The Evening Star. TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 2, 1875.

Evening Star, Issue 3959, 2 November 1875, Page 2

The Evening Star. TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 2, 1875.

If we are to have an Opposition party let (heir opposition bo based on intelligible grounds, and not be one of mere words. We can understand opposition to the Abolition of Provinces, but as they are no more, and are on all hands considered dead, that cause of controversy is removed. We can understand the opposition of journals swayed by certain cliques, and of men bound up in certain theories, and of politicians so organised that no matter who are Ministers, or what measures are proposed, they will oppose them merely because they emanate from men in power. Their election tactics are, “■ Clive us a cry and we will carry our men. Let us shout something, no matter what it means. ‘ Great is Diana of the Ephesians ’ was enough for the men of Ephesus; ‘the land! the land ! ’ will do for Otago. Only shout loud enough and rave sufficiently unintelligibly, or appear to reason sufficiently plausibly and the electors will allow themselves to be bamboozled.” We trust, if _ ever this was possible in Dunedin, the time has passed for ever', and that the franchise will be used as becomes those who, in the exercise of it, are expected to be guided by sound knowledge and calm and unbiassed judgment. The position of all new Colonies, especially of those which, like Otago, have had large additions of immigrants to their populations, is in many respects unfavorable to judicious selection of representatives. Time is required for observation of the characters and abilities of men, as well as for a comprehension of the advisability of certain measures, before an impartial decision can be arrived at regarding what is to be supported and what opposed. Society in Colonies is made up of a number of dissimilar atoms. It consists of fragments gathered from various social strata, united together by the frailest bonds of union ; it is a social conglomerate so slightly pressed together as to be separable into units almost by a breath. As a.l old associations are broken through, and new ones require to be formed, the mind of a Colonist during the first few years of his Colonial life is more or less perplexed. The situation so far as politics is concerned is _ new. The Australasian Colonies, in their governmental arraugeim nts. are unlike an}- tiling that the world has before seen. Though integral portions oi a vast Empire, the\’ possess all the priviloges of independent nations. Avoiding alike the evils oi democracies as hitherto constituted, and of monarchies, the} combine the best features of both. If so styled ‘‘ sell-government ” consists in repre- ■■ n 1 : • 11 vo jusf :!•?:(lons, in no other fettered, bo unlike all that immigrants i

hare been accustomed to are our institutions, and yet so like are they in their main features to those of the old countries of Europe, that it is easy to persuade new comers that the same vices exist here as in nations where there is a governing class interested in maintaining privileges inimical to the well-being of the industrial orders. We find consequently terras constantly applied to those who are entrusted with administering government that are in common and sometimes appropriate use at Horae, but which certainly do not apply here. Sir George Grey and others, for instance, use the expression “ people’s rights ” very glibly, as if there was an order in the Colonies to which he belongs when at Home, endeavoring to deprive the population of something that is an advantage to them ; while the truth is, the men whom they have elected to represent them in Parliament, and who are answerable to those who sent them there, have only, in the course of their duty, removed what past experience has proved was a hindrance to successful administration. I lie “ people’s rights,’' of which we hear such bombastic nonsense talked, were the privilege possessed mainly by two classes—squatters and farmers—of disposing of Provincial estates and revenues. This they did as seemed best in their eyes, without paying much heed to the interests of the other classes; and, as there were no counterbalancing impartial opinions of men from a distance, not personally interested in the decision of the questions brought up for consideration, they had it pretty much their own way. It is not likely that the party who wished to continue this state of things •will be content to lose their power altogether if there is a shadow of a chance of retaining it. It is, therefore, necessary to watch their movements narrowly, and to see to it that in the reconstruction that must take place there is no reproduction of the evils abolished. The present Ministry, however maligned by the noisy and glib-tongued Opposition, have shown, at the least, that not even the chance of unpopularity would deter them from what they conceived a duty. They might have been the most popular Ministry that has ruled in Hew Zealand, had they thrown the responsibility of Provincial Abolition on the electors ; and we are inclined to think in that case many of their noisiest opponents would have been foremost in advocating the change. Wo believe they took a wiser course. If they are further to be opposed let us know on what grounds.

As there are persons proposing to contribute .un,iehs lor publication in the • tak in the interest of the Opposition party, merely as individual, we wish it to be clearly understood that, however txoollcnt their contribute ns, they will not appear in the leading columns unless authorised by the party t!nou:,h a committee as an exposition of their views.

