Dunedin Gossip

Cromwell Argus, Volume XLI, Issue 2209, 22 August 1910, Page 5

Dunedin Gossip

(I Rom Our Own Cokkesi'Ondent.) Dunedin, August li). We have had a flying official visit from our new Governor, Lord Islington, who nppeais to have created a favorable impression as being a shrewd capable man, anxious to do some good to the Dominion as a whole during his term of office. If as some appear to think, he is inclined to believe, that being a young community we cannot know so much as the people in the Home country, and consequently inclined to preachiness, well he will toon come to know us a little better and realise that if he desires to administer pills, they must be sugar-coated. Time was when Governor's visits wero few and far between, when we made a great to do about them, erected triumphal arches and each and every body, public and semi-public, presented illuminated addresses. Now we take them somewhat as a matter of course. The Mayor and the Councillors have official duties to perform, the Hussarsturn out to form an escort, and a company from the Embryo Territorials provide a guard of honor, and the public, or such of them as have no pressing business to do, muster strongly, actuated largely it would appear by cimosity to see the newman.

Lord Islington was met at the railway station by the C'vic dignitaries and driven to the Town Hall. There was no hitch as in the ease of Kitchener about the carriages. On the Town Hall' steps our rosy-cheeked smiling mayor read the address which had been prepared and His Excellency replied, and the public proceedings were at an end for the time being. Lord Islington was taken to the Mayor's room where his health was toasted. Everything apparently passed off delightfully and everybody concerned in the civic reception was as happy as could be. But having fallen into the habit of blundering, the city magnates had to be true to their reputation. The next day His Excellency was shown the sights of the city, and the levee went off correctly. But the corporation had arranged a little dinner for him. Someone—it is not clear who—conceived the extraordinary idea that Lord Islington was only desirous of making the acquaintance over a friendly snack of Mr Cole (the mayor), his town clerk, the city councillors and a few other selected individuals. The mayois of suburban boroughs and many others were ignored. Worse than all someone concluded that His Excellency would not like to have anything he said go outside the room. So it was decided to exclude the press and reporters, who thinking there might have been an oversight applied for a ticket, were told their presence was not wanted at such a gathering of the elite. The morning paper not desiring to put a slight upon Lord Islington by ignoring a function where its representatives weie refused admission, gave a brief report, picked up from various sources, of the affair. There was no report ol the speeches of course. If report is to be relied upon, Lord Islington was much chagrined. His speech was intended not for those present, not even for the people of Dunedin, but for the people of Otago as a whole and in a secondary degree for the puople of the Dominion.

Whether at the solicitation of the Mayor, the Minister in attendance, or for some reason not known to its conductors, the evening paper, contrary to journalistic practice, set about giving a report of the speeches. Reporters were sent scurrying about to get from the speakers the gist of what they said, intended to have said, or should have said, and the result was duly published next evening. Perhaps at the next meeting of the Council Mr Douglas or Mr Fiddis, who appear to be always bringing into prominence things some other Councillors would like buried, will enlighten the public as to who is l'esponsible for this latest piece of municipal bungling. 31unicipal maladroitness is not confined to the City. Mornington has for a long time been groaning under the ineptitude displayed in connection with its tramways. The company which constructed the line originally attempted to attract settlement in a certain direction in which it is understood some of the then directors were interested and built the extension in that direction. When the borough purchswJed the line it decided on an extension in another direction, and contrary to till ideas of common sense sought to make the cable work round all sorts of corners. The result was that the cable for hauMgc would last no time :>nd the borough has a white elephant on its hands. The first extension wants renewing and the money is not available. For tbo second extension it is suggested a motor car should be procured but again finance blocks the way. One bold step which this Council took seems likely to turn out well and that is reducing the fare to one penny. Already it lias brought about o.n appreciable change in the demand for house property. While the neighbouring borough of lioslyn is standing still with its antiquated irratically managed and expensive tramway, Mornington shows ©very indication of an approaching .boom. To reduce the- tramway fares by one half means a great deal to a family of five or six persons.