BALL TO THE VOLUNTEER REPRESENTATIVES.

Tuapeka Times, Volume V, Issue 222, 2 May 1872, Page 6

BALL TO THE VOLUNTEER REPRESENTATIVES.

The ball given in St. George's Hall on Friday to the riflemen who represented Otago at the late Colonial competition, was a thorough success, and was indeed the pleasantest gathering that has been held in Dunedin for years. Perhaps it was that the experience that many of the gentlemen who were stewards gained in their visit to Christ, church contributed in no small degree to this result, for it was apparent that unusual' efforts were made to make the enjoyment^ all present complete. We feel surey&at every one there will readily admit t^at in this the stewards were eminently successful; and we are glad to be able to say that the arrangements were creditable and satisfactory in every respect. The orchestra was large, and included Messrs Kelly (violin), Sykes (piano), and Martin (flute), and played capital music ; while the refreshment department, under the care of Mr Job Wain, left nothing to be desired. Captain Copeland acted as master of ceremonies, and received valuable assistance from Captain Jamieson. The company numbered about eighty couples', a>"d included ten of onr representatives, and Lieutenant Close, of Napier. All the town companies, with their officers, Were represented ; while there were present Colonel Cargill. Majors Bathgate and Atkinson, and the other members of the staff". Dancing was spiritedly kept up till five in the morning. During the interval the presentation of the ladies' prize was made to Captain Wales by Mrs Colonel CargilL The Otago representatives having been drawn up in front of the platform, Colonel Cargill addressed a few words to them, expressive of the feeling of satisfaction entertained by the inhabitants of the Province that the champion belt had been brought back to it. He was Bure the representatives would agree with him when he said that no man could have shown greater skill and determination to do his best to win the belt (in which hej was successful) than Captain Wales ; and he also felt sure that next to winning it themselves, they were glad to see Captain Wales carry it off. Before the representatives left for Christchurch the ladies, who always had a high appreciation of merit, agreed that whoever made the highest score for Otago at the me-- ting should on his return receive at their hands a suitable recognition of his efforts ; aud that prize would be presented a few moments later. In concluding the Colonel called for three cheers for the champion, which were given. Mrs Cargill then presented the prize to Captain Wales, and in doing se said she felt very great pleasure iv handing to him the prize of the ladies of Dunedin. She assured him that the ladies were proud of their champion, and of his achievement in havin« carried off the belt for two successive years! He had with him their best wishes for his future success. The ladies were also pleased to see that the other representatives of the Province, while doing their best to get the belt, succeeding in carrying off the lion's share of the prizes.— (Cheers). Capt. Wales, in replying, said he felt ats loss to convey in suitable expressions hithanks to Mrs Cargill personally for conceive ing tho idea of the presentation, or to his numerous lady friends who had assisted her in getting up such a valuable prize, as the reward of the highest Otago representative. When it was made public before the departure of the representatives, that the ladies of Dunedin intended to get np the prize, it acted as a stimulus to him, and he determined then and there to win, if possible, the belt, aud so secure their gift. But he did not conceive that it would have been such a handsome gift : a much smaller token would have satisfied him, and done ample justice to the small exertien he made, with the other representatives, to maintain the honor of the Province. He might be excused for saying that he esteemed it a double honor to be the winner of the belt, and in being thought worthy of receiving the ladies' prize. He felt sure the other representatives, as indeed the Volunteers generally, held a similar opinion to himself— that tbe interest the ladies of Otago took in the movement would cause the men to maintain the prestige the Province had won in rifle-shooting, to stick to it as long as possible, and not give it up without a very severe struggle. He thanked them most cordially for their present, and would endeavor to merit it while he enjoyed the health to wear it. (Cheers.) The prize takes the form of a gold hunting lever watch, which was obtained from Mr G. \ oung, Princes street, and is valued at L 26.' It bears the following inscription :—": — " Ladies' Prize to Captain Wales, winner of the cham.

