The Evening Star SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 11, 1871.

Evening Star, Volume VIII, Issue 2493, 11 February 1871, Page 2

The Evening Star SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 11, 1871.

Every honest man must feel relieved at the exposure that has taken place by the publication of the letter of Mr Dick, the printer of the scandalous libel on Mr Driver and Mr Macandrew. There was an uneasy feeling throughout the community at the very idea of men in public positions being subjected to such charges. No one capable of reflection could believe them to be true. They were so utterly inconsistent with what the most obtuse men of business would have done, that no one in his senses could imagine Mr Driver would have been guilty of the folly of writing the letter attributed to him. The men who gave them to the world calculated on the public being gulled by them ; and for once they have shown themselves shallow and vulgar schemers. We have hitherto forborne to comment upon the case, pending the issue of judicial proceedings. By Mr Dick’s disclosure,, we are relieved from that ban. Mr Reid’s Committee denied having authorised the issue of the scandalous placards—they are proved to have been published by their authority, and by express order of their Secretary. We could have been content with the result had the election for Superintendent been conducted on fair and honorable principles ; but no political tactics can justify a resort to such disreputable practices as endeavoring to blast the personal characters of those conscientiously opposed, Should such a course be tolerated, no man is safe. He might defend himself against an assasin who attacked him to take his life : but for a Committee to sanction a proceeding by which a foul calumny was attempted to he fixed upon two gentlemen—a calumny that, if true, would have clung to them, and blasted their prospects through the remainder of their lives —is so black a sin, that it becomes necessary for every member of that Committee who values his own good name to separate from them, and from a cause that requires to be bolstered up by such means. We regret that from first to last the means to attain tho end have been unscrupulous. Even the line of investigation proposed by Mr Barton was not what he himself could approve. Advantage was taken of every trifling circumstance to cause delay, and even it was broadly proposed to pack the Bench. Through the admirable coolness and strong sense of justice of Mr Fulton, this was discountenanced ; and thus, notwithstanding the conniption that seethes and festers around us, we at least have the security of preserving our Courts of Justice pure. We trust that this nefarious ailair will not rest here, but that it will be pushed to the uttermost, in order that public indignation may be visited upon men capable of such vile conspiracy ; for if they go unpunished, no honorable man is safe.

Meat Preserving.— The New Zealand Company at Kakanui commenced operations on Tuesday.

The Provincial Scholarships.— We have been requested to state that the result of the competition for the scholarships will be made known at the Masonic Hall on Mon lay at 3 p.m. The competitors and their friends are invited to attend.

Political. — Dr Webster will oppose Mr Hutcheson in his candidature for the representation of Oamaru country in the 1 10vincial Council ; and the Hon. Dr Meuzies is a candidate for the representation of the Mataura.

Pleuropneumonia at Moeraki. — Some time ago it was reported that pleuro had broken out among the cattle in the Moeraki district. Chief-Inspector Logic and Sub-Inspector Bayley have just made a careful inspection of the whole district, and leper t that not the slightest sign of disease was discoverable.

Princess Theatre.— At the Princess Theatre on Monday will be commenced a new season, and, as we are informed, under a new management. On this occasion will be produccif “ Merer too Late to Mend,’’ a drama well and favorably known to Dunedin playgoers. We have heard that the new lessee has promised to deserve the public patronage by the production of the best dramas of Robertson and Boucicault. The arrival of Mr Hoskins is looked for by the first steamer from Melbourne, when the drama that has caused so much sensation in London and elsewhere will be served up to a Dunedin audience.

Dunedin Waterworks Company. The annual meeting of this Company was held in Murray’s Rooms, Rattray street, yesterday afternoon, at four o clock, Mr L. B. Cargill presiding. The report of the Directors was adopted. The principal heads of it were 1. That tho revenue is increasing and the supply abundant and of good quality. 2. That the risk of lire has been reduced and the health of the citiz.ns unproved by the abundance of water. Hie revenue is enual to six per cent, on L 61,534, the cost of the works. The differences with the Provincial Government were cleared up through the explanation of the Hon. J. Tol'cl° The Directors suggest the capital of the Company should be increased by L 10,000 as such an iuci’casc will be more than justified by the extension of works and increase of revenue. A dividend at the rate of eight per cent, per annum was declared. Gaol Return.—The following is the s l ate of H. M. Gaol, Dunedin, for the ■week ending the 11th February, 1871 : Awaiting trial, 2 men,* 0 women ; under remand 0 men, 0 women ; penal servitude, 92 men, 0 "women ; hard labor, 64 men, 25 women ; in default of bail, 1 man, 0 women ; debtors, 1 man total, 159 men, 25 women; Received during the week, 6 men. 4 women, discharged, 5 men, 0 women. "One of these at hard labor, under sentence of six months received since commitment.

Rowdyism.—Oamaru is rapidly becoming celebrated for its rowdyism. ihe latest exhibition took place on Wednesday evening last, when some 200 persons assembled in the local Masonic Hall to hear Captain Baldwin deliver a- lecture on the advantages offered by the Government scheme of life insurance and annuities. Captain Baldwin’s appearance seems to have been the signal for uproarious proceedings, which were, intensified .as th -y were prolonged. The lecturer was assailed with cries of “Harper, Black, and C 0.,“ What did you say of Harper in California ?” and the like expre sions; and although the Mayor, who presided, did everything to obtain order, and Captain Baldwin denied that he had said anything in California injurious to Mr Harper, the rowdies would nob allow the lecture to be proceeded with, proceedings being brought to a close by the chair being vacated. The Thuts deprecates the course taken by a portion of those present, and says Captain Baldwin having denied the charges which had aroused the indignation of those who believed he had done harm to a gentleman whom they knew and respected, common courtesy should have induced them to have abstained from further demonstration. In the absence of absolute proof of the truth of the charges which aroused their indignation, and in face of a distinct denial of those charges, the result of the meeting is calculated to bring odium upon the whole community.”

The volunteers will muster for special church parade in front of the Custom House, to-morrow morning, at 8.45. Full dress with side arms. The Baud and Cadets will also attend.

The children of All Saints Sunday School are requested by advertisement to attend divine service at St Paul’s Church, to-morrow afternoon, at three o’clock. We are requested to say that the teachers will be expected to sit with the children, to secure order.