DUNSTAN.

Cromwell Argus, Volume V, Issue 248, 11 August 1874, Page 6

DUNSTAN.

(from our own correspondent.) August 10,1874.

Some apology may be necessary for not referring at the proper time to the elections, of Mayors and Councillors ; but without taking up the question of whether Municipal bodies are a blessing or a curse, as some paper termed it the other day, one must look upon all this paraphernalia of Mayor and Councillors, &c, in the small centres of our population which go by the name of towns, to be something nearly approaching a farce ; more especially when at the elections it takes at least one third, if not more, of the eligible men to fill one or other of what they term the honourable and important position to which they have to be elected. That business over, the first act of the drama may be said to be completed, and, in our case at least, some of the several actors performed well their parts. There was a slight sprinkling of new blood introduced, which will not, I suppose, materially change the current of affairs. During the performance, we were told they had done nothing during the last twelve months, but they had in training a waterworks scheme, and they had now got the power to borrow £20,000 to complete that and bridge the Molyneux. They had saved up about £7OO to commence with, which would give them a good star!,, and they would have little difficulty in getting the rest. There was some mention made of kerbing some portions of the streets, and of improving the main roads within their bounds, but that idea was unpopular, and the money must all go for these two objects. The streets must remain as they are, and the main road, which is curved about the flat to avoid the rocks and boulders, like a succession of dogs' hind legs strung on to each other, must remain in the same picturesque condition. The Municipal body of Clyde lives for two objects,—water and a bridge. Well, at all events, water is a very useful element, but to have it on the brain it becomes dangerous ; and anyone attending our Warden's and District Courts here of late, must conclude that the disease is prevalent, and that these are the places where relief is sought. One member of the community, who has contracted the disease in its most malignant form, appeared on Thursday asking for relief. His case was considered dangerous, and not without interest to many, the Mayor and Councillors more particularly. Either by constraint or otherwise, but all the ex-Mayors of Clyde, a number of Councillors and ex-Councillors, and several others. But to drop the allegory, let me give a gist of the case in its true light, seeing that it is one that involves an important question. Without following the routine of the Court proceedings, I may state the case simply thus :—The Corporation of Clyde some sixteen or eighteen months ago purchased a water right,.for the purpose no doubt of utilising the water when their waterworks scheme came into operation. They subsequently let the water to some miners at a weekly rental, but through scarcity of water they gave up using it about January last. Since then, the water, if any, has been going to waste. Mr Feraud brings this case against them, claiming forfeiture on several grounds; one that the water had been unused for the period of over thirty days as prescribed by the Act. But the principle grounds of the case were : That the Corporation held no charter to make them a mining company, and that the powers conferred on municipal bodies did not Avarrant them engaging in mining pursuits, or holding property which can only be held by miners or mining companies. The evidence given in the case was mainly relative to the race being out of repair, and to the non-use of the water; and that same was very conflicting. Mr Cowan, who acted for plaintiff, seemed to rest his case on the other point, but though arguing it at considerable length, brought nothing really definite against Municipal Corporations who had become possessed of a miner's right. On the other side, Mr Wilson cited sections of Acts which seemed to set at any doubt that they had the power. As to the non-use of the water, he failed to see they had a case to answer. The Warden said that before giving his written judgment, he would look over the Acts cited by Mr Wilson, to see if other sections might not override those stated ; but he was even sure that if such were the case, the Council would make it known ; and they had been uncontradicted by Mr Cowan. By the terms of these sections, he held that the Mayor and Municipal body were a person underthe meaning of the Goldfields Act, and as such could demand a miner's right; and that being acquired, they were entitled to hold, use, or dispose, &c, of any property which these rights conferred. The evidence on the'other point was not sufficient to warrant him declaring forfeiture. The judgment would be for the defendants, with costs. Notice of appeal was given, but I have since heard that' the case is likely to drop. The ball on Wednesday night in aid of the Brass Band was a splendid success. The attendance was good, and apparently all enjoyed themselves to the utmost. A more gay, animated, and contented assemblage it has seldom been my lot to witness. Refreshments were provided on quite an extensive scale, and evidently with the motto of " expense no object." Dancing was over early, somewhere about 4.30 a.m. Something must be said about the music, supplied of course by the Band, and nothing can be said except to speak of it in terms of praise. It was the generally expressed opinion that better never •was heard out of Dunedin ; and indeed, 1 much question if it could be excelled in that metropolis of all perfect things. Their ' ' God

Save the Queen," at the wind-up, was really magnificent, and they were heartily cheered on its completion. Altogether, the ball was a great success.

After a number of unsuccessful attempts to get the water out of the coal-pit of late, chiefly on account of the severe frosts, Mr ,Holt has at last been able to get at the coal. He commenced on Friday morning, and by last night he had delivered at least twelve tons through the town. Taking into consideration the superior quality of the coal, besides the hardships of sometimes getting it, and sending so much money out of the place for the supply, this event must be reckoned a great boon.

The Pneumatic dredge has her engine fitted on, and is again at work. I have not heard of any finds being got yet, but I believe the machinery is doing well. The Salamander dredge was at work a short time lately, and was getting gold, but unfortu-: nately some of the machinery gave way, and is not yet repaired. The roads are apparently improving, though said to be very bad in some places. The coach via Palmerston, which for the few last trips has been most of a day behind time, arrived on Saturday by ten o'clock, which is but three hours late. It is to be hoped they will still continue to improve.