SUMMARY FOR EUROPE.

Otago Witness, Issue 1259, 15 January 1876, Page 9

SUMMARY FOR EUROPE.

POLITICAL.

Parliament having been dissolved, and the writs issued, we have been in the midst of a general election since our last summary. As the writs, which were returnable within 60 days, were issued on the 6th December, it was thought that the Returning Officers would wait until the ' Christmas holidays were over before naming the days of nomination and polling, but in a large number of cases the election proceedings throughout the Colony commenced before the expiry of the year. The first election, that tor the city of Dunedin, which, under the new f Representation Act, returns three members, is over. The nomination brought forth six candidates, namely, Mr Macandrew, MrR. !*tout, Mr W. J. M. Larnach, Mr W. • H. Reynolds, Mr J. Macassey, and Mr H. S. Fish, jun. The nomination of Mr Macandrew and Mr Stout took most people by surprise, as it was known that no opposition would be offered to them if they stood for the districts which they previously represented. They had been advised however, that if they allowed themselves to be nominated for the City, the rejection of Mr W. H. Reynolds, who still holds a seat in the Government, would be certain. Another result of their standing for the City, they were assured, would be the return of a third member belonging to their own party. A League was formed for the purpose of watching the election and securing the return of Mr Macandrew, Mr Stout, and Mr W. J. M. Larnach, who had allowed himself to be placed on the same " ticket." Before the polling day it was considered Sretty certain .that Mr Macandrew and Ir Stout would bo returned, but opinions differed as to who the third man would be, many thinking that the old settlers would rally round Mr Reynolds and put him in, while others thought that Mr Macdssey was the coming man. The result of the poll, however, was a surprise to every one. Mr Macandrew, Mr Stout, and Mr Larnach, in the order in which we have given their names, completely distanced the other candidates. There were not fifty votes between the highest and the lowest of the three, while Mr Larnach polled no less than 367 votes "more than Mr Reynolds, who stood fourth on the list. There can be no doubt that the Dunedin election is a great triumph to the Opposition, and may be accepted as an emphatic disapproval, on the part of the leading constituency of the Colony, of the action of the recent Ministry* That either Separation or the Qonaolidation of the Provinces will be brought about by the new Assembly, is very unlikely; but a strong effort is being made to get returned, as representatives for Otago, a band of men who will work together for the purpose of securing for this Province a much better bargain than she would have had under the Government proposals of last session. THH NEW PARLIAMENT^ The following table shows the result of the elections up to the present time. We have indicated the political views of the members by classing them as Centralists and Afiti Centi'aJistsi The name of every member who did not sit during the last Parliament is marked with an asterisk i— t)uncdin Oity . . J. Maeandrew . . A. 6, „ h .. R. Stout .. .. A. (j. „ „ „ *W. J. M. Larnach .. A. 0. Caversliam .. .. *J. 9 cat on 4 . „ A. O. Tuapeka .. „ Ji C. lirowa . « .. >. O. Wnikouaiti .. .. G. M'Lean .. .. C. Dhriatchurch City „ *&. C. J. Stevens .. 0. „ it •• E. Bichardson „ C. „ „ .. *VV. S. Moorhouso .. 0. Avon w. Rolleston „ AtC. Kaiapoi .. .. C. C. Bowen .. C. Nelson City.. „ O.Curtis ,» .. C. „ „ .. .i *J. Shafp „ „ 0, Auckland West .. SirG Grey .. .. A. C. „ „ P Dhjman .. .. A. C. Invercargill . . . . *Q, Lumsden . . . ■ A, 0. -Bruce . . . . W. A. Murray . . A. C. ■Wellington .. .. E. Pearce „ .. C. „ .. .. G. Hunter .. „ C, Roslyn .. .. *A.J. Barns.. .. A. C. Oeraldine(Canterbury) *E. Wakefleld .. C. ■rjlunstan .. .. V. Pyke .. „ A. C New ton (Auckland).. W. Swunson „ .. A. C Lytteltou .. .. *H. P. M. Aynsley .. 0. Taieri .. „ P.Reid .. .. A. 0, Ouehunga .. .. MGG'Rorke .. A. C Tiinaru .. .. X W. Stafford .. C, Grey and Bell . > P. A Carringtnn . . O, 'A karoo. . .. W. Montgomery „ A. C. .Nelson (Suburbs) .. A. J. KichmonJ „ C. Hutt. Wellington .. W. Fitztierbert .. A. 0. Auckland East .. *\V. L. Kees .. .. A. C. Napier . . . . Sir D. M'Leau . . C. „' .. .. *H. W. Russell .. C. Belwyn .. .. Fitzroy .. „ C. Collingwood .. W. Gibbs .. „ C. Wallace „ .. 'Joyce .. .. A. C. Wellington Country District . . „ A. de B. Brandon „ C. Heathcote .. „ M. T. Fi-her , , .. C. Wairarapa „ .. H. Bunny „ „ C. , 3. C. Andrew .. C. Southern Maori District .. „ H. Taiaroa .. .. .A. n. Mataura .. .. "W. Wood .. „ A. C. Waimea „ „ "E. Baigent „ .. A. C. Jlotueka „ „ *R, liunthouse .. C. East Coast . . . . "G. E. Bead „ „ C. Eden .. „ *W'.Tole .. .. A. 0. Thames .. .. SirG. Grey .. .. A. O. „ .. .. *WilHamßowe, .. A. 0. Coleridge „ .. f C. Wason „ .. C. Wakatiptl .. *H. Manders .. .. A. C. OliVe .. .. J. D. Ormond „ C. Wangnnui „ .. J. Bryce .. „ C j ' „ „ .. SirJ. Voflrel .. .. A. 0. ! Waitaki .. .. -^. E. Shrimski .. A. C. . „ . „ *H. Hislop .. .. A.C. Port Chalmers „ W. H. Beynoldi „ C. -illverton .. - „ *Dr Hodgkinson .. A. O, Cheviot „ .. »F. Harper .. .. O. Egtnont „ „ A. H. Atkinson . C. Parnell .: .. ». Wood .. .. A. C. Bingitlkel „ .. J. BalUnce .. „ C. SUnawtttu „ „ W. W, Johnston „ C. Bale* .. .. ->Dr. Henry .. .. C. AbHley „ „ J. E. Brown.. „ 0. MUNICIPAL. Operations for the widening of Princes /street South are about to be commenced. A cheque for £6666 13s 4d has been haiided ovet to their solicitors by the Corporation, as the first instalment of the boiritiensation awarded to the tenants. The polling for Mayor of the St Kilda Municipality created a lively contest Vttwi^ Mf 3, J>, ,Tonej, of th* {St, KiW*

