DUNEDIN

South Canterbury Times, Issue 2138, 28 January 1880, Page 2

DUNEDIN

TOWN EDITION.

[from OFTR own correspondent.] The town has been more than usually full of clergymen, during the past fortnight, on account of the annual meeting of the Presbyterian Synod, and the Wesleyan Conference. Perhaps a few words on the first mentioned will interest you. The Presbyterians, arc by far the most numerous and wealthiest sect in Otago, for altho’ the AVesleyans kept a small mission station at the Heads, for several years.before the Presbyterians landed at Port Chalmers, they were not nearly so wide-awake to the future as their more “canny” friends, who, set apart large reserves for the endowment of their church ; which reserves —not of much account then —arc now exceedingly valuable. The meeting of the Synod lasted several days —the principal item of business, being the decision as to which of the three motions re a new University Chair to be endowed by the Synod should take effect. It was generally understood, that should Dr Copland, (Xortli Dunedin) succeed in getting his resolution in favour of a chair of moral Philosophy and Political Economy carried, he would fill the professorial chair. After some very heated arguments —during which several rev. gentlemen retorted on one another, on the you re another principle, it was eventually decided that the chair should be that of English Language and Literature, Political Economy and Constitutional History. A pretty mixture truly ! . The result has given a certain amount of satisfaction, butit is generally admitted that the combination of so many branches of study cannot receive proper treatment at the hands of a single professor. The proposed visit of Father Chiniuuy was brought up by the Lev. L. Mackic, who wished the Sydnod to give him its hearty assistance. This brought the popular Dr Stuart upon his feet, who in a short, but practical, address, hinted that Chiniquy would do better at home, caring for his college, than travelling round a thinly populated country, setting sect against sect, whilst his own work at home was being neglected. The resolution agreed to was as follows : —“The Synod being made aware that the ’Rev. Pastor Chiniquy, of Canada, will shortly visit this part of the Colony' with a view to the raising of funds for the erection of a college for the training of priests who have left the Church of Pome, beg to offer him a

hearty welcome, and suggest to the ministers that they should render him whatever help he may require in the pursuit of his object.” The figures paid these ministers are worth studying. It makes one feel that there are prizes to be drawn in this world as well as the next, by being godly. Heading the list comes the Kev. L. Mackic,who “suffers” an income of £7OO, to whieli is added the use of the Manse. The rev.' gentleman’s grateful congregation recently purchased for him a horse and buggy, and his only complaint is that they haven’t given him a man to drive it. Next comes the Knox Church, with £l5O ; North Dunedin, £IOO ; Oamaru. £SOO, and Otepopo £4OO, Ac.

The worthy pastor of Knox Church was asked a short time back to accept a purse of £SOO, but he sturdily refused, and his congregation hit upon the plan of investing it in his name, so that in case of any misfortune to him, it could be made useful.

Tlio principal mission of the Otago Presbyterian Church is at New Hebrides, whore Messrs Milne and Michelson are laboring. The latter gentleman was recently presented with a boat, subscribed for here, for the useful purpose of allowing him to escape from the natives in case of necessity. A new mission has been taken in hand, that of a missionary for the Chinese in Otago, and a very expensive one I am afraid it will be. A gentleman has been elected and sent out to China, where ho will probably stay two years to get acquainted with the language. His present expenses are about £230 per annum, and when he enters upon his work, his labors will be rewarded on earth by a salary of £3OO per annum. The annual meeting of representatives from the various Fire Brigades has just terminated, and there is no doubt great good will result to the service. A new system of lire alarm signals have recently been erected in four points of the city, communicating with the central brigade station. By pulling a handle protected by a glass case at (me end of the city and connected with the station by a wire, an electric bell is caused to ring which acts as an alarm. The apparatus was locally manufactured and will probably prove of great service in getting the engine quicker upon the scene of the conllagration.

The annual report of the Dunedin School Committee shows the present number of scholars on the roll to he 3,358. By March the school accommodation will be increased to 5,000. ft is computed that there are 8,780 children within the district under 15 years of age so that further buildings are necessary.

The cost of education during the past year has been at the rate of £2 10s per scholar.

I heard yesterday of a working man who wanting £SO, applied to a solicitor for the accomodation, and on calling in some days later to sign the necessary documents, found that the expenses of mortgage, interest deducted, &c., &c., came to no less than £34 leaving him only £IG in place of £SO. Of course the arrangement was not concluded. Mr Fish, junr., ..remindsme of -what Napoleon said of the British soldier “He never knows when, he is beaten.” Mr Fish wisely decided not to contest the Mayoral seat this year, and his “ friends and sympathisers ” worked up a “ testimonial" in the shape of a purse of 230 sovereigns with which he was presented the other evening. Of course Mr Fish was overcome—it was “ another proudest moment of my life,” and his speech was full of self-laudation and conceit. One could scarcely think Mr Fish was telling the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth, when he said that if he had known he was doing anything wrong he would not have taken the contract.