The Evening Star. THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 21, 1876.

Evening Star, Issue 4234, 21 September 1876, Page 2

The Evening Star. THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 21, 1876.

Wb have felt so much confidence in the good sense of the people of Dunedin, that we have not thought it necessary to notice the doings of an association styling itself "The.Political Association." Our belief is justified in the result. Eight hundred and sixty-four men, including many of standing and posi. tion, deeply interested in the welfare of the Province and Colony, felt bound to protest against the action of the Opposition in the House of Representatives, sad to ask that* instead of wasting time in idle discussions, the business for which Parliament assembles should be proceeded with. This letter was signed by men of intelligence engaged in commerce, accustomed to weigh wellthe consequences of political action upon the welfare of the Colony, and quite as competent to judge of its true interests as the most able of its representatives. They did not assume to speak for the inhabitants of Otago ; they spoke for themselves, and themselvesalone. There was noas-1 sumptionof rcpresentingthe feelings of others. f ( ach was quite content to say, by his signature, that he coincided in the opinions ex-' pressed in the letter. The " Political Association " assumes to be conversant with what it terms the " feelings" of the people, and appears to be quite astonished that eight hundred and Bixty people could be found who disapproved of their recommendations. We have no doubt that in a little more time double the number who did not sign the first letter wouldexpress similar opinions were it necessary; for although, at the last election, there was much that was misunderstood, the course taken by the Opposition this session has opened the eyeß of many to the real state of the political situation. It cannot for one ji'iment be tolerated that the people of Otago should be misrepresented as they 1 have been by some of the foolish zealots who professed to know their feelings. It is hardly necessary to notice names, but it would be unfair to leave it to be believed that others were capable of such absurd utterances as Mr Burns's when he said "refusal to grant the resolutions would be as a spark in a barrel of gunpowder in Otago." It is matter for gratulation that there are cooler heads and wiser brains in the Province than his. No part of the country has less to gain and more*to lose by {>olitical separation from the rest of the Coony than Otago. Its progress is intimately bound up in the advancement of every other district. The more immediately even the most remote is brought into the closest possible contact with it, the more will it benefit all classes among us. Our representatives excuse their opposition on the plea that they wish to conserve Otago's revenues. We have frequently drawn attention to the fact that if they are preserved to us it is not through the Opposition, but because of the firmness and determination of the Government. Of course the Political Association ie prepared to deny this, otherwise they could not, on that ground, justify their dissent from the Government measures. We apprehend, however, that they will have some difficulty in reconciling the people of Otago to one of Sir George Grey's reasons for condemning the Govermeht, when, in enumerating the list of their sins in support of Mr Macandrew's motion, one of the chief was, "they had prevented the land fund from becoming Colonial property." Having blurted forth this anathema in insulting bombast, he spoke of the people of Otago Whose, representative* had been his zealous allies in the following contemptuous terms—" People of Otago, fajldown and worship your Deity." And this is the ro ward Auckland s mouthpiece confers upon those who have aided in his senseless and recklesß policy. Dismissing every political consideration, ana regarding the situation of parties merely from an abstract point of view, we ask what Possible sympathy could the people of Otago ave with one holding such sentiments ? Yet it must be plain even to the Political Association that without the aid of Sir Georob Gbey's party they could not have even made a show of opposition in the House ; and supposing they had been successful in unseating the Government, the terms on which they would have been required to assist in carrying on the affairs of the country mutt have been the abandonment of the very revenues they profess to desire to preserve. We have no doubt of the good intentions of the Political Association, but we wish they would turn their attention to something practical and useful rather than waste their energies on what is factious and theoretical. If they know anything of politics they must know that Provincialism is not essential to the prosperity of the Province, and that its continuance would prove a hindrAQoe to local government rather than a help, It will never again subsist, and Bornothing superior to it and more generally applicable to oay advanced condition is needed. They can do good service by cooperation with tho Government, although they are powe*lca < s an Opposition, because they have not the intelligent sympathy of the people with t':em. Their eyes are mwopened to the faot that there are great numbers who have thus far not thought it necessary to be more than lookers-on, who are rousing themselves to put an end to a stat? of mv

certainty that tends practically to Imy* Otago in the hands «f the Government, unchecked by local institutions—-a moat undesirable etate of things. The game has continued too long, and it is high time system should take the place of a state bordering on anarchy, and consequently dangerous to every interest of both capital and labor.

At Albert Town, on the 7th inst., a Norwegian named Hokanson died very suddenly from inflammation of the lungs. At Oamaru on Tuesday night Roberts gave a local player 700 out of 1,000, and beat him by 61 points. The champion's greatest breaks were 87, 105 and 190. Two prisoners, named respectively Robert Dutton Lee and John Lewis Home, concerned in the recent forgeries at Oamaru, were received into the Gaol last night under commitment for trial at the ensuing sessions. The «Cromwell Argus' is responsible for the statement that a certain gentleman connected with the administration of the Otago Goldfields has proceeded to Wellington with 1 an eye to the office recently held by Mr Haughton.

gjA cablegram received in town yesterday from Sandhurst announced the death there of Mr Edward Salomon, pianiat and composer, who will be best remembered by modem Dunedinites from his connection with the Nathan troupe. A lecture on "The Duties and Difficulties of Freethought" waß delivered in Knox Church last night by Mr A. Montgomery, under the auspices of the Young Meu's Society of that Church. Dr Stuart presided, and a large audience listened verj attentively to the remarks of the lecturer. The |Southland News' hears that Mr John Pishenden, hotelkeeper, of Invercargill, has instructed a solicitor to take legal proceedings against Messrs Mackay, Fenwick, and Co., of Dunedia, the printers of a trade protection circular known as the 'Mercantile Gazette,' for having—presumably through the inadvertent introduction of a superflous "nought" into a group of figures—made L2OO, the amount of a bul of sale, read L 2,000.

