THE Evening Star. TUESDAY, JANUARY 23, 1866.

Evening Star, Volume III, Issue 847, 23 January 1866, Page 2

THE Evening Star. TUESDAY, JANUARY 23, 1866.

Notwithstanding all that lias been said to the contrary, we maintain that the inhabitants of this Province are not really behind the rest of the world in genuine public spirit—by which we mean an eneigetic and enterprising interest in the commonwealth, with a lively desire to pro mote all benevolent and public objects as distinct from merely private. pers< nal, and selfish ends. In their devotion to public affairs, colonists either here or elsewhere, must not ■be judged by the standard applicable in the parent State. Here we have no class of settled wealth and permanent position, entirely indepen•dent of professional or mercantile pursuits to obtain a livelihood or build up a fortune ; here the success of a man in public life depends in no ■ degree upon the honesty and ability with which he does his duty, but upon his dexterity in fixing the fleeting fancy of the hour, and pretending to control, while in reality he simply r< presents a remarkably ignorant and purposeless public .opinion. And, principally, hj re, we are too young to have a population native to the soil, bound to the country by ties of affection as well •as interest, and seeking its welfare with unselfish energy, as if they were in the land in which they ar d their children were born, and will live and die. Due allowance being made for these conditions, we repeat there is no lack of public spirit —no lack of lively interest in objects which conserve the welfare of the community. And to our mind, there is evidently no lack of the raw- material, out of which under more favorable circumstances, statesmen and public benefactors might be developed. Religious and institutions of every kind are supported with wondrous liberality ; men are readily found to perform without emolument the most onerous and disagreeable public duties; and it is only lately that our public men have exposed themselves to the suspicion of being influenced by the desire of pecuniary

gain. Despite tlie strictures (many of them very just) which have been levelled against the system of Provincial Government, there can be no doubt that men have hitherto been found within the borders of the Province to conduct its affairs with average wisdom and discretion, and with more than average freedom from sordid, selfish, and unworthy motives. We make these remarks because the time has now arrived when it behoves the Province, in a most especial manner, to take an interest in Colonial affairs—to shake off the indifference with which the most momentous points of Colonial policy have been hitherto regarded, and to assert for itself that position in the General Assembly to which its resources, population, importance, and specially its lai ge contributions to the Colonial Exchequer, so justly entitle it. The voice of the province in that Assembly has been hitherto of no account whatever. One-third of our representatives have neutralised another third, and only a third of our unfairly small repi'esentation has really exercised an influence, or had a voice, where the intere as of this province were more 1 rgely, more vitally affected than any other in New Zealand; and this solely because hitherto little inte cst has been felt in colonial politics, and no united action has been taken to return to the General Assembly men who can agree upon a few broad principles, and (where the interests of the province are seriously concer .ed) consent to sink small differences, and act o ,ether. We are glad to learn that in anticipation of the elections for the General Assembly,which will speedily take place, action has been taken to remedy this evil, and that an association is being formed having for its object, as vre understand it, to frame a basis of union for the Otago members broad enough to allow plenty of individual latitude, and to endeavour to secure the return of men who have some common principles of action, and who will not. from ignorance, ambition, or any other motive, destroy each other’s influence on great occasions. We have sufficient confidence in the sound sense a.-ui pi blic spirit of oui fellow colonists to believe that this matter will be taken up —not noisily —but with prudence, energy, and determination ; so that for the future the leading province of New Zealand may occupy in the councils oi the colony her proper place, and not be, as heretofore, politically subordinate to Taranaki or Hawke’s Bay.

The crowded and fashionable audience at St. Georges Hall last evening, -was a convincing and pleasing proof that Mist Grace Egerton’s Entertainment is beginning to be appreciated in the same ratio as it is artistic and attractive. The previous one entitled, “Tho Drawing-Room Floor,” was exceedingly good, and will bear repitition for the benefit of ‘ ‘country cousins,” but certainly that of ‘‘ Latest Intelligence” from Abroad and at Home excels it, for variety of caricature and versatility of acting. It is difficult to realize the portraiture of Mr. Peregrine Prattleton, who outrivals Charles Mathews in “Patter versus Clatter;” Rolette, the Soubrette of Laurence Sterne, and “ Sairey Gamp,” in addition to half-a-dozen other life pictures, all by one actress. The horrid old French landlady, appropriately named “ Chouette, ” was a marvellous piece of infuriated gesticulation ; whilst Mrs Botherby was a good specimen of “common objects by the seashore. ” Although the entertainmont is after the versatile lady who pleased so many last evening, it must not be understood that her lesser half, Mr George Case, has nothing to do. He plays melodies of all nations upon his pet instrument, the Concertina, with exquihte taste, wonderful execution, and what is more, correct time. The Concettina is a much maligned instru-

