Dunedin Notes.

Bruce Herald, Volume X, Issue 955, 6 November 1877, Page 5

Dunedin Notes.

' + : : ANOTHER DISAGREEMENT. The trial of Proud foot, the alleged rapist, or, ; as the ' Daily Times,' in its Supreme Court: report, obsequiously terras him, "Mr George 'Proud foot," ended, as had been generally expected, in the jury disagreeing. Additional evidence, which, for some reason or other, was not given at the last trial will be led .at this. Mr Joyce, solicitor, and MiDavid Proudfoot will be subpoened. Jt will be shown that previous to the first trial an offer of £3000 was made to have the case compromised, and also that a relative of the accused offered to marry the unfortunate girl, whose life must be . a misery to her by reason of the torment she has had to endure iv tbe witness-box. Though the old ground willhave to be gone over again, there is no doubt that the third trial will have a number of exciting points 1 do not know whether an effort will be made on one side or the other to change the venue, but I hear that it is a rule that a special jury can be grauted in a criminal case for ouly a first and second trial ; and, if so, tbe matter must this time be tried before a common jury. The next trial will contain the incident of a gentleman going to a house in disguise (as he thought he was watched), and in trying to effect an amicable arrangement, representing himself as Mr Somebody, when really be was Mr Somebpdy-else. This time there were 9or 10 for a conviction — nine, so far as I can find, is the exact number— and two or three for acquittal. Another story is, four for acquittal, four for conviction, aud four for finding guilty of attempt. . . ME JLARNACH. . This honourable gentleman can well cry, "Save me : from my friends." . He was the subject of a number of leaders which, intended to crack him up to tbe skies or some other high altitude, could only create a smile. Lately he had a portrait forwarded to him at Wellington, bearing the inscription, "The enclosed is an appropriate picture of your valiant action in your want of confidence motion." Said portrait was that of a silverwhite game cock, which, by the way, was coloured supernaturally red about the gills. THE JCATE MINISTRY. The- necessity: for the Atkinson Ministry sittiug out in the cold a little longer is still strongly felt iv Dunediu. Especially is this the case in -regard to poor Bowen, who, in regard tb at least one high judicial appointment, did not choose the most efficient man in, making his. selection. Feeling still runs strongly in favour of Sir George Grey. It is everywhere seen that Mr Beid and Mr M'l<ean, "in the late Ministry, neglected this Province. Th£ action of the late Government in regard to railway matters, notably their , persistent neglect, of the Strathtaieri and Northern lines, ia commented on generally. The-prompt steps taken by the Grey Government in pushing on the Strathtaieri and Waipahi lines form a marked contrast to the studied slighting of Otago interests which distinguished the previous Ministry,. ,lt.j.s,feltj lookiug at the ministerial crisis oh' its own' merits, that Sir George Grey did not get a fair chance ; arid it is felt, as regards Qtago. the Province will receive, aud, iv factnarepeivingj an amount of a^-teptjon from the present government that it never would frpm (}_.e '.Ministry °i which poor Bo\ven and the oarihy Sjr'M'^- formed BU 2 Q di.tinr guishe'd ornaments. In this oontext, it may Ha mentioned that when the report of differ encesbetween-ex-miuisters wasdonied,tbecohtradiction could not have referred to a nice little trouble >high tpok plage in Dnnedin on an occasion when it was favoured by the simultaneous presence of two members of the late Ministry. The Honourable B. : wanted to do the bumptuous to the Honour- ' able G/eprge, and the latter who, rgild-man-nered as he is, is not to be ignbred/'put down Mr B.s presumption with au effective dressing. : Those who took a prominent part in pleading the Abolition: movement in Dunediu, and who now see that all the members of the Ppovipcjal party have, accepted. A^ioUtion, and, taking -things as they are, are trying to do their best for the country, strongly favor Sir George Grey and Mr Macandrew. That the present Miuistry haa not got a fair trial is the almost unanimous opinion of the old | Abolitionist leaders, and they are very outspoken pa the point; Sir Geo:rge Grey^ j however, has been knowing enough to make the opportunity that was not afforded him, and be must be highly delighted at the result of the move in regard to Mr Wilson' 3 appointment which has brought about what promises to be an important debate on the question of privilege. THE HOSPITAL. "This institution and its committee and officers have been the subject of a most unjustifiable and ecuriulous attack in print, arid 1 heap that the members of {he oomittittee, irorn their late experiencas, are beginning to" think that it is not good there should only be one morning paper in Dunedin, Whop the former hospita^ staff left-, they ifer.e the targets for a very groat deal of undeserved abuse, and the management which succeeded them were not aware of the difficulties to be encountered tiU they had got well involve^ in trouble t'aeniselyes. The jjew brponjs were to have swept yery plean, Ibut they have been to perform tiie wor^ fcid, out fov theni. ,

