The Dunstan Times FRIDAY, 9th August, 1867.

Dunstan Times, Issue 276, 9 August 1867, Page 2

The Dunstan Times

FRIDAY, 9th August, 1867.

Beneath the rule of men entihf.lt just, tin pen is MionriEii than the swobd!”

The present iutcvruption to traffic occa sioned by the deplorable state of the roads, should rouse the Provincial Government to action in doing that which has long been required—the making of a main trunk line of roal connecting Duncdin with the principal gold-producing districts. The position of the Dunstan tlic.se last few days is that of a belcagurcd city; for what with accumulated snow on the ranges, and and muddy impassible roads, communication with the outer world is practically impossible. In a country possessing such

vast natural resources as Otago such a state of tilings should never exist. We will certainly allow that, at times, slight interruptions to traffic may be occasioned by climatic causes ; but, with a properly constructed line of road, there need be no serious hindrance. Leavb g the junction at Palmerston, the road upwards is one continued "slough of despond" to within a few miles of Clyde, everything being well nigh in the same state as when formed by nature ; for, notwithstanding the large revenue derived from the goldfields, we still remain dependent for our supplies upon the mercy of the elements. Pome few months ago a Mr. CanYoung was sent home by the Provincial authorities, fully armed with powers to negotiate a loan for the construction of