Otago Daily Times. "Invenian viam aut faciam." DUNEDIN, MONDAY MAY 26, 1862.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 164, 26 May 1862, Page 4

Otago Daily Times. "Invenian viam aut faciam." DUNEDIN, MONDAY MAY 26, 1862.

On Wednesday next the nomination will take place to fill the vacancy caused by the resignation of Mr. McGlashan, of his" seat in the House of Representatives, as member for the district of Dunedin. On the last occasion when Mr. Dick was elected, it may be remembered that Major Richardson, the Superintendent, came forward to oppose him, and stated that if defeated then, he would come again before the electors ou the occasion of'tilling up the next vacancy. Major Richardson had to retire in consequence of an informality in his nomination, and it was generally anticipated that he would come forward as a candidate for the vacancy occaioned by M. McGlashan's retirement. Within the last few days he has issued-a notice from which it appears tha') owing to circumstances, he has determined to alter his original intention. 'The notice is of a somewhat peculiar character, especially that portion referring to an amended Land bill, and which we think it would have been better to have omitted, seeing that it is calculated to prejudice the consideration, of the question, which we trust may yet take place at the adjourned sittings of the Council. The remaining part of the address it must be confessed discloses amply" sufficient reasons for "the decision which Major Richardson bases on them, viz:—"The belief, that my post ,of duty during the next few months will be at Dunedin, and not at Wellington." It is only to be wondered at, that notwithstanding these reasons Major Richardson should yet intimate, that if the electors hold a different opinion he would be willing to respond to it. •

The reasons adduced are, that the absence of the' Secretary and Treasurer, and of the Auditor, who are both members of the House of Representatives will weaken the staff of the Provincial Government so much that the Superintendent's presence could ill be spared. And the- second reason given is, that the movement in favor of Separation, recently instituted, is of a more advanced character than the Major is at present prepared to adopt. To take the last of these reasons first, we believe the Superintendent's views on the question of separation are, .that it is scarcely a fitting thing for the more powerful and more wealth}' portion of the colony to seek a separation from the weaker and poorer division. He advocates, as we understand, that the movement should be devoted towards obtaining a change in the Seat of Government. This view, theoretically, is not so irrational as it is impracticable. In regard to the principle which it involves, we alluded to it the other day. No doubt, in other separation movements that have taken place, it has been the weaker portion of a colony, complaining of want of adequate political representation, and of fettered powers of developing its resources, that has taken the initiative in urging the. separation. Properly, we admit, in the present case, the cry for Separation should come from the Nortli • Island, supposing the condition existed that the seat of government, was fixed in the Middle Island. But whilst the expense contingent on the management of native affairs is not made a local charge, and whilst the seat of government cannot be moved from Auckland, there is no chance of the people of tbe Northern Island going in earn:stly for Separation, and the agitation must either come from the Middle Island or else the present condition of affairs remain unaltered. Major Richardson would support

a change in the seat of government, and', failing that, would, we apprehend, vote for Separation. But those who are best acquainted with native affairs say that the seat of government cannot be removed from Auckland, so that separation would to the subject of our remarks be the alternative to a change in the seat of Government. Estimating Major Richardson's views on the question of separation as exceedingly undesirable, inasmuch as that at best his support of the matter would be only of a measured character ; we are not prepared to consider these views as sufficiently objectionable tb make it a matter of policy not to elect him'to the Assembly. Other considerations have to be regarded, and Major Richardson, from position, from character, from knowledge of the wants of the Province, and from his indisputable ability as a polished, and effective speaker, would be a member such as the Province might be well satisfied to return to the House. -But the other reason the Major adduces, namely, that Provincial affairs in the absence of the Secretary and Treasurer, and ofthe Auditor, require his presence, is one which it is not easy to see any way to overcome. The duties of Superintendent of the Province of Otago, owing to the rapid course of transition through which it is passing, are more than ordinarily onerous and responsible, ' and it is not to be denied that circumstances are liable to arise which would make the presence of the- Superintendent almost indispensable. On this score then we are inclined to hold with the decision arrived at; and this leads, us to inquire the meaning of the concluding paragraph of the address. If Major, Richardson considers that the duties of his position require his presence in Otago, how can he reconcile it to himself, to refer the question to a portion only ef the constituents who elected him. He represents the whole of the Province as Superintendent, and the opinion of a portion of the Province should not be a sufficient justification to him for pursuing a course which he admits he considers undesirable. We think the electors of Dunedin exercise very sound judgment in allowing the decision j of this matter to rest with the Major himself;• no one is, or should be better qualified to judge whether his presence can or cannot be Spared. Assuming then, that Major Richardson is out of the field, the very serious question arises—who is to be the candidate ? tt is difficult to .overrate the importance of sending a good man. Questions of the most vital moment, directly affecting the interests of Otago, are sure to be brought before the Mouse of Representatives, and there will -carcely be a question in which Otago will not be indirectly interested. Subscribing as it will do half the expenditure, every item on the estimates is of consequence to it. \A rho is to pa}' for the cost of governing the Natives^ and if this enviable distinction is to be thrown on the two Islands jointly, who should dictate the nature of the native policy ? are questions that must be discussed, and in which every member should take a part. Then again, the construction of lines of telegraph, the remodeling of the postal department; the providing increased facilities to persons requiring to have recourse to. legal proceedings,the proposal for consolidating the Provincial Police Forces, a measure of Reform for re-adjusting the electoral basis, and an Amemded Goldfields Act, are all questions, .amongst-many others, requiring the most earnest consideration of tlie Otago representatives. To form a by no means extravagant ideal of the candidate that should be selected to fill the vacant scat—he should be a man of varied information, of general intelligence, and sound common sense, able to express his views comprehensively and comprehensibly ; a man of tact of experience and of address ; a man who without being a brilliant orator or shining genius, would } ret be respected and respectable as the posssessor of average abilities.. Such a man is wanted and We commend to the elec- I tors in the strongest terms the necessity of | stipulating that the candidate who enjoys J their support, should be at least sufficiently endowed to come up to the standard we have depicted. Otago is already short of one member, owing to Captain Fraser's absence, and it is to be hoped that in filling the vacancy on Wednesday, something more than a dummy representative will be selected. Saturday the Queen's birthday was observed as a public holiday by the General Government Offices and by the Supreme Court, which were closed. Many of the ships were dressed out in flags, but the symptoms of holiday-making w;ere scarcely to be observed. Strangely enough, the detachment of soldiers stationed here did not make the loyal demonstrations which arc invariably made elsewhere by British soldiers wherever they are quartered. . They did not turn out, nor, we believe, even fire a feu de joie. It is to be presumed some explanation will be given of the omission. The Provincial authorities have proclaimed to-day a public holiday.' It is likely to be more generally kept than Saturday. To-night is advertised as a grand holiday night at the Princess Theatre. In addition to a new drama, there is to be a new musical burlesque -of Era Diavolo, in which much of the original music of the well known opera will be introduced Mr. Sanford Fawcett's benefit is postponed until AA rednesday. After a whole week of the most abominably, disagreeable weather, the sky cleared up on Saturday, and yesterday Drake like a summer's day, the suu being warm and brilliant, the air clear nnd elastic and the sky a deep blue and almost cloudless. Two or three such days would put the streets in good order again. AA re observe that a meeting of the subscribers to the cutting, High-street, is to be held on this evening at the Tamora Hotel. A sale of Crown lands is announced to take place at Oamaru on Wednesday at noon. It is announced that the Otago Land Regulations may now be obtained in a complete form in Dunedin and on the gold fields. This will doubtless prove a comvenience to intending _ purchasers. AYe understand that instructions have come down from head-quarters to the officer commanding the detachment of the 7,Qth Reg. in Dune din, directing him to furnish the guard atthe Treasury, which the Provincial authorities requested some time back. AYe presume that a like assent will'be given to furnishing a guard for the gaol.

