North Otago Times. TUESDAY, JUNE 10, 1873. OUR LETTER HOME.

North Otago Times, Volume XVIII, Issue 840, 10 June 1873, Page 2

North Otago Times. TUESDAY, JUNE 10, 1873. OUR LETTER HOME.

The two principal matters ocoupying publio attention, and which have, indeed, been almost the sole topics of interest since the date of our last letter are the political situation in Otago and the Maori situation in the North. We are just now In the very midst of electioneering 'contents for the SuperIntendency, and for the various seats in the Provincial Cohnoil. In 1 our last letter we mentioned that the Tolmie Executive had resigned, and that Mr Reid had been sent for. That gentleman formed a Government, and tendered their names to His Honor for his approval, but the Superintendent declinod to accept of Mr Reid's proposed Executive, stating that they "would not, in his opinion, cam m and the confidence of the Council or the country. Mr Reid then relinquished Iub task ; and Dr Webster, who is a man of moderate views, was sent for as a go-between of the conflicting parties, with a view to the formation of a coalition ministry. Dr Webster essayed the task, but failed j and the Superintendent, for thV second time, sent down a message to the Oounoil recommending a dissolution. A large majority of the Council declined to Bupport this recommendation, and forwarded a lengthy and carefully pre* pared memorial to the Oabinot in Wellington protesting again «jt, a dissolution being granted. The Superintendent then took the course of proroguing the Council, and forwarded his reasons to Wellington for urging a dissolution. The Cabinet having taken the representations of both parties into consideration, Mr Vogel intimated in n lengthy despatch that Ministers uphold Mr Macandrew's view, and had recommonded His Excellonoy the ActingGovernor to grant the dissolution 5 which was accordingly done, and the Superintendent and Council have gone to the country. Election meetings are therefore everywhere the order of the day, and there is the more activity that bo little time has been afforded, the writs being returnable on the 26th inst. For the Superintendency the nomination took place on the 4th inst., there being three candidates nominated, viz., Mr James Macandrew, Mr John Li Hie Gillies, (the present Speaker of the Provincial Council) and Mr John Graham, better known as " Jook Graham," who proposed himself. The contest will be entirely between Mr Macandrew and Mr Gillies, and it is generally believed that the former will be returned by a large majority. Very few members of the Council will have a walk-over, nearly all the seats being contested for. For Oamaru town there are two candidates, Mr John M'Lean, who has sat for two sessions, and Mr James Udall, who for two years occupied the position of Mayor. For Oamaru Country, the late member (Dr Webster) is opposed by Mr J. Waddell and Mr P. Aitchison. j For Moeraki their ai«e four candidates — Mr D. Hutcheson (the late member), Mr Steward, M.H.R., Mr W. Murcott, and Mr 0. de V. Tcsohemaker. For Waitaki, Mr Sumpter seeks re-eleotion, but ifc is understood that there will be another candidate in the field. The event for the Snperintendency will be decided on the 18th, those for the Council within a week thereafter. The native situation is still such as to cause very considerable anxiety throughout the Colony. That the murder of Sullivan adverted to in our last was a distinct challenge to fight is undoubted by anyone conversant with Maori customs. Had the poor fellow been merely murdered the aofc would have had no national or tribal significance, but the mutilation of the body, and its being carried to the whare of the Piincess Sophia distinctly meant and was intended to moan a direot challenge to the Europeans to fight. From the telegrams received from the North we learn that the Am was and other tribes, who have hitherto fought bravely and loyally for the Colonial Government, still maintain their allegiance — indeed, some of the Arawas under Major Mair, have already been sent to the front to throw up and garrison redoubts — while even the Maori King, although deolining to surrender Sullivan's murderers, states that he will not interfere if European troops only are sent into his territory to capture them. A Court of Enquiry has been held into the circumstances of the murder, and the result has been the issue of warrants for the apprehension of Purukutu and two other natives. That in the event of armed resistance to the execution of these warrants there will be war there is no doubt, but the Government have taken a firm and deoided stand, and intimate that if war is forced upon them it shall be the last war in New Zealand. The natives are much weajcer than in the last struggle, and even if the Colony is forced to fight there is no room for apprehension as to the result.

