North Otago Times WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 12, 1876.

North Otago Times, Volume XXIII, Issue 1170, 12 January 1876, Page 2

North Otago Times WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 12, 1876.

The result of tbe election for this district shows how strong a hold upon the people has been obtained by the " cries" of the Provincialists, hundreds of voters having been led to believe that the Land Fund, and Education Reserves, were in danger, and refusing to be disillusionised by anyaigument whatsoever. The successful party may fairly claim a great triumph for Provincialism, but not a victory for local government, as the offer of a Shire system, for years battled for in this district, has been refused in favor of the maintenance of the old system of Provincialism. The sudden change in public opinion is something marvellous indeed, seeing that during last session the constituency was exceedingly anxious lest its late member, Mr Steward, should support Mr M acandrew in opposing the Abolition Bill, and on his return expressed its satisfaction, only two months ago, at the action he took in supporting the Government in the matter. However, " Vox Populi, vox Dei," we suppose for the nonce, though how soon tbe voices that now cheer Provincialism may again veer round, and denounce it and all its works, it is impossible to say. The fight just over was undoubtedly one of Measures, not Men, for there is no question that the late member would have been returned had he consented to stand on a modified Provincial ticket, that' is to say to change his political views with equal facility to that with which a large number of electors changed theirs, during the past month, and a " win" on both seats must, therefore, be scored to the League Party of Otago. This Province, and Auckland, will, it is clear, return a large majority in favor of Provincialism, while Canterbury returns an equally large majority in favor of tbe Government policy. Sir George Grey's hands will undoubtedly be strengthened when Parliament meets again, but we do not believe that his party will be able to reverse the action of last session, as when the eighty-four seats are all filled, we still anticip.ite a majority of 10 to 12 in favor of Abolition. Under present circumstances the Government know nothing of Provinces, and no matter what the majority in Otago or Auckland may be, if the majority of the whole House supports them, the dis-establishment of the Provinces will be irreversible. As for our own district, having now two members instead of one, the claims of the district should receive greater attention than they have hitherto done, and we trust that the gentlemen returned to represent us will be able year by year to point to the success of their endeavours in its behalf. So far as it lies in our power we shall always be glad to assist them with our pen, and we would now point out to the constituency that it is their duty at all times to keep their representatives fully posted up as to their wants and wishes, and to come forward to strengthen their hands whenever there is occasion to do so, by petition or otherwise. Finally, we counsel the defeated party at the recent contest, to accept their defeat in good humor, and to bury at once and for ,ever any of those little unpleasantnesses which are the outcome of differences of opinion in political matters. Happily, tbe battle was, considedng its sharpness, remarkably free from personalities and political stone-throwing, and the troubled waters will therefore all the more readily return to their normal condition of quietude and peace.

Cittzkn Cadets —The attention of members of thin corps ii directed to an adrertiaement in another column.

Cobbsctiok. — In our reporf, through a typographical error, Mr Shrimiki was etutrd to have called for clieers for Mr Steward. It ought to h&ve read, Mr Hislop.

Waiabeka Road Boabd. — A special meeting of the abore Board will he held on Wednesday, the 19th inst., at 11 a.m., for the purpose of hearing and determining upou objections againit yulustion for ratei.

Chambke or Commbbci. — A meeting of Committee took place, at the Mechanics' Institute, yesterday afternoon, His Worship the Mayor (G-. Sumpter, Esq.), presiding. Tlie rules of the Dunedin Chamber vrere adopted with lome sliuht amendments, and they will b* submitted to a meeting of memben to be held on Friday next.

Nobth Otaqo Tubi CLUB.—The annual general meeting took pluce lust night, at the Empire Hotel — Mr A. Mownt iu tha chair. The following gentlemen were elected the Committee for the ensuing year, viz., Uenri J. Booth, J. Bee, W. H. Ronutne, W. Maefarlane, Alex. Thomson, F. Robertson, J. Doolry, A. Peyman, J. Whoutlej, and J. Maclennan. , «

OAKAEU DUNBDIN BlltwAT. — Yesterday's "Dmly Tim«s" says: — A tender his been accepted for the section known as the K»rlij.i contract on tl-.t Dupedin and MoeraAi line. The succeisful tenderer* are Messrs Munt'o and Culling, of Moeraki. The amount of the contrait is L58.747 5* 104. The work is to bo completed within two years from the date of tbe acceptance of the contract.

Milis, Dick, and Co.'s Azuivxo. — Wo hare rtceirod from Mr J. G. Fleit, stationer, Itchen street, Messrs Mills, Dick, and Co '• Ot>RO Provincial Almanac and Directory for 1876. It is the largest and niott complete issued in the Colony for 1876, and contains a Taluable fund of information on almost titry subject. It will be found Ttrj useful to business men, farmers, miners, and others, aud indeed no house should be without it.

