DUNSTAN.

Cromwell Argus, Volume V, Issue 231, 14 April 1874, Page 6

DUNSTAN.

[feoii cue own correspondent. ] April 13, 1874. A case of what may bo called spontaneous combustion considerably alarmed the inhabitants on the night of the 9th inst. The dung-heap from the stables of the Dunstan Hotel heated to such an extent that it was almost if not entirely in a blaze. Constable Madigan observed the great smoke rising about two in the morning, and gave the alarm. The fire-bell was rung, and assistance was soon at hand, and though it was quickly got under beyond the possibility of danger, still a long time elapsed before it was completely put out. It was very lucky that it was Observed so soon, for had it been allowed to go on until morning, a weather-board stable close adjoining and a number of horses would have been destroyed. The police have had the landlord at Court since for allowing a nuisance to accumulate on his premises, but the case was dismissed, as the nuisance was being removed. The magistrate stated that a heap of stable manure could hardly be reckoned a nuisance. I observe since, however, that other landlords have been clearing up their dunghills. Great sympathy is felt for the sufferers by the late coach accident, especially for Mr Daniel Anderson and his family, that gentleman having been long well known and highly respected in the district. If the coaches of the firm of Cobb and Co. were on a par with the instinct of some of their horses, there would be but little fear of accidents. A pair of their horses, which were bringing a buggy up to Clyde, thought fit to start on their own account from Insley’s farm, seven miles out, while the driver was getting some refreshment, and came on to Clyde by themselves. By the track of the buggy, it was seen that they had taken the usual road round by the post-office, apparently thinking the} r had the jnails to deliver. They then went up the street, and turned in to the yard of the Dunstan Hotel, which is at right angles to the street, passing the coach which was standing in the narrow lane leading to the stables, Several horsemen turned out along the road in quest of the driver, and found him snug in bed at Insley’s. He expressed his confidence that the horses would get home all right. As a sort of punishment, it seems the horses were put up at livery for the night, for which the driver had to pay.

■The Committee of the Miners’ Association had a meeting on Saturday night last. The delegate, Mr Sims, explained the action he took at the late Conference. He said he missed a good deal of important matter from the reports he had seen of the proceedings. A vote of thanks was recorded to him by the Committee. On the question of finance, and paying the delegate and the only other creditor, the Dunstan Times, there was considerable discussion. It was, however, resolved that the money in hand, some £7, be equally divided between them, and that the full accounts be laid before the next meeting. On the question of the price of gold, a resolution asking the Central Executive to test the feelings of the miners in the Province relative to the resolution of Mr Colclough to sell gold to one bank only ; and, if possible, to bring the same into operation. Steps were taken to circulate the petitions and subscription lists to hand from the centra), body, and to have them returned as soon as possible. It was also resolved to oppose the application of Mr T. Wilson to purchase land at Yankee Elat, —for which he had got the consent of the nmholder, —on the ground that the land wrs auriferous ; and the president was instructed to telegraph the Chief Commissioner to withhold sale until they had an opportunity of stating objections, and also to apprise him that the applicant had not complied with the rule to advertise in the local paper his intention to purchase.