The Evening Star MONDAY, FEBRUARY 27, 1871.

Evening Star, Volume VIII, Issue 2506, 27 February 1871, Page 2

The Evening Star MONDAY, FEBRUARY 27, 1871.

The election for Superintendent has given some indication of the tendency of public opinion in constituencies in ■which correct information was obtainable on the leading subjects of the day. We do not look upon the return of Mr Macandrew so much in the light of a personal triumph, as of an indication that the better-informed electoral dis-

riots are tired of that factious opposiion which has been more or less pre- ( ented to progressive measures during | he past four years. It lias been jrievous to see the depression into vhich this line Province has been dunged through the action of the setters in the country districts. Had it aot been for the large revenue derived from the pastoral rents, it would have oeen hardly possible to have expended anything in maintenance of [mblie works already completed, leaving altogether out of the question those necessary to our progress ; and, to render the annoyance still greater, the faction fights have been on subjects with which the Provincial Council was utterly powerless to deal, because of having been already decided in a superior Legislature, If any course could be conceived more calculated than another to bring Provincial Governments into disrepute, such would be the one over which we have passed. We do not go so far as to say that a Provincial Council should strictly limit its deliberations to the immediate concerns of the Province, irrespective of wider interests. The true interest of any Province is bound up in the general prosperity of the Colony, and therefore it is quite competent to adopt resolutions expressive of the opinion of the Council on any measure affecting the Province as an integral part of the whole. The fault of the last Council was that instead of setting an example to the inhabitants of the Province of obedience to law, they showed how far they dared to go in thwarting it, and spent days and weeks in resisting the operation of Acts of Parliament, that should have been occupied in devising means to administer them with credit and advantage. The slightest practical knowledge of statesmanship would have shewn the leaders of the small majority that such a course was destroying any influence they might otherwise have had. Possibly had the obstructive party in the Council had overwhelming numbers with them, the Assembly would have assumed there must be something radically wrong in Acts so universally condemned. But that was not the case on those subjects on which the Provincial Council dissented from the Acts of the Assembly. Not only has the numerical superiority, but the materials of which it is built up and the interests represented, to be considered in estimating the value of such an opposition as was presented by the last Council to the Assembly, and it will be well for the electors to weigh this point well. In the first place, the majority was barely one, for very queer tricks had to be resorted to to secure that doubtful one. Now it must not be forgotten that an Executive has always the command of a certain number of votes, in the responsible heads ■of departments and the members of the Executive without office. So that when a Government, including these, has only a majority of one, it proves that of the independent members, the majority is against them. If, further, the standing and education of the tsvo parties arc compared, every man capable of estimating the value of opinion must come to the unbiassed conclusion that the intelligence and business capability of the Council were not with the majority of one ; and that where talent and ability were displayed on that side, there was every reason to believe in a latent private purpose in the course of action taken. There is every reason to fear that the country districts will return pretty much the same class of men who proved such hindrances in the last Council. The principal intelligence in the interior on subjects of the day is derived from the local upcountry journals that, with one or two honorable exceptions, have found their profit in misrepresenting the provisions of those Acts which were taken as the battle-cry of the faction fight. This is one of the consequences of the postage on newspapers—a tax which has prevented the dissemination of sound information. The trifling advantage to the revenue has been more than counterbalanced by the nurture of prejudice and ignorance in the various constituencies, and lias resulted in the return of some men to the General Assembly who will do no credit to the intelligence of those who elected them. It must be for the town constituencies to elect members of Council whose ability and independence will counteract the raw politicians of the country, Thomsons, and Mosleys, and Hutchesons are sure to bo returned; but if ever they were useful, their day of usefulness is past so far as legislation is concerned. They may do very well to look after stock and hold the plough ; but what the Province needs is men who by education and habit can point out what is for their own advantage, and who with intelligence and prudence can devise and carry into execution measures beneficial to the community. There are such men in Dunedin, and the Province needs their Help. We trust therefore that the electors of Dunedin will look more to talent than merely personal predilections in their choice.

Episcopal.—The Diocesan Synod of Otago .and Southland meets on Wednesday evening, in the City Council Hie principal business to be transacted is the nomination of a bishop.

The Superintendence' —The official declaration of the poll t ike* place to-morrow at noon. At a meeting of Mr He-d’s supporters on Saturday evening, the following resolution was passed “Tuat steps should be taken to raise a testimonial to that gentleman in recognition of the valuable services he has rendered the Province, and also for the spirited manner in which lie has contested the late election for Superintendent in the interests of the people of Otago.A sub-committee was appointed to carry out the resolution.