In the entries for the Dunedin Cup, publish'd in our yesterday’s issue, an error oc in-red. The nan.e of Mr - T . W. shand’a b c Kauri, 3 yrs, by Towton - Waimea, was omitti-d. - According to all reports the M.metonn reefs are turning out web. Ha r ohi.y a.d party arc reporter], as au in-tarcp, to he crushing by hand process quartz yielding LlO per man per week. A Tokomairiro resident, who was a passenger by tho ship Auckland, informs the ‘ Bruce Hera'd ’ that just before leaving Glasgow he un-t Mr James 'dam, who informed him that he intended to leave for dew Zealand very soon. In Victoria, with her population of nearly SOU,OOO, the work of legislation is done by 150 legislators, at a cost of 46s 6d per head of the population. In New Zealand, with a whole population of about 330,000, the work requires 370 legislators, and costs something like 63s per'head. A Miss Margaret Watt, a native of Cabrach, Banffshire, Scotland, one of the single women immigrants by the ship Auckland, died last night on board that vessel. She was in very delicate health when leaving Home, and fir the last four weeks has been gradually sinking. The Friendly Societies’ Fete on the 9th iust. is to be held at >t. Leonards, because the Sawyer’s Bay grounds arc not considered suitable. At a meeting of the Sports - ommittee last night a programme was arranged. A feature of the programme will be a baby-show, competitors being limited to the age of nine months.

We hear that the inspector who is to be appointed under the Employment of Females Act—and wo presume Mr Mallard will be re-appointed—will receive instructions to see that the Act is strictly enforced. We have also heard it stated that it is the intern ion of Mr Bradshaw, at an early date, to publicly explain the Act, as it now stands. At a public meeting at Fairfield last night, Messrs Christie, Graham, Fenney, Howorth, Martin, Jcffcoat, Brash, Runciman, and King were appointed a d- putation to wait upon the Superintendent to urge upon him the desirability of carrying the branch coal line to Brighton, The depm tation will wait on his Honor on Friday, Tho following items are from to-day’s ‘Bruce Herdd’;—Rro ;den and Ho < i will hand over tho Du-cdin and Olutha line to Government next month.-—The hoy Scott attempted to walk thirteen miles in two hours at -t. George’s Hall, Milton, on Saturday night. He, however, took two hours and three minutes to do it, the sharp turns of his course being against him. The members of the Duuediu Gun Club mot at the Empire Hotel last evening and elected the following office-bearers for the year:—President, Mr T. Godson ; vice-pre-sident, Mr S, (. layton ; Treasurer. Mr T, l-'odiion ; secretary, Mr H. 8.-cheler. Various suggestions for making the season a simo ssi'u’. one were m »de, and it wa-; agreed IImI while a phiid ifnl supuly of birds can In obtained s .vvsnstaki s O;-. .•.•hot tor every -■ an a :■ day, A few election rumors reach ns. Mr C A DcLrmtour will eonm forward tor Mount Ida, and it is supposed that Mr Leary wil again emit at (hat scat For tho ( iutlia, Fu- ‘ i'-ucu Herald’ slates that two local rc-.uloMs intend to run Mr Tht-mson ; and ■ . ■; ■. i i, r ‘ - ,• , pti LHuvLO.i di! .•jUi.'i.gV - ioi tl-h.' Ovibh, backed with the ativng rejommeudaliou of

Sir George Grey; Mr W. J, Dyer, Mayor of Milton, is already in the field ; Major Atkinson has declared his intention of standing ; while the names of Messrs H. Clark, M.P.C., and W. A. Mosely are mentioned as probable candidates. The fortnightly meeting of the Port Chalmers Town Council was held las" evening, when there were present the Mayor, Councillors }.I Gregor, Keid, Menolans, Middl. ditch, Dodson, and Miller. The business was mostly formal. The Council decided that tno question of surveying Beach street sh uld stand over until a sur veyor was appointed *or the survey of the road in front of Dodson’s new hotel, and that Ik-footpath to Flagstaff dill should be icpaired. At the City Police Court this morning, before ’essrs Pyko an I M rcer, J. P’s . Joseph M’Lean and homas >ll in were each fined 5s for drunkenness. Matthew Kng ish, on a similar charge, was fined 40s, with the alternative of seven days’ imprisonment; and Samuel Coffer, for conducting himself in a disorderly manner, 10s, in default three days’ imprisonment. John S Ibyand Jo epb M’bean were each fined 40s. in default fourteen days’ imprisonment, for refu ing to leave the Junction Hotel when ordered by the proprietor to do so.

Another old scVder has passed away. Mr John Barr, of Baldut ha, who was one of the earliest to re tie in that district, and f un-fed the tnvvnship of that name, died at Ids residence ihorc last night. The deceased had b ‘en sett’od in the district for about seventeen \ ears. Consumption, induced originally by exposure to void, com,ranted during the Superintcndental campaign of 1871 in which ho took a very active pait, was the cause of death. He leave j a wife and ten children. The funeral takes place at Balclutha to-morrow. Yesterday Sir George Grey, Messrs Sheehan and Bunny, accompanied by hi ■ Honor the Sap.rintendent and Mr J. C Brown, M H. t(., visited the Lunatic Asyium and later in the day the same gentlemen accompanied by Mr Bradshaw and Mr Main in pccted th • New Zealand Clothing Factory, over wh ch they were shown by Me.-sis Ilallenstein and Anderson, We are to d that the M. : -‘.R.’s met with a cordial reception from the workwomen, of whom there are over 20J in the factory. The adjourned meeting of the Grocers’ Assistants was held last evening ; Mr Kobt. Mercer in the chair. There were twenty-two present. It was resolved that a Grocers’ Assistants’ Association be formed. A discussion took place as to the advisability of lessening the hours of labor. Officers were elected pro. tem. as follows : President, Mr R. Mercer ; secretary, Mr J. Beveridge ; treasurer, Mr A. Naish. Committee : Messrs A. Mercer, Stevenson, Morris, and Campbell. The election of permanent offic rs will take place at the next meeting. The members of the Dunedin Canary and Poultry Association last evening mark- d in a substantial manner their appreciation of the valuable services rendered by their in defatigable honorary secretary, Mr Sydney James, by presenting him with a gold watch a>'d chain and a handsome testimonial. The watch, which was purchased from Mr Hislop, jeweller, bore the following inscription, engraved on the inside case “ Presented to Sydney James, K-sq., honorary secretary to the Dunedin Canary and Poultty A soaiati- n, as a mark of respect and esteem. October, 1875.”

