DUNEDIN. January 17.

North Otago Times, Volume 2094, Issue 2094, 18 January 1879, Page 2

DUNEDIN. January 17.

A hot scrimmage occurred at the Presbyterian. Synod over the disposal of the surplus of Education Fund, amounting to L6OO per year. It terminated in a resolution bein« carried that the money be devoted to the endowment of a Chair of Moral Philosophy. This makes the second theological Chair established by the Synod. A protest against the decision was signed by thirteen of the most influential members. One of the ministers said that nine-tenths of the people of Otago were perfectly indifferent as to how the money was dealt with. At the Police Court to-day, an elderly Scotch woman named Lockie was ordered to pay a fine of L 5 and costs, or suffer one month's imprisonment, and also bound over to keep the peace for committing an aggravated assault on an Irish woman twice her size. The victim of the assault presented a frightful picture, her eyes and. their surroundings being of a dark chocolate color, and she exhibited a parcel of hair sufficient for a chignon which had been torn from her head. Thomas, the Victoiian wrestler, who was defeated by Tyson, of Napior, for the championship, was presented with a purse of seventy sovereigns last night, previous to His departure for Victoria. A- man named Robert M'Gregor was killed near Outram, by the upsetting of his dray. Considerable curiosity exists as to who will bo invited to the railway opening ceremony on Wednesday. The Mayor lias not received any information either from Christchurch or the Railway Department. Three hundred and seventy- two volunteers turned out at battalion parade last night. At the Synod to-day, a d inclusion took place on 'the Rev. Dr Copland's motion, asking the Synod to adopt measures to secure the daily reading of the Bible in the public schools. On the motion of Mr Baunerman, the disoussion was adjourned and a committee was appointed to frame a resolution expressive of the mind of the Synod on the subject The Rev. Mr Summers was admitted as an ordained minister, and Mr Lothian as a probationer. During the discussion of the question of the Bible in schools, the Rev. Mr Bannerman said if the people of Otago were polled to-mprrow it would be found that 19 20ths— he might say 09-100fclu— of them would vote for the restoration of the Bible to the schools. If the secularists did not compromise, and join with them, tho denominational party would triumph over a divided host and gain the victory. The secularists would consequently have to choose between them and the denorninatioualists. Mr Varleys services here will commence on Sunday, the 26th instant. He is expected to stay three weeks. A second meeting of the promoters of the Koslyn Tramway Comp uiy was held this evening. The nominal capital is to be L5OOO — one-third to be called up. The estimated cost of the work is LI 7,000. The case of Macdonald v. Procter was concluded this evening, tho jury giving ; plaintiff L5O damages. At a meeting to-night re the Bible in schools, about eighty persons were present. The meeting was addressed by Mr E. B. Cargill, the Rev. L. Muckie, Messrs I J. A. Connell, A. C. Regg, and Thomas 'Dick, all in support of the motion, which Was carried^ 'unanimously— ' r That the daily reading of tho Biblo in public ■ schools bo established bylaw." A cora«raittee was formed to forward the resolution.