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Evening Star, Volume VII, Issue 1942, 27 July 1869, Page 2

Theatrical. — Among the passengers from Melbourne by th ■ Gothenburg, is Miss Lilly Forde (younger si-tcr of Miss Anna Forde), and we are inform <1 that she will shortly make her debut at the Princess Theatre.

Deputation.—This morning a deputation, consisting of Messrs H, M Dcruiid, M P. C., Charles Duke, and Jam s Wright had an intei view with his Honor the I J p.itySuperintcn lent. Mr M‘D-rnid explained the objects of the deputation. He said that they desi ed to bring under the notice of his Honor the necessity that existed for the establishment of a public school in the Sawyer’s Bav district. There were about 80 educable children in the district, and they resided, on the average, about a mile and a half from the proposed school. There was at present a private school in the district, and it was atfen ied by twenty-three boys. The master refused to take any more, and he would not receive any girls. ft was therefore highlv necessary that something should bo done to enable those children, who uvre not <roiog to school at pre-amt, to be educated, —His Honor admitted taat it a is quite time that SawyerC Bay should bav.,its own school. The resid'-ms in the district should at once memorialise the Education Hoard, and he would support; their petition when it came up for consideration. Hie deputation then withdrew. Presentation. —About thirty of the friends and supporters of Mr H. S. Fish, junior, sat down to a sapper at Watson’# Royal Hotel, Walker street, last evening, when Mr Fish was presented with a purse of sovereigns, as a token of their confidence and esteem. Mr J. Bathgate occupied the chair, and Mr \V. Watson the vice chair. After the usual loyal toasts had been disposed of, the chairman proceeded with the business of the evening. He piemiscd by saving that be had been unexpectedly caMed upon to preside ; and he could onlv express his p’easure at being present, and his cordial approbation of the part Mr Fish hj. d taken with regard to Mnniepal matters and the laic election. At the recent election for Mayor, he had given his vote for MiFish, and by being there that night, he was only endorsing his approx al, of that gentleman. Ho looked upon Mr F sli as an embodiment of an important, principle viz., that of no monopoly. He thought that the supply <•{ gas and water should he in the hands of the Corporation, and ought not to be given to any body of nn-ii to allow them to charge 15s pci- thousand for gas, for instance, when they could themselves supply it for 7s. Mr Fish deserved every credit for the manly and eminently straightforward manner in which lie had nunciat l d hj s piinciphs at the City Council table, and carried them out in public He was exceedingly •dad to be able to give his humble testimony to- Mr Fish’s merits ; and he thought it would be for their good as a community if they were to stamp their approval of such conduct as his. Mfi hoped that the honorable career Mr Fish had entered upon would be continued by him, and whenever he could he would advocate a good and sound pvinc pie. He looked upon South Ward as a model ward He expressed his disapproval of the modes adopted of hiring cabs, &.C., and having paid agents in these elections, and concluded by remarking that he had been asked to present Mr lish with tno sum of LSO, which would deuay his expenses, and also leave him a substantial tokaiyif their esteem. He was sure that Mr I* ish would feel amply rewarded for all his exertions and trouble, when he found —he, might say almost to his own surprise that he had so many kind and cordial friends, the purse of sovereigns was given by the subscribers as a token of their esteem for the vindication by Mr Fish of the principles they adhered to ; he hoped that Mr Fish would continue to do so in time to come, when he would receive the same warm and hearty support.—Mr Fish, who on rising to respond was received with loud and cg-eontinucd applause, said that it was stated that out < >f the fulness of the heart the month spoke ; but that although he was not usually at a loss for something to say, he assured them he felt quite so on this occasion. He had been attempting to frame a proper reply, but could not do so. He felt convinced that he did not deserve anything like the kind and hearty assistance and support (that had been given to him. Ho had never ui the com so of his life, short though it bad been, experienced so much genuine—he might almost say brotherly—kindness, as ho had rec ived at the hands of _ those friom's whom ho saw around him. If any* thing had been needed, or if any i-.cen-tive were required to cause him, or anyone else, to do his duty in his public capacity, it had been doubly or trebly given to Idm on the present occasion ; and he could only say th t it would be his constant endeavor to strive to deserve an i cou tinue to merit their kind approval. Apart from the substantial token of then- appr b.-i----tion, it was one of his proudest reflections that he possessed the approbation of his follow men. A largo number of the citizens approved of the principles wliich he ha-; enunciated, and had put orth. Ho had uo : brought this gas question forward from any idea that he should use it as a stepping stone to aspire to the mayoral chair. He had intended to retire from the contest because his motives for conrng forward had been impugned in the newspapers. But a number of gentlemen who took a warm interest in his welfare, urged him to reflect before he took that step. It was agreed_ to submit his claims to the consideration of his friends ; and at a meeting of them his cause was taken up in such an enthusiastic manner as to justify him In contesting the election, and he would be only acting right in not retiring. The battle had b en foimht gallantly, and th-. way in which his friends and committee worked was unequalled in the political history of the Province. He was glad to see the sign of vitality evinced dm ing the present civil elections, and he hoped that the same vita’ity would be exhibited on occa siom of far greater importance to the Colony as a whole He hoped when candidates for the Provincial Council and General ssembly came before the public of Dunedin, the contests would be conducted with the same spirit as the municipal elections been. He had one matter to refer to, and it was with regard to the remarks ho made at the declaration of the poll last Friday. He then said that he thought -that the people had

