DUNSTAN.

Cromwell Argus, Volume V, Issue 211, 25 November 1873, Page 6

DUNSTAN.

(from our own correspondent.) November 22, 1873. The prospectus of the Conroy's Quartz Mining Co. is now before the public, and it is hoped it may secure a favourable reception. The objects of the company and its ciretimstances being so fully and correctly stated in the prospectus, there is little need of my adding much thereto. The only thing much to be wondered at is, that this step has not been taken long since. It has been pretty •well proved that gold exists there, and that it only wanted capital to drain the mine. The machinery is perfect, and there is a never-failing water-supply, with power to drive twenty head of stamps. Should the company be successfully floated, there is little doubt it will do well, both in the interests of the scripholders and of the district. —ln other mining matters there is little new. What water is available for the commonage is being successfully worked, and the Chatto Creek race is still progressing favourably. His Honor Judge Gray has been holding his Court during the week, the principal business being bankruptcy cases. lam sorry to hear his Honor is not yet enjoying very good health. Mr Clapcott gave a lecture in the Townhall on the advantages of Life Insurance, followed by a few readings, which were greatly applauded. He also stayed a few days, privately endeavouring to induce parties to get insured, but with what success I have not heard. The tenders for the new Court-house were to be opened on the 22nd, so we may expect to see the work progressing soon. Attfield and Welsford's new stone shop is proceeding rapidly. The '' bachelors' hall" by the Camp and Post-office reserves has been receiving its furniture during the last few days, and the intending occupants will soon be encaged in their stronghold. The stronghold and its inmates, they say, will resist the fiercest attacks of Venus ; and her shafts, doubtless to be directed there, will be turned back harmless. , Well, sua cuique voluptas ; and if connubial felicity be not ranked among the enjoyments of the inmates, the curtain lecture will not disturb their repose. I see the Immigration Minister is on the eve of a visit to the Provgice. Considering tile amount of money ho is"spending on immigration, I think he would be adding one more laurel to his already renowned policy if he would clap a tax on these sort of establishments. It would, lam sure, be a fairer tax than the gold duty, which he pertinaciously holds on to ; for if their inmates will not endeavour to people the country, it is fair they should have to pay for the people to come to it. In every paper you lay hold of appears the demand for men, —shearers especially. Seeing the liberal advertisement of our neighbouring squatters, Messrs Strode and Fraser and Campbell and Low, one could wish that they will not be short-handed. The country also owes something of a debt of gratitude to Messrs Cargiil and Anderson, Teviot, and to Mr Campbell, Wanaka, for turning their stations into a sort of training-schools,—the one to teach the art of shearing and the other of mustering. It is to be hoped they will be successful. 1 fancy, if Mr Campbell had been particular as to having his sheep mustered this year, he would, along with the " Chinkys," have wanted interpreters for the dogs. But as a year or two is immaterial to him, he may employ the interval in drilling the recruits himself. We might picture the scene : Mr Campbell, perched on an elevated position on his run, surrounded by a troupe of these intelligent Celestials, with the dogs in attendance, teaching them to give the proper whistle, and when and how to pronounce the " Get away forra'd," " Come in bye," " Come in a-hint," and other portions of dog phraseology with which 1 am not acquainted.