Hotel, and Mr R. Goodison. The candi- ' dates exerted themselves to the utmost, and Mr Jones was returned by a majority of 11. Mr Nicholas Maloney was elected Mayor of the Municipality of South Dunedin on the 22nd instant, there being no other candidate. SOCIAL. The Registrar-General's report on the vital statistics of the boroughs of Auckland, Thames, Wellington, Nelson, Christchurch, Dunedin, and Hokitika during the month of November, 1875, has been published. There were 299 births and 114 deaths during the month. Of these, there were 66 births and 10 deaths in Wellington. The highest deathrate was in Auckland, viz., 282 ptr 1000 ; the lowest at the lhames, o*6o ; and the next at Wellington, 0 90. Dunedin stands at 1 '75. The births were 11 more than in October. The deaths were 15 less in number than the deaths in October. Of the deaths, males contributed 72 ; females, 42. Thirty-eight of the deaths were of children under 5 years of age, being 3333 per cent, of the whole number ; 2(i of of these were of children under 1 year of age. There were four deaths of persona of 65 years of age and over — namely, 3 males and 1 female. The males were aged 85, 83, and 73 ; 2 died at Auckhnd, 1 in Wellington. The female was 65 years of age ; she c isd in Auckland. The deaths in November were 114, against 129 in October. Zymotic diseases caused 25 deaths in November, against sixteen in October. Of those diseases, in November, typhoid fever caused six deaths (three in Auckland and three in Christchurch), and dysentery and diarrhoea nine deaths; only seven deaths from the latter cause having occurred in theboroughs previously mentioned since May last. "The number of deaths from diseases of the respiratory organs was nineteen in November against twenty-two in October. The number of violent deaths were five in November ; the number (seventeen) in October having been exceptionally large. Of these deaths, one was that of a child, from congestion of the lungs, caused by immersion in water. The coroner's jury returned a verdict of manslaughter against the mother on account thereof. In November, 1874, the deaths from the seven boroughs amounted to one hundred and eight. There were then f»rty-one deaths from zymotic diseases, against twenty-five in November of last year. The large number in November, 1874, was principally owing to the prevalence of measles at the time. The School of Arts has been removed to its permanent habitation in Moray Place — the fine building erected for the School of Arts and Normal School. The School of Arts has a suite of rooms, commodious, well lighted, and finely furnished, on tho sesond floor of the building, the rooms not being surpassed, while it is questionable if they are equalled, by any set apart for a similar purpose in the Australian Colonies. There were two hundred and tif ty frameß in the exhibition at the classrooms this year, some of which included twOi three, and even four pictures. This was exclusive of mechanical^ architectural, and geometrical drawings, the number of which was legion, certainly far more than we cared to count, aud the general excellence of which was very high. The annual Spring Show of tho Royal Horticultural Society of Otago took place in Farley's Arcade on the 15th December. The Arcade was closed in at both ends with canvas, and made a most commodious show room. The exhibits, as displayed on tables which were ranged in a single line along the Arcade, looked ex ceediligly few J but we are informed that the number at this show exceeded the number at any Spring Show for somo years past. In the evening there was a, promenade concert. The show was a great success financially. The Guiding Star Lodge, 1.0. G.T., held its usual weekly meeting on the evening of the 20th nit., in the classroom of Knox Church. There was a large attendance of members and visitors. The second session of the Grand Lodge of New Zealand (South) 1.0. G.T., commenced on the 28th, represent a* ives being present from the various distriots in the Smith Island. The adjourned annual session of the Grand Division, Sons of Temperance, No. 10, of New Zealand, took place in the lodge room, Temperance Hall, on the Ist inst., when the D.M.W.P., Bro. Jago, installed the officers for the ensuing term. The quarterly criminal sessions were opened at the Supreme Court on the 4th. The calendar was a light one, and His Honour delivered a very short address to the Grand Jury. The quarterly meeting of the A.0.F., Court Enterprise, was held in the new Court room, Hibernian Hotel, on the 4th. There was a large attendance. The total value of the Court funds is now £852 75., exclusive of goods. The adjourned summoned meeting of the Hand and Heart Lodge, M. U. I. O. O. F. , was held at the Oddfellows' Hall, George street, on the 4th, when the newly-eleoted officers took their respective chairs. Total value of Lodge fnnds, £6363 la. Bd. The first anniversary of the Loyal Unity Lodge, No. 14, was celebrated on the 3rd. A concert was held in the Lodge room, at Maloney's Ocean View Hotel, South Dunedin, about 150 persons being present. There was a good attendance at the quarterly meeting of the Court Pride of the Leith, A.0.F., at Cotter's Caledonia Hotel, on the 6th. The balance sheet and auditor's report showed, £2(50 3s, 84, to tha credit c{ ww Court-

