AUCKLAND.

Otago Witness, 14 December 1893, Page 28

AUCKLAND.

(From Our Own Correspondent.) Auckland, December 4.

Now that the parliamentary elections are over, the people are again devoting themselves to the ordinary duties of life. Such was the interest taken in matters political that for the last week er two business has been practically paralysed. There was not a single night in which five or six meetings were not held by candidates, and at which the women as well as the men were not present in force. Not unfrequently the women bore a hand in the proceedings by occupying the chair, or proposing and seconding votes of thanks and confidence, or holding , meetings among their own sex to instruct the less informed, through the medium of blackboard lessons, in the mysteries of the ballot. On the Sunday before the elections some cf the clergy had "a last word" with the electors on the desirability of returning to Parliament men of known integrity and uprightness, whatever their political platform. On the whole the women came out of the electoral contest creditably, and cash their votes intelligently, there being very few informal votes. Their presence at the political meetings and at the polling booths prevented any exhibitions of rowdyism or misconduct, and for good feeling, courtesy, and fair play the elections have never been better conducted. Oae excellent feature was the home life displayed in the voting — husband and wife, sons and daughters, walking together to the booths in many instances. The apprehensions felt in some quarters as to the evil effects of granting the female franchise were completely dispelled, and bhe experimenb regarded as completely successful.

An attempt was made during the stay of the Hon. J. G. Ward to get him to address a public meeting on topics of the day, or to clear up those conversions of sinking funds which Mr Mitchelson dealt with so trenchantly at Devonport on the eve of the election. Mr Ward, however, preferred to let sleeping dogs lie, and not even the temptation to give Mr Mitchelson a Roland for his Oliver was strong enough to enduce him to break ground. The Liberals are sorry that Mr Ward did not arrive before the elections, as they believe that if he could have "smashed up " Mitcheleon's financial indictment the Liberal ticket could have been carried in the city.

Owing to Mr Crowther determining to try his luck at the ballot box for the General Assembly he decided to abstain from taking a third term as mayor, which he might have done if so disposed. Mr Atkin, formerly chairman of the Charitable Aid Boatd, was senior councillor and had determined to stand for the mayoralty, but owing to his increasing il!-health was obliged to give up the contest, consequently his opponent, Mr J. J. Holland, contractor, was elected without opposition. Mr Holland has been for many years in the council, a member of the Hospital and Charitable Aid Board, and chairman of the City Licensing Committee. He is a man of good personal reputation, though of not marked political ability, and is expected to do little more than reduce, if not wipe out, the city overdraft, which Mr Crowther had been steadily diminishing during his two terms of office. There is no reason why Mr Holland should not entirely wipe out the overdraft during his term of office, as it only amounts to about £2000, and leave the city in the unique position of being able to dispense with such a luxury. Mr Holland will enter upon his duties as mayor with the goodwill of all classes of the community, as he is generally esteemed and respected.

Nothing deterred by Mrs Matson's successive defeats for a seat in the Parnell Borough Council, Mrs Yates (wife of an ex-mayor of Onehunga) made a bold essay for the mayoralty of thafc township, and now some of the councillors, ib is said, have resigned, or contemplate resigning, and as the new mayor is a woman of mind she will probably get the vacant seats filled up with women, and thus advance the cause of her sex, politically, by leaps and bounds. Mrs Yates has made a study of general and municipal politics for many years past, and as she is of middle age is not likely to be swayed in the duties of her high office by the blandishments of councillors.

At length the Rotorua railway extension has been opened to Tarukenga, but without the slightest ceremony. Ib is supposed a function will be forthcoming when the line is taken into Rotorua ; meantime there is nob likely to be any great development of the tourist traffic, as tourists are not at all enamoured of a coaching drive of teven or eight miles in the dark after a long day of railway travel, with 8 o'clock dinner. Practically the fruits of the tourist season 1893 4 may be regarded as lost to the Railway department. Owing to the state of the permanent way the trains are not running up to the regulation speed, but a working party is putting matters right, going on with their operation in the intervals of the trains running.

Mr Maxwell, one of the Railway Commissioners, starts to-morrow from Auckland to inspect the various railway lines of the Auckland district — ib is presumed preparatory to the commissioners going out of office nexb month. So far as public opinion can be gauged, and especially that portion of it using the lines, they are very well satisfied with the management of the Railway Commissioners, and it is the rarest thing possible to see even a complaint in the local press. As a matter of fact, there are far less complaints than when the lines were under Government control.

The criminal sefsions of tLe Supreme Comt, juht ended, were on the wholo of a light character, though some of the <. ffences were of a. type which are rare in this community. There has not been a session in which the sentences of Justice Conolly have given such satisfaction as during the present one, as he has made them of a deterrent character, and apparently on uniform and well defined principles. In some past sessions the sentences have been so eccentric, and seemingly so disproportionate to the offence committed, that the average lay mind has simply been bewildered, bub on this occasion the voice of criticism was completely hushed.

The annual report of the Industrial and Provident Society shows that this our only existing building society is holding its own. It has paid a satisfactory dividend and strengthened its reserves. Scarcely any properties have fallen on its hands, and these have not entailed loss, thanks to prudent management. The Permanent Investment and Building Society, now in liquidation, is gradually realising its assets. There is a third building society at OnehuDga, which is doing satisfactorily. In Auckland household and landed property has hardened, and in the event of the Loan and Mercantile Company's affairs being satisfactorily arranged, there will be a resumption of building operations.

During the past fortnight the Naval Volunteers have been in camp at the North Shore undergoing practical in tructiou in gun drill, torpedo work, and submarine mining. Their conduct has been most exemplary, and good discipliue reigned in the encampment. The field force men in the Auckland police are also undergoing a, course of gun drill) their turn. qJ

duty on the &treets being taken by men of thd Permanent Artillery. The object is to keep them from getting rusty in their drill, and also to keep them in touch with the Permanent Artillery, so that they can fall back into their places in the batteries when needed.

In the way of amusements there is litlle to note, further than that Bland Holt and his dramatic company have been doing a splendid business at the Opera House. It revived the glories of the past to see this favourite place of amusement packed to the roof, and shows that the Auckland people are always ready to patronise theatrical talent when they get it. For years past there have been no such audiences at dramatic representations as are to be seen during the present season of the Bland Holb Company, and it must be gratifying to Mr Holt to find his enterprise in staging so many new pieces so handsomely rewarded.