DUNEDIN

Western Star, Issue 49, 17 October 1874, Page 6

DUNEDIN

(*EOJ£ 003 COE3KSPOKDENT.) Orfcober 7; The Church ofEngland Diocesan Synod feas been sifting., during the past week, and, there being few other topiysof interest stirring jnst now, the proceedings of that body have received a good' deal of attention. The most interes'ing question with which it has yet dealt is that of intemperance, and* the opinions expressed by some of the classical members of the Synod have atartedi a newspaper controversy, the end of which it is impossible to forsee. Tim Eev. Mr Stanford, of All Saints’ Church, Dunedin, brought the subject forward bv moving a aeries of resolutions which he thought calculated to prove the beat means, of checking intemperance. The tenor of these resolutions was that the principle of total abstinence from, alcoholic liquors is not the best way of stopping drunkenness; that restrictive legislation would-not cure the intemperate or keep the weak from falling before temptation ; and that more wide spread schemes for providing, innocent recreation—such as working men’s clubs, athletic clubs, concerts, etc.—would;act as counter attractions, and prove effective. The reverend mover —who has. gained a character for manliness., and a belief in “Musculir Christianity” called-upon, the members of the. church to, teach “the principles of moderation taught in the New Tesrament,” thought that, for the. cure of dipsomaniacs, an, inebriate asylum should be established; The resolutions were, after

some opposition from, Major Eichardsou and others, passed, with slight modifications of their original form. The result of this is that the Good Templars and abstainers take it asa slur.upon, them and their, exertions that their idea of- total abstinence should be considered as really of little benefit, and some angry comments have been made on the speeches dp. the Synod; Notwithstanding unpleasant reports ijrom the Palmer diggings with regard to climate and the supply of “ tucker,” a .good number of miners and others leave for that field by each Melbourne boat. By the Tararua, which sailed- on Thursday last, two compositors employed at thp Timps office took thpir departure, being, unable to resist the late glowing description of the ease with which gold is to be picked up there This give the Times an opportunity of indulging in a little printers’- slang, ■which, it did: to the following effect:— “The two compositors had, been employed in this office for some time, hut, Being no longer ‘ galley slaves,’ we understand- they intend- to. work ‘in pocket.’ l It is to be hoped the Australian blacks will not make ‘pyo’ of them, because they wish, to keep,, their ‘frames’ in.good condition. When they have whipped' up, several thousand ‘-.quoins,’; they intend to. purchase a ' chapel.’ May each return with a w-hole skin and a full ‘ dock I’-”-The extraordinarily boisterous weather ■which has prevailed over the whole colony during, the last few days appears to be gradually breaking up, though, we still have more or less rain, every day. The winter appears loth to leave us, and, like some old hag, bothers us with Ijpr.chilly caresses, when, we would much prefer' something younger and warmer. However, I think this last burst-up was the final, kick, and that October, which “ came in like a lion,” will, “ go out like a lamb.”

The Colonial Bank has commenced business, and there was quite a rush on the first day.' On the previous day a meeting pf sharehplders was held to elect seven directors from fifteen gentlemen who came forward as candidates, and the following. were chosen : —Messrs W. J. M, Laruacb, W. A. Tolmie, Donald Reid; A. W. Morris, John Reid (Elders-, lie), John Reid (Corner Bush), and the Hon. Matthew Holmes. Messrs E. B. Cargill-, and J. M : . Ritchie were amongst the candidates, but a letter had appeared in, onp of the local papers previous to the meeting, urging (without any reflection on either of the two gentlemen) that it would not be wise to elect them, as, being bo largely connected with the business ppople. of- the city, tradesmen would not carn.to have their transactions scrutinised by them, and would, consequently, be likely to take their accounts to some pther bank. In connection with this, I may mention that a lucky M.P.C., who drew. Don Juan in, the £I,OOO Melbourne Gup sweep last year, might have been seen at a well-known sporting-men’s hotel immediately after the result of the election was made known in a great state ‘ of ■ exuberance and hilarity. , This happy condition was caused by his hav. ingHwon £SO by taking odds that he nairied-the seven - who would be elected’. ‘ After a lull in the flow of immigration, the-Christian ADAusland has pntinapappcaranco with 300 or 400 passengers; but, to the continuous sou’-west gal es that been blowing, whe has been eom-

pelied to lie at anchor at the Heads for some days, there not being a tug at Port Chalmers powerful enough to bring her through them. Smith’s Combination Troupe, one of the best and most varied companies that has ever been here, gave their last performance on Saturday night, the- term of engagement of its members being up and the Troupe about to dissolve. They have drawn wonderfully well during their, stay in Dunedin, and Mr Smith, who has been connected with theatrical matters for some forty years, has made a handsome thing oat of the whole term. Some of the members talk of making a tonrof the province, and if it is done, vou may look out for something good in due course.

A startling sensation, followed by a feeling that a, “sell” has been perpetrated, was created hr the Times publishing an. extra on Friday last, with tke heading —“Capture or two live moas in Canterbury!’ As the account of this, doughty deed appears., to.have been telegraphed to all the papers, doubtless you yourself have, full particulars, as in the Chriatclmch paper. In case you should not, I have enclosed a copy, Mr R. T. Creighton, at one time editor of the Auckland Southern Cross, sines of the Otago G-uardian, and who is now appointed to the editorship of the Wellington N. Z : Times, leaves for. the North shortly. A couple of presentations were made tojiinr op Friday last, showing that during his stay he. has gained the esteem, of many. The Criminal Session this quarter is getting through the business rapidly. The most noticeable cases were the charges of obtaining money by false pretences laid against the so-called “Military Captain,” who give out that he.had purchased the Star and Q-arter Hotel at Qamaru ; and the charge of. so-doing against a Chinaman, The former got off on the first charge, hut was found guilty on.another;, while the Celestial was acquitted, after a very novel defence. Tfyb Court has adjourned to Monday next, the. Hat having been gone through; but a seaman of the American barqe Oneca has been committed, for.- trial for the alleged murder of a shipmate on the high seas, and his case will be gone into on that day.

A slight alarm of fire was given or, Tuesday evening, one having broken out in the house of a Mr Schmidt, in Eattraystreet, and, from all appearances,‘it was caused by some one throwing iuflamablo materials through one of the windows. The police suspected a man of the attempt, .and proceedings are being taken against him. A gold chain was presented on Friday evening to Captain Duncan, of the ship Christian M ; Auslaud, by the immigrants brought out by that ship; and-as the recipient was going home after the presentation, he was assaulted by two sailors whom he had discharged from the ship. The captain defended himself, but the fight attracted the attention of the police, and the former had the mortification of being marched through the streets to the Lock-up fa company with one. of his assailants. Oil. appearing at the E.M. Court next day, however, the matter was explained. Mr E. B. Cargill, who, as ageut to thp Shipping Company, was present, asked the Magistrate (Mr Mausford) to state that the skipper left the Court without a stain upon, fijs character, to which the Bench ssntentiously replied that it u - did not wish to offer any observations.”