The adjourned meeting of the Loyal Dunedin Lodge, M.U., was held on the 6th. The present value of Lodge funds is £2425,

RELIGIOUS.

A general meeting of members of the Church of England, for the purpose of forming a Church Society for the Diocese of Dunedin took place in the Athenajnm Hall on the 14th ult. The Right Rev Bishop Nevill presided, and about 100 ladies and gentlemen were present.

The Primitive Methodists of Dundin held their regular quarterly meeting on the 16th. The Secretary reported satisfactory progress in every department. The Rev. J. U. Davis, at the Baptist Church, delivered a discourse upon the "Rights and Duties of Citizens from a Christian point of view." He combatted the assertion frequently made that Christians should be too spiritually minded to concern themselves with politics. A religious conference took place in the large hall underneath St Andrew's Church on Christmas Day. The Rev J. Gow presided, and there was a good attendance. The object of the conference was to advance the Gospel by cultivating a spirit of fellowship amongst professing Christians. Christmas day at St. Joseph's Church Avas, as it usually is, a day of marked attention to religious observance. 1 here were numerous masses, and the attendance was very large. T he various Anglican ctuirches in Bimedin were beautifully decorated and well attended on Christmas day. The anniversary festival of St Paul's Sunday School took place at Woodhaugh on Jan. 3, and passed off successfully. Terza, and the other customary games, were thoroughly enjoyed. Mr Savage catered in his usual excellent style.

