DEMONSTRATION AT STIRLING.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 4628, 15 December 1876, Page 2

DEMONSTRATION AT STIRLING.

OPENING OF THE MATAU BRIDGE.

A very interesting demonstration took placeyfisterday at Stirling, on the occasion of the opening of tho Matau Bridge, which connects Stirling with Inch Clutha. The bridge is a very substantial one, and is erected on wooden piers, tlie piles being of Australian red gum, and each 72 feet long. The total cost of the bridge was L 5240, and the contractors were Messrs Watson, who appear to have done their work in a highly satisfactory manner. Of the great benefits wliich the bridge will confer upon the residents of the island—which has very appropriately been called the garden of Otago— it is unnecessary for us to say anything, as ample testimony to this fact will be found in the speeches which were delivered yesterday. Pursuant to notice, a special train left the Dunediu Station yesterday morning for Stirling, containing several well-known politicians and citizens, who were invited to be present at the ceremony of formally declaring the bridge open for traffic. On arriving at Stirling it tvas found that that rising township presented a very animated appearance, as it was crowded with visitors, and the hotels and oth°r buildings, and also the bridge, were gaily decorated with flags. The lady chosen to perform the usual ceremony on such occasions was a Mrs Watt, who was the first female child born on Inch Clutha. Escorted by Mr Macandrew, M.H.R., she, and the visitors from Dunedin and elsewhere, proceeded to the bridge, which was situated about a quarter of a mile from the railway station. Mr Macandrew then said thai; lie had been asked to request Mrs Watt to open tho bridgo for traffic. Three hearty cheers were then given for Mrs Watt, and a similar compliment wos paid to Mr Macandrew. The lady we have just mentioned then threw a bottle of champagne against a board, which on giving jway revealed an iron tablet, on wliich was inscribed the name of the bridge, and also the day aud the date of its opening.

Mr Macandrew then said that he had been requested to say a tew words upon the occasion. He then proceeded briefly to alludo to the event which they had celebrated, and pointed out that the result would be to connect the garden of Otago with the mainland. He gave great credit to the member for the district, Mr H. Clark, for the energetic manner in which he had worked to secure so great a boon for the settlers of tho district. He referred to tho time when a similar ceremony took place in connection with the opeiiing of the Balclutha bridge many years ago, and remarked upon the great improvement which had taken place in the Clutha district since then. The Inch Cluthaheconsideredto besecondto no district in New Zealand. He then proceeded to allude to the immense wealth which it would produce in the way of crops, and added that he believed if the whole of the island were properly cultivated, that it would yield produce of the value of LIOO,OOO a year. Three cheers were then given for

Mr Clark, who, in returning thanks, said that ho felt rather ashamed at the way in which ho had been alluded to by Mr Macandrew as having been the person through whose exertions the bridge had been built. The wholo of the credit was not due to him, as it was shared in by other members for the district. Mr M'Neil said that he wished to see honour given to whom honour was due. When he was returned to the Provincial Council it was on the understanding that he should work to get the Matau Bridge built. Ho worked hard during thiee sessions of the Provincial Council to fulfil hi. promises in this respect, and was supported in his efforts by Air Mollison, aud after some hesitation by Mr Clark. He concluded by giving a pretty full sketch of what took place in the Provincial Council for the purpose of obtaining- its sanction for the construction of tho bridge. The company then adjourned to the Railway Hotel, where

THU LUNCHEON took place. Among those present, we noticed Mr George Inglis (chairman), who was supported on his right by Mr Macandrew, M. H. R., and on his left by Mr 11. Stout, M.H.R., also Messrs Carruthers, C.E., Warner, engineer of tho Christchurch railways, Lawson, traffic manager, Christchurch, Passmore (Wellington), Conyers. Green, J. L. Gillies, John Shaw, G. M. Reed, A. Anderson, J. M'Neil, Mollison, D. Henderson, C. Reid, John Dunne, W. Smith, Peter Smith, Joseph Smith, Smail, White, 11. Clark, and about 80 others. The toasts of " The Queen and Royal Family," and of "His Excellency the Governor " were proposed by the Chairman, and dul3' honoured. The Chairman then gave tho toast of " The Army. Navy, and Volunteers," coupled with the name ol Captain M'Neil of the Clutha Rifles.

