DUNEDIN ITEMS.

Lyttelton Times, Volume CVIII, Issue 13001, 17 December 1902, Page 7

DUNEDIN ITEMS.

[Fkoji Cub Correspondent.] DUNEDIN, Dec. 16.

Just on a hundred applications have been received by tho Dunedin Corporation for the position of superintendent of the Botanical Gardens and city reserves, the emolument for which is £225 per annum and ai free house. The applicants include Mr J. Benbow, one of the gardeners employed by the late Duke of Edinburgh, who is now in the employ of the Earl of llchesfer, in charge of the Abbotsbury Castle gardens, near Dorchester. These gardens are said to be the finest sub-tropical grounds in the British Isles. They cover a very large area,,-' which is planted with innumerable varieties of Continental, American, Japanese, Chinese, Australian and New Zealand f plpnts, flowers, shrubs and trees. Dir J. | Gebbie, who lhad charge of the Camara | Gardens, is also an applicant, and an ex-| gardener of the Baroness Burdett-Couttsvj (who is highly recommended) also aspires] to tho position. | Tho proceedings which begin at Gore to-V morrow, with a view to having the Mataura | licensing poll upset, are certain to be; watched with mucti interest, as at is ex- ( pected that the result of the petition will’) have considerable bearing on other similar' petitions in oi-.er parts of the colony. The licensed victuallers will be represented by Messrs Neavo, Hosking and Hanlon, and ■, Messrs A. S. Adams and the Rev F. W. Isitt will watch the case on behalf of the temperance party. It is understood that tho Crown Solicitor at Invercargill will-; appear for the ’ returningyofficer. Two of the candidates for city- seats have ’ filed with the returning-officer a list of their expenses. Mr Bedford’s expenses total £157, while those of Mr Chisholm are putdown at £lO2. The Rev A. North, formerly Baptist minister at Dunedin, returned here to-day from India, en route to Auckland, where he takes charge of the Ponsnr.by Baptist Church. Interviewed by a “Star” reporter, the reverend gentleman said—“l went to India With a double object. I was made pastor of an English-speaking ohurch in Calcutta. I was also appointed the Indian Secretary of the Victorian, _ Queensland and 'New 'Zealand Baptist Missionary Societies. My hope was to further mission work in that land, and it was my desire to learn on the spot, by personal observation, facts about missions, and to inquire into the condition of the people religiously, especially about modern popular Hindoo!am. I minted to find out what the people believe in, for, after all, what concerns us is the religion of the people, not the professions as to religion of a- select few who are leaders. I had plenty of opportunities. I moved about the country a good deal, especially in the province of Bengal, and saw the people in the towns, as well as in the country; During my journeying I visited Benares and other sacred”places, and at certain temples found startling evidences of degrading forms of worship that can only be, compared, to the indescribable rites of the'andent Canaanites. The outside world at large has ho conception of these soul-.destroying horrors. I found- also the influence of caste rearing itself still as a strong barrier to reform, but I,also found much to rejoice the missionary's heart.”