OUR OTAGO LETTER.

New Zealand Mail, Issue 1745, 16 August 1905, Page 50

OUR OTAGO LETTER.

(From Our Own Correspondent.)

The atmosphere, in a political sense, which was for a time surcharged with, electricity, consequent upon the visit to our midst of the four Parliamentary decampers, has now happily cleared, and we can once more watch the course o£ events in the capital per medium of the press. It would be futile at this date to enlarge upon the thricetcld tale of the now famous reception accorded the young crusaders on their advent to Dunedin, but certain it is that much might be learned from the self-styled New Liberals by travelling showmen in quest of novel means of advertising. The party are unquestionably past masters of the advertising art. Doubtless the Taylor-Fisher combination —vide press reports —are mightily satisfied with the “business” done down South; hut so far as Dunedin is concerned I do not think the gospel propounded by them has met with any general acceptance. For cine thing the scurrilous language adopted by one or two of the speakers was not calculated to appeal to the sympathies of right-thinking people. If the new-born party aspire to converting to their faith a following numerically strong then they had better begin “right now” (as the American has it) and learn, _ first of all, to refrain from offeuding the ears of the people they -would seek to convert; secondly, that private grudges are not of public concern; and lastly, that hole-and-corner methods do not appeal to the average freeman. THE OTAGO LEAGUE.

It is pleasing to note that the Otago League is continuing to take a lively interest in all matters pertaining to the welfare of Otago. At a recent executive meeting members dealt with such questions as closer settlement and irrigation in Central Otago, and railway extension to Brighton. In connection with the former question the secretary of the Blacks tone Hill Land Settlement Committee stated a third petition for presentation to Parliament was being prepared, the writer emphasising the fact that the future of Central Otago depends solely on the settlement of the land. The only other indust it, apart from land, was goldmining, and that the secretary said, with, sorrow, was on the wane. The League approved of the general principle set forth in the letter, and more will likely be heard of the matter. With regard to the Walton ParkBrighton railway proposal, which moots a four-mile extension to the latter seaside resort from the former coal company’s private line, I do not think the project likely to assume definite shape this session, however desirable it may be. One of the grounds on which the

petitioners touch is that of workmen’s homes, and it cannot be denied that the extension, if ever accomplished, would he of no ordinary value in this respect. Moreover, the railway would in all probability be patronised to an almost unprecedented extent, seeing that Brighton would thus become a great watering place. HOSPITAL EXTENSION. The movement recently started, having for its object the laudable scheme of hospital extension glows apace. It is now proposed to hold Hospital Saturday collections on a scale never hitherto attempted, and judging by the offers of assistance promised from various public organisations and the enthusiasm evinced at a recent meeting of ladies in the Town Hall, the success of the project seems to be beyond doubt. GENERAL. An unusually large number of Maoris have been noticeable in town within the last day or two, having foregathered to attend the tangi over the late Hon. Air Tairoa at Otago Heads. The funeral is fixed for Sunday. Messrs Fuller and Sons patrons had an unrehearsed item at the Alhambra Theatre the other night, the film in connection with the. cinematograph, catching fire. There was quite a blaze for some little time, hut beyond the loss of the film the damage was comparatively small. The management announce : “No more kinematographs”—a, wise precaution. Three suspects—A. Hewell, Palmer, and Jones —in the hands of the local police will probably be called upon to answer charges of wholesale jewellery and other robberies in Dunedin. Extensive “plants” were discovered on the premises where the suspects were lodging, and it is stated the property of a widow named Peter, who resides at Harbour terrace, valued at £SO was discovered intact. Finger prints have bv _n forwarded to Wellington, and interesting developments may follow in due course. In re the Bifdiopcourt shooting case, it was current talk in town that sensational developments would come out at the preliminary trial, but nothing unusual transpired. Dunedin, August 10th.