DUNEDIN GOSSIP.

Cromwell Argus, Volume XVII, Issue 842, 2 June 1885, Page 3

DUNEDIN GOSSIP.

(I'ROM OUR owx courkspoxdknt.) Dunedin, May 28. Holiday-makers had a treat in the weather this year for the Queen's Birthday, and the Races and the Volunteer Parade were equal attractions. But the Parade was free, and in these hard times the free show carries the day. Besides, it really was a brave sight, for it is not every month in the year that 600 Volunteers can be mustered in Dunedin streets, with guns horsed, officers mounted on prancing steeds, and hussars curvetting on high-mettled coursers, while the music of the bands, the gay uniforms of the infantry, the shrill bugle-call, and the hoarse word of command, with the stir and bustle so different to everyday life as seen on the streets, causes the blood to course and thrills the system with complex emotions. The sham fight was undoubtedly the best in which the force were ever engaged. It was not a cut-and-dried affair in which the movements were all known beforehand, but was so arranged that officers had to keep a bright look-out and think for themselves. The Navals and Artillery were sent away first to that portion of the town belt between Roslyn and Mornington, where they were to defend themselves from the attacks of the infantry as best they could. Both sides were thus anxious—the one to make surprises, the other to prevent them —and thus; our Volunteers received their second lesson and had another day's real solid work. There were many amusing incidents, not the least of which was the capture by the Navals of an infantryman who in a skirmish had wounded one of their comrades. The cavalry too made a dashing attack on a square, and came to rather close quarters, but as everybody kept cool the results were not serious. The Races really commenced, on Saturday, but the attendance was so poor as to count for an off day. Even on the holiday it was far below what might be expected. But then there is the depression to be taken into account, and a glance at the surroundings of the totalisators was enough to show that few were investing for the sport of the thing. They were all horsey men, and the erstwhile Tradesmen's Races is practically a thing of the past. What between the very shady transactions which regularly occur over the trotting races, and the gambling element supplied by the totalisator, tradesmen are beginning to look askance at them. The smart people will soon prove too smart for themselves unless the Jockey Club keep their eyes open. Not that the races were not a success, for to some extent they were; but when a horse trots in a race on Saturday and cannot get within half-a-mile of the winner, and then turns up on Monday and wins by yards easily from the same horses, the gentle public are apt to exclaim with Bill Nye, " Can such things be !" The conversion to gospel temperance principles of such a man as Mr Fred Fulton is undoubtedly a feather in Mr Booth's cap. Mr Fulton of course is well known as the champion of the working man when he was being gulled by the Rational Sick and Burial Society ; as the offerer of a local contingent for the Soudan ; .and finally as the individual who attempted to teach some of the larrikins maimers by practising at them with his revolver. Sarcastic people say of course that Mr Fulton likes to be before the public eye in some capacity or other always, and that as he could not get a commission for the Soudan he has accepted one in the Blue Ribbon Army. But these people are never satisfied, and even throw doubts on the vow said to have been registered by five publicans not to rest until he broke his pledge. But Mr Fulton is still true, and a very effective temperance orator he makes. " There is a tide in the affairs of man," etc., and Mr Fulton's at present appears to be at the flood, and may lead to great things. But for all the excitement which prevailed in certain quarters, the temperance crusade has not reached low enough. The details of an inquest this week on a five-year-old child, while furnishing on the one hand a strong case for the temperance party, tells against them by showing that very little attempt is made to reach those most in need of help. A weak child suffering from various wasting diseases, and dying daily by inches, is neither taken to the hospital nor a medical man consulted. This is not criminal neglect in the eyes of the law, but the condition of some of the witnesses at the enquiry was proof that they were seldom in a state to pay proper attention to the child's wants. A little practical help in such cases would probably do more good than even the conversion of Mr Fulton. Insurance stock does not strike one as a desirable investment, judging by the number of fires daily reported in the newspapers. The people of Dunedin have much to be thankful for in this respect for their splendid supply of water and their really excellent Fire Brigade, which would seem to preclude the idea of a real large fire occurring under ordinary circumstances. Of course the City Fathers grumble at the cost, but tint is because they are hot aware of their privileges. Going home at the somewhat unreasonable hour of four in the morning, your correspondent was startled by the clanging of the alarm-bell, and turning round found a fierce fire raging in a shop which was passed not more than five minutes previously. Turning back at a trot, the Brigade was there, and a oouple of minutes afterwards two jets of water were playiug on the flames. Within five minutes no fire was noticeable — nothing but a steaming mass. Now, there was real smart work there. In fifteen minutes or so a fire had broken out, burned for a while, and was extinguished by men sound asleep a few minutes before. It is only by optical proof and a comparison with what was formerly the rule that a faint idea can be got of the present efficiency. Just conceive a fire breaking out at a time of morning when sleep is heaviest, in an old match-box shanty, with a strong wind blowing. Then think of men voluntarily agreeing to turn out, dress, bring their gear, and, running half-a-mile, be on the scene within 10 minutes of the alarm. Think of all this, and then cast your stone at Volunteer Fire Brigades. Mr A. C. Begg is a very estimable gentleman, but rather pugnacious. Consequently, when he sets about curtailing the travelling allowance of the country members of the Education Board he spares them not. The manner in which ho worked out his calculation to prove that Messrs Fraer, Clark, M'Gregor, and M'Kenzie made a profit out of their visit to town on Board business was not calculated to make these members comfortable. The worst of that slashing kind of argument is that while theso members are condemned for laying themselves open to such a charge—and some of them have admitted it has some foundation—it leaves the motives of the attacker open to question. But when Mr Begg rouses the Highland blood of Mr M'Kenzie it woidd seem he must bo well prepared to defend himself and be sans jxur et sans repi'jche. Mr M'Kouzic is now on the warpath in another direction, and has brought before the Land Board a motion for an enquiry as to whether the conditions of the Land Act are being evaded in the case of Benmore run, purchased by Mr Begg, as attorney for Mr Docherty. The run was formerly held by R. Campbell and Co. (for whom Mr Begg is also attorney), but they were unable to pur?

chase it owing to tlie M'Kenzie clause. The sheep now running on the country are said to be branded with Campbell and Co's brand, and the inference sought to be drawn from all the circumstances is that Docherty is only Campbell's dummy. As the land is a University endowment, the Board have to consult their solicitor as to whether they have power to deal wit!) the matter. Possibly the Education Board and the Land Board affairs have nothing to do with each other. But then it looks very much as if they had.