At the regular meeting of the Green Island Municipal Council on Tuesday evening, at which there was a full attendance, after the transaction of some formal business, Cr. Gray gave notice that at next meeting he would move that out of this year's income a sum of money be set aside for the purpose of procuring a suitable site on which to erect Corporation Chambers. The Clerk was instructed to write to the Corporation's Engineer informing him that it had been decided that the permanent levels of all the streets should be fixed as soon as possible. Chriatchnrch can boast of a "bobby M who is not afraid of soiling his clothes. The ' Press' says that while Constable Lowe was on duty in Oxford Terrace, he heard the scream of a child at the river opposite ,the British Hotel, and on running to the spot saw a little girl about five years old in the middle of the river, floating down with the current. Without a moment's hesitation he pluckily jumped in, and though the water is deep at that spot, succeeded in reaching the .child before shesank, and brought her safely to land. It seems the little girl, whose name is Agnes Donaldson, had been swinging on a bough at the edge of the river, which broke and let her in.

The twelfth anniversary of the Loyal Leith Lodge, A.0.F., was celebrated by a soiree, concert, and ball at the Oddfellows' Hall, Albany street, last evening. An excellent repast had been provided, and having been done justice to the Secretary read the annual report, which showed the lodge to be in a flourishing condition. The total value of the lodge in June last was L 225 33 Id, of which L2OO had been invested by the trustees at eight per cent. The concert programme wa3 a capital one, and the various items were warmly applauded. After a vote of thanks to the chairman (C.R., Brother Parker) the room was cleared for dancing, in which a great number took part. One of the Victorian competitors for a place in the Intercolonial Eifle Team has been summarily disqualified from taking further part in the matches, in consequence of improper conduct at the last competition at Sandridge. The individual in question is Private Patterson, of the Collingwood Rifles. It appears that he was firing at the 600 yards range, and he induced the scorer (a mere lad) to enter him centres and outers when in reality he had made misses. Some other competitors who were at the butts noticed that although the red flag was hoisted (denoting a miss) a centre was scored. Mr Povell, the hon. secretary of the Victorian Eifle Association, who was on the ground, at once disqualified the man, and his action was upheld by the council of the V.R. A.

There is, after all, some prospect of Cromwell becoming the County town for the Lakes County. Even Mr Manderi admits that such is a possibility, for he writes to tho Arrow Municipal Council informing them that "their silence on the County boundaries had rather seriously affected him in the course he meant to adopt. He was afraid the boundary would be altered so as to include the Dunstan district. Such,*. County would make Cromwefi the natural centre. He was in favor of the Wakatip County extending to Cromwell only, but this could not now be done. The majority of the House are in favor of large counties, unless the people of the district express directly by petition, or resolution of some Road Board or corporate body, a desire for a small county." The following items are from yesterday's 'Tuapeka Times':—-The largest quartzcrushing battery on the Blue Spur— at Hales and Hinde's claim—was started on Tuesday, and gave thorough satisfaction. The cost of tbe plant and adjuncts is put down at nearly L 5.000; and it has been •rooted by Kincaid, M'Queen and Co.— Two accidents occurred at Roxburgh during tho past week through children falling into water-races. One at Coal Creek, a little boy about twelve months old; the other occurred at Eoxburgh East: in this instance the little fellow, a son of Mr G. A. Smith, was carried through a hose, and fell a clear drop of 25ft. Both children were frightfully bruised and out.—The formation of a prospecting company in search for quartz reefs in this district is on the tapk,— The water supply at the Blue Spur is now very abundant, and all the sluicing olaims are in full work,

At the Princess's Theatre last evening the management produced another novelty in " Ruby," which may be briefly described as a melodrama similar in construction to the other pieces played during the " Californian Diamond's " visit to Dunedin. Nell appears in five different characters or disguises, including the young heroine, a garrulous old woman, an errand boy, the inevitable Dutch girl, and an idiot cripple. These are all cleverly played, but the piece as a whole has little to recommend it. Mr Saville created a favorable impression in a character new to him, that of the crafty hypocrite Goodman j and Mr Giddens made an amusing Bob Trickett. Mr Hooper's capabilities were not heavily taxed in the part of the hero, young Curzon, and the lame maybe said of Miss Lilly May, as Julia; but both characters were pleasingly rendered. "Ruby" will be repeated this evening,

The Neva portion of Mr Pyke's constituency held a meeting on the 11th inst. to consider hie action, and adopted the following resolution:—"That this meeting is thoroughly satisfied with the action of our representative (Mr Pyke) in the House of Representatives with reference to Abolition and Reparation and also with his political views m general. And also considers that he is the right man in the right place." The Commercial Stables, High street, in which were fifteen horses, narrowly escaped being burned down last night. It appears that about half-past ten o'dook a groom named Chas. Debenham, who had been working in-the stable, went away leaving a lantern hanging on a saddle-rack. Part of a candle was burning in the lantern, while another was lying on the bottom of it. Shortly afterwards Mr Christian, who, occupies a shop in the Arcade, came into the stable and gave the alarm. The fire was discovered and extinguished with the aid of a few buckets of water. The bottom of the lantern was found amongst the straw, and the top hanging where it was left by the groom, but very much discolored, so that the soldering must have given away and the bottom portion of the lantern fallen on to the straw and set light to it. Some months ago Mr Christian discovered a fire in the same locality, and prevented what might have proved a serious conflagration.

Dr Copland wll lecture in the Caveraham Freßbytenan Church on a " Visit to Lutherjs JJi om , e ' \ H«tt»teJ by diagrams, to morrow (Friday) evening, at 7.30.