DUNEDIN.

Dunstan Times, Issue 715, 31 December 1875, Page 3

DUNEDIN.

—o—(FROM OCR CORRESPONDENT.) The polling for the City of Dunedin took place on Monday. A considerable amount of interest was manifested. The Anti-Cen-tralist League had been working hard to carry their men. The fact of Messrs Stout, Macandrew, and Larnach coming out on the one ticket had a great influence. The other candidates began to see that their case was almost a hopeless one. Mr Fish was not at all popular, and Mr W. H. Reynolds was looked upon as a politician who had been recreant to his constituents. Mr Macassey lost ground on account of his views on the Education Question. Mr John Armstrong —who is more often called Honest John—whsse politics wete in accord with the policy of the League, was induced to retire rather than jeopardise by the splitting up the votes the return of only a portion of the League’s, candidates. Mr J. G. S. Grant, who made a capital speech on the day of nomination, had not the shadow of a chance, his supporters only numbering some 24 of the free and enlightened. The rough result of the poll is as follows, and on the declaration of the poll no material alteration took place, the numbers are as near as possible to those 1 wired. On the declaration very little interest was taken, only about a dozen persons being present. Mr Grant gave a jeremnialc on politics, and spoke of the base ingratitude of the working men, and wound up by denouncing the Press and tearing up some of the copies of the Daily Times, Guardian, and Star, and bade adieu to all the political muckworms of Dunedin. The result of the poll for Gaversham was in favor of Mr Seaton, defeating Mr Cargill by about fifty votes. Monday is tbe'day fixed for the nomination for Port Chalmers. Several are named as candidates —Messrs M‘Demid, Reynolds, and Green. It is scarcely thought that the Port Chalmers people will so far stultify their opinions as to return an Abolitionist, and more especially the rejected ; they ought not to overlook’the fact that they will virtually get two members, as Mr Macandrew openly avowed that though elected for Dunedin Port Chalmers would never be forgotten by him in gratitude for past favors. At the nomination for Roslyn only two candidates were proposed, Messrs A. J. Bums, and the celebrated J. G. S. Grant. The show of hands was in favor of Burns, 14, Grant, 7. It is therefore considered certain that Mr Burns will be returned by a large majority. There was a slight scare in the Port caused by the ringing of the bells on Board the ships denoting fire. This proved to be on board a barque lying near the celebrated Don Juan. It appeared that smoke was seen issuing from the mate’s cabin, which was locked, he being in Dunedin. By the promptitude of many willing hands the fire was soon extinguished, little damage being done except the mate’s cabin and contents. There is quite a storm in a tea-pot in the new Municipality of St. Kilda and Musselburgh, caused, it is said, through the Scotch navigation of an ex-member of the Provincial Council, a Mr M‘lndoe, who flourished for a brief time when the Vogel Provincial Ministry was ousted for 24 hours. It is reported that tbis great and shining light informally wrote on the nomination paper for election of the Mayor that he recommended, instead of seconded, him, hence there is some talk of the Supreme Court being invoked to settle the matter —rather an ominous start for a new municipality to he obliged to figure in the law line. Mr Lnmsden has been returned for Invercargill by a majority of thirty over Mr Cuthbertson, the numbers being: Lnmsden, 180; Cuthbertson, 150. Yasterclay, (Christmas Day) some excitement was caused in George-street by the cry of fire, which proved to be in a furniture store, In a few minutes it was in a mass of flames, and the buildings on either side were soon burning with great rapidity. The Fire Brigade were soon on the spot, and with the heavy pressure of water the main part of the fire was soon subdued, and the adjoining buildings put out of danger. While looking on and seeing the valuable service rendered by the hook and ladder company in pulling out the fallen sheets of iron (those prevented the water getting to the inflammable matter underneath) that such like implements would be of great utility in case of fire in such a town as yours in preventing its spread. The importation of compositors from the North to work on the new evening papor is causing quite a commotion with the compos of Dunedin. It is said that the imported compos are engaged on a low scale of pay. The Association threaten to start a third paper unless some satisfactory arrangement was come to. I had an opportunity of inspecting a collection of cabinet work made of native woods. There is a magnificent 100 table, the various native woods inlaid in a splendid design, also several card tables, which are really splendid works of art. They are to be disposed of by an art union. Large numbers availed themselves of fho splendid weather and the facilities by boat and rail to take a trip into the country to ejxiud this feetivo season bo their heart's

content. On Boxing Day various amusemeats are advertised, and picnics at St. Leonards and Ravensburu, and a regatta is to take place at Waihola Lake. There are a few patients in the fever hospital, but no more deaths have occurred. ’ There is a rumor current that two men were drowned at the Ocean Beach whilst bathing. Their clothes are said to have been found on the beach.