DUNEDIN.

Western Star, Issue 2, 22 November 1873, Page 3

DUNEDIN.

|EROM OUR CORRESPONDENT."!

The Diocesan Synod, which closed on the 7th inst., was engaged a considerable part of the session in considering questions having a political and social aspect, and its proceedings have been more closely watched and commented upon by the public and the press than hitherto. Foremost among the subjects was that of religious instruction in schools, and after a long, but by no means brilliant, debate, a resolution was passed affirming the necessity of at once starting everywhere throughout the province schools in connection with the Church of England. Although the gentlemen comprising the Synod may consider it satisfactory to have discovered a solution of the “religious difficulty,” I much fear that it would be premature to offer congratulations on that account. So many argue that the duty of the Government being strictly confined to providing secular education, any school unwilling to submit to its time-table must look in vain to it for support. Besides, the public here, excepting, perhaps, the Roman Catholics, are lukewarm on the subject, so that the financial feature of the scheme will be rathePrspulsivc, The evil of intemperance was discussed at the close of the sittings, and a resolution, on the motion of Mr. Stanford, was passed urging steps to check it. Mr. Stanford’s speech, in moving it, was strongly condemnatory of total abstinence. He said he should be loth to move the resolution if he thought it would result in one more being added to the ranks of the abstainers —a remark which appeared to raffle the equanmity of both his lay and reverend peers. On Thursday, the 6th inst., the Choral Society gave their usual quarterly concert. The programme consisted of Balfe’s opera of the “ Bohemian Girl.” To render the music of an opera without the usual adjuncts of scenery costume, and acting was rather a bold attempt, but the result justified the selection. The University Hall was crowded to overflowing, and, indeed, numbers left unable to get admission; and, in spite of the oppressive heat and compressive squeeze, the audience appeared delighted. The choruses were especially good, being quite equal, in the opiniou of many, to the performances of the Opera Company which visited us last year. The theatres are doing poor business at present. The Burford-Stephenson company are playing at the Princess, while the Queen’s is in possession of the Julian Troupe of Gymnasts. The Scott Scholarship Fund, born under the generous influence of Madeira at the Scott centenary dinner, has not grown in size proportionate to its years. An amateur performance is coming off on Friday next for its benefit, and a handsome sum may be expected as the result. We are now enjoying the luxury of two morning papers, and, judging from the increasing number of advertisements, there is room for both, It is refreshing to see the “ spurt ” the “ Times ” _ has put on since the appearance of a rival. Instead of a constant tirade on Mr. Yogel, we have articles which discover in him qualities which are even to be admired, and our local requirements are zealously advocated. Both the “Guardian ” and “ Times ” are enlarged to the size of the “ Melbourne Age.” The latter is still ‘ the ’ paper, but the “ Guardian ” is surely rising into favour. The allotment of the shares in the National Insurance Company caused considerable dissatisfaction, and I have not seen or heard upon what principle the distribution took place. I was speaking to one the other day, who was so disgusted that he threatened to sell the few he had got by public auction. Another company has been mooted, but its appearance now would be premature.

There never were so many buildings in course of erection in Dunedin as at present. The large premises of Thomson, Strang, and Co., of Invercargill, are being proceeded with rapidly, and I daresay willbeopenat Christmas. The Unionßank of Australia is erecting a building next to the Post-office, which, when finished, will be the finest structure in the city.

Tuomas Mars it ax ii, whose collar hone was fractured at the Five Rivers, was admilled into the Invercargill Hospital on Friday, the 7th instant. Thomas Gower, one or the men of the Wallabi suffering from a broken log, was received into the same institution on Monday,