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Evening Star, Issue 3235, 3 July 1873, Page 2

Dr Webster should make himself master of the subjects he undertakes to introduce into the Council, before he ventures to modify or amend the Constitution. He has entered into politics late in life, and even were he to serve an apprenticeship to them, he does not appear likely to become an adept. He has all the aspirations and rawness of an amateur, and with the best intentions in the world, commits the greatest blunders. No doubt his bonhommie and good temper give to his absurd propositions,

and equally absurd reasons for introducing them, so burlesque an air, that they are tolerated and laughed at. But there is a limit to toleration ■of the funniest things, and as the Council has been convened for the despatch of business, such motions as Dr Webster has given notice of, in regard to so limiting the powers of the Superintendent as to reduce him to a mere puppet, should be discountenanced. No doubt occasion will be taken for venting a little bitterness by those who have resolved not to “bury the hatchet,” and we therefore are sorry that the doctor has allowed himself to open up occasion for strife of that description. It is the more to be regretted, for whatever ingenuity may be displayed in the debate, should one ensue, it must be entirely wasted, as the Council has hot power to enforce what he asks; and, moreover, .it will necessarily put the Province to heavy expense. But on the whole we had rather, if such a question is to be raised, that it should be dealt with by him, than that it should emanate from the bitter opponents of the Superintendent. His reasons will at any rate be couched in gentlemanly language, even should they fail to carry conviction ; and he will be careful to avoid that studied disrespect which was so marked a characteristic of many of the members of the late Council, now happily consigned to the duties of private life.

Mr J. L. Gillica has announced himself as a candidate for the representation of Waikouaiti in the General Assembly. The other candidates in the field are Messrs Oliver and Pratt. " Rip Van Winkle " was played to a fair audience at the Priucess's last night, Mr Kayner playing the Dutchman with greater faithfulness and power than we would have given him credit for. He was well supported by the other members of the company; and the piece was well placed on the stage. It will be repeated this evening. We were sorry to see such a poor attendance at the Queen's Theatre last night, on the occasion of the beneiit of Miss Ansfcead, who is the main support of the company, and always works hard to please the patrons of the establishment. "Henry Dunbar" and the burlesque were played, and will be repeated this evening. The immigrants per ship James Nicol Fleming consist of the following classes : 16 labourers, 14 ploughmen, 52 farm labourers, 10 shepherds, 50 domestic seivants, 3 mechanics, 1 Bhoemaker, 1 watchmaker, 1 compositor. The immigrants are to be engaged to-morrow (Friday), at the barracks, Caversham. We understand that there are a great many applications for the new arrivals.

At the usual meeting of the Waste Land Board, held to-day, Mr A. C. Begg appeared on behalf of the Hon. Mr Campbell in support of an application to have the plans of his application for land in Maerewhonua district approved of, and he (Mr Campbell) declared the purchaser. Mr M’Kerrow’s report on the nature of the land was also read and considered. After discussion, the sale was confirmed and the survey approved of, Mr Clark dissenting. We are compelled, through press of matter, to hold over the remainder of our report. Mr Dixon’s benefit at the Masonic Hall last evening was very largely attended, the hall being crowded in both parts. A very good entertainment was provided, Messrs HaWnigan, Dixon, Bracken, Knott, and Griffon being the principal performers. We cannot condemn too strongly the conduct of a number of persons in the back part of the hall, who persistently howled and hissed during a recitation ; nor is the action of the gentleman, sorely tried though he was, in inviting his tormentors in uncourteous terms to come on to the platform, free from blame. The whole thing was disgraceful. The principal business in the Provincial Council this afternoon was a debate on a motion by Mr Lumsden, who obtained the suspension of the standing orders and leave to move that whereas doubts had been thrown upon the power of the Superintendent to make the reservation of 200,000 acres of land in Southland, authorised yesterday, it was desirable that his Honor should purchase the land, and agreeing to indemnify the Government for making the purchase. In the course of the discussion it was stated that capitalists were buying up the land wholesale in Southland, and that at the Waste Land Board meeting at Invercarcargill to-day no less than 35,000 acres were sold.