Mr M'Neil in reply, said that it afforded him great pleasure to respond to tho toost, and felt highly honoured at having his namo associated with it. _He then referred to the fact, that ammunition had been dci'ied to Volunteers. This led him to believe that the authorities in New Zealand were anticipating some disturbance. He had no doubt, that should their Volunteers ever be called upon to do active service, they would notj disgrace the

character of British soldiers, no more than the standing army. Though he said that they might be called upon some day, yet he wished that that day would be as distant as possible.— -.(Laughter.) Ai The, Chairman : The next toast is one which I am sure you will heartily endorse, it is-the health;of the hon. gentleman who now; sits upon,,my right hand. I ineSin His Honour the Superintendent of Otago. — (Applause.) Time would fail me in telling/you of his amiabilities and capabilities, ana "6f whft,t he has done for Otago. We all kno* that he has spent the whole of his energies/in working, -'heart and mind, for this Province, and I say, long may he live to take part in Otago's struggles.—(Applause.) We all know what His Honour has done and is willing to do, arid I will therefore conclude by asking you to drink his'health;" ~ *

The toast was received with loud applause, atter which Mr Macandrew said: Mr Chairman, Vice-chairman, and gentlemen — You _ have all heard me ofterielibiigh, and I promise that I shall be short iti responding. I have to thank you very muoh for the flattering way in which the chairman has proposed the toast of my health, and the very enthusiastic ihanner in which the company has, received it., Nothing can be nidre gratifying to a public man than to receive the good opinion of his felloiv-citizens, especially when, as in my case, he has endeavoured to deserve it.—(Applause.) I can safely say that that has been my endeavour. It has been my lot to occupy a somewhat prominent position in the history of Otago* from the first to the last, and I rriay say that I am one of the remaining few of the original founders of the settlement. I do not know anything of which a man has more reason to be proud than in having been instrumental in laying the foundations, and in building up the institutions, of a new nation. Such has been my great aim and my great ambition. Probably had it been otherwise I might at this moment have been one of the wealthiest men In New Zealand. ' I was much struck in coming along to-dayi "arid could riot help contrasting my first with my last visit to this districiV The first occasion was about 23 or 24 years ago, or thereabouts. I was a member of a deputation which at that time stumped the country with a view of agitating, for that constitution under which we progressed so largely, and which has been so ruthlessly taken away from us, I remember we left Meadowbank at mid-day, and got into "the saddle and never stopped until 9 o'clock at night, when W9 found ourselves nearly upon this spot, and under Mount Misery. At all .events it was nearly opposite Mr Redpath's— now Mr Anderson's. We have journeyed : much more comfortably to-day, as it has not taken more than half-an-hour; but it was otherwise then, as it took us nine hours. I could not help being struck by the contrast today. I recollect on the occasion to which I refer that when we got down to the river we cooeyed, and Mr Eedpath appeared in due time, but unfortunately his boat was stove in, and there was nothing for it but to cimp out for the night on the side of what I call Mount Misery. We had neither blankets, fuel, nor anything of that sort. It was a miserable night, and we got . back to Tokomairiro next day at 2 o'clock. I could give you lots of reminiscences of the olden times, but as time presses, and as there are others here to whom you are anxious to listen, I will subsiJe by thanking you fer the very enthusiastic manner in which" you responded to the toast. —(Applause.) The Chairman announced that rthe next toast was that of "Th 9 House "of Eepresentatives." He was not going to say much about them.

A Voice: Wo canna' drink their healths unless we know where they are. The Chairman proceeded to say that the gentleman who would respond to the toast was one with whom he had become acquainted in a public capacity. He then asked them to drink the toast which he had mentioned, and he coupled with it the name of Mr Stout.

