DUNEDIN.

Tuapeka Times, Volume VII, Issue 335, 4 March 1874, Page 3

DUNEDIN.

(From our oxon Correspondent.) (Held over from our last issue.) Our new Kesident Magistrate and District Judge (Mr. Bathgate) has occupied the Bench at- the Resident Magistrate's Court for the past few days, and has performed his duties so far in a manner which will certainly not meet the approval of those who happen to come before him to answer for their misdeeds and delinquencies. Habitual drunkards and vagrauts are henceforth to be dealt with as rigorously as. the law will, allow, and judging from present appearances offenders of all classes will have no cause for rejoicing at the elevation of the Hon. John Bathgate to judicial office. Notwithstanding the uncharitable remarks, which have been freely made as to Mr, Bathgate making use- of his position as a member of the Colonial Executive to further- his own interests — or to put it more plainly, that he nominated and appointed himself District Judge and E.M, to the ex-* elusion of other deserving men — I am decidedly of opinion that he -will make a worthy successor to the gentleman who has for so many years officiated- as Resident Magistrate in Dunedin. He has assumed the reins of office in the wake of a gentleman who has given more than usual satisfaction for an extended period of years, and he may rest assured that comparisons are inevitable in .the event ol the unsatisfactory performance of his judicial, duties * and this fact alone will probably have some measure of influence with him in bis endeavors to give satisfaction. Apropos §f the subject of Mr. Bathgate's appomtaenicomes. the question of the retjrer ttentof Mr. Strode; -and -the appi-opriatenesj

of making some fitting recognition of tlie esteem.in which he is held by the community, and of their sensibility of the impartiality and patience which have characterised his dealing with the cases brought before him. The position of Magistrate is an onerous and responsible • one, and it is hardly possible to hold that position without making enemies of some of the parties to the actions which are adjudicated upon ; yet I think it may be safely affirmed that very fow magistrates who have retired, after so many years' service as Mr. Strode has seen, can lay claim to have given more , ' universal satisfaction. The member's of the legal profession I observe have taken the initiative in some steps to mark their appreciation of Mr. Strode's performance of his duties, and they will doubtless adopt no half measures in showing their recognition of the gentleman's urbanity and courteousness in his intimate relations with them for so many years. Mr. Holloway, who arrived here by the Mongol to " Spy out the land " on behalf of the gentlemen at homo who are interesting themselves on the condition of the English agricultural labouring classes, has been most courteously received by our Superintendent and Executive, and has had every information placed at his disposal that is likely to further the objects of his mission. It is gratifying to think that there is now some prospect of the suitability of New Zealand as a field for agricultural labour being prominently brought before tha classes at home we are most in need of, for there can be very little question of Mr. Holloway being able to report favourably of the field he is now inspecting. As an accredited representative, going home direct from tho Colony, his opinions -will carry weight with them, and-,jve shall doubtless iv dufr- course have satisfactory evidence of the success of his mission.

Owing doubtless to the want of appreciation of really first-class musical performances for which Dunedin is rather notorious, the attendance at the concerts given at the Princess Theatre by, Mdlle. Jenny Glaus and company has been of a very meagre description. She is an exquisit violinist, and plays everything, she attempts with an eaae aud faultlessncss which is truly enchanting. Of the remainder of the company I cajmot speak in terms of very, high praise. They are, however sufficiently good to deserve very much better houses than has hitherto fallen to their lot in Dunedin.