DUNEDIN.

Dunstan Times, Issue 751, 8 September 1876, Page 3

DUNEDIN.

(from our correspondent.) The resignation of the Ministry has been the theme of general conversation. The action of Sir Julius is condemned by Mend and foe, and is strongly commented on. It is considered—after the splendid career which has attended his efforts—that to desert his post in the hour Of trial is a most •humiliating spectacle; after, as it were, kicking away the ladder which raised him (Otago, by the Abolition Bill) is contented to desert the ship when it is in a storm instead of manfully brkving it afid carrying it into a safe haven, gives up his command to his first mate and accepts the position of steward in the shape of the Agent-General-ship. I think it was Pitt said “ every man has his price. ” and in this instance 1 consider it a paltry price for a man to sacrifice the labor of years to gain the elevated position of Premier, and then to descend to such an office as that of Agent-General upon the plea that he has discovered that politics do not pay ; he has taken a long time to find this out. The House, when it meets, if I mistake not, will not be in the best of tempers, as the little game with the thimbles has been played so quietly that, when Julius announced that he had found the pea it rather surprised them, as it was generally understood that the House should be informed with respect to the appointment, or whether it was advisable to appoint anyone. It was rather amusing for Sir Julius to say that it would have been indecent for him to appoint himself. Truly, there is a difference between tweedledum and tweedledee ! The Atkinson Government no doubt will do it, and announce the fact to the House. Of course there will be a small storm; hut whether it will revoke the appointment will remain to bo seen. The only alteration in the Ministry is that Mr Whitaker is to he Attorney-General, and a slight shifting of the others, with Atkinson in the place of Sir Julius. Thus wags our Colonial Parliament. Some of the members are showing their particular idiosyncrasies Pyke blushes for the. utterances of the Otago members ; Mandem causes laughter by complaining that Stout is always laughing at him ; Mr M‘Farlane writes to the Post and gives his version of the break-up amongst the Auckland members, which means that a portion go in for the loaves and fishes, aild are not satisfied with Sir George Grey’s sentimental phrases which they say are empty; they believe in more solid pudding—less flowery, but solid it must be to suit them. South Dunedin and Green Island have held meetings on the constitutional changes. The resolutions were of somewhat similar purport to those passed at the Drill-shed meeting. Ex. M.P.C. M‘lndoe caused some amusement by stating that he and Sir Julius had, on the same hustings, declared that Otago should not he governed from Wellington.

The pugnacious John Barnes has not appeared in the political way since the late affray with the Thomas party. The celebrated M ‘Laren—of stump oratory notoriety—it. is said, is hunting up the Law of label. I saw him displaying a large number of receipted bills, and declaring his intention to make it 11 hot ” for his detractors. The Dally Times, in their report of the late meeting, called him a loafef. He threatens to go in for £3,000 damages. We had a fire the other day in Albany street. It was caused by children setting fire to some oil-c’oth in a cupboard. Singular to say, one of the unfortunate people—both being uninsuTed—was a short time since burnt out in Dowling-street. This should be a caution to folks to insure their goods. Both buildings were insured for their full value.

The widening of Princes street demolished tho old Ship Inn, but Phcenix-liko a good substantial building has risen on part of the site, and application is made for a license which, if granted, the Good Templars will, with some reason have to complain, as tbe bar of tho London Hotel and this one will he “ cheek by jowl ” as the saying is, and surely there can be no reasonable ground for two publics together, r - Maguire’s right of way still maintains its disgusting reputation. At the last licensing meeting the hotel at the corner had its license suspended, hut [ see that Mr Wm. Insley is again applying for a license for it, which | r do not think will be granted. In a Case before the Police Court, wherein some of the-fair denizens of the above right-of-way wereconcemed, Inspector Mallard said it was a pity the landlords could not he got at, ag they were the cause of the nuisance ; but it paid them too well so that there was no' cliancO 'of au alteration, ''.'.‘.‘.ij.ai %WPresentations continue to be the order of the day. The other nicht $O.l Darrell’s—the actor and actress— with an address and a ,diamond locket A The presentation of a watch to Captai nTu nbrid go was for a great act of bravery, and the saving of human life, and for so meritorious an act deserved not only a watch but something of far greater value; but tho proposition made some time since by some silly correspondent in the Star, for tho pilblio to subscribe for a present to De Murats*, on account of her bereavement—forsooth, tho making 1,100 a night out of the public ought

to bo a good reason. Now, had this sapient fellow dubbed down a. sum to relievo the distress of those poor devils who are unable to obtain employment, there would have beeh something commendable; but, what matters who starve so that these 'popularity hunters, whose names are blazoned forth as the presenters of such—l was going to say baubles j but they are certainly of some intrinsic value in the generality of instances.