We have received a letter from Port Chalmers, containing the following suggestion regarding the disposal of the disputed stakes at the Port Chalmers Regatta : As one of the subscribers, I would suggest that the Committee redeem their error by calling a public meeting, and get the opinion of the meeting as to the best manner of dealing with the amount misapplied. To return the funds to the contributors on an equit- ; able basis would entail a considerable amount J of trouble. The meeting might, however, recommend that the amount might be given to the Hospital, Benevolent Asylum, or other charitable institution; at any rate it would relieve the Committee from the responsibility which, as honorable men, now rests upon them." The first part of the letter is a recapitulation of the case and proceedings in the Magistrate's Court, which it is uncecessary to republish, as it has been fully reported in the Star. A summoned meeting of Court Pride of Dunedm, No. 3,780, Ancient Order of Foresters, was held in the Friendly Societies' Hall, Princes street, on Tuesday evening, when the balance-sheet and auditors' report for the quarter were read. The former showed the Court to be in a very prosperous condition, both numerically and financially, the present number of members being 101; the receipts for the quarter, L 202 14s: expenditure, L9l 10s ; leaving a balance of LI 11 3s 2d to be added to the reserve fund, which now amounts to L 1,841 13s ,Qd, or L 9 lis 9d per member. The election .of officers for the ensuing six months resulted as follows : - C.R., Bro. Wm. Carrj S.C.R., Bro. Wm. Fink ; Treasurer, Bro. F. Tolfield j Seere.tary, Bro. John Wilson; Assistaut Secretary, Bro. Jos. Norman; .S.W., Bro. Thomas Ireland ; J.W., Bro. M. Butler ; 5.8., Bro. A. Chisholm; J. 8., Bro. John Gray. After the installation of the- newly-elected offieers by C.R. Bro. H. Crawford, and a vote of thanks to the retiring officers, the meeting was adjourned till Tuesday, the 15th instant. During fcbo past few weeks the proposed line of railway between Moaraki and Dunedin has been under survey, with a view, we presume, of its submission for approval at the next session of the General Assembly. We (Herald) believe the direction which the line is intended to take after leaving the Maori Kaik is not as was originally recommended by Mr Blair—across the Sandhills, over the Lagoon, and through the upper end of the Government township—owing to the ground crossing the Waikouaiti River near its mouth being unsuitable for the purpose. From the Kaik, we understand, the line will make a sharp curve and ruu parallel with the Waikouaiti River, crossing it and the main road near Cherry Farm, and then ascending the small saddle, and following the flat in the Hawksbury paddocks, between the main road and the bush. Should the line as now surveyed between Palmerston and Waikouaiti be adopted, considerable loss will be entailed upon owners from the manner in which their land wil| be cut up, of which tho com-, pensation allowed will not cover even a tithe. Wo might instance one case which has been mentioned to us, and that is Brooklands, the property of Mr J. P. Hepburn, which the line of railway as at present surveyed will injure to the extent of upwards of a thousand

pounds, for which Mr Hepburn will probably receive one or two hundreds as compensation. The desirability—indeed,, necessity—of having this railway completed at the earliest possible date no one will deny ; but in laying off the line care should be taken to avoid as much as possible the cutting up or injuring the land of those it has to pass through ; and we think it would be to the interests and safety of travellers by the main roads if the line was kept as far from them as possible. Of course, in many instances, wo arc quite aware that it would be impossibly to do so, but except near centres of population we do not see any advantage in keeping near the road. In a matterbf this kind, however, we have no doubt Mr Blair will bo guided entirely by the exigencies of the case in the adoption of the easiest and most practicable gradients. Last evening a complimentary dinner was given at Wain’s Hotel, Manse street, to Mr 0. S. Reeves, one of the candidates for the representation of the City at the late election. About forty gentlemen were present, Mr E. M'Giashan, M.P.C., was in the chair, and Mr R. Wilson croupier. The usual loyal toasts having been disposed of, the health of Mr Reeves was proposed by the Chairman, who expressed satisfaction at tbe proof of the estimation in which Mr Reeves is held by the citizens, by the number who supported him at the late election. Mr Reeves, in acknowledging the toast, said he felt the more gratification at the compliment paid him, for although a successful candidate was frequently invited to meet his friends in that social way, it was not common to shew such regard to a defeated one. Although he had been unsuccessful three times, he did not give up the hope of representing the City, and was quite prepared to again contest the seat, should opportunity present itself, when, through the evident feeling in his favor that had been manifested, he could hardly doubt being returned. Although politics could not be altogether excluded from discussion, and although gentlemen supposed to hold opinions adverse f to each other were present, the utmost cordiality prevailed, and the proceedings passed off most agreeably.

A meeting of journeymen shoemakers will be held in the European Hotel, on Monday evening next, at 8 o’clock. The quarterly meeting of the Otago Schoolmasters’ Association will be held in Mr Gardner’s Schoolroom, Stuart street, on Saturday, sth inst., at 11 a.m. The football match between the D.F.C. and the D.V.A., which was postponed on account of the weather, will come off on The names of the players are as follows D.F.C. : E. Johnson, F. Smith, A. K. Smith, J. C. Thomson, A. Ferguson, J. M. Fraser, J. C. Denniston, li. Park, R. Brown, E. Holmes, G. M. Thomson, P. Fagan, T. Macfarlane, D. K. Rhodes, and J. A. Cook, with Murray, Yicker : man, and M‘Donald as emergency men.— D.V.A. ; J. Allen, W. Begg, S. Lambert, F. J. Muir, J. White, L. E. Reade, J. Morrison, G. L. Denniston, J. Bunny, A. M. Webb, J. Miller, W. Logan, N. Kettle, W. M‘Larcn, \V, Morrison, Geo. Greenfield, W. Lambert, Frankiss, and Coxbead. Wc have noticed for some time past Mr Henry Glapcott’s advertisement in which he informs the public that, with the sanction of the University Council, he is prepared to give lessons in elocution. To-day we publish Mr Clapcott’s intention of giving readings from popular authors in the Lower Hall of the Allienseuin, on Friday next, on which occasion the Hon. Major Richardson will take the chair. We understand that Mr Clapcott intends, during the winter months, on each Friday evening, to give a public reading, selecting as his subject the work of some standard author, and that each evening’s reading is to commence at eight, and terminate not later than half-past nine. This is a capital time to break up, and we think that making the charge only one shilling for admission is a wise step. Those who have heard Mr Clapcott before will, no doubt, attend; and we feel sure that those who may be present will hear good selections well rendered.