Acclimatisation. The Warrior Queen has brought us a splendid consignment of birds and game for the Otago Society, and thanks to Mr Bills’ care, the major portion his been lauded in excellent condition. The number of birds brought into port alive is close upon 600. Of the nine red deer, Earl Dalhousie’s gift, none have been lost; hut the grouse, numbering eight brace, perished from paralyses of the legs when the ship was cicht days out. The one nightingale shipped lived only for a week after the vessel had sailed. Of the waterfowl, four out of ten died; and of the remainder of the shipment the following r-.re alive-66 out of 72 chaffinches, 31 out of 60 goldfinches, 53 out of 8.) skylarks, 31 out of 50 yellowha-nmevs, 1 cock robin and one jenny out of 72 robin redbreasts. There are besides 70 blackbirds, 42 thrushes, 80 hedgesparrows, 33 twites, and 11 redpolcs. Of the 145 partridges shipped 15 only were lost.

Princess Theatre. —On Saturday Mr Hoskins made his appearance as Richcbcu in Bulwer’s fine play of that name. To say that Mr Hoskins was as successful in “ Kiel) elicit ” as in “Hawk” or “Pangloss" would be far from the fact; yet he presented us with a reading such as a scholar only could conceive ; and had we been witnessing a reading and not an acting of the part, we shnu’d have described it as near perfection. Mr Hoskins in “Richelieu” does not lack dignity, but we miss the li.hts ami shadows and that infinite tine mi thrown i to the character by other representatives of the great Cardinal. The Bavradas of Mr Lawrence was well conceived and carefully drawn, and the same may ho said of t’lo De Mauprat of Mr Collier. Mias I 1 loreoco played Julie de Montemar very charmingly, and made a decided impression on her audience. In reply to a loud call at the conclusion of the play, she was led on by Mr H. skins to share the honor s ; afterwards Mr Collier appeared at the demand of the house. “ Nothing to Wear ” followed, and went as merrily as on the preceding night. This evening will be performed “ Much ado about Nothing." Municipal Election.—The nomination of candidates to represent Bell Ward in the room of Mr F. P. Mansfield, resigned, which took p[ace to-day at noon, excited very little interest. Only two nomination papers were received. Mr Alex. 11. Livingston was proposed by Mr B. Bagley, and so ended by Mr Geo. Munro; and Sir W, Woodland, proposed by Mr Albert Bock, and seconded by Mr Frederick Palmer. Mr Livingston merely expressed his intention of addressing the ratepayers before the day of election. He said he had hitherto taken no active part in politics, but had been resident in Dunedin 14 years, which a-t showed that he had some interest in the prosperity of the City. Mr Woodland remarked that his nomination was a redemption of the pledge lie made when last defeated of again contesting the seat for the ward. _ He bebeved if the ward was only left to itself—if only the ratepayers interested themselves—he should "be at the head of the poll. There was no doubt that in former contests outside pressure was brought to bear ; but he had only been defeated by one or two votes. He could only say. that if elected, he would do all he eould for the benefit and welfare of the ward in particular, and the City in general. The ward’s members did not take sufficient interest in it, and for the last two or three years it had not been so well represented as other wards. He had heard the fact of his being a publican brought agauist him, but a publican was as good as “any other man”—(“Yes,” and “No, no.”) If elected, he would not disgrace the ratepayers, and if he failed to carry out ins promises, he would resign immediately on being asked to do so. A poll will be taken on Fridoy, between the usual hours. Consecration of Catholic Chapel, at THE Taieri. —The 1 tight Reverend Dr Moran, Bishop of Dunedin, yesterday consecrated the Catholic Church at East Taieri, in the presence of the congregation and a large number of visitors from Dunedin, and the country districts. Mass was celebrated by the Rev. Father Maloney, P.P. His Lordship preached a powerful and eloquent sermon on the duties and obligations of religion, premising bis remarks with a reference to the day’s proceedings. He congratulated the congregation upon the fact that the church was completely out of debt—a cirstancc as gratifying to the initiators of the work as to himself. To inaugurate a work like the one he had inaugurated that day so soon after his arrival in the Colony, was a circumstance peculiarly gratifying to him, because it spoke of the progress of religion and of sincerity, faith, and piety of the people. It gave him consolation, therefore, because it gave him hope for the future. Bub that was not the only circumstance which rendered it peculiar to himself; there was connected with the consecration a circumstance which brought his memory back many years. He had that day dedicated the little church in which he was speaking to the Immaculate Mary, and that reminded him that the first church in his former diocese was similarly dedicated. He expressed a wish that the congregation might long be able to meet and work together in the good cause. A portion of St. Joseph’s choir, strengthened by Mr Leslie, who sang the solos, rendered Nativadad’s mass very nicely, Mrs Conway presiding at the harmonium. The day’s collection amounted to close upon L2O. The church, which is capable of holding nearly 200 people, was built at a cost of L 350, anil was finished early in January. It is situated on a portion of the Grange property, the laud on which it is built being the gift of Mr N. B. Macgrcgor, who was also a subscriber to the extent of nearly one-third its cost, and to whose efforts, we believe its erection is mainly due.