On the second day a serious mishap occurred in the hurdle race. One of the horses in taking a jump, by some means got his foot between the hurdle, throwing its rider, and then rolling over on top of him. It was at first thought that his neck was broken. He was taken from the course in an unconscious state, but a few hours afterwards he recovered consciousness, but still remains i r a precarious condition. St Andrew’s Day being a holiday, large numbers availed themselves of the railway and steamboats to transport them into the country. Picnics were held at Waihola and other places. The Golden Age sleamer reminded one of the home steamers as it I started from the wharf with its living ! f eight. She bad a great many more on I board than was conducive to safety or comfort. There is a municipality mania in our suburbs. Green Island has already got its Mayor and Council. Kensington ami other portions of the country between the ocean beach and Dunedin are to be established into municipalities. It will be as Mr Turnbull said when deputy Superintendent, they will in time he all Mayors and Councillors. The Otago and Alhambra have arrived from Melbourne. The general news is not of an important character, except that scarlet fever is still raging in Melbourne and its vicinity. It has broken out in the Lying-in Hospital. Two deaths have occurred, and the institution has been closed on that account. That valuable cow, Tripple Brunswick, for which LI7OO were offered, has died. Several serious cases of scarlet fever have occurred in Sydney-. I have not heard of any more cases in Dunedin. One is reported at Tokomairiro of a very mild type.