Dunedin.

Bruce Herald, Volume IX, Issue 859, 1 December 1876, Page 5

Dunedin.

(From our own Correspondent.) Thing arc quiet. In politics there is no great agitation afoot ? au & j n trade nothing but grumbling \ s beard. While Wellington has but rj aQ Minister just now, Dunediu has ac^.Viiilly two in its midst, and more political I celebrities are shortly to follow. The only political topic of any interest just now is the query why does the Government not fill the vacant appointment of Commissioner of Waste Lands. Numberless surmises are hazarded, the principal one being that Mr Reid, or even Mr Macandrew, is being pressed to take it f But Mx Reid, while he.

no doubt has every desire, to see the lands administered as smoothly as possible, is not likely to sacrifice the political honors that he sees standing out for him next Session, by the acceptance of an appointment, however good that appointment may be, Nor is Mr Macandtew, after his repeated declarations to agitate for Otago, likely to subside into a Government appointment, even though it is that of Commissioner ot Grown Lands. It is also suggested that the vacancy is being kept open till the six months that constitutes the objectionable term of the Disqualification Act has been tided over, but on the other hand, it is not likely that the appointment will be offered to Mr Pyke, or even to Mr Manders. Certainly there is Mr Bastings, and he has sat at the Board for a long period, and knows its business pretty well. Moreover, if report be not incorrect, he is said to entertain the idea that he would fill the office with special credit. Mr Strode is pressing to be relieved of his. unpaid, but well-performed duties, no one has been appointed, the quidnuncs are discussing the .delay, and that is how the matter stands. The Hon. Mr C. C. Bowen, accompanied by the Hon. W. H. Reynolds, has been visiting the principal educational institutions of the city. Mr Bowen has also visited the Gaol, Litnatic Asylums, and the Central Police Depot. The three last are institutions which come under Mr Bowen's wing as Minister of Justice, so that his inspection was of an official character. The coming of Mr Bowen to Dunedin with no apparent special object has been matter of notice, and when two Ministers are in Dunedin at the same time it is thought there is something in the wind. Mr Bowen has left for Southland, and will be absent for a week or so, and as soon as he returns a committee to inquiie into the railway system, pretty much the same In 2> ersonne l as that which lately met in Christchurcb, will not unlikely sit. Mr George M'Lean has been getting through a tremendous amount of administrative work. He has a quiet way of. doing business well and quickly, and appears to be giving almost universal satisfaction. While work, not oratory, has always been the line in which he shines, he is now, -I hear, getting into quite a style of giving neat replies to deputations. The Harbor Board is calling for tenders for cutting a narrow channel to Dunedin, in accordance with the motion of Mr Reid. Despite obstructions of various kinds, and attempts to start upon a wrong scent, the determination of the Board is very plainly to have a channel cut by which Home ships can be brought to the Dunedin wharves in twelve or eighteen months from the present time. The members of the Board, while thej r have every admiration for elaborate designs of docks, training walls, and wide cbannels ? want to meet present needs, and keep the trade of Otagoto Otago. When Home vessels can be brought up to Dunedin it will be well to think of carrying out the various improvements which look so well on paper, but which will be of no earthly good to the city of Dunedin should the trade of the place be once lost to it. Public opinion appears to be altogether in favor of the narrow channel, despite the persistent opposition of Mr Simpson, backed even as he is by Captain Thomson. The public think, and apparently with reason, that the width of channel which carries the traffic of the Suez Canal will be quite enough for the port of Dunedin. The conversazione of the Otago Institute attracted a large attendance. The exhibits in the various departments were numerous and interesting-, and the arrangements for making the affair a success were, on the whole, very good. Owing to scarcity of money, or perhaps "from the public being warned by late sporting experience, or possibly from the two combined, very little betting upon the races has taken place. The prophets have given their tips for the day, and this afternoon will determine whether they are as far out as usual. Two "shows" that Lave attracted no slight golden showers in Christchurch and Melbourne respectively, are now performing in Dunedin ; to wit, the Lydia Howard Opera Bouffe Troupe at the Queen's Theatre, and Mr Emmet at the Princess. Both are good in their way, but Dunedin cannot see anything in either of them to go into ecstasies about. I have often noticed that a very great deal of what does well in Melbourne does not suit in Dunedin, and the fact is generally to the credit of the latter place. The Rev. E. G. Penny, of St. Matthew's j Church, has left Dunediia for Christchurch, | where he has received an appoiutment to the parish of St. Michael's. Mr Penny has made this change on account of the health offaj member of his family. The members of the various Episcopalian congregations of Dunedin showed the esteem in which they held Mr Penny by presenting him before he left with sundry tokens of goodwill, including a purse of sovereigns. Bishop Nevile spoke highly of Mr Penny, and regretted bis departure. The case of Mary Dobig has been a good deal discusssed, and the report of the Com- j missioners is thought, upon the whole, to be rather severe. Mr Titchener has had to /suffer for what was an omission in the arrangements of the buildings, which fact the authorities practically recognise, by now taking action to erect the necessary cells. Besides, when a matter has been reported fully in print, and discussed from every point of view, it is very easy to see what should have been done. Quite different it must have been to him puzzling liis wits what to do with that extraordinarily unmanageable child that " bolted"at every opportunity. jScarlet fever is breaking out with a venvgeauee; new jafes were reported on y/- y^- : ' -