DUNEDIN.

Grey River Argus, Volume VIII, Issue 541, 6 July 1869, Page 4

DUNEDIN.

(FROlil OUK OWN CORRESPONDENT.) June 26. 1 he much-talked-of meeting of the Otago Political Association came off on Monday a,fternoon, in the new Masonic Hall, Moray-place. Considering the awkwardness of the hour (5 o'clock) which was} fixed for the meeting, there wa,s. a good attendance, the hall being nearly filled; but there was a want of enthusiasm ap* parent, which was, perhaps, owing to the dryness of the subject brought on for discussion. The chair was filled by Mr H, S. Fish, junr., who was styled in a letter in the paper the other day as a "young aspirant for public honors," but who, nevertheless, filled the office pretty well. The five resolutions prepared by the Association were carried with very little opposition. They were moved and seconded as follows : — Mr J. W. Jago moved the first resolution — "That this meeting views with alarm the proposal contained in the speech of His Excellency the Governor, at the opening of the present session of the General Assembly, to raise a, new loan for the purpose of creating and maintaining a highly organised force, in order to overcome the determined hostility of the turbulent portion of the native race."— Mr Webb seconded, Mr Bathgate moved the second resolution — "That the heavy public burdens of this Colony — unprecedented for so youngj a country— involve an amount of taxation unequalled in. any colony. This is now proving to be oppressive and detrimental to the prosperity of the Colony, by paralysing industry and checking immigration. Under- these circumstances, any additions to these burdens can pnly be followed by wide-spread ruin and disaster. " — Seconded by Mr Sligo. Mr Redmayne moved the ! third resolution — ''That, in undertaking past liabilities for the North Island, the inhabitants of the Middle Island generously went beyond any existing legal or moral obligation, and it is not desired to repudiate their share of those liabilities ; but the meeting solemnly protests against any increase of the burdeiu of the Middle Island for the prosecution of the war or native purposes, and firmly declares that responsibility on their part for outlays •connected with the North Island must now and for ever cease." — Seconded by Mr Hughes. Mr W. W. Wilson moved tie fourth resolution, which was —"That it is believed that the means and resources of the N/orth Island are quite sufficient, if properly directed, to maintain peace, order, and good government within its boundaries, and therefore all expenses necessary in that behalf 'nu.st be borne by, and all management in Native affairs entrusted to the North Island only, which will derive all the advantages arising from a satisfactory conclusion of the present irregular war." — Mr G. Bell seconded. Mr Dalrymple briefly spoke to, and moved the next resolution as f ollows :— -" That this meeting resolves to use every constitutional means to give effect to the foregoing resolutions, and calls on the representatives of the people to give them their hearty support. They also invite the co-operation of the inhabitants of this and the other provinces of the Middle Island towards the end in view, by organising associations for that purpose, petitioning the Legislature, and obtaining the active assistance of their members in the Assembly." — Seconded by Mr Simp* son. Very little opposition was manifested to the resolutions, and there can be no doubt that they convey the mind of the people of Dunedin on the matter. As to whether they will have any effect, now that the Stafford Ministry has retired, remains to be seen, The news of the defeat of the Ministry was received by telegraph late on Thursday evening. About twenty minutes past eleven on Thursday forenoon the good folks of Dunedin were startled out of their propriety by a rather smart shock of earthquake, There was no damage done to any of the stone or brick buildings, but inside houses and offices bells rang, crocked rattled, beds moved, chairs rolled along the floors, and counters trembled pretty generally all over the town. The tremor was preceded by a loud rushing noise, lasting for two or three seconds, and it seems to have been felt all over the Province. The direction of the shock was from the southward, most reliable opinions making it about S.S.E. to N.N.W. These phenomena are getting rather frequent in this island, and savans seem to think that a new volcanic centre has opened away to the south somewhere. In connection with this matter, though earthquakes may not be the cause, I think it right to mention •that some alterations have taken place in the channels at the mouth of the harbor, rendering it necessary to shift some of the beacons, of which the Harbor Master gives notice in the papers this morning. Operations for the transfer of the Botanic Gardens from its present site to the lower portion of the Acclimatisation Society's grounds were commenced a few days ago. The Garrick Club gave a performance in the Princess Theatre last night for the benefit of the Benevolent Institute, which was very successful. The pieces played were the drama of "The Times" and the burlesque of " Shylock ; or, the Merchant of Venice Presetted." A new burlesque — " The Field of the Cloth of Gold," is to be produced to-night. The City Guards gave their annual ball in the hall of the new Post-office last night. The room was beautifully decorated, and there was a very fine turn out. The weather has been very fine all we.c.!< — bright sunny days, with more or less hard frost at night.