The Evening Mail. TUESDAY, AUGUST 22, 1876.

Oamaru Mail, Volume I, Issue 105, 22 August 1876, Page 2

The Evening Mail. TUESDAY, AUGUST 22, 1876.

TitK citizens of this district liave been repeatedly taunted by the Dunedin journals with their apparent apathy with regard to matters a fleeting tlie interests and welfare of the community. Whether there be any justice in the accusation or not, it cannot be denied that the charge could, with far more reason, be left at the accusers' own doors. For instance, in connection with the present political crisis, although the proclivities of the Dunedinites were decidedly Separational, the greatest amount of lethargy was exhibited during the struggle, the electors being quite content with sending to Wellington men favorable to their views. Again, in the matter of the Princes-street widening, although the citizens were perfectly aware that certain members of the Council were determined to cany their point as to the proposed alteration of the street, either by fairmean3 or foul, and that all species of logrolling would be resorted to, not a voice was

| uplifted in remonstrance until the Council I was committed to the Scheme. No sooner, | however, was the matter arranged beyond | recall, than a howl of indignation was sent I forth, the transaction characterised as the ! very worst kind of jobbery, and the arbitrators treated to remarks more candid i than complimentary. In like manner now | we find that, while Oainaru, simultanel uiisly with other parts of tlie Colony, has i taken the earliest opportunity of assembling in public meeting to protest against t'lt- anomalous character of the Counties Act, despatching telegram.-; to their representatives, and taking other advisable measures for the protection of their interests, the model city, which arrogates to ! ifnvlr' to be not only a paragon of excellence. but to enact the role of censor on 011 cvi.iy conceivable and inconceivable occasion, lias just awakened from its lethargic slumber. It is somewhat strange that the city which assumes to be a mentor to less favored and more insignificant communities, should always come in | at the death, and we perfectly agree with the remarks of the Mayor of Dunedin in expressing his surprise at the complete apathy exhibited by its citizens during the present important crisis. As we before remarked, it is a most notable fact that while every district throughout the Colony spoke out in unequivocal terms, their ideas on the question of Abolition when the subject was agitating the public mind last year, Dunedin was a noticeable exception. There is an old adage which is most applicable to the city organs, and one which they might study with advantage :—" Be just before you are generous," and wc imagine that in future were the journals of Dunedin to bestow a little of the very excellent advice nearer home, which they so unsparingly send to a distance, .and the .advice so tendered be acted upon, the danger which at present seems to loom over it of becoming the " Sleepy Holl'.w " of the Colony might be averted. However, better late than never, and we were glad to see that the residents of the metropolis are at length about to bestir themselves. A special telegram which we published in our columns of last issue stated that a deputation, composed of most of the leading citizens, was to wait upon the Mayor, praying that he should convene a public meeting to thoroughly ventilate the subjects of'Abolitioii and the I County Systems Act. and to enable the j ratepayer.-; to record their united protest J against both measures. It was further ,-;iated that the originators of the movement had been in communication with the most prominent political leaders throughout the Province, and that the agitation about to be commenced in Dunedin is but the initiation of a series which will follow throughout the length and breadth of tlie land.