The Htrhor Board have been very succsfs ful in floating 1 heir debentures, an an* toremont having been arnv .d at betw-au that bo y and the {.'olonial Bank by wi.iclt the latter agree to pvc» the proctcds to the credit of the Board’s account hj rc the debentures to be sold at par—this meaning that the Board should receive the full amount of the debentures in ca;> u The Corporation debentuM s only readied 9i or four below par--and thus the Harbor Board, have in their L1()0,000 Joan, as compare > with the Corporation, saved L4,0Q0 a sum sufficient to pay the whole departmental work of the Beard for a year. •it the first monthly meeting of the Fire Brigade, which was held last evening, 't Carmalt was app anted branchman, and the following gentlemen were elect d honorary members ‘ ssr.-. r*. J, Walter, Y. .

ales, •■osepb Mil s. A. Auden son, a ‘Donald, Dining, G. Brown, A. T. Dunning, W. G. Gedoes, A. M‘Gregor, M. God o, W. Bastings, Juba Watson, J. Finch, and H. | M- an iitoa. Intimation was maoe bv •Johnson that by the next outgoing maii the Tty Conned would send an order Home for new ho -e and for a tire escape. Dr Bakewcll has become .honorary surgeon to the new Brigade, Those who help themselves archest served may well be said of the Finauce Committee of the Harbor Board. These gentlemen, to whom the question of payment to members was submitted, modestly suggest that each member of the Board who should attend i heir fortnightly meetings should receive L2 2s for each meeting. The Board numbers nine members, and should all attend the remuneration paid would amount to L 453 12s! Now .Provincial Councillors, with the much-talked-of honorarium, do not receive near so much, getting only LI per day for an average session of forty-five days. The average sittings of this borty last 64 hours, while thorn of the Harbor Board never occupy half that time. Besides this, should the report be agreed to. the Finance Committee is to be done away with, and its woik embodied in the Board’s meetings. Robertson’s pleasing comedy, “School” constituted the programme at the Queen’s Theatre last evening. The piece was exceedingly well put upon the stage, and all the characters were evenly represented. Miss Willis made her re-appearance as Bella, the governess ; and although she was rather overweighted, gave a very creditable rendering of the part. Mrs Bates had a character suited to her in the part of the warm-hearted boarding school heiress, Naomi 1 ighe ; and Miss Leake appeared to advantage as the slothful pupil, Laura. Miss Blanche Bates, a very little child, made her first appearance as Little Polly, and her apt answers and winning manner in the ‘ School ” scene soon established her a favorite. Of the male characters Mr Musgrave’s Beau Farintosh was the best played. His acting as the inquisitive eld examiner in the earlier scenes, and afterwards as the it aid hearted guardian, on the r envery of his long-lost niece, was exceedingly natural. Mr Bates did full justice to I’oyntz, Farintosh’s faithful friend; and Mr JStoueham gave an excellent representation of tho env ; ous Krux. To-night the comedy will be repeated. An emergency meeting of the Lodge of Dunedin will he held in the Masonic Hall, this evening, at 8 o’clock. The usual monthly meeting ol tire Loyal Orange Lodge will bo held at the Friendly .•o-ietks’ Hall, to morrow (Wednesday) evening, at 780. A Third Doji-c* m»ef.big of tho Union of ,- Mago 1 couple, 1.0. G.T., will be held in th h’-'go room of Hie Temperance Ha I ], on Friday evening, at 7.80, Erratum.—At the conjunction of Mars and aturn on the 22nd of the month the ; Janet will be 18 minute* apart, and not 18 seconds as stated in our “Rough Astronomic il Rotes ” tor November. ilia ‘Evangelist’ for the current month L<J ‘CnaU LnuioU. o.vlii lilt) heading of Missions we read that a proposal

has been made to Mr Smith, of Swatow, and to the mission board of the Khelish Presbyterian Church, that in the event of his not returning to China, which the present condition of his health does not render likely, he shoul< come to Otago and take the superintendence of the Chinese mission Imre.