The toast having been duly honoured,

Mr Stout said that he almost felt that he should echo the question put by Mr Smail, and ask " Where is the House of Representatives ?" He had to reply on behalf of a body composed of men of different feelings, opinions, and ideas as to what was right. At the same time, he often thought that if there was any fault to be found with their representatives, they were after all representatives in the true sense of the word. • The fault, if there was any, lay with the people. As far as the New Zealaud House of Representatives was.concerned, he thought that it would compare favourably with similar bodies in any of tho other Colonies, both in regard to the way in which it conducts its business, and also in regard to the men who had seats in it. Though there was difference of opinion among its members, yet there had been a good personal respectful feeling exhibited however hot the debates had been. He thought that the public pf New Zealand saw the worst side of its House of Representatives, because it saw all their fighting, but not that pleasing, social feeling which was to be found in the lobbies. He would be sorry to see a House of Representatives of one mind. He believed that one of the greatest curses of New Zealand in times past was that there had been no definite political parties. In deprecating the principle of members going to the House actuated by the desire of getting all they could for their own particular districts, he said that a representative who had no higher idea of his business than that, tended to lower the tone of Parliament, and to do an injury to the people. Hs considered that though the opinions of a representative might be unpopular, and though he might have a large majority against him, yet he should fight to the last. He had no sympathy with a feeling which dictated " make terms with the man who has conquered you." Had that been acted upon in times past, they would have no history worth reading. If, \Then the English Parliament nnd the English King attempted to force Episcopacy upon Scotland, the Presbyterian Synods had met and resolved that the best thing they could do was to accept Episcopacy, they should have had but a poor Scottish nation, the life of which would be of but little consequence. Let them take for example the events which were now occuring in Eastern Europe. What would they think of the statesman who should say, " Poor Servia, Bosnia, and Herzegovina, you have been defeated, and the best thing you can do is to live as comfortably as you can; all become Mussulmans !" To anyone who would advocate such a course of conduct as that they would be apt to apply a very ugly phrase. Therefore, if they were con vinced that their political opinions were right, and for the benefit of the Province, they should fight for them against all odds and all majorities. If it were to be inculcated in this Colony th*t when one party was defeated it should cease to be fightable, and should knuckle down to the other and say " Now that we have been beaten the best thing we can do is to see how much money you are going to give us," the result would be the destruction of all manliness in the House of Representatives, and tho sapping of the foundation of a good Government. Therefore, as members of the House of Representatives, he considered that they had the right to fight for what they deemed right and just. He was not one of those who was prepared to say in fighting any political battle that he had all the truth on his side. People were apt to look at things from a different point of view, and he proceeded to illustrate thi3 by saying that on one occasion, when passing Stewart's Island in company' with others, one, looking at it from an artistic point of view, said, " what a fine picture it would make." Another, regarding it from a purely sheep point of view, remarked that it was no good, as it would not feed a single sheep, aa he did not see a single blade of grass upon it. So some people, looking at Inch Clutha from a city point of view, might say that they would not like to dwell upon it, while others, who considered agricultural pursuits everything, would like it well. So looking at the commonest matters of every-day life from different points, people held different view 3in regard to them. In politics it was the same—they could not expect that every one would view matters in tbe same light. He considered that this difference of opinion was the life-blood of a House of Representatives, and that it was which made the Colony go a-head. He did not think that the people should say to their representatives, who had fought for them, "You have fought well in the past, now get us as much money as you can." Well, if they acted that way they might get more money, but money was not everything. They could have no respect for members who would act in this manner, and the result would be the loss of something of far greater value than money- namely, the loss of selfrespect. That would outweigh all the money they could get. Now, the House of Representatives might have but very little to do with the opening of a bridge at Matau, but; this was more apparent than real. It was the duty of the House of Representatives not so much to look after industrial enterprises as to see that enterprise had a fair field, which would have the result of making this Colony a great nation. Encouragement should bo given to the agricultural, pastoral, and mining interests by providing roads and bridges, for without these interests he would like to know what the Colony would have to do. There was nothing that they should inculcate more strongly thau that every one should in his own way try to givo expression to his opinions. That was one great object of Parliament. It was a mistake to suppose that a House of Representatives met for the purpose of passing Acts only._ He believed that it would do more good if it did not pass half so jiaany Acts as it did. If every subject was carefully discussed, and if every man who had a new idea was to give expression to it, a great deal of good would be effected. Ho then proceeded to show the great results which often resulted from seemingly small things, and said that the object for which they had mot that day might also have an influence on the future such as they could not nt present perceive. So it was in reference to tbe House of Representatives. They could not measure the good which Parliament did. They could not say what the effect upon a Colony or nation the meeting of a large number

