DUNEDIN AGITATION.

Mount Ida Chronicle, Volume VIII, Issue 430, 12 July 1877, Page 3

DUNEDIN AGITATION.

(From our special correspondent.)

Scene—Temperance Hall. Enter—lnfluential members on the platform, among whom wo noticed the elite of Dunedin, ushered iu by his Worship the Mayor. A pleasing innovation had been provided, we believe'duo solely to tho active desire on tho part of tho Mayor to give pleasure to the Dunedin citizens. A veil-selected band of muaieians played occasional pieces. Where practicable this custom should invariably bo followed. Ah tho members entered; and liia Worship took his seat, the first overture was played; being the well-known and very pleasing, though old-fashioned piece—"Ye llovo of Creasy, Britain's Pride ! " It was observable that the crowded audience on the iloor of the chamber were quite awed intoailenco at the placid sight of tho " influential." Tho Chairman, on rising, was greeted with rapturous applause : Gentlemen, fellow-citi-zens ! I have found the life of Dunedin. I hope it has a soul of trUe binary light. 1 know the valno of this expression of your opinion to-night, for I have travelled by private and devious communications from Wellington, and was much struck by the main trunk, which, however, is "likely to arrive quite safely. I may, however, say that I have received a telegram from my friend Pawkie Geordiej and he says we cannot hurry the*trurik by all our public meetings. I canv.fc quite understand this. It is a little like cheek. When it comes a change of linen will bo desirable. Meanwhile ho hoped they would excuse his melancholy appearance, which, if influentially requested, would not bo his last as Mayor. The Interior, in my opinion, has no soiil, but'it has vitals—consurii.es raspberry cordial (pray excuse the in-' traduction of shop), and consequently is agitated. I feel very happy in this serene atmosphere—calm, collected. Mr. Fish : In moving the first resolution, I will not detain you long. Everybody is to blame. I told you long ago that if you did ■ eo and so it would just lead you to so and so, where you aie now—just so. I say emphatically, it is so. I have reflected much in my time, and public life is but vanity, Ministers have-flung themsolves at Dunedin. 1 don't wish to be personal. I could be if I wished, though this audience might not believe my even temperament could be so unbalanced. lam convinced that Ministers are but a wretched lot of niggers I would scorn to drivo. I hope I have hurt no one s feelings —people are so tender nowadays. I also hope that the repentance of the Government, although a deathbed repentance, is sincere, and will prove for Dunedin a Sibbald fire-es-cape. Band—"Dainty Ariel." Mr. Burt: Now there's Deborah Bay, where Mr. Richardson offered to lay his bones, if completed. Dr. Coughtrey : Bonus, stupid. (Musingly—School of Cooker yaddress why cookod babies ; yea, that's it.) Mr. Burt : I take not tho reveries of the ex-Professor of Anatomy and expressions amiss. It is a way with learned men. lam sure Eichardson offered to lay something there—perhaps a foundation ._ Of conrso unforeseen circumstances came in his way, and we are, as men of truo metal, disgusted. Our members should join and build up Dunedin. Hon. W. H. Reynolds : Hear, hear. Mr. Robin : Its Driver's fault, that's clear a"s mud. By your presence, working men, you onfcer your protest against this miscreant. By your presence, merchants aud leaders cf the pooplo, you protest. I would speak of main arteries and back-door influence, but our ex-Professor still is in reverie. Up Dunedin, assert your rights, let those, meddle who dare 1 Band—"Who killed cock robin ? " Maccarras (a dealer in mixed groceries): Well said. There is a rascal at tho bottom of this railway. (Uere this gentleman dived frantically in his trousers pocket for a rnythi - cal half-crown, as your reporter supposed, which it was explained to him was a trick he contracted in days of early piety, when often, at conventicle collections, small coin was desirable. His tailor, who sat beside me, assured me that, knowing his whimsical way, as he was a good sort of fellow, aud had real bottom, he always lined his pockets with asses skin, which had a preventative ns well as soothing effect.) Editorial Contributor to Times ' :

