OUR DUNEDIN LETTER.

New Zealand Times, Volume XXX, Issue 4426, 27 May 1875, Page 3

OUR DUNEDIN LETTER.

(FROM OCR OWN CORRESPONDENT.) Dunedin, May 22. Since last writing, a great political storm has arisen, and in its course through the riovincial Council has fallen with a heavy we'ght upon the Executive, which, succumbing blow, has resigned in a body, leaving to othm hanch, the task of guiding our provincial applecart through the rocks and quicksands of political life The session commenced wxtn x tij fine weather indeed, and it was not until the Financial Statement had been made that the Opposition showed any sign. 1 >‘™ Mr. Bastings, who was but a few mouths ago Goldfield* Secretary— from which position he was ousted in anything but a satisfactory manner—brought forwartt a want of confidence motion on the Spires adduced by the Treasurer and after a long debate, the motion was earned by 22 to 20.° The division was taken at past one in the morning, and in a very full house. On meeting the next day Mr. Held, the Provincial Secretary, announced that the Executive had placed their resignation in the hands of _ his Honor the Superintendent. On the previous evening a wish had been pretty generally expressed by the Council that jMr. Peid, should form part of any new Government that might be put into office, but this he positively declined to do, I hear to-day the new Executive mil consist of the following : —Mr. Bastings, Provincial Secretary and Secretary of Works, and Mr. Pish Secretary of Railways the latter a newly created office ; Mr. Stout will act as Provincial Solicitor, and Messrs. Green and Sumpton will be non-official members of the Executive. The appointment of Treasurer has not yet been decided upon. JLhe Council meets again on Tuesday, and there is a pretty strong impression abroad, at least outside of the Council Chambers, that before another week is over the new Executive will also be ousted. AYe shall see if-that impression is correct.

The announcement of Mr. Vogel’s long stay in Europe has been received in different ways by different people. A gentleman connected with one of the newspaper offices here, who had just received the news from the telegraphic office for an “ extra.,” met Dr. Pollen, close to the telegraphic office. The worthy Doctor had not heard the news, and on the newspaper gentleman—who also happens to be an M.H.11. showing him the telegraphic slip containing the ’ intimation that Vogel would not be back until September, the Doctor’s face became as elongated as Mahomet’s coffin. A very different effect, however, was produced upon the Superintendent, who happened to join the party at this moment. “Why, what’s the matter, Pollen?’’ asked our bluff and jovial head of affairs ; “do you find vice-regality too much for you !” Dr. Pollen smole a sickly smile. The man of letters and M.H.E., as aforesaid, then showed the “slip” to Macandrew, whose face expanded to the broadest decent width, as a perspective of political battle in the council balls of Wellington flashed across his brain, and be saw the abolition party without a leader, lying bleeding and defeated.

We have had a big meeting about the money authorised to be paid for the widening of Princes-street, and resolutions passed condemning the action of the City Council. The thing is "looked upon as monstrous, and little less than a swindle. Already other meetings 'of ratepayers have been held, and in all probability the majority of the councillers will be called upon to resign—which they certainly will not do. A well known merchant in this city, and ar-ent for one of the, insurance companies—Mr. Geo. H. Campbell, of the firm of Calvert and Campbell—is very much missed here just now. He took his departure suddenly yesterday, in the ship William Davie bound to Hongkong, and be did this without so much as bidding adieu to a numerous but select circle of friends and ! creditors. This coming to the ears, of certain parties who were very anxious about him, a sergeant of police was despatched on board with a warrant for bis arrest; but Campbell was hidden under the sofa in the captain[s cabin and the capture was not made. It is now said that'for the last three or four years he has not been solvent, and that when everything 'comes out a bad case will be shown. The insurance company for which he was agent wilt it is thought, suffer to a considerable extent. He has, too, been the ruin of a very worthy tradesman, who, through backing a bill for him for a considerable amount, has bromdit himself to an insolvent condition. This oentleman was for some time a City Councillor, but has now thought fit to resign in consequence of this affair. He is much respected, and great sympathy is felt for him in his present misfortunes. And, while on this subject of bankruptcy and distress, I may wind up by stating that Burke, the brewer, has just filed a declaration of insolvency. At the inquest held the other day on the body of the unfortunate man Borland, of whose accident by being run over on the railway I wrote you fully in my last, the jury appended „ rider to their verdict that every level crossin" should have gates; and that after nightfall when trains were passing, lights should be fixed at these gates. A very natural conclusion to come to one would think; but there are a number of level crossings near the city where there are no gates and no lights, and nothing seems to have been done in the matter ; but then I suppose a few lives more _or less does not matter to the railway authorities. Our cricketers had a meeting the other ni"ht to take into consideration the question of°a match with an Australian! team. Notwithstanding the fact that alarge attendance was requested, and the subject was such an important one, not more than a dozen persons turned ■up. A committee was appointed to confer with the other provinces on the subject, and report the result to a future meeting. In my last I think I referred to a possible strike among the printers. I hear the whole 1-natter is to be referred to arbitration, five Arbitrators to be chosen on behalf of the men, and the same number on behalf of the masters. As far as I can make out at present, the men are likely to get the worst of it. In the way of entertainments,_ the two theatres are still open. The “ Fakir of Oolu” is doin" a roaring business, notwithstanding the fact that his show is exactly the same night after ni"ht. At the Princess, Hoskins and Colville 0 still hold sway, but they terminate their engagement on Monday. On Tuesday they play for Mr. Steele’s benefit; and on Wednesday they appear for the last time m Dunedin (this season), when they will play with the Press Amateurs, having kindly given their services for the occasion. The Working Men’s Club opened this evenin", and promises to be a great success. It already numbers over 200 members. The entrance fee is five shillings, and the subscription a shilling a month. Again has the mail for Wellington shifted about This time it leaves on Sunday, though it closes on Saturday (this) evening. It certainly appears to me to be a most extraordinary thing that there should be so much uncertainty and want of uniformity about the departure of our steamers for the North.