The Dunstan Times FRIDAY, 28th DECEMBER, 1866.

Dunstan Times, Issue 244, 28 December 1866, Page 2

The Dunstan Times

FRIDAY, 28th DECEMBER, 1866.

'Beneath the rule of men entirelt just, the ?en is mightier than the sword!"

The present being the last issue of the " Dunstan Times" for 18GG, we cannot but congratulate our readers upon the progress the district has made during the past twelve months, and the steady improvement, that has taken place in mining affairs generally ; this fact is amply borne out by the late escort returns, which have gradually kept on increasing for some months past. This prosperous state of affairs must, as a natural consequence, go on increasing, as the great majority of our large water-races and other undertakings preliminary to the extraction of gold from the soil are comple ted; but little labour is now employed in other than reproductive works. In hydraulic sluicing, the march of improvement has done wonders, and ground which at the beginning of the year was considered as n(t worth the trouble of working is now made to pay handsomely. To the system of using enormous heads 01 watei- is to be attributed this happy cbange in ali'.u)s, and we may calculate with certainty, that

the whole of the terraced banks of the Molyneux and Kawarau rivers will prove a highly remunerative field of labor for very many years to come. The Christmas washings up at Alexandra, Cromwell, and Upper Manuherikia have shown enormous results; and we believe that the sluicing claims at either of these three places are quite as enduring, and more certainly profitable than were they quartz workingsWater Race property, when the supply of the liquid element is an ample one, and when the race on its «ourse, or by being diverted will eommaßd large tracts of country, is steadily improving in value These great aqueduets may with truth be termed the very vitals of our prosperity, for without water power nothing can be done. will some day or an. other be considered as heirlooms, and will pass from generation to generation. Dredging is another branch of labor which must not be overlooked, it, like many other new industries was cradled into existence under difficulties, but by perseverance they were overcome, and now dredging may be calculated as one of the moat certainly remunerative descriptions ofmining known. In quartz reefing we have made but little progress, in fact, scarcely anything at all has been done in that way yet; this may be accounted for by the absence of timber in this district, which indispensable material cannot at the present time be pro cured but at a cost, which makes prospect ing for quartz lodes an act of absolute folly. The difficulties that have overtaken people engaged in reefing, at Skippers and the Arrow, will deter others from meddling with quartz in this district for some time to come, although we believe that eventually this description of mining will be prosecuted with success: Agricultural operations are being vigorously prosecuted, and will be much more so when the Government take upon themselves to issue the leases, the want of whieh keeps many an enterprising agriculturist in the back ground, people hesitating to assist really deserving persons, on account of their not being able to offer some tangible security for advances made, however we may expect this difficulty to be shortly removed, the new Government being men who understand something of business. The spread of agricultural pursuits will not only contribute much to the settlement of the country, but by causing a reduction in the cost of living, a corresponding reduced scale of wages will naturally follow; the high rates now ruling for hired labour, presenting an insuperable barrier to advancement. Population i s steadily on the increase, both European a iid Chinese, the latter are pouring in large numbers, and except by the illiterate few, their presence is everywhere welcomed. In social matters great progress has been made, the Dunstau district now boasts of two thriving Municipalities; and in all probability a third will soon be added. The rivalry which for some time existed between the townships of Alexandra, Clyde, and Cromwell has for the most part subsided, the inhabitants having discovered that it is more wise to put their shoulders resolutely to the wheel of progress, and thus endeavour to improve their positions, than to resort to the undignified practices of deprecating their neighbours. The laws of supply and demand, are the best determiners of local jealousies, which after a'l is a mere pounds shillings and 'pence arrangement; and if left alone provides its own remedy. In conclusion, we may safely prophesy that the ensuing year will witness many important changes for the better; and that each worker in the hive of industry, will find bis position at the close of 1867 considerably in advance of what it was in the beginning.