DUNSTAN.

Cromwell Argus, Volume V, Issue 227, 17 March 1874, Page 6

DUNSTAN.

[from our own correspond ext.] March 16, 1874. Since the departure of the Mining Delegates, a report of whose proceedings has already appeared in your columns, there is little of any public moment to comment on. We have had the Variety Troupe performing for a single night to a moderately good attendance for this place, the majority being highly pleased with the- entertainment. A special four-horse coach having boon engaged by them to take them from here was mistaken in some instances for the first of the newline of coaches about to start from fuapeka to Queenstown. The mistake, however, was but a slight one, as the first coach is reported as likely to start from here on Friday first. The Lai ting-place here is to be the Port Philip Hotel. Fares are to be reduced, it is said, from £3 to £2 10s, certainly not a great reduction in starting an opposition coach. Our now Court-house is drawing to a completion, though still there is a good deal to do. The building when finished will have rather a neat and tasty appearance. Mr Burwoll, architect, is at present in Clyde, and intends to draw plans for the new Library about to be built. The site, I believe, is to be -where the present building stands, close by the Town-hall. We are rather great in public buildings. Our sclioolhouse has been reckoned a model, and the town-hall scarcely surpassed out of Dunedin ; while the athenreurn or library will no doubt be worthy of notice. Leaving askle the cou”thouse, which is entirely a Government building, the-inha-bitants : may legitimately, claim the credit of the others, and the assistance that;has been received towards them may be. summed up by the maxim that “ tho gods help those who heln themselves.”

In coal-mining matters, which have been the-cause of considerable attention and contention of late, I notice that Mr Holt is making preparations to. re-open his pit, which,.if ha should bo able to v;6fk it pr operly, will tend to lessen the agitation concerning the others. The effect of the new crops coming in is to considerably lower the price of oats. The quality this year is above the average. The finest sample 1 have seen grown in the district was brought last week from the farm of Messrs M'Donough, White, and Wilson, of Spear Grass Fiat. I should think it would be worth the attention of growers to secure such samples for seed. There is nothing new in mining matters. The late rains gave an abundant supply of water. The Earnsclengh has seldom or never been seen so high as it was on Sunday last. The supply on the commonage has also been greatly increased. The telegraph from Switzers to Clinton has been completed, and the party who wore erecting it started last Monday from Clyde to peg out the line from here to Naseby. The posts will then be laid along the line, and its erection will be commenced shortly.

News of a melancholy nature’reached here on Salami ay concerning a brother of Mr D. Stronach, manager of Ida Valley station, who had been missing during the week. He was found dead under a rock on the Whitecornb, with his horse, also dead, beside him. It appears that the deceased and another brother left Teviot to go to Switzers on the previous Saturday, the 7th instant. They disagreed about the road, and parted. One reached his destination in safety, while the other, who took the mountainous and near track, was caught in the storm, and mat the fate above stated.