Como to the tunnel sirs ! Why this delay ? One mile three-quarters—the mountain, too, 3GOO feet. Band— "Tho blind lead the blind." Mr. Barron : We want to got—get—get. Lot ua cry aloud, and spread our hands. Mr. H. Bastings : A tamo affair, by tho Gods 1 I have a little line, only a littlo lino. Why, Waipitout! Do my duty by you—waa onco your Mayor. Not on tho stump, but a Chairmanship is open, I admit; but to our subject. Why, Dun«din, are you always lagging bohind ? You will soon leave yourselves bohintl. That's good! I'll ask J. C. Brown—tho Government is rot indisposed— Government have not Gold their souls unci are not to bo biassed by little Pedlingtous. Iho Waipitout and Tapanui lino is tho ono you may depend on. Band—" In Whitcchapol not long ago !" Mr. Leary: A few Jiguros ; no romance. Editorial Contributor 'Daily Times ': That's it 1 to business. Tho tunnol two milos, tho

mountain 5000 feot—ridiculous! Leary: Yes, figures and facts: tho two Lang together like curds and cream, toast and teu, or Leary and tho Mayoral chair. [Figures omitted j they wero too deop for mo.—Reporter.] I have beon buried in tho snow. rf : Why did you not stop there ?) I know every inch of tho country. Just ima- . gino my mental mileage! Band—" Scrape, scrape tho bow in aummcr time!" Mr. Pyko : Just to let you know lam not in tho rapids of Molynoux, but youi best friend —but wo can do without you. It is all tho anmo to tho Interior : Oamaru or Dunodin. Editorial Contributor : Business : tho tun-

nol, two milos and three-quarters, by my soul; thut mountain, GOOO foot. Mr. Prosaor : I am pleased with everybody. I wnß rather afraid my friend Pyko was erratic. lam rejoiced ho Ib going straight for onrc. Wo will go to tho Government. They livo somewhere, and aro not marriod. What though thry have borrowed twonty milliona, is that to deprive üb. Down with tho Gorernmont 5 destroy thorn. No, I do not adrocato suicido. lam not t'jo Government. D —m tho Government! Chair: Order! Order! Tidy yourselves, gontlomon, inwardly. Hand stray!" Mr. Mathoson : I would mato havoo with Oamaru, Nasoby, and tho Government. It don't do to mention buoli small places, and is, I admit, against Driver's orderß. Still, I'd bo liko a bull in a china fahop, and I know •what that is. In farmer times wo could go to the Provincial buildings, and got what wo want. Let us huvo Vogol back to edit tho

' Times.' Progress and money is what we want. Band—" The good old times long ago!" Editorial Contributor : That tunnel, three rniles ; tliat mountain, 7000 feet. What fun! XJp and afld down, down and up. Mr. Croigliton : Oamaru for mo. You gentlomoa are a sorry lot, starched up there on that slago like a lot of dissonting parsons and crying out —Our poor bbltob ! Look nt m0 — a (B on of toil ;no man of straw. I despise you. Hurrah for Oamarn! Mr. Davie : Our friend from Naeeby is elovuted. He speaks tho crucial cbsohco of truth in a rough way. Lot's convert him. I'll tnako tho railway!—that's business. J rcitor-

ate a few figures. Editorial Contributor: Four miles, 8000 feet.

Davio : "Wo arc struggling for our life, our vitals. I don't agree with our Chairman. I hold with Bright wo have no souls, but vitals I can swear to. It wo'ild be better to go to sloop like Walker, hushed in tlio cradle of the deep, than be murdered by Oamaru—our own child, of whom we have been proud ; whose breakwater we built, not dreaming that in it lay our owu ruin- A failure, gentlemen, upon onth ! lam pleasod ; we are nil pleased. I tickle you ! You tickle mt! Grand 'business is agitation! If you want tho money, I'll' go pop for you. Exit Chorus—" We will all go to pop—to pop —to pop!" [The gas went out.]