DUNEDIN.

Southland Times, Issue 1129, 13 September 1869, Page 2

DUNEDIN.

♦ (PBOM OUB OWN COBBESPONDENT.) September Bth, 1869. The most of the Otago members of the Assembly have returned from the North, but as yet no intimation has been received of an intention on their part to meet their constituents and give an account of their conduct during their absence. This has tended to increase the discussion going on with reference to the Otago Hundreds Regulation Act which has become law, and the bill to borrow £50,000 on the security of the pastoral rents of the province, rejected by the Council. Party feeling is running high, the supporters of settlement, maintain both measures were intended for the special benefit of the pastoral tenants of the Crown — the first to bestow upon them undue privileges at once, and the latter to so encumber, by mortgaging the rents, as to create a probation in the declaration of Hundreds. On the other hand the supporters of the loan argue that as sooner or later the whole of the land and other revenue will be taken from the provinces, it is justifiable to even adopt exceptional means to obtain all possible while we have the chance. This discussion is calling forth much angry feeling, and a special meeting of the Council is being called for by a large section of the public, and I believe a majority of the Provincial Executive.

The charges and counter charges against hon. members of selfish maneuvering and political log-rolling, &c, are being flung about with a recklessness but seldom witnessed in this or any other province. In fact there is now a regular war of parties, and when the Council does meet -the Superintendent will find BOtne difficulty in appeasing the wrath of those who now condemn the measure I have mentioned. The rejection by the Council of the Bill for the re-union of Otago and Southland is generally regretted. It was purely a permissive measure, and I think with

others it should have been passed, although I do not grant that Southland. will suffer by its rejection. My opinion is that the Fox Ministry were anxious to force Southland to annex, and that if the union had been suddenly perfected, your province would have come oft second best. The delay, therefore, which must now take place of at least another year, may be productive of good. The sanction of the Grovernor to a dissolution of your Council will give the electors the opportunity of freely discussing the question, and the result of the general elections should decide whether it is to be union or not. If you are wise you will ask for assistance from the G-eneral Government and drop the reunion question for the present. The policy of Mr Macandrew's motion for the total withdrawal of the subsidy

for the mail service has been severely | ; commented upon among all classes. A. • j deputation from the committee of the Chamber of Commerce waited on His Honor the Superintendent on Mondaylast, when this subject was brought up. Mr Oliver asked His Honor what would I be the effect, as far as Otago was concerned, of the withdrawal of the mail subsidy. His Honor's reply was to the effect that he only brought forward the motion which was carried until he and those acting with him had counted heads in the Assembly, and come to the conclusion that if any subsidy were voted it would be for the continuance of the Hokitika service, and it was thought that in such a case it was better there should be no subsidy at all. His Honor was solicited to make immediate application to the Postmaßter-GeneraUhat the Otago portion of the mail should in future be forwarded via the Bluff whenever communication presented itself. His Honor promised to comply with this request.

The lons talked of project ot a railwayto Port Chalmers is now assuming a tangible shape. The Superintendent has called a meeting for the consideration of the question to be held to-morrow. It is not a public meeting, but one called by circular, of merchants, land-owners, and others. However, the public is sanguine of the result. It is the prevailing opinion that Macandrew and those with whom he ■works are anxious to bid high for popularity previous to the meeting of the Council, and will energetically endeavor by promoting this and other popular public works to deaden not remove the public indignation now expressed # at their conduct during the last session of the Assembly. Until these gentlemen have met their constituencies, and the Council is called together, nothing will remove the impression that the best interests of the masses have been sacrificed at the shrine of party interests. The fact that Messrs Dillon Bell and Julius Yogel have succeeded in securing " posts and pay " at the fag end of the session has tended to increase the feeling against the Fox Ministry. The appointment of Mr Dillon Bell as Commissioner to go to England to sue for imperial aid is generally looked unon a& a. Job .When will he meet his Southland constituents, and make a " clean breast of it," or appear in his place in the Provincial Council of Otago? The general impression is that he will never do one or the other, and that iihe next that will be heard of Mm will be that he has got an Imperial appointment, or that some friend in office will ask the Assembly-for a vote of some special sum as a bonus for the discharge of his onerous duties as a troop seeking commissioner. There is but little of interest as regards the mining or commercial interests. The fortnightly escort which arrived on Tuesday last, brought down 5,4250z 4dwt, being below the average. There is no further news from the Oamaru diggings, or from any other goldfield of interest. Considerable interest, however, is taken in all appertaining to the Auckland reefs, and even the reported discovery of quartz reefs in the Napier province is attracting far more attention i than Stewart's Island, Ida Valley, or any other place near home. The truth that " distance lends enchantment to the scene " is most fully exemplified here. The " Theatre going community " have been favored with the appearance of a tragedian, who is certainly entitled to rank second only to Gr. V. Brook. Mr Henry Talbot made hia bow to a New Zealand audience at the Princess Theatre on Saturday night, in the character of Eichard the Third. The house was crowded, and professed critics pronounced his delineation of the character as near perfection as it was possible to expect. He appeared on Monday in the character of Hamlet with equal success. I have not learnt if it is his intention of visiting Invercargill, but I think it more than probable he will, as I understand he purposes making a tour through the colony, giving dramatic readings where no theatrical companies exist.