The Dunstan Times FRIDAY 17th MAY, 1867.

Dunstan Times, Issue 264, 17 May 1867, Page 2

The Dunstan Times

FRIDAY 17th MAY, 1867.

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In consequence of pressure upon our space, we are compelled to omit our usual leader. We are requested to intimate that tlie Court " Royal Oak of the Kawarau " was duly opened on Saturday evening last, 21 members were initiated into the mysteries of the Craft. We join issue with the Brethren and hope that the introduction into the up-cout.try districts of Friendly Societies wi 1 have the beneficial effects anticipated. A correspondent at the Lakes informs us that the Reefs are again resuming a healthy appearance. The Scandinavian Company, Skippers, during the past week realised 320 oz from 200 Tcs of stone. Their shaft is now down 2-50 feet, at which depth the stone looks equally well and continues of the same thickness as when discovered on the surface, also that Southbcrgh and Perry Watt and Cos claim are raising and crushing good payable stone. The ill effects of closing the Government Oilices by the Provincial Government we are sorry to say is becoming more and more serious. We refer to a case that came before Judge Grey in the Extended Jurisdiction Court, through the nonproduction of a document locked up in the Court House, Aievandra, some five or sis witnesses were put to the trouble and expense of attendiug the Court fur nothing ; the Plaiutiff having to submit to a nonsuit. The meeting of the Shareholders of the " Rose Thistle and Shamrock Company,' called for the sixth inst. lapsed through hod attendance of the requisite number of Shareholders. It was agreed by those present that the effects of the Company should be placed in the hands of the interim Manager for sale; a document to that effect was drawn up and sent to the absent Shareholders for their signature. The " Sew Zealand Gazette " contains a proclamation " That every holder of a liir.cs'.s Right having a claim on the Ota-

go Gold-fields, e*Jry bolder of a business Licence occupying land by virtue 'of such License, within the Otago Gold-fields shall be entitled th run two head of great Cattle free of charge, provided they are branded, also the holder or holders jointly of an Agricultural Lease shall be euti tied to ruu three head of great cattle. The definition of " great cattle" Icing horned cattle and horses, male and female and their offspring over six months of age. The "Eveni.g Mail" says,—" JirT. L. Shepherd, Goldfields member, stated that he "knew very little about law." This confession, on the part of one of the bush lawyers, who have too long been al lowed to practice upon the goldfields, and up-country districts of the Province, altogether in opposition to the express terms of the Law Practitioners' Act, confirms an opinion we had lOrg'formed of the utter incapacity of such persons to conduct law cases in the local courts, by which they render themselves subject to a penalty of .£SO. It has therefore, long been a puz z'e to us why such would be law agents, who themselves confess to kcow little about law, should yet be encouraged to practise before our legally constituted Resident Magistrate,* Courts, greatly to the loss, in most i stances, of the simple minded individuals who may have entrust ed their law cases to such persons—a class who, because ot the attendant fees, have caused two thirds of the litigation upon the goldfields " The "Wellington Advertiser" on the Otago Goldfields' Delegate powers question, says,— " That Mr Bradshaw has not been appointed Minister for Mines at a salary of one thousand pounds per annum. He is simply an Age t for the Government at six huuered a year, and none of" the powers of the Governor are delegated to him. Your prompt aetion in Utago has told well, Stafford's organ closes thus " The Dunedin people suppose rightly that the appointment was i.ot givon to the Superintendent, because the holder of that office was Macandrew. But let the Du edin people remember this, that though they may be led away into nial ing choice of a chief Magistrate with such antecedents as their preset Superintendent the General Government of the Colony are not bound to repose that confidence in him which they have done. The Otago people made their choice, and must take the consequences. They must not expect to see any of the powers ordinarily delegated by the Governor to Superintendents given to Macandrew, and must expect that the other parts of the colony will endorse the decision of the Govcrnmeut on this point. We do i.ot intend to rake up old complaints, made with too good a fouuda ion against Macandrew, but we may say that more recent investigations have o ly te /nil to confirm the opinio of the Government, that where the de'egation of power is necessary, it is wiser to give it to some other person." We have been requested to call atte - tion to the kale by auction . of Police Horses, by >i essrs Cope and Facbe, at the Camp, Queeustown, on Saturday, the 25th inst We are informed that the Telegraph line is now ope" to Queenstcwn, for the despatdh and rceipt of messages. A few days since a very interesting ceremony took place at the Ida Valley Hotel, Ida Valley ; that of presenting Mr W. G. M'Pherson with a handsomely il laminated testimonial, together with a purse containing 11-0 Sovereigns, on the occasion of his departure for Canterbury. Our readers must be we 1 aware that Mr M'Pherson has been along time resident in the district, and by all classes of the community- universally respected. Mr Campbell made the presentation, accompanying it with a most suitable address, to which Mr M'Pherson gave an appropriate reply. The -Judges' decision in the Appeal case of Head against Holmes was not given yesterday as expscted. His Honor Judge Grey however occupied the Bench, and both suitors were present. His Honor, said that the decision was of far more importance than he at first anticipated, as it would likelj' affect a large number of interests. The guage of 1863 appeared to be no guage at all, as it did uot make provision for the speed of water, the guage of 18G4 defined a mode of measurement, but rights obtained under that, must be detriment to rights formerly acquired. He wonld consult Mr Warden Simpson on the case, and give his decision on Saturday week. We have been requested by the Secretary to the Dunstan Hospital, to acknowledge the receipt of a Sheep, the gift of Mr Whit'ingham of the firm of Whittingham, Brothers, Punedin. Mr Wm. Grumitt will deliver a lecture at the Sluicer'a Anns Hotel, Kawa ran Gorge, on Saturday tin: 25th inM, ior

the bendfitof the Dunstan Hospital j the" subject chosen ia Dickeu's and &is "Write ings. Mr 'Grumitt as a lecturer, was most successful at Clyde, and we are sure that our friends ait Kaw.i'tau may depend upon enjoying a highly amusing and' inte lee:uai treat, . We have been requested to call attention to"tbe'sale'by auction by Mr Wm. Smitham of Fat cattle and Milch cows, at the Kawarau Sale Yards, on Monday, the 20th inst