shown by their voices that they were at variance with him in regard to the principles he had enunciated with reference to the question of supply of gas to the city. Upon mature consideration, lie considered die century to be the case. He was convinced, then, his subsequent opinion was right, or o hervvisc he w nld not have polled 111 votes more than any previous successful candidate On calm reflection, lie considered this to be a sti i stronger indication of (be citizens’ approval i f the principles he had enunciate lin the City Council. He took this opportunity to make this statement, because it bad been sud that Im was going to back out from these principles. He did not mean to do so ; a d if return d as>am as councillor, he should pursue the same course with reference to this p ,r----ticular question ; and would fol ow it up with renewed z.al and energy, and would tak ■ the same imlcp mient cou so of action, wliich he hoped ho had taken t-i the satisfacticn of the citizens during the past two yea's. He thought that no stronger proof could be adduced, that the principle he had advo rated was a correct one, or that they had been paving too high a price for gas , during the last seven years, than the opposition he had received from particular persons in the city, who were interested in the continuance of the present monopolv. But he had been amply repaid for their opposition, and for the slanders that been heaped on his devoted head, by the cordial recognition f his services on this occasion. It had been said that he ought to have polled more votes in South Ward. To that he -lemurml, as two years before be was returned by KlO votes to the Council whereas he had at the recent election polled no fewer than 162 votes, ami with a strong opposition at work. The result showed that he had 48 more staunch friends than before. He did not wish to make any personal remarks, but he would like them to bear in mind that two persons were candidates, contesting the the two extremes of the city in a particular interest. What did it portend ? Did it n>t show that there were parties endeavoring to crush the present agitation ? A report would be prep ired in a few days by Mr A. K. Nmith, which would be an exhaustive, and on the subject of gas, and he thought that, in that report would be found his complete vindication. In the com- j ing election for South Ward it was not his | intention to go to any expense ; he relied on the good sense of the rcsi icuts in the ward to°return the best man He would not on this o-casion insult th ir common sense and intelligence by parading before them any shown of money or influence. He would conclude by saying that he Imped he would live long to deserve a continuance of the confidence shown in him th ,t evening. Amongst the toasts that were proposed were “The Mayor and Corporation,’' coupled with the name of Mr Thoneman, who replied ; and the health of Mr 15, B. Cargill, Both toasts we.e enthusiastically received.

The members of the Dunedin. Lodge, No. 931, are requested to meet at the Masonic Hall, this morning at 7.30. Mr H. J. Walter, one of the Candidates for the representation of High Ward in the Municipal Council, will address the electors of the Ward this evening, at eight o’clock, in the School-room, near Ecclcs’s store.