The animal festival of All Saints' Sunday School took place in Mr Brown's paddock, North East Valley, on the Bth instant, when about 200 were present.

AMUSEMENTS.

The Queen's Theatre, Smith's Combination at the Temperance Hall, Barlow's Circus, and other places of amusement have been well patronised during the holidays. Mr Sibald is using every expedition with the erection of the new Princess Theatre, and it is expected that it will be open in time for the races in March. The first day of the fourteenth grand annual gathering of the Caledonian Society of Otago was New Year's Day. The attendance on the ground was very large, there being, we dare say, perhaps Bomewhat more than 7000 present ; but we remember two, if not three, previous occasions on which there were more people on the gruond. The weather was about all that could be desired. The grand stand was orowded— it was for part of the day inconveniently crowded. On the second day there was a large attendance, there being at one time about 5000 people present, and, saving the unavoidable delay caused by the wrestlers, the various events were proceeded with, with but little loss of time between the intervals.

The complimentary concert tendered by Mr and Mrs J. J. Woods,of Lawrence, in aid St Joseph's Schools, Dunebin, took place in the University Hall on the 3rd. The Right Rev Dr Moran and the Rev Fathers Crowley and Larkin were present. The hall was crowded to such an extent that many persons were unable to obtain seats.

The first Dnnedin annual regatta took place on the 3rd, and, considering the difficulties usually attached to the commencement of a new organization, was tolerably successful. Nothing more unfavourable to out-door athletic sports could be conceived than the wretched weather on Boxing Day ; but the conductors of the fete annually held by the members of the H.A.C. Benefit Society were not to be daunted even by so serious an obstacle, and determined to proceed with the events in their published programme. The result proved the wisdom of their decision, for although, as a matter of course, the attendance was smaller than would have been with fine weather, yet large numbers proceeded from town to the pic-nic ground, and the sports were carried out with great spirit.

An influential Committee has been formed to carry out the necessary arrangement for the luterprovincial Cricket Match, which is to take place on the 18th, 19th, and 20th current. The annual, pic-nic of the Caver sham Presbyterian Sunday School was held on Boxing Day. As usual, it was largely attended.

Mdlle de Muraka's agent has arrived to make arrangements for a series of concerts to be given in less than a fortnight.

ACCIDENTS, &C. A rather serious accident happened at Portobello, on the 19fch ult., to Mr Stephenson, collector to Messrs Findlay and Co. He and his wife and family were thrown from a two-horse trap, and were badly bruised.

A telegram was received in town on the 21st stating that Mr Charles Smith, who for many years was clerk of the Provincial Council ot Otago, was drowned while bathing at Riverton on Tuesday afternoon. It seems that he had gone to bathe in the river, and that some time afterwards his olothes were found on the bank.

On the 25th, two young men, apprentices, were drowned on the beach, in the neighbourhood of Tomahawk. It is conjectured that they had stripped to wade out to some rocks. This locality ia exceedingly dangerous, both on account of treacherous currents and quicksands. A fire broke out on the premises of Win. Jenkins, furniture dealer, George street, at half -past lOa.m, on Saturday, the 25th, totally destroying the chop occupied Jw him ; tm& that of $fryla», tailor, Mf

Davis's butcher's shop adjoining was partially destroyed. Jenkins's building, which belongs to Messrs Harrop and Neill, was uninsured, but the stock was covered by a policy in the National Company. A fire broke out at the Railway Foundry Great King street, nearly opposite the Hospital, on the 29th. The foundry was till lately the property of Messrs Fraser and Co., but now belongs to the Bank of New Zealand. The damage done will be fully covered by insurance. There is an insurance of £1000 in the New Zealand, and one of £1000 in the South British. One of them ia on the buildings, and the other on the plant.