RECEPTION OF SOUTHLAND, MEMBERS.

Southland Times, Issue 1347, 13 December 1870, Page 2

RECEPTION OF SOUTHLAND, MEMBERS.

Consequent upon certain rumors current last week, it was tolerably well understood that something in the shape of a demonstration was contemplated on the return of the district members from Dunedin. The announcement that they had arrived at the Bluff on Friday morning, was the signal for active preparations being made, and in the absence of a tinpot band, the services of a, bell-matt were successfully negotiated. For some reason or another the midday traiti arrived half-an-hour earlier than usual. No sooner did the usual signal announce its approach at the ietty road cutting than a good smart push was made for the station. Without exaggerating the matter, we day safely add that every shade of public opinion in the place had its representative in the crowd. When the train pulled "up, the number of receptionists was just sufficiently large to justify the remark that the platform was inconveniently crowded. A good many who did not appear to relish a platform jostle took up commanding positions on the outside, so that had the event been • altogether an auspicious one, we should have been free to admit that the crowd was quite as numerous as it was enthusiastic. Sapposing the members to have been as they assert wholly unprepared for the event, they must have been singularly startled by the characteristic features of their reception. The most noiay, though perhaps not the most prominent feature of the arrangement, was the old cracked bell, sacred to the memory of fat stock about to be offered in sacrifice by public auction. Then came a low stentorian growl that would have done credit-to the, hnmiA in Homer, whose voice,, wo are told was asloud as the voices of any other nftyrtnen. By degrees the groans became more concerted, and what between the snorting of the engine, and the broken peals of the hand-bell, the medley was complete. Any doubt thai; may hitherto have existed in the representative mind must now have been removed. Mr Kinross was the first to stem the torrent, and on emerging from the st vtion.he received a salute that must have made a more startling than delightful impression on his ears. Messrs Calder, M'G-illivray, and Johnston followed, and having secure! the popular side of the day, they were greeted with cheers. These gentlemen acknowledged the distinction with becoming politeness. Messrs Wood and Toshack were the only other returned members still inside the station, and on their devoted heads was expended the balance of the pent-up humors of the crowd. In their case the demonstration assumed the form of a remonstrance,. The major count* was high treason in. the second degree, with an alternative charge of political misdemeanor in contravention of hustings' p ledges therein'made and provided. To these charges both of the accused gentlemen demurred, and; stated their reasons in writing, which this improvised tribunal by. an overwhelming majority voted an aggravation of the offence.- The penalty — groans — -was. forthwith administered, after which the assemblage dispersed.