The Evening Star. THURSDAY, MARCH 9, 1871.

Evening Star, Volume VIII, Issue 2515, 9 March 1871, Page 2

The Evening Star. THURSDAY, MARCH 9, 1871.

A correspondent yesterday asked the various candidates for seats in the Provincial Council to define what they mean by “ progress.” The hint will no doubt be taken, and every one will give his own idea of it. But when these various notions are compared—placed side by side, so that it may be seen whether they will fit into the same groove—the difficulty of common agreement is at once perceived. Tlu-y all agree that something is necessary—but they differ upon what that something is to be. It is, in fact, because of this difference that the Council is to be convened. They ai'e to meet and consult, and wrangle, and discuss each other’s ideas, until out of this mixedup mass of raw material some bright and polished gem may be produced—a precious stone from a heap of rubbish.

It is very fortunate for the Province that beneath this frothing up of ideas, there is something really and that, in spite of contrariety of purpose, works go on and are completed. It is something encouraging to know that there are men who work, as well as men who talk. Leave matters to the talking men, and no progress is made. They fume and storm about how things are to be done, and even the best agreed remind one of two dogs coupled together, united in their one object of following their master, but wasting each other’s strength in vain endeavors to draw each other aside to indulge individual whims. There is, however, one point very plain on the face of matters : The City has already declared what it means by progress in re-electing Mr Macandrew Superintendent. This is the standard. We do not say that all his ideas are correct; we do not say that a Council should be chosen who will subserviently follow out all he suggests. That is not the function of the Council. A Superintendent should be the mouthpiece of his Executive, and the last Council was rendered powerless for good, because the Executive chose to set him aside, and to become their own mouthpiece in opposition to his convictions. This was Mr Reid’s mistake. In this he was aided and abetted by Mr Fish and others ; and through this unwise and obstructive process, nothing was done in regard to the development of settlement on the land, nor in the construction of public works. The folly of the last Council was in not perceiving the limit of their own functions. They differed from his Honor because he felt it his duty to submit to Acts passed by the General Assembly, and they referred the matter ultimately to the people to judge whether he or they were in the right. The people have shewn that they considered he was by electing him, and they must give effect to that decision by refusing to choose those who are his known opponents. This is but reasonable and fair to him : this is but justice to themselves. Assuming that Mr Macandrew represents progress, what folly it would be to send in as his assistant a person whose whole career has been to oppose him. It would be like placing a man in a position successfully to light a battle, and then tying his hands. We think this is the plain, common-sense view of the matter. The end and purpose of the struggle was made plain at the election of Superintendent. Either effect must be given to that election by that of Monday, or the people say one week what they contradict the next. We find it impossible to do justice to the twenty candidates who are nightly addressing the electors, by giving full reports of their meetings. Fortunately it is hardly necessary, for everything they can say for themselves they have said time after time, with the exception of those who are fresh in the political field. We give the hustings addresses of those gentlemen, and they are quite sufficient to guide our readers in their choice. Although the names of some old servants who were in the last Council and did good service are not on the list of candidates, it must be gratifying to find others again offering their services who have been tried and found trustworthy. We trust that in this election the people of Dunedin will assert their right to be represented by men of position and education. They have the opportunity, and wc beg of them to remember that however honest in purpose a man may be, the science of politics is not to be attained by one whose whole life has been spent in the every-day routine of earning his bread. Dunedin has more than once had to regret neglecting this truth, and it now depends upon the choice its citizens make whether they will confer dignity upon the office of Provincial Councillor, or whether it is to he made ridiculous. The trees once chose a bramble to rule over them, and the bi*arable invited them to “ trust in its « shadow.” Let us take care not to be like the men of Shechem and Millo : let us reject the brambles.

New Industry. —At Coljingwood, Nelson province, stocking weaving lias been started under the direction of Mr Alexander Gibson, an old Nottingham weaver. Transfer of License, —ln the Resident Magistrate’s Court, this morning, the transfer of license of the Kaikora Hill Hotel from Sheddon to Hickling, postponed from Tuesday, was allowed. Pedestbianism. — A four mile walking match, for LSO a side and the champion, ship of the City, between W. Edwards and J. Spence, is to take place in Auckland in a fortnight. Duffer Rush. —The excitement in regard to the duffer rush to the head waters of the little Grey, has subsided. The miner’s got hold of Baker, the discoverer of the alleged field, and threatened to lynch him, but their ardor cooled when one of their ringleaders was taken in charge by the police. Baker was proceeded against under the Vagrant Act, and got six months hard labor.

