DUNEDIN.

Tuapeka Times, Volume VII, Issue 352, 2 May 1874, Page 2

DUNEDIN.

{From our own Correspondent*) The trial of Patrick Long for the mmder of Nicholas M'Donald at Green Island was brought to a close on Wednesday evening. It was concluded a day or two sooner than i was anticipated, in consequence of the jury ! expressing themselves quite satisfied as to the irreproachable character of the prisoner before the death of M'Donald, and Mr. Barton thereupon deciding not to call a large number of witnesses for the defence who had been summoned. The jury retired to consider

their verdict at half -past five .o'clock, »nd it is understood had -afflterioU td J^eir verdict a considerable time before .tßevarrival of his Honor the Judge at balf;pasif seven. The prisoner, who is a very gootflooking man, did not betray much emotion when the Judge's Associate asked the usual question, t " How say you, gentlemen of the jury— guilty, or not guilty?" 'but. seemed to .be calm and unmoved even at this critical period, when on the answer pf the forenian M the jury depended his life. The verdict; of manslaughter was delivered, and "the" Judge intimated that he would pass sentence on Friday morning at eleven o'clock. The court was densely crowded, and prior to the opening of the doors the crush was very great. Those assembled seemed to have little sense of feeling in them, — the loud laughing and chaff which prevailed might have led you to imagine, indeed, that they were waiting for the doors of a theatre to be opened, instead of those of a court of justice at a time when a man's life hung in the" balance. The unseemly conduct jarred most painfully on the ears of the more sensitive people, who were present. After the removal of the prisoner in the custody of the gaol officers, the court adjourned until the following day. Tho hope that I expressed in my letter of last week relative to the Platypus, I am glad to say has been realised. At the sale by auction, Mr. C. S. Reeves purchased her on account of a few gentlemen who have determined to give her a fair trial, and tenders were at once called by advertisement for carting her up to Cromwell. The price paid for her — £400 — was certainly a mere trifle compared with the cost of constructing her, and if she turns out at all equal to the expocta* tions of her sanguine patentee — Monsieur Yilaine — Messrs. Reeves and Co. will have little reason to regret their enterprise. True to his threat, Mr. Macassej, through, his solicitor, applied to liis Honor Judge Chapman for a writ Of attachment requiring the "Guardian" Company to show cause why they should not be committed for contempt for daring to comment on the circumstances connected with the granting by Judge Chapman of an order to Mr. Macassey, or-iik solicitor, to inspect and take copies of any telegrams having reference to the case of Macassey v. Bell, now pending. The "Guardian's" article will now be familiar enough to persons in all parts of the province and colony, and certainly it is written in a temperate and able manner, and no far as fche opinions therein expressed are concerned, it has met vrith very general approval not only in this community, but m other parts of the colony where it- has been commented upon* There can be only one opinion as far as regards the absolute necessity of the telegraphic department of our civil service being conducted in a manner that will guarantee the inviolable secrecy of communications entrusted to the officers of the department. All confidence in the telegraphic service will be at an end even if by a judge's order communications which are given in on the understanding that their contents are to be known" only to the officers who have to transmit them", are to be made public on the application of any lawyer who desires to inspect them. The "Guardian" deserves the thanks of the whole community for its fearless and withal sensible leader, and what is more, it has undoubtedly got them. The Judge, after hearing tho application for the writ, decided to take time to consider before he decided on the granting or dismissal of the application.

What with the proposed harbor improvements and the water works question, on both of which questions large public meetings have been held during the week, combined with the trial for murder and the sitting of the Licensing Court, there has been no lack oE matters of public interest to engross attention. The unanimity displayed by the citizens on both the important questions I have mentioned, augurs well for success in the carrying of them out. It is certain that with Mr. M'Gregor's scheme for the improvement of the harbor faithfally carried out, Dunedin will have firmly established her reputation as the most enterprising province in the colony. It will be of incalculable benefit to have the home ships coming right up to the city and discharging their cargoes almost at the warehouse doors; and that the scheme is practicable, has now been almost incontestibly proved. With regard to the water works scheme, it is certainly a pity that the Corporation and the company have come to such loggerheads. The matter seems to have arrived at that stage when conciliatory measures have become almost out of the question. It is now a determined fight between the Corporation and the company, and it seems as if there is no help for it but the erection of new water works by the former. I sent you a telegram notifying the probability of the resignation of the (Government. In the Provincial Council, the Provincial Secretary formally tendered the resignation of the Executive, giving as the main reason for the step his inability to spare sufficient time from his own business to satisfactorily look after the affairs of the province, and also, -t^ a secondary reason, the fact that there had been some disagreement between himself and other members of the Executive. ' Who the new Ministry is to consist of is of course as yet a subject of conjecture. Mr. Donald Reid is spoken of as likely to again take the reins ; but what truth there is in the conjecture I cannot say. I think, however, that it is quite likely he will be of the number* Of further proceedings in regard to the formation of the Ministry I will keep you advised by telegram.