OUR DUNEDIN LETTER.

Tuapeka Times, Volume XVIII, Issue 1215, 20 January 1886, Page 3

OUR DUNEDIN LETTER.

(From our oum Correspondent.)

For some time past we have been deploring the long drought, and saying to each other "if we do not soon have some raiu the crops will be spoilt." But, at the same time, as the bad harvest in the distance does not immediately touch our pockets, we have been short-sighted enough to quietly rejoice over the continued spell of dry weather ; but, at last, the want of rain has come to us, and not only have wo growled frightfully, but in the churches prayers have been offered for rain. The reservoirs are in a deplorable state, and in addition to having the water cut off for twelve hours out of the twentyfour, the Ross Creek water, which supplies the north end of the town, is something horrible either to taste, see, or smell. In appearance it resembles the water which drains from a brickyard ; the flavor cannot be described, but must be tasted to be appreciated ; and the smellresembles sulphuretted hydrogen, or, in less scientific terms, rotten eggs. There must be something " Rotten in tha state of Denmark " when, with two separate water-supplies, after a couple of months' drought, not only is water scarce but positively poisonous. A number of sug- I gestions have been submitted to the public in order to remedy this state of affairs, such as tapping the Leith, condensing sea water, &c. ; but perhaps the most original is the one which suggests that the artillery should be called out and all the big guns at St. Clair, Lawyers', and Taiaroa Heads fired for about a couple of hours in order to break the clouds. To add to our miseries, from ten o'clock in the morning until seven in the evening a strung wind is always blowing, and as water cannot be spared for the streets, the condition of pedestrians in the main thoroughfares can well be imagined, although the dust prevents their seeing each other. Whilst writing this paragraph a heavy shower of rain commenced to fall, but whether to attribute this to the prayers of the Masons at their annual service to-day, or to my own complaint to Captain Edwin, I am unable to determine.

As a rule the proseedings at the annual meeting of the Presbyterian Synod of Otago and Southland are only interesting to the "unco quid." But this year we have had a diversion from the general monotony, and there haa not been standing room in the hall of the First Church. The bone of contention is the Chair of Mental Science at the Otago University, which haa been rendered vacant by Professor Macgregor having been appointed Inspector of Lunatic Asylums. For the j last three weeks the " Otago Daily Times" has been deluged with letters setting forth the claims of Dr Copland to be appointed to this post ; while the learned Doctor has published a pamphlet refuting Darwin's theories, in order (as he himself admits) to show the Synod that there is something in him besides theology and medicine. At the same time our newly-fledged D.C.L. (Dr Salmond) has not been left out in the cold, and his admirers have left no stone unturned to show that nowhere on the face of the globe could a better man be found for the p^st than the President of the Presbyterian Theological College. The Church Board of Trustees, whose duty it js to recommend a man to the University Council, and 1 take it this recommendation closely approaches the invitation from Her Gracious Maje3ty to dine, have sent an advertisement to London inviting applications for the vacant chair. When it 3 subject came up for discussion at the Synod [N.B. — The Synod finds the £600 per annum] the Rev. Mr Borrie moved a resolution to the effect that the matter be left in the hands of the Church Board, but he was sat on all round. Mr Keith Ramsay then movpd : " That the action of the Church Board in advertising in the Home and Australian papers be confirmed." After a good deal of discussion this motion was lost. Then arose Mr Adams, of Tokomairiro, and be moved that the Synod recommend Dr Copland for the post. Mr A. C. Begg, in seconding this motion, rose tp the occasion, stating that the Doctor was not only a good man for the post, but that there was not the slightest flaw in his orthodoxy, and this was very material. Dr Salmond was then proposed, and after six hojjrs' debate it was decided, by 64 votes to JO, fco recommend him for the post. If, as is yet doubtful, he obtains the coveted distinction, I have no doubt that Dr Copland's supporters will endeavor to point to the public through the medium of the Press that he is just the man to make the Theological College a grand success. The daily papers and the general public do not seem to approve of the Synod's action in the matter, thinking that for such an important post the Home market should have been sounded anyhow, as to whether there waß even a greater than Salmond willing to accept office under the Otago University Council. (This subject is evidently a dry one, as the rain has stopped again.)

So we are to have an Anglican Cathedral at last. The Rubicon has been passed, and a site found. At the annual meeting of the parishioners of AH Sfaints' Qhurch, the Bishop's offer of £2,000 to wipe off the debt upon the Church, provided U was made over to trustees for the purposes of a cathedral, was discussed and finally accepted. The meoting was slightly lively, and one or two passages-at-arms occurred. After Mr W. D. Smith had proposed that tfae Bishop's offer be accepted, Messrs Lubecki and Bel} made long speeches in support ; of a counteramendment moved by the former. Then one person after another tried to get the meeting adjourned, but as fast as the motions were put they were negatived. At last Mr Lubeclri wanted everyone to sign their names, but Mr Fityhett objected to this, and the meeting supported him. Then a division was called for, four or five opposing the scheme, whilst the remainder weat over in a body to the " aye " side. Mr Lubecki, who. had bean pbipky to the finish jthon subsided. Baying :

"Mr Chairman, I accept this." The' mo- M tion in reality was carried by the younger portion of the congregation, and a certain amcunt of sympathy and respect is due to such men as Messrs G. Bell and Lubeoki, who belonged to the original founders of the Church, and have spent a great deal of money upon as well as given their services to it for over twenty years. Bat in accepting or rejecting the Bishop's offer the real question at issue was whether there was to be a Cathedral Church in the diocese or not, as if the offer were rejected it meant shelving the scheme. The Bishop is to bring the matter before the General Synod at Auckland this month, and when it is approved of there, there is no doubt a start will be made, and some definite scheme referred to the local Synod.

The criminal statistics for the past year for the city of Dunedin have just been published, and contain some interesting reading. One hundred and eleven more persons were brought before the Police Court than in the previous year, but in spite of thiß there has been an actual decrease in crime. In 1884 there were 1,020 convictions for drunkenness, against 908 for the past year, and as the returns I show a great decrease in the "drunks'" 1 roll for the latter part of the year, the early-closing system must have something to do with this as also must the depressed state of business. Seven more persons were committed as lunatics, but with the annual increase of population there must be a proportionate increase of lunatics. The charges under the Vagrant Act have likewise diminished, but the bye-laws oases have been extra numerous. There have been more people convicted under the "Gaming and Lotteries Act " in 1885 than in any previous year, but the twentyfour Chinamen who were caught at fantan account for this. The new Police Offences Act has also helped to swell the roll, the majority of the twenty-two cases under this heading being for making use of bad language. On the whole, however, there is much to be thankful for ; and, considering the size of our city, the criminal and law-breaking percentage of the community is extra small. The Police Court yielded £861 16a 6i of revenue for 1885, as against £684 7s 6d for the previo«s year.