DUNEDIN.

Tuapeka Times, Volume VII, Issue 370, 4 July 1874, Page 3

DUNEDIN.

(From our own Coirespondent.)

The committee of the Atb.encenm have had under their consideration the " free table " in the reading room of the institute, upon which are placed — or rather have been placed that production so obnoxious to all orthodox people, the " Maryborough, aud Dunolly Advertiser," as also the Raligio-philosophical journal, and other literary productions of the free lance discription. A very large body of the subscribers have for a long while objected to the " Maryborough and Dunolly Advertiser" being admitted to th& Athenaeum, and the committee have at last been compelled, in deference to tho wishes' of those subscribers, to take action in the matter. The articles which usually appear in that paper are offensive in the extreme to all who claim to hold Christian views, and it was only to be expected that the exclusion of the paper from the Athenaeum would be the inevitable result of its utter disregard of the feelings of people who have not become similarly sceptical and reckless as itself. I confess to being myself an advocate of freedom of speech and thought, but I must say that articles which I have read in the paper in question are so flagrantly blasphemous and profane that I have wondered at even Messrs. Stout and Logan continuing to act as its champions, notwithstanding that they are looked upon as among tho most unorthodox of the community. I have in my recollection in particular one article that appeared in the " Advertiser" a few months back, which gave a detailed description of the Deity as worshipped by the several sects of the Christian ChurchPresbyterians, Episcopalians, Wesleyans, Roman Catholics, &c. — and in which the Ruler of the universe was spoken of in the most blasphemous and irreverent style. Speaking of God as worshipped by the Presbyterian body, one sentence commenced, " The God of the Presbyterians is a terrible old ruffian " &c, continuing in a similar manner throughout the article. It is satisfactory to know that the committee by a vote which on the side of orthodoxy included all the members except Messrs. Stout and Logan resolved to prohibit the admission of the " Maryborough and Duuolly blasphemer " and also to abolish the " free table ' altogether.

The carpenters in Dunedin have struck work this week — or perhaps I should 6ay some of them only, for the strike does not seem to be by any means general — the cause of the cessation of work being an idea amongst them that 12s. per day is inadequate remuneration for their valuable services, and an extra shilling being demanded. The masters had previously notified that 12s per day would be the standard wage, although I believe that some of them still continue to give 13s. to good hands. The wisdom of the strike is very doubtful, for although the building trade is in an unusually brisk state at present, I do not think it is likely to remain so for more than a few months j even now the reaction seems about to be taking place. Timber is up to such a price that people unless they are placed in such a position that they absolutely cannot help themselves to the enormously advanced expenditure, which the building of a house entails in comparison with what it did a few months back. The carpenters no doubt imagine that they have a right to take advantage of the present prosperity and activity in their particular trade, but I do not think they will have much sympathy if they suffer in consequence of their action. 12s. per day is a remuneration which a tradesman should be very well satisfied with, and any dissatisfaction shown by a body of men at this rate of pay will certainly not meet with much sympathy from the outside public. The candidate for the Mayoralty, Messrs. Walter and Ramsay, seem to have fairly entered into the spirit of the contest, and their cards are exhibited everywhere, and their respective supporters eager for the rapidly approaching fray. There does not seem any probability of the councillors having outside .competition. Were any man of really high standing in the community to come forward, he would probably stand a good chance of election, for in speaking of the candidates now before the electors it certainly cannot be said that there is unmixed satisfaction at the choice which the rafcepiyers at present have. Mr. Ramsay is looked upon by the majority of the people as being the probable v ictor. Not that Mr. Walter is by any means considered as unfit for the office to which he aspires— rather the reverse, in fact. But thfere is an absence of the suav-iter in modo in his manner — an apparent seclusiveness and want of freedom in his intercourse with the "vulgar herd" who have not attained to civic honora. Ido not know that these are

actually characteristics of Mr. Walter, but his manner certainly leads people to imagine so. Both parties will doubtless work hard for the victory, but I think there is ndt much doubt that Mr. Ramsay -will gain the day. During the present week the trains have been running on the Green Island section of the Clutha Railway. This train will prove a great boon, and will no doubt be largely patronised. At present only two drains run each way, but the number will no doubt be increased shortly, as at present the ballasting trucks have the greater part of the day for their operations.