BLACK'S DIGGINGS.

Dunstan Times, Issue 243, 21 December 1866, Page 3

BLACK'S DIGGINGS.

FROM OTJR OWN CORRESPONDENT

Black town, 17th December, 186(3. The unnecessary rigour exercised by the government, in demanding extensive accomodation at every Licensed Hotel, has caused a large amount of annoyance, and useless outlay of capital in this district. However hopeful the prospects of Black's may be, there still exists an uncertainty connected with the present prosperity of the place, and such has been the case with every mining district, not only in New Zealand, but in the prosperous Colony of Vi itoria. The rush which took place at Black's some three months past, induced a considerable number of tradesmen to leave other districts, and locate here temporarily (say for two or three years) and erected establishments, containing sufficient facilities to carry on trade i« a satisfactory manner to the miners.. Stabling is not necessary, except in connexion with a certain class of hotels, and to compel every applicant for a publican's license to erect a four-stall stable is most unwise and inconvenient to manypersons of limited capital. The Government officer who inspected the establishments of the applicants for licenses here, demanded' everything the law required, but exercised much commendable discretion in making allowance for the position and occupier of such establishments when any consideration was necessary. Although the residents have no reason to'complain against the conduct of the Inspecting ■Officer, still the law as it stands is most offensive and the Editor of the ' Dunstan Times ' could not use his pen to a better purpose than to point out to the Government the unreasonableness of demanding outlay of capital in districts that are not lastingly settled. Yesterday a memorial was forwarded to his Honor the Superintendent, praying that the business locality of Black's be proclaimed a goldfields' town, and for presenting the memorial very pertinent reasons were given. The memorial was signed by not only the residents of Black's, but of Thompson's digcings as well. The tradesmen of Drybread and Tinker's would be glad to see a constituted town within a reasonable distance of them, and the miners of those localities seem to be of the same feeling. Mr Surveyor Bates has for several weeks past been engaged in surveying the land that is to be lie agricultural settlement of the population of this district; and to have a goldfields town proclaimed for us, would induce many to improve their premises, and make up their minds to say •"Black's is my home." Mr Julius Vogel, the Provincial Treasurer, being an old Victorian, must know that dozens of localities in that Colony have been deserted owing to the Government not having in their early days proclaimed townships, and selling the land ; thereby causing men to settle down and make for themselves local habitations. Mr Vogel has been written to touching the memorial from Black's, and should he not advise His Honor the Superintendent to have Black's proclaimed a goldfields' town, at once, he will place a brake upon the wheel of improvement in tho Province, and settlement of population will have a migratory element amalgamated with it. Well, thinking that I have said enough bearing upon the memorial and the licensing law, I a a disposed to tell your readers that whatever snorts they may have in their own' district during tho Christmas and New-Year's worklcss days, the inhabitants of Black's will havegocd oass judging by the amount of money collected w thin the last few days Through some indiscreet and uncalled for jealousy Black's 'prominents ' refused to coalesce with the sportsmen •of Drybread, and the consequenoe is that wo can have no horse-raeing, hut everything of amusement in human performance is to be enacted andjin doubt much pleasure will bo enjoyed. "Tho miners are saving up their money, and . lthough most is ■reserved for the Sports at black's and Drybread Races, a very acceptable stun is reserved for the great Races at Clyde, ou Thursday and Friday next.