At the same time "" a3 these difficulties have arisen from an unsuitable building in an unsuitable site, and an insufficiency of funds to provide for improvements required, the fact of the Committee not having succeeded brilliantly is no reflection on them. They appear to have done their best ; but, to use an old metaphor, they cannot make briaks without straw, aud it is | a most unjust thing that they should be the subjects of undeserved censure, and the marks for equally undeserved abuse. Private I explanations have been made, but It is a i matter for regret tbat public institutions should be lightly attacked. Such conduct is not only wrong in itself, but destroys the effect of criticism when applied where really needed. DISCHARGE OP AH LEONG. Old residents, especially those in the Tuapeka district, will remember the murderous attack made, it was alleged, by a Chinaman named Ab Leong. on a miner named Benjamin Harboard. For the offence Ah Leong was tried and convicted in Dunedin in 1867. Sentence of death was recorded against him, which afterwards was reduced to penal servitude for life. He ha., done the time and conditions, of a life sentence, namely, ten years, aud continuous good conduct and industry, and has- been liberated. Ah Leong bas throughout protested his iunoceuce. The evideuce of the prisoner's identification was of a very slight description. His continuous protestation to the visiting justices and other magistrates during his term of imprisonment has been "me innocent !" Representations had been made to the Government on his behalf, but no notice was taken of them. Prisoners while in Dunediu Gaol has worked in the carpenters' shop of that institution, "and uumerous specimeus ' of his handicraft as a ioiner adoru some of the Government offices. At the time of his conviction tbe Chinese invasion was a burning question in Otago, and had he been a European the case possibly might have gone otherwise. At the time of his conviction he had £21 in his possession, which money was forfeited to the Crown— that course being then the rule. Prisoner has memorialised the Crown for a refund, and- in consideration of his good conduct and industrious habits while in gaol, it is to be hoped that this -will be given him to enable him to make a fresh start in life. THE NEW MORNING FAPiER. The number, of shares to justify steps being taken for bringing out the new morning paper have been taken up, and the balance are being disposed of as rapidly as possible. The plant has been ordered, and the first issiie~~will appear in three weeks, at tbe furthest. SALE OJF VROJPBRTY. The residence of Dr Thomsou, York Place, was sold last week for £1500 cash. This shows that property keeps up at least in value. ON A JURY. The duty of serving on a jury is one of those privileges which Britons have not hitherto looked upon with favour, and the desire, to escape service has alwaysbeen more marked than the anxiety to occupy a seat in the jury-box. In Dunedin, however, this old fashioned prejudice is ; not likely to exist in every case, and at leastone juryman lately, when it became known tbat he was subpeened, received a large order in the course of trade. A few of my friends are .waiting impatiently to be called on to serve, as they are desirous of disposing of their dead stock. THE SCHOOL OP ARTS, ■ . ' ' The number of pupils is greater than it has ever been. The evening class, consisting of lads and young men who are employed at their trades during the day, have commenced modelling in clay, and some of them who are plasterers have made this -ft specialty. Those who do not care about encouraging art for the love of art, may have some satisfaction in knowing that tbe teaching imparted, and the skill gained, at ithe Institution is of great practical value to young tradesmen, in their daily business. There is nothing like drawing for young tiadesmeu, and it is at once instruction and pleasure, if they have only taste for it. . When visiting the school a few days ago I saw a gigantic head being modelled in clay. It was a design for the key-stone of an arch, and formerly tp have auch a cast done an order would have had to be sent to England or Melbourne, The mechanical drawings this year are, some ofthem, splendid specimens of their. kind. In some of the classes a good many oil paintings from nature are being done. The pupil-teachers' classes are well atteiided t and the same is also the case \yjj|h the other classes, but the benefits of the school are not yet known, as long as it has been established. Reference may also be made to the OTAGO AUT SOCIETY. At a meeting held lately of* the Committee It wag decided' tp hold. an art uniou ou the principle of the Glasgow Art IJnion, ip connection \yitb the Society, for the disposal of works or" art produoed iv tho Province This will enable local artists to earn money and reputation, as despite art being with them a labour of love tbey. nevertheless, must live. The art exhjbitiqn . t yi\)\ take place about the Christmas holidays, and it is expected that there will "be a better display than there was the first year." ' ' THE HIGH SCHOOL COMMISSION-. Most praiseworthy efforts., have been made tq sovmd'the High School Commissioners, but they appear to have kept their recomhien-jJa-tioiis a" profound secret.