The Star. WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 6, 1869.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 435, 6 October 1869, Page 2

The Star. WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 6, 1869.

The Press of this morning reprints an amusing article from the columns of a recently established and obscure country journal published in the province of Otago. It is hard to say with what object our contemporary found space fbr the article referred to. If he deaired to give correct information about the " cave," he has made a blunder, for the writer of the article makes such ludicrous mistakes as shew clearly enough that he knows little of hia subject. It may be, however, that the - Press was overwhelmed at finding even one man who professed to think well of the " cave"— -so overwhelmed as to . make it incapable of seeing the ridieu'oua side of the article it quotes. We do not remember, in the courso of

a pretty careful perusal of the Nov, Zealand papers during the late session of the General Assembly, to have mci with a solitary instance in which tin action of the " cave" was commended • vf he papers of the colony have beeu unanimous in condemning the " cave,' aad even- the article which the Press quotes this morning is not the utterance of the Bruce Standard. The editor takes care to note that it is " communicated." It is, then, simply the expression of an individual opinion, based, apparently, on very incomplete information. Let us see what the writer in the Bruce Standard says about tho " cave." The " cave," we are told, "consists of what may be "termed the moderates iv politics." Pretty good this, when we. remember that the leader of the " cave," the one who spoke of it in the House as " my party," proposed to make " a clean sweep " of Provincial institutions. There may be moderation in such a proposal. If there is, we, in common with most other men, fail to see that there is. Then, again, we are informed that the " cave " holds — such is the word used — " some of the ablest poli- " ticians in the House, and hence its " influence is great." We don't think it is necessary to say more on this head than to remind the public that the " cave " consisted of Messrs Stevens, Eolleston, Tancred, and Potts. We leave every man to judge for himself whether these gentlemen are " some of the ablest politicians in the House." But the influence of the " cave," says the writer, is great. Yes, in the way of bringing the Assembly into contempt, but in no other way that we kuow of. Mr Dillon Bell will no doubt be greatly amused when he fiuds that his projected address to the electors of Canterbury is said to be extorted by fear of the power of the "cave." The gentleman who has favoured the Brztce Standard with this very valuable piece of information ought to be carefully looked after by his friends. He iB evidently in the incipient stages of a malady which, if not properly treated, may end seriously. Mr Dillon Bell, it is hardly necessary to remind the public, was requested to address a public meeting in Christchurch. Even now, we believe, it is veiy uncertain whether he will be able to comply with the request. Had the matter been of such importance as is represented, had Mr Dillon Bell and the Grovernmenfc been in such mortal terror of the "cave," there would have been no question as to the possibility of his attending a public meetiug. But really, the whole matter is so ridiculous, aud the measure of the precious " cave " has been so thoroughly taken in Canterbury, that 'we feel some apology is due to our readers for claiming their altention to the subject.