OTAGO.

Colonist, Volume III, Issue 264, 1 May 1860, Page 3

OTAGO.

(From the Witness, April li.), The chief event of importance during the past week, has been the opening of the Provincial Council. With us, tha speech of the Superintendent—which, in fact, states the policy of the Go-vernment-—is always looked for with interest, and from the circumstance of its being the first meeting of the Council since the election of a new Superintendent, perhaps more than usual interest was felt. The speech is before our readers ; they have therefore the opportunity of forming their Own judgment upon the policy ofthe Government as therein indicated. Doubtless, with some there will be a feeling of disappointment. Expectation has been raised so high, that something quite wonderful, and entirely of a new character, was anticipated. To us, however, the falling short is agreeable rather than otherwise. We are much better satisfied to'have the sound and practicable proposed to the Council, than the showy and wonderful, which must in the end lead to disappointment, Those who went to the Council expecting to have pancakes made in their hat;.a dozen different liquors poured out of one bottle; and "no end of money "produced from a small bag, probably went away disgusted ; hut we rejoice to find the truth of* the old saying thafc the man in office is not the same as the man in the opposition. It is, no'doubt, highly gratifying to find the financial condition of the Province such as ifc is, as shown by the figures given ; but it is a question whether it is desirable, hy borrowing largely to give an extra stimulus to our progress. Rapidity of progress' is of vital importance to a new country ; but wo have the warning of other Provinces before us that an unnatural progress must some day result in a check. Steadiness is what we desire to aim at, and as in all the Provinces ample Land Funds marked the outset of their career, we ought; to look forward to the time

when that source of income will begin to fail, and not let it overtake tis^ with heavy debts to bear. It is very desirable that* the Government should have the power to borrow, but it does not therefore follow that the power should be exercised; it should be in our opinion, kept in reserve to meet any emergency which may arise.

(From, the Colonist.)

The Dunedin Band.—Our Dunedin readers are not, perhaps, aware that the good town, has actually in the march of progression got a Flute Band. Suoh an ehlivenment we very much wanted. Our streets, especially of a dark evening, wear a most lugubrious and woe-begone aspect, and we have Jo thank :-the few musical devotees who have originated this band lor their generous attempt at whistling us into something like good humour and spirit. They only received a portion of their instruments by the, last trip ofthe Pirate, and they have been practising for not more than four weeks; but under an efficient leader they have really made most praiseworthy progress, as we can testify by the pleasure with which we have heard them perform, both fixedly and peripatetically, some of'our finest airs with much spirit and considerable execution. We understand that the flutes and drums are only intended as the nucleus of a full instrumental band, and that an appeal is to be made to the public for the sum required to procure a supply of instruments. We have no doubt it will be met with a most generous response. Who would withhold their contribution to have "Scots wha hae" pealed over Dunedin from the Bell Hill; or to have, their heart-strings vibrate with the shooting recollections by that most touching of melodies, "The Old Folks at Home ?"