Our Dunedin Letter.

Clutha Leader, Volume XXIII, Issue 1148, 4 September 1896, Page 6

Our Dunedin Letter.

I From our own Correspondent] The general election is getting to be the topic of conversation among the electors, and the various organisations are issuing their manifestoes. The latest addition in this direction is the newly formed " Liberty League " who are inviting members to join. The motto of the association is *' Principle not Party " and is to be composed of men and women who are prepared to use every constitutional moans to uphold and protect the liberty of the subject. The league will not give its support to any candidate for parliamentary honour who is an " extremist or faddist." Whether this society will be a factor in the contest, remains to be seen. The number of candidates who are likely to be placed in nomination is exceedingly large. We have the three present members, Messrs Pinkerton, Earnshaw and Hutchison, Messrs H. S. Fish, A- C. Begg, J. A. Miller, A. Sligo, 0. Haynes, H. Goiirlay, D. Nichol, A. W. Wathen, Gr. Muir, Murray-Aston, and A. H. Burton. These are all good men and true, and no doubt have many adherents wha will support them on the auspicious occasion. While strolling on the railway platform last Tuesday, 1 saw the present member for Clutha, Mr T. Mackenzie uni the possible future member Mr John Edie in conversation previous to the leaving of the express for Ohristchurch. Whether '♦ Clutha Tam " was putting " Our John " up to an electioneering wrinkle or two I cannot say, but I feel sure from my long knowledge of Mr Edie that he would make an excellent representative and a worthy successor to the present member. Some time ago I gave you. a short resume of a visit paid by me to Ashburn Hall, Waikari, the property of Mr James Hume and Dr Alexander, and carried ou by them as a private lunatic asylum. I am now sorry to mention the fact that Mr | Hume had a paralytic stroke about three weeks ago which caused his end on Friday. Mr Hume was an old identity, was connected with the care of lunatics for many y^ars and was greatly respected by all who knew him and he will be very much missed. His partner, Dr Alexander, who had been residing at Ashburn Hall recently was on his way to the city about a week ago, and when in the Kaikorai Valley, an accident happened to his buggy, and he received a severe fracture of the right leg. He is now confined to his bed. Great sympathy is expressed for him by his friends, especially since the loss of Mr Hume, it being the more unfortunate to be laid aside at this special time. lam also sorry to have to chronicle another sad death, that of the R'ev Father Newport, the Roman Catholic pastor at Port Chalmers who lost his life on Sunday last nobly doing his duty, by trying to save another's life. He had been over to Portobello conducting s«rvice there, and was returning to Port Chalmers in a boat with a man and three boys. When opposite Quarantine Island the boat upset. Ths accident was seen from Port Chalmers and immediate aid was at once given, but when arriving at the scene Father Newport was picked up floating face downwards quite unconscious. Every means was taken to restore auimation but without avail. The others were saved but one of the boys is in a very critical condition. Father Newport was an excellent swimmer but his energies were directed to saving the lives of the others and thereby lost his own. The untimely accident has caused quite a gloom at the Port where Father Newport was respected not only ty his own communion but by every one else who are much concerned at the sad calamity. Another unfortunate accident also took place on Sunday at Traquair Station near Ontram when a young man aged 32 years named Alexander Munro, son of a very old settler in the Tuapeka district— viz. , Mv Finlay Munro of Tuapeka Flat, lost his life. The young man was engaged as shepherd on the station, and was out on Saturday shooting wild sheep and on returning laid the revolver down on his bed. On Sunday before going to church he was making up his bed ; he must have forgotten about the revolver and in taking off the clothes threw the revolver on the floor aud one of the chambers was discharged, the ball going into his groin. Medical aid was procured from Oulram, and it was deemed advisable to have him conveyed to the Dunedin Hospital which was done but the unfortunate young man died about 9 o'clock in the evening. The weather for over a week has been of an exceedingly wintry character. On Tuesday evening the rain commenced and on Wednesday the whole of the city and suburbs waß covered with snow which remained on the surrounding hills for the rest of the week. The streets are in a shocking state and locomotion prevails under great difficulties owing to the mud which is very much in evidence, Our footballers started ou their northern tour last Wednesday and so far have played two matches, one at Oamaru on Thursday when they easily defeated their opponents by 15 points to nil. At Christchurch on Saturday they mot kickists of another calibre and after a very hard tussle were beaten by six points — viz., two tries to five points — viz., a try converted into a goal. Our lady goiters are also en tour north having gone to Wellington to take part in the championship meeting, which is being held there this week : JSn route they played at Timaru and Christchurch, winning both matches, and on Saturday with some others played in an infcer-island golf match, the South Island beating the North Island 32 holes to 21. There were fourteen ladies on each side. > The very judicious action of the Education Board anent appointment of teachers I Is giving deserving teachers in the country an opportunity of getting into Dunedin ! and euburb* if they 4 'so deaire an* not

allowing appointments to be secured solely by local applicants, when those who have done good work in outside districts are compelled to May there, owing to the necessary local influence not being provided when any vacancy ocoured. At North East Valley School there was a vacancy for second male assistant, and there were a large number of applicants. The Board selected eight names, all country teachers, and the result was that Mr G. F. Booth at present in charge of the Dunrobin School was chosen. Mr Booth has an excellent record as a teacher. One of the inspectors tells me, that the work done in hio school was not surpassed by any other. — Miss Youafcon of the Milton District High School was also chosen for a vacancy in the Gaversham SchooJ. Miss Barnett of Owamoko *ras selected, for mistress at Highcliff School in place of Miss Fitzgerald, who has gone, I understand, to reside at Kaitangata. Mr Mayor Wales, who went to Victoria recently for the benefit of his health* underwent a successful operation there and news has been received that he is doing well.