ment, familiar to many in the town only from the hideous sounds which are generally to be heard in the vicinity of the Arcade, but many must have learnt last evening that it is capable of producing the most perfect melody. Mr. Case is also a violinist of no mean order ; and the fantasia he played—Deßeriot’s sth Air Varie —was unquestionably a fine piece of execution. The same programme is announced . for repetition this evening, and we are sure that nothing but bad weather will prevent a full attendance. We reserve our unpleasant remark for the last, viz., that instrumental solos are not improved by the loud chattering of vulgar “gents,” several of whom made themselves unpleasantly conspicuous last night. The steamship Queen, with the Northern mails was telegraphed as coming up from the Heads shortly before 4 o’clock ; her passengers will probably reach town about six o’clock. The cause of her detention is at present unknown. It will be a sincere matter of regret to. our readers to learn that Miss Julia Mathews (Mrs W. H. Mnmford) will only appear in Dunedin for four nights longer. This lady has identified herself with every amusement in the town of a rational or charitable description, and when she retires from the Theatre which has so often resounded with her merry laugh, echoed by crowded audiences, will leave a void which we may never see filled. That hundreds may be “turned away from the doors” upon her benefit night, we hope. The P.N.Z. and A.H.M. Co.’s steamship, Airedale (Meikleham) left the Blufl at 4.30 yesterday afternoon, and arrived at Port Chalmers this morning about halfpast ten. She brings 13 passengers. At the time of the Airedale’s departure, the England had nearly completed loading her cargo of wool, &c., and was to be dis patched about the end of the present month. The Timaru, the second wool ship of the season, has completed her loading, and will'probably sail to-morrow or the next day. Her cargo consists of 27444bales wool, 1450 wet hides, 14 calf skins, 71 bales rags, 102 ingols felspar, 35 ingots Lead, and 22 bags, 3 cases, 3 pieces, and 3 casks of old metal. She is expected to take a good complement of passengers. We are informed that the celebrated Lenton Troupe, together with the Nathan Juvenile Troupe, both of which have been giving their performances for some time past in Melbourne with great success, will arrive in Dunedin on about the 12th of next month for the purpose of giving their entertainments here. It will be found by our shipping advertisements that the s s Tararua is postponed until to-morrow, when, if she arrives to-night, she will sail for Sydney, via the North. We have received a great many enquiries as to what steps are being take:, to bring about that very desirable end—a dissolution of the Provincial Council, and have ascertained that the following form petition to his Excellency the Governor is being extensively circulated for signa oure. It conveys a correct idea of the case in favor of the prayer being granted, and we feel no doubt of the ultimate result :

To ms Excellency Sir George Grey, K.C.8., Governor and Com-mander-in-Chief of the Colony or New Zealand. The Memorial of the undersigned Electors of the District of Province of Otago ; Uzimhly Sheiveth — That a resolution was passed by the Provincial Council of Otago on the sth day of January iust., to the effect—- “ That his Honor the Superintendent “be respectfully requested to apply “ to his Excellency the Governor for “ a dissolution of the Provincial ‘ ‘ Council immediately after the close “ of the present Session That his Honor the Superintendent was pleased to signify to the -Council, by message, that it was not his intention to recommend your Excellency to dissolve the Provincial Council in accordance with its expressed wish ; That the reasons urged by his Honor the Superintendent for not recommending a dissolution are, in the

opinion of your Memorialists, not sustained by facts ; and your Memorialists therefore beg to lay before your Excellency the following statement :—When the present Provincial Council was elected, the number of Electors on the Roll was under 2,000; that, in consequence of the large influx of population since 1861, the number of persons now upon the 8011, and entitled to vote, is 6,3 JO, exclusive of upwards of 5,000 possessing the special ‘ ‘ miner’s franchise. ” Nearly 10,000 Electors are therefore practically disfranchised; and as there are many subjects of vast importance to the Province which your Memorialists believe they have a right to express an opinion upon, and the consideration of which cannot be held over until the Council expires by fluxion of time, it is, the opinion of your Memorialists, absolutely necessary for the welfare and good government of the Province that a new Council should be forthwith elected : Your Memorialists therefore pray that your Excellency will exercise the prerogative vested in you, and dissolve forthwith the Provincial Council of Otago : And your Memorialists will ever pray, &c.

The number of new accounts opened at the Savings Bank last week was 12. T\ e deposits and withdrawals amounted respectively to D 437 8s and L 237 2s lid.