EXTXBTAimcKXT at Fxtataio. — An entertainment, consisting of rocal music, recitation 8 j and readings, will be held in the Papakaio Schoolhonse, on Friday, the 21st init., tha proceeds of which are to go, to the school funds. ' r We are, informed that there will be a rich programme provided, and it is hoped that a number of visitors fromOnmaru will uttend, as such a good objecfc.is deserving of support. "A dance up jtto»j«Vcning's atnuae 7 , m'ent, and Ve suppose this last item will prove very attractive to, the young folks, who are' fond of ," tripping it on the light fantastic ', Mkaivbks akd Mkn.— Mr PyJ» asidatOromwell i— ''I dtf Mot ifgree with the comVapn ik cant !ti co^»ns4 ,. fcj^ such .. phrases as ' measures not men.', ...Scriptural .warrant and Juumn experience both teachjhatv^as>gra'pet cannot b# gathered from thorn's nor Sgs from

thistles, so neither am'good meayurra be ex; pectcd fiom cril or'jncompeteut' men. Tlie* tru^ courie for the people at this solemn juncture of their affairt i» to have regard to both meoiuies and men, and to select whom■oerer be»t combines tbe essential requisite* in his own penon."

The Nkw Pabliambnt.— The "Timsru Herald" snjs: — We < shall not attempt to indicate the political views of the new members, became we not only do not know them, but we do not believe many of the members themirlves know them. - j

Blondin. — Blondin, tbe celebrated ropewalker, is expected to arrive in Auckland in about a month, by the next trip of the Hero. He liti been drawing immense crowds in Australia to witness his extraordinary performances.

Pbospkctino fob Babe Metal — Writing in tho " Coromandel Mail," Mr A. W. Carew, says : — As an incentive to prospecting for bnsn meuls, the recent discoyery of nickel ore and chrome iron at Noumea in New Caledonia, may be eafely mentioned. A company lias just been formed in London with a powerful directory and a capital af L120.000 for the purchase and working of these minerals. Probably the whole of this sum will be cash down, and thetjro lucky finders will receire a handaoma fortune out of it with their contingent chancei in resorted eharei. Specimens of these rarUls can be seen in Auckland and also upon Coromnndel, but what is bndly j wanted hero i» a "good cabinet of all those | minerals likely tofbe found in Tolcanic formation!. Such a collection oupht to be tolerably complete, os the buse metals assume so many forms at sulphurets, oxides, silicntrs, &c, that one might in many oases handle them without autpeoting their Talue.

A Fobbst Dhpautmbht fob ths Coiohy. — According to the " World," Sir Julius Voftel, the Prime Minister of New Zealand, has definitely arranged to hare a Forest Dopart men t after the model of that in India, and with a view to its initiation and orgatiizition, has obtained the services of Captain Campbell Walker, at present at the head of the Forest Department in the Madras Presidency. This officer is well known by his able reports on the forests of England and the Continent ; for these he obtained t'ae gold medal of Boyal Highland Agricultural Society, and it was the perusal of them that first put the idea of a Forest Department into Sir Julius's head. The Indian Government has agreed to lend Captain Walker, as it were, on a year's probationary leare. There are to be two assistant inspectors under him, and preat things are anticipated from the proper development of the Tusfc primeral forests of the islands. t

Kaiapoi Episcopalian Church ConobbOATION Distttubed. — On New Year'* Eve, writes the •• Lyttelton Times," during the midnight service, as the Rev. H. E. Carlyon vra» delivering an nddress, the congregation was suddenly startled by a loud noiie of drum beating and bell ringing outside. In tlie confusion it is said one lady fainted. Some of the mule members, on getting outside, found two persons (who were recognised), ono near a hand bell which had been taken from one of the hotels, and the other with a big drum reiir him and the drumttick in his hand, but the others of the party — as Ih^re are thought to have been others — had decamped. There two are said to htire been roughly handled, and the drumheads ripped with n knife. The service appears to have been discontinued. The parties implicated allege that they were not on the church premises, but had gone to a cottage near to serenade n nrwlymairied couple, while others attribute the demons! rat ion to the opposition to Mr Carlyon. ftext day it was discovered that the orderly room of No. 5 Company C.R.V. had bren broken into and the drums had been taken. From the one referred to being recorered by the band in such a state as to render it useless in the bund's engagements ftt the Romiora suorts. no doubt there will be an inquiry in the affair, and a lookout kept by the police to prevent any threatened repetition thereof.