of men, possessing different opinions and discussing them, haif. rs ,£They could only get atsuch things by a" reference to details. He then Eroceeded to refer to the good which would proably eriSue from the ,Giutha and Dunedin. being brought into closer communication withi each other.! Ha concluded by saying that he* hoped they were the founders of a great nation,, and they should seek to foster national life byr the free expression of their opinions, and by adhering to them in the face of all opposition,, opprobrium, and defeat.—(Loud applause.) Mr J. S. Fleming then proposed the toast of " The Provincial Executive,"- coupled with the-' name of Mr Green. In the course of his remarks, he said that it might be all very well tohave Superintendents, yet it was also necessary that they should have an efficient .Executive. He then went on to speak in, complimentary , -'terms "of what" he termed the present or lateExecutive, and concluded by proposing the toast mentioned.

.: Mr Green, in reply* said that he waa glad to~ fin'di at a meeting such as the present one that. tße action of the Exeeutive'M^t.with approval. Nearly all which-Mr Stout had said ln-refer?:. ence to the House;of Representatives inightibfrapplied to the Executive Government. There was a time when.those.with;wliom,he was associated in the Provincial Council were termed, by the aristocrats and by the Press/ "clodocrats," and he was now gfaid that he was notdeterred from perseyeringinr>the 'Cbjecu which't they then had in view. He beheyed .that'its* would now be admitted that they hadiHon&l, good pervice to the Province by encourag;irio-i the settlement of the country. After -furtheir remarks.he proceeded tosay that he .was in ,ths? unfortunate position of not' knowing" whet&iV speaking politically, he was dead or alive.' : Ac-ft cording to Acts of Parliament; it appeared that, there was how not a'Provincial"Executive." But whether this was-jio'pr. riot'lie "could notsay; and he noticed-that, Mr Stout even; did. not speak upon thati-pjint. - If. his.life: and. health were spared he'thfraghtit likely that he wouldcontinue to take'*an:active part in politics. He hoped that in future-this- Provincewould be as successful as it had.been in the East, and he expressed a hope'that those who ad borne the heat and burden of the daywould still continue to como to the front and dot Heir best for the country. He was one of those who did nOt: :cdre much what kind of'^'institutions: tbey /lived under, solong as they had good men presiding overtliem. His. ; sympathies^ .were: as * stronglyProvincial as those, of hon. friend on theright (Mr Macandrew), and who, he believed, would be willing to sacrifice'Ms very life ta preserve the institutions which" seemed to be atpresent wrested from them. He did not knowany thing which he could say stronger than thatto convey his. sentiments./ His opinion wasthat those who had heretofore taken part in. Xiiiblic matters should continue to do so.- * Thejr should use their utmost endeavour to .retail^ the management of their own affairs." -They should, not sulk or decline to take part in' County elections. •-' After further remarks^ Mr Green' concluded by proposing the health of the contractors, whom he referred to in most eulogistic terms for the way in'which the. contract had been carried out

Mr Watson suitably . acknowledged "'the toast

Mr M'Kenzie had much pleasure in proposing the toast of the Provincial- Counoil, with. which he coupled the names, of I Messrs J. L, Gillies. M'Neil, Henderson, arid Clark.

