THE SUPERINTENDENTAL ELECTION,

Evening Star, Issue 3230, 27 June 1873, Page 3

THE SUPERINTENDENTAL ELECTION,

RAILWAY MISMANAGEMENT. To the Editor. Sir, —We have a railway to Pert Chalmers. The Government have just made a purchase of it. Willing to suppose that those Mho represent the Government in the matter feel it to be their duty to render the railway profitable and conducive to public convenience, I would ask on what grounds these officials have taken upon themselves to refuse me the services of a special train after ordinary hours, to take a large number of the citizens of Dunedin to the Port, who were anxious to celebrate, at an entertanment to be given there, Mr Macandrew’s fourth election to the Superintendency of the Province; especially as I expressed myself willing to pay whatever charge might be made for such special train ? Goods trains and ballast trucks from the Port often run after dark. In Invercargill, Victoria, Sydney, and South Australia the running of special trains for private enterprise and convenience is a matter of almost daily occurrence ; but forsooth wo in Otago must be in the rear of such civilisation ; and, moreover, allow important public interests to be injured through the indolence, party spirit, incompetence, and redtapism of the present officials, whom, it appears to me. are still under the undue influence of certain parties who have sold the railway, and should therefore have nothing further to do with its management. —I am, Sir, yours &c , George Dodson. Dunedin, June 27.

To the Editor. Sir, — In your report of Mr Gillies’s speech at the declaration of the poll to-day, he is made to say “every settled district in the Province has emphatically declared by its vote that the party with whom I am working has the true interest of the Province at heart.” Assuming Mr Gillies to be correctly reported, can you inform your readers what he meant by the remark. If he alluded to the election of Superintendent, I fancy he is slightly in error, for by referring to the returns as published, I find the following districts, which I think may fairly be considered “settled,” have given Mr Macandrew a majority, viz , Dunedin, Port Ob aimers, Hawsbury, Alexandra, Caversham, Riverton. Invercargill, Naseby, Queenstown, Kaikorai, Oamaru, Green Island, Lawrence, Waitahnna, Wetherstones, and many others, all more or less settled. It would appear the fact is the reverse of Mr Gillies’s statement, and that the only places where he obtained a majority was in scattered and unsettled districts, where the inhabitants have little communication with the intelligence of the outer World, and arc largelyimbued with very primitive ideas; or in districts where the baneful influence of the Bruce Herald is felt, which latter fact sufficiently accounts for the lack of intelligence on the part of the electors. Pausing for an explanation—l am, &c., Query.

THE MUSEUM.

To the Editor. Sir, — During a visit to Christchurch lately, [ was invited to inspect the Museum in that city, and was really surprised that such a splendid collection of birds, animals, and natuial curiosities could be seen in New Zealand. Everything was good ; no museum in the Old Country excels it of the same siza ; it is by far the best in this Colony, and the hristchurch people are proud of it; the place is constantly patronised by the inhabitants and visitors. I could not help contrasting it with our beautiful Museum. Although it has been established several years, there is scarcely a single specimen in the Natural History.department lit to look at, classification has never been attempted, and care is not thought of. Some of the specimens are actually rotting, others are so distorted in appearance as to be scarcely recognisable; for instance, a stuffed rat looks more like a hybrid weasel, the birds in the cases are only saved from falling to pieces by being fastened up; mildew is to be seen everywhere; in fact if the whole lot of rubbish were put up at auction, I do not believe a purchaser would b» found. The whole thing is a disgrace to the Province, and it would be far better to clo»e it up than expose our poverty and filth to the public; instead of being pleasing and instructive, it mly misleads : not the most remote idea of our natural bi-tory can be formed. Very few a ■ ditions have been made since it was opened, and what have been made are not to be seen >y the public. 1 saw an account some time ago of some valuable skins being sent from Norway ; why are they hot oh view ? I have heard of specimens being presented, but they are not to be seen. Who are the managers ? i am inclined to think that the whole thing is in the hands of the man who sweeps out the place. The sooner the whole affair is remodelled the better ; as it is at present it is a disgrace to the Province and all conc rned. 1 am positive that if the small charge of one penny per head yraa f° r admittance, te# shillings par annum would not be realised.—Youra, &p ff Ootagon, Dunedin, June 27.