parties paying the. difference in the price, .viz., £10 10s.- The report was received, and after discussion it was amended so as to read that Mr. Pyke's application be granted on his paying £4 10s. in addition to the sum originally paid, and adopted. - The Chairman asked about the letter sent by tHe Mayor of Dunedin to the Mayor of Lawrence. The Town Clerk read the letter, and the answer sent by the Mayor, as follows :—: — City Council Chambers, Dunedin, March. 21st, 1872. To His Worship the Mayor of awrence. • • Dear Sir, — "I he necessity which exists, in order to ensure the permanent and proper ■ working of the various Municipalities throughout the province, that the provincial authorities should in some way permanently endow or subsidise the various Corporations, has for some time past forced itself upon my attention, as doubtless it has upon yours. It is, I think, quite evident that many, if not all, the Municipalities cannot carry on their ■functions much longer, .in a satisfactory manner, without some assistance* from the Government ; and seeing that Road Boards are liberally endowed, there exists, in my "opinion, no valid reason why Municipalities should not be simliarly assisted. In order to force this matter effectually upon the attention of the Proviiieial Council at its next sittings, I would propose tha: a conference of all the Mayors in the province should be held, When tile subjects could, be ■fctoroajiHly d.is cussed. I would sn^est the conference should take place in Dunedin, as the most central. I shall be glad to learn, as early as possible, if my proposals meet with your ap proval. . , Should the replies from the various Mayors, or a majority of them, I e~ favourable, I would at once convene the naeetin?, as no time should be lost. I am thorotuhly convinced much good will result from the conference, and will be alad to hear the idea meets with your concurrence. Awaiting the favour of an early reply. . I am, kc, 8. S Fisn, jnb,, Mayor of Dunedin. Municipal Chambers, Lawrence 23ril March, 1872. To His Worship the Mayor of Dunedin, Deajc Sir, — While ai-reeinsr with much in „ jour communication, as to the injustice of the GoTerDineiit subsidising Road Boards aid not-fthi'iipipaliti' s, still I cannot see that the interests ef np com try Municipalities are identical with those of Dunedin. In my opinion, Pungdin cannot in any way com plain of the -want of liberality on the part of the Gover.-me»t, they having had more than their stare of publ.e mo'>ey expe- ded ii and about Dune li- . !: hould the upcountry Mni ieipalities act in connection jrith the Dutiedin Corporation, what will be the eiTest ? Why Dur.edin will obtain some thousands from the public chest, while some few hundred pounds go to the up c« uiitry Muuicipalities. This is a policy I could not support. While I think small towns, who undertake local self-government, have the same ri^ht to su' sidy as the Road Boards, I cannot see that Dunedin comes withi • the same li"c of ar ument, from the fact they have hail for years past heavydo atioiis from the Goyer -.merit, a*id have many sources of reve ue. and are in a position borrow money and let posterity pay for it ; .and taking i to consideration the present fina. cial position of the province, I think it ■would be much better for the Goverijne'it to rxptnd any money they hay.- upo 1 rencl ring this inaiu roads of thu province passable, which at pr s.-i.t they are not, whil" I am sure the state of Dun-din city refl ets gr^at ■ cv dit upon the present and past municipal authorit.es. - 1 am, &c , ' ■ ' Horace-Bastings, Mayor of Lawrence. Or. Mears wanted to know why the letter had not been placed before the Council before. The letter had been re-cei-ved by the Mayor on the 23rd March, and a meeting had taken place on the Ist April, and yet the letter' had not been placed before them. The Mayor ought undoubtedly have consulted the members of the Council, aud had no right to act without their advice. He wasixofpre- . pared to discuss the matter at present, as it was too late. lie would say, however, that the Mayor would be not representing the Council at the Conference, but was acting merely on his bwn individual responsibility. Whether the blame ot withholding the letter rested on the Mayor or the'Tow."n Clerk he did not know, but it was .treating the Council, wiih great discourtesy. . ' X Cr, Williams considered the ; Council" had been treated iv a cavalier manner. The answer to the letter had been despatched on the 23rd instant. Seven days . afterwards there had been a meeting of the Council, -at which the Mayor was present, yet no mention had been>made of it. •- ' ''• - Cr. Walker endorsed the remarks made by Crs. Mears and Williams. - Cr. Mears moved, that as the letter had not been placed officially before the Qouncil in sufficient time, they were not in a position to take any action on it. Cr, Walker seconded the motion. The Town Clerk explained that on the 23rd instant the Mayor called him into his office and told him that he was going \ip country. lie showed him the letter and the reply and requested him. to copy and send the letter to Mr. Fislw He thonght that as' the letter was answered it was finally disposed of. » - The Chairman observed that any communication addressed to the Mayor 'in' . his official capacity was the property of the Corporation, and ought to be read before the Council. The Town Clerk said that on looking : over the letter he saw a note on it as f ollqws: — G^ntlemeu, — Tin enclosed is my answer to this letter. If you agree with it, the To^'n Clerk «4n forward tU s same. ""*•''•£.. • H. Bastings. Cr. Mears remarked that the blame' was coming home to the proper quarter. By things like these the ObuuGil were accused of neglecting their duty,.-,whereas they had nc opportunity of doing it. Cr. Uren regretted that' the matter did not come before the Council'/ It was closing the eyes .of theConncil" to real fadfcS. ! . • .',.:.•: . -*s ,' The motion was carried, un^mmbusly, . and on the motion of Cr. Mears. secojiiled by Cr. Williares, the' : Town was 1 directed to forward a dopy of[ the { resolution to the Mayor t)f;DunMki aiitf'tlie. Slayor of LawEenoe_.r t * " -<»-;j^ ■ —,»-.'>* .-- - The Chairman -drew- attention' -t»o • the i jet of Mr. Wooitori constructing a,£fos§,^ is on- the pavement jii^Eoss Place., Mr. , "wotton said Ji# had^ received jgermissvp. ftm the Mayors '^ Sometime 'since' plans 1 • ad specifications had been drawn up on * th crossing. He recommended that the !

