DUNEDIN.

Grey River Argus, Volume X, Issue 786, 31 January 1871, Page 4

DUNEDIN.

[FROM OTTR OWN CORRESPONDENT.] Januaiy 21, 1870. The Presbyterian Synod of Otago and Southland concluded its labors on Wednesday. With one exception, the business transacted was not very interesting to the general public. The exception was the St. Andrew's Church affair. It will be remembered that, some, time ago, certain charges were brought against the minister, the Key, Mr Scrimgeour, and he was in consequence suspended from his charge and the chnrch declared vacant. Some time afterwards, the sentence of suspension having ran out, the congregation met and gave a call to Mr Scrimgeonr to be their minister again. This the Presbytery refused to proceed with, and numerous meetings of both Presbytery and congregation were held on the subject, a slrong minority in both bodies standing out against Mr Scrimgeour's re-admission. Eventually the matter was referred to the Synod, and it came on for discussion on Monday. After a long and rather bitter debate, lasting till near five o'clock on Tuesday morning, it was carried by a majority that the Presbytery proceed with the call in the usual way. This has accordingly been done, and Mr Scrimgeour is to be inducted to the charge of St. Andrew's Church on the 2nd February, thus putting an end to an indecorous dispute which has lasted over a year. A new church, in connection with the above body, is now in course of erection at the comer of Howe and Great King streets,

which will be very convenient for the inhabitants of the northern end of the city. The election of two citizens to represent Dnnedin in the House of Representatives took place yesterday. There was a good deal of stir, all day round the principal polling booth — the Provincial Government Building. From the steps leading up to the terrace, various mob orators held forth at intervals. Chief among them was Mr Graham (Jock), one of the candidates, who was, as he expressed it, " Bound for Wellington." He continued speaking, nearly continually, for over three hours, rambling off from one subject to another, until the crowd got tired of him, and refused to listen any longer. Toward five o'clock the crowd increased, and for some time, while waiting the declaration of the numbers, there was plenty fun and chaff going. It was nearly six o'clock before the Returning Officer, Mr J. Burnside, made his appearance, amid loud cheering, and announced the result, which was as follows : — Bathgate, 694 ; Reynolds, 692 ; Macassey, 545 ; Graham, 64 ; Grant, 50. The first two gentlemen were accordingly declared duly elected. There was considerable cheering and countercheering as the numbers were read out. Surprise was manifested at Macassey beinir so far behind, as it was pretty confidently predicted that he wo'ild be one the two returned. Mr Bathgate stepped forward, and in brief terms thanked the electors for the proud position in which they had placed him — at the head of the poll. He was followed by Mr Reynolds, who also thanked the electors. Mr Macassey then followed, and made a few remarks, concluding by congratulating Messrs Bathga^e and Reynolds on the victory. Mr .Graham then jumped up and delivered an impassioned harangue, scolding the electors for j»ot placing him at the top of the poll. He was received with chaff and ca calls, and ended by making a fool of himself generallyi Grant was ca'led for, but did not respond. After a vote of thanks to the Retnmirg Officer the proceedings closed. This is the second election at which the ballot has been used, and it seems to work very well, th< ugh a &ood many object to the number being placed on the papers. The nomination for the Superintendency takes place to-day at noon. There is great excitement as to the result. All over the province meetings are being held, and committees formed to secure the return of the favorite candidate. The scaffolding has been removed from the steeple of the First Church this week, and the beauty of the structure can now be seen to advantage. The body of the church has also been commenced again. In general matters there is very little moving. Business remains dull, the elections absorbing attention. The weather has been fine all weekj save a few seasonable showers on Tuesday. ________»— .