AROUND DUNEDIN.

Wairarapa Daily Times, Volume XV, Issue 4787, 31 July 1894, Page 3

AROUND DUNEDIN.

(By Scotch Mist.)

Onr City Fathers lmve been doing their best to keep us lively the last fortnight, for what with assault, being bound over to keep tlio peace, disputes, arguments, and apologies, they have rivalled the Onehunga Town Councillors in theivbelmviour to the Mayor (Mr Fish.) If you liavo any austere spinsters who wish to follow in Mrs Yates' footsteps up your way, you might send them to us to try and keep the childish meu we have as councillors from squabbling and glaring maliciously at each other. Councillor Toomey took his wife with him to tho last meeting,and placed her inside the barrier, as close to him ns possible, whether as a • kind of protection or not it is hard to say. However, business was suspended until the lady made her ■ exit, which she wns obliged to do by the appearance of a constable. It is most unseemly that such disgraceful scones take place at our municipal meotings. Let ns liopo the franchiso will be extended, then we shall in all probability get a better class of men to stand for our boroughs. Quite anepidemic ofsudden deaths ' has come upon us, and influenza seems to bo tho main cause, not only the aged, but also tho young and robust. Perhaps tho saddest of these was. the death of Mr P, C. Neill's son, a young man just 24 years of age. Ho accompanied his father as usual to the office oil Wednesday. During tho afternoon he complained considerably of pains in his head, so much so, that he had to be taken home in a cab, fainting three times en route, and lie died on Thursday about 3 p.m., having been ill just twenty-four hours, Tho flags were all lowered to half mast high on receipt of the intelligence. The influenza of this season seems to concentrate itself to ono particular spot, henco tho suddenness of death. Such an ovation wns ,accorded to Mr Philip Newbury and his charming wife (nee Miss Emily Spada) the other evening, on his return here. He is aDunedin boy and some nine years ago he left to complete his musical studies at home. His voice is perfection, aud I can honestly say no better tenor has ever been heard in New Zealand, He intends, with his talented company, touring New Zealand, so perhaps you will havo the pleasure of hearing him and judging his merits youself.' The Walter Bentley Company will be hero next week, with fresh novelI .see. by .the hand-bills that on tlio opening night ho"will Stage "The Silence of Dean Maitland," which has been specially dramatised for him. I hear the Cathedral scene, where tlio choir sing the anthem, " Come All Ye Faithful," is particularly fine. How people find money to support so many theatrical companies is a mystery, for business is simply in a state of stagnation. The complaint is general, as farmers, shop-keepers and merchants, all are feeling the depression keenly, and tlio general opinion seems to be tlmt business is going from bad to worse, Aro tho, Government to blame for this rifip