Public Works Committee be instructed to look after the matter. Cr. Mears directed attention to the Bye-laws. The Mayor promised to examine the 'Act and report on it to the Council, but he had not done so. It was unsatisfactory to find that the efforts of the Council were neutralised in this man-* ner. Resolutions were .passed, and the Mayor or Town Clerk undertook to see them carried into effect, and nothing more was "heard of them. It might be pleasant to some, to be referred to in the newspapers, but he was thin skinned, and did not like to be castigated, especially when the blame did not rest on. him. He moved that if the Mayor had not-brought up the report mentioned, .the Town Clerk should be instructed to do' so, and if the Town Clerk did not do it they must get some one else.. Cr. Uren stated that the Legislative Committee had got into. a fog over the subject, and the Mayor had promised to bring up a report. The Town Clerk" said he was perfectly willing to assist in the matter. He believed that the Mayor had framed a report, Cr. Mears would like to know where it was. The matter then dropped. In answer to an enquiry by Cr. Williams, the Town Clerk stated that the ra.te» collected since October amounted to L2lB ; there remained uncoljected about L 250. The balance to the credit of the Corporation in the bank amounted to Lll2 16s. lid. ' j The Chairman -mentioned that Mr. { Gooday had two pounds belonging to the Corporation. • ' j Cr. Mears said that himself and Cr. Walker had spent some time in trying to get . the Chinamen to carry out their agreement regarding the filling up of the ground behind Ross Place, but could get no Satisfaction. ' He thought action should be taken on the bond. He moved that an advertisement be- inserted in the " Tuapeka Times," calling for tenders to complete the work according to plans and specifications in the possession of • Mr. Gooday — tenders to be sent in by that day fortnight, x Cr. Uren seconded the motion, which was earned. Some repairs to the culvert in Ross Place were directed to be done by the Public Works Committee. Or. Mears enquired- what steps, if any, had been taken to execute the leases entered into by the Corporation. The Town Clerk statqd that the leases could not be executed until an ordinance empowering the Corporation to do so had been passed, and -that the Mayor had promised to see it brought before the Pr.jvii c'al Council. The Town Clerk was directed to write to the Mayor on the subject. Cr. Williams moved that the Town Clerk be instructed to collect all outstand--ing rates at once. . .': Cr. Uren mentioned that several .ratepayers had not been asked for the monpy.. He seconded • the motion, which was carried. The Council then adjourned.