DUNEDIN.

Grey River Argus, Volume IX, Issue 673, 12 May 1870, Page 4

DUNEDIN.

(from our own correspondents) May 2. Following up Mr Stafford's -speech at Timaru last week, Mr Fox addressed the constituency here on Wednesday evening. The Princess Theatre was selected as the scene of the speech, and the building was crowded in every part. The principal topio dwelt on was the war, its cost and its conduct, and Mr Fox commenced by dealing out a well-merited castigatiou to the Otago Daily Times for its want of candour and general misdealing and misrepresentation of all matters regarding the war since the Fox Ministry took the strings of rule into their hands. He then entered into a long explanation of the doings of the Government in regard to the conduct of the WaT and of native matters generally, defending them from the aspersions which had been so liberally thrown out. The question of Provincialism v. Centralism, always a taking one here, was also delicately touched on, Mr Fox maintaining that though the subject was one of much difficulty, the Provinces had yet a long career of usefulness before them, ere they could be deprived of their power. He also alluded to the mistakes which had been made by. former Ministries in this direction, and pointed out Westland as a complete failure. The various phases of public opinion in regard to this question were very happily hit off, Mr Fox resolving it all into a case of prosperity or adversity; if a province were well off, and had a good revenue, then Provincialism was popular. If, on the other hand, the province were in difficulty and cash scarce, then the cry was " Down with Provincial Government." In regard to the future prospects of the colony Mr Fox spoke very hopefully, and said that as long as the two Governments worked harmoniously together, the country is bound to get on. The Government will assist in promoting every measure calculated to assist in the general progress, and no means will be left untried to increase the population, facilitate communication and developethe resources of the country. Mr Fox was very well received by his audience, and was very frequently applauded. The Premier has been visiting pretty freely all round. He has been over the Gaol, Asylum, Hospital, Museum, High School, the Graving Docks, &c, &c, and has expressed himself as well pleased with all that he has seen. At the meeting referred to above, he contrasted the present state of Dunedin with what it was when he first saw it, now 21 years ago, and complimented the energy and public spirit of the settlers. He left yes- * terday on a visit to Oaniaru and the district. The Provincial Council assembled on Tuesday for the transaction of business. The Superintendent read a long address, shadowing, out the work of the session, which will keep members busy for at least a month of pretty hard work. The Reply was carried after a very brief discussion. Very little has yet been done, most of the members being present at the Colonial Prize Firing, and t>ther things. There is a pretty full attendance of members. The Colonial Prize Firing commenced on Wednesday, in a field in the NoithEast Valley, and lasted over Thursday and yesterday. The weather was fine for the purpose, though the first day was a very cold one. The scores made have been very irregular, and none of them very high. Some of our best local shots are nowhere in the competition. Still Otago has no reason te be ashamed of the honors carried off by her representatives. The prizes were presented to the successful competitors on Saturday afternoon in front of the Custom House. There was a parade of our local corps, and a very good muster there was. The public turned 1 out strongly and lined the space, which was kept clear by a detachment of police. Colonel Harrington inspected the Volunteers, and was received with a general salute. The companies were then closed up, the representatives in. front, and Col. Harrington presented the prizes. Lieut. Goldie, of Port Chalmers Naval Brigade, carried off the belt (the championship), and the gold medal, with L4O in money. Corporal Treseder, of No. 2 Company, Dunedin, came next, and took L4O and a silver medal. On Monday, ten of the highest scorers from the North Island, and ten of the best from the South are to shoot for a gold watch and chain and a gold pencil and pen-case. The highest scorer on the winning side gets the watch, and the highest scorer en the losing side the pencil-case. The aggregate scores of the ten best Southern men amount to 1664, of the Northern men to 1458, so that the Southern men appear to have the best chance, but they will have a hard run for it. The dinner on Saturday evening in Murray's room was a great success ; Colonel Harrington in the chair. Yesterday was very wet all day. The morning is clear, but not very settled looking. The. Ashley, with the representatives on board, sails this afternoon. On Sunday, Monday, and Tuesday we had a regular buster from the S.S.W., which was quite wintery in its aspect. The wind gradually increased in intensity until Monday night, when it blew a gale, accompanied by heavy showers of sleet and snow, which whitened all the district. Tuesday was a miserable day — wind, snow and sleet prevailed, all day long till after dark, when it gradually moderated. The snow lies pretty deep on all the hills around, and the temperature has since been very low, freezing at night. It was fortunate it cleared up on Wednesday ' morning, otherwise the Colonial shooting -would have had to be postponed, but it has been fine since. The Bell-ringers have left on an upcountry tour, and the Christy Minstrels have been performing to tolerably good houses in the Princess Theatre during the week. •