Thi Emotiokb.— Heporti of Mr Tenohemater's meeting at Ottpopo, and of Air P. Aitohiion'i at Waiareka, are unaroidnbljr hold Of er till our next. Oauastt Town EtiorroK. — In compliance with a numorouilj tigncd roquiBi'tion, Mr James Udall, lute Mayor of the town, has contented to oome forward ai a candidate for tho repreientation of Oamaru in the Prorinoial Council,

Ma Tbsoiibmakrr'b MBBTiNaS.— It it announcod by advertisement that MrTesoheI maker's mooting at 'Hampddn previously announced for Wednesday (.to-morrow) has boon, for roasons thoroin stated, postponed till Monday, 16th intt. Otbpo^o Sdidbi.— A concert in aid of the funds of tliis school is announced for Friday evening noxt, \n tho sohoolhouso at that placo. TjiB WBATHBtt— The weather oontinuos fluo und dry, enabling farming operation* to bo pushed on, and greatly improving tho state of the roads. FoofBAM.. — A soratoh. matoh at football camp, oflf on Saturday, on tho Cricket Ground. Tho sides wore chosen by Mr L/JTonwiok and Mr O. F, Oorrigan. There was sonio Tory good play made, Mr Fonwiok's sido wHnniug . aftor a hard straggle. Elbotobai. MBETiNoa.— Notioes will bo found in our ad»cr tiding columns, fixing datos for electoral addresses by the various candi« dates for tho Provincial Counoil elections. Thb Supbri»«kndbk0T EmsoWon.— The meoting called for Friday eTening lnst at the Royal Hotel, to form a Committee in support of Mr John L. Gillies' candidaturo was attended by only some half-doten persons, possibly owing to the counter-attraotion of Dr Webster's mooting. No arrangements wore mado. Thk Habbor-WOBKS. — Tho Harbor-works at tho Point are steadily progressing. Tho platform and ways have been laid for tho steam orahe, and tho locomotive is now running on the tramway conveying shinglo to tho reolamation. The engino which weighs only five tons is capable of drawing 60 tons at a speed of 20 miles an hour, and is just tho sort of thing required for our light railways. It is inexpensive in first ooit and burns very little coal. Town Improtbh b»t».— Among the m»ny signs of improvement notioeablo in tho town we observe that new auction rooms havo been built for MrShrimski in Tyne-stroet, adjoining Messfs Boo's premises, also netv stone odlons for Mr Lemon, while largo additions aro being mado to Mr Ogilf ie's foundry. Thb SopamifTaND*NOr. — Wo notice by telegrams in yostorday's " Daily Times" that Mr Gillie* was well reooivod at Invurcargili, and at a largo meeting hold them on Saturday night, the following motion wa* oavriod by a majority of two to ono : — " That, in the opinion of this mooting Mr Gillies' viovvs regarding tho powors of tho Superintendent and tho rights of tho olootors aro sound, and nmply justify him in oontflsting tho Superintondeimy." Thb Andbkson Tnotrpu. — This talon tod troupo played to good housos in tho Mauonio Hall on Friday, Saturday, aucl yostorday evenings, their performances boiug highly appreciated by tho public, to whom thoy afforded a groat musical treat. Mr A. Andorson, as a pianist and concertina soloist is a brilliant and tattoful parfornior, and woll deiervod tho applause with which hit efforts were greeted. Miss Fanny^ Sara is a very plnusing singer — her ennunoiation boing oloar and distinot, a somewhat rare thing with publio singors, and her notes blear and truo. Mr Clifton's songs were well givpn, und, indeed, tho Company generally aro very woll worth going to near. Thoy proccod honco to Tiraaru, and will, on their return on Friday, again appear in the Misonio Hall, on which occation a complimentary benefit is to be given to Mr A. Anderson.