AVo are still without any information respecting Sir George Grey's movements. It is by many people supposed that, owing to stress of weather, the Harrier may have put into Lyttelton, and that Sir George Grey is making a short stay in Canterbury. It was determined on Saturday, in consequence of the unsettled state of the weather and the muddy state of the ground, to postpone laying the corner stone of the Episcopal church, which ceremony had been announced to take place to-day. Due notice will be given of the day and hour which will be substituted for the one announced. Our correspondent's usual letter from the gold fields did not come to hand on Saturday morning. Privately we. hear of very good accounts from the deep sinking between Gabriel's and Monroe's gullies. At the Resident Magistrate's Court on Saturday, a man named Samuel Langharu was brought before the Bench in the custody of Constable M'Mahon, who stated that he had found him in tbe water near the beach, where he was attempting to drown himself. A party in court volunteered a statement to the effect that application had been made to the hospital authorities for the man's admission as a patient, but the surgeon had stated that he had no accommodation for him. The Bench remarked that there was a Superintendent's order for his admission into the hospitalHe was remanded for examination by two medical nien.. ' On AArednesday next, the nomination of candidates for the city of Dunedin.in the House of. Representatives will take place at 12 o clock (noon) outside the Court-house; and, in the event of a poll being demanded, the same will be taken on the following E riday. Tliere . will be no meeting of tlie Town Board to-day ; in consequence of the proclamation of the 26th as a general holiday. The next meeting of this body lias been deferred to the 2nd proximo. The Dunedin Musical Association are to give their first concert to-day, at half-past 2 o'clock, at the Athenamm. From the care which has been devoted to the preparations for this entertainment, and the well known ability of some of the performers, it is confidently anticipated that there will be a very excellent entertainment. The programme is an extremely attractive one, and reflects great credit on the taste of those upon "whom the task of selection devolved. Thatcher had uot quite so full a house on Saturday night as he usually has ; but, what was wanting in number of persons was made up in quantity of applause. Mr. Thatcher continues to add to his budget of local songs ; and they, as well as his older productions, are always applaudingly received. Some duets with Madame Vitelli took very well, and were encored. Mr. Leeman received an encore in the snug, " Jolly Nose,'' which he really rendered with much effect. At the commencement of the evening, " God Save the Queen" was given by " the entire strength," in honor of her Majesty's birthday. There was a tolerably full house on Saturday evening at the Princess Theatre, notwithstanding that the state of the weather made walking after dark anything but a pleasant occupation. The programme was unusually full. Esmeralda was played with much success, and with even more spirit than on the preceding evening. At the conclusion of the first piece, " God Save the Queen," was sung en tableau, hi honor .of the birthday. The various membern of the Royal family were representedyind the song was sung feelingly and expressively. The popular burlesque of " Aladdin," which fb llowed, was played better than on any "previous occasion. Mr. Fawcett,- Mr. Hyde, Mr. Dunn, and the Misses. Gordon and St. Clair, particularly distinguished themselves. A very whimsical circumstance occurred in this piece. The Slave of the Lamp was so keenly impressed with the laughter-provoking "side ofthe burlesque, that he could not speak for laughing, and had to to retire with his say unsaid.