The “Daily Times” and “Witness ” Company v. Lemon, —ln the Resident Magistrate’s Court to-day Mr Haggitt asked his Worship whether, in his opinion, the offence charged was punishable summarily

orwitf a misdemeanor. IF s Worship said bo thought he should regard it as a summary proceeding. Mr 1 lagdtt pointed out that, such being the case, the time had expired when the Court could take cognisance of the offence, as it must be heard within six months after it was alleged to have been committed, and eleven months had expired. He presumed, therefore, if Mr Lemon did not appear in answer to the summons, it would not bo construed into disrespect to that Court. His Worship replied he was not prepared to say ; and it was for Mr Lemon to take his own course Our readers will be aware that the Daily Times has instituted proceedings on the alleged charge of purloining a telegram.

A Good Suggestion. —Mr Thomas Mason, of Port Chalmers, writes a letter to a Melbourne paper, the object of which is to advocate the institution of a universal or federation postage stamp to be used in Great Britain or any of her Colonies. “They would be enclosed,” he says, “ for return postage or for remittance < f small sums, say up to five shillings. The utility of such stamps for enquiries relative tq hunnsss and other purposes is obvious, besides the great lioon it would be ta the poor, many of whom have relatives in tho old country too poor to pay a sixpence for return letter, and thus their correspondence is broken off. Immigration would lose nothing from increased correspondence, and the postal revenue would he greatly augmented.” Everyone can sec the advantage of this proposal, and it has no disadvantages. Frequently people wish somi little thing from England, 1 ictori.a, or elsewhere. It is so tnfi ng, save to come by post, that its price will not w. r ant aP. 0. order, and it is given up. An enclosure of post ge stamps would get over the difficulty, >ut New Zealand stamps arc at present of no use out of the Colony. Princess Theatre. —After a lapse of some three months “The Home Wreck ’ has been taken from the shelf, and reproduced at the Princess Theatre, the characters being cast in all e?s ntials as hj retoforo. The most notable feature last night was the scene in which Captain Headway meets his death. In this scene Mr Collier (Captain Headway) played with great effect, and was most ably supported by Mr Lawrence (Richard Tressider); indeed, tho acting of both s deserving of all praise. As Mary Tressider, Miss Carry George has not much to do; but what she has is done with studied care. The part of Walter Ellington was played by Mr Metcalfe. This gentleman, being commonly cast for unobtrusive characters, does not always omc in for notice; nevertheless, the care wlvoh he bestows on the various parts allotted to him, and his general attention to costume, fairly entitle him to a proper share of commendation. The Pendogget of Mr Musgravc is a capital bit of acting ; and the like may be said for the Tony Trotter of Mr Walter Hill. The “ Tailor of Tam worth ” concluded the entertainment, which will be repeated this evening.

We are given to understand that a requisition is in course of circulation, requesting Mr Thos BamforH, of Mornington, to come forward as a candidate to represent the Cavcrsham district in (he Provincial Council

The following election meetings will be held this canning ;—Atthe Masonic Had, by Mr Bar*.on, at 7 30. and after him by Mr Cutten. At the Oddfellows’ Hall, by Mr Cargill, at 7.30, and by Mr Fish, at 8.30. At Mr Ross’s store, corner of George and Hanover streets, by Mr Barnes, at 8 o’clock. At Hie North Dunedin Drill Shed, by Mr M‘lndoe. at 1, and by Mr Turnbull and Mr Cargill at 9. At Wain’s Hotel, Water of Leith, by Mr Turtou, at 7. At (he Mission House. Russell st e't, by M • Jago, at 7, by Mr Howorth at 8, by Mr Mason, at 9, and after Mr Mason by Mr Turtou. At the Imperial Hotel, Princes street, south, by Mr Duncan, at 7.40. At Watson’s Royal Hotel, Walker street, by Mr Fish, at 7-30.