The toast having been duly honoured;;' Mr Gillies said that he did hot expect 'tp.be-.; called-upon to make a; speech upon that-., occasion, but it afforded him much pleasure atbeing present.' It was 21" years" ago- since her."" first visited that district^'arid iftiu>e permitted, he could narrate some siiriilar experiences to those narated by Mr Macandrew. He quite: endorsed the sentiment that the success of" - Otago in the past was in a great measure due to the spirit and activity which had been exhibited by the Pr jviucial CounciL But he also thought that the reason of Otago haying advanced mord\7» than the other ProvinceS.'of the Colovy was 1 due "to the system which 7 it had adopted in." dealing with its waste lands".' He believed .that -„ it was the land policy of Otago^irioi&thah ariy-T * thing else which had raised it to the position in : which it now stood" as--compared with th& inferior position of the Other.Provinces. As., illustrating a remark made by Mr Stout as to" the effect produced by small things, he referred to a gentleman who was well known in the district.. .He meant the Rev. Mr Bannermrn. _ When on one occasion in his presence the revl i: gentleman was eomplainirig of the excessive growth of flax in the district, the consequence - of which was that he found it imppssible .to-,.-.. make a garden, auld Frank} who wks known! to many of them, addressing Mr Bannerman,.1 said " Aye, laddie Bannerman, ;I'U tell you how to do it; do you get an auld sow and tether her by the hind leg,,and she will soon make a kail yard for you." : He believed'that the' Provincial Council adopted a somewhat similar plan and did what it could to tether the people to ■ the soil. That made Otago what she was. ;H& was of opinion that those who would have theplivilege of legislating in another place would not forget the importance of the matter to - which h9 was now referring; Mr Clark,'in returning thanks also referred to the amazing progress which had been made under Provincial institutions which: had now> been ruthlessly torn away from them.' What' the progress would be had they been allowed to manage their own affairs as previously it would be hard to say. He looked upon the opening of : the Matau bridge as an event which would confer a benefit to not that district .only, but it would also prove a boon to the whole of the Province. The bridge was one which would compare favourably with anything of the sort' : in other parts of the Province, and the settlershad reason to congratulate themselves on having obtained a bridge which would probably answer their purpose for the next 20 cr 30 - years v He believed that only a smallportion of the island having been cultiv.-tted was due to the want of communication, but, now that they had the bridge he expected that that part of the island at present covered with Moari heads and tussocks would soon be waving with corn, and that the settlers on the island f, ould be able to supply Dunedin witli the best mutton and beef.

Mr Henderson also responded to the toast, and said that he believed that Provincialism had done a great deal for Otago, and he would be satisfied if Centralism would do as much, but he was inclined to doubt whether they would receive equal benefits in the future tothose of which they had been the recipients in the past

Mr M'Neil also replied to the toast in an appropriate speech. They had met to celebrate the erection of a meiriorial to Provincialism. In conclusion, he proposed the health of the Chairman of the Matau Road Board.

Mr Inglis, in responding, spoke of tne desirability of thoroughly discussing all things submitted for their consideration.

Mr Macandrew proposed tie health, of the> oarly settlers of Otago, aiid, iii' doing so, contrasted the hundreds—he might say thousands —of comfortable homesteads by which theywere surrounded with the solitude which prevailed atthe time of the advent, of the early ; pioneers. Those who had been instrumental in working that change might well feel proud of. the result. He did not believe a more suitableclass of men for undertaking the duties of colonisation ever left the shores of Great Britain. He had much pleasure at seeing sever? 1 of them around him upon that occasion, and he mentioned the names of Messrs Mosely, Anderson/ and Shawy and added that there were various others. He was sure that they would drink that toast, with enthusiasm. He had often said that the men who had expatriated themselves, especially under the difficulties which prevailed a quarter of a century ago, when they had no fine shipsand steamers, exhibited greater heroism than those who went forth to fight the battles of their country and to seek for glory at the cannon's mouth. —{Loud applause.) The toast was drunk in the usual manner* after which

Messrs Mosley, A. Anderson, and Shaw responded in fitting terms. The next toast was that of."Our Guests," which was suitably acknowledged by Mr Mollison.

The Chairman said that he had received letters from Messre Bastings, Thomson, Arthur, Turnbull, Reid, and Davie, regretting that they could not attend, Mr Stout proposed the toast of tha " Chairman, Vice Chairman, and the Committer of Management," and which was replied to by Mr Petbie.

The proceedingi then terminated, and thevisitors returned to the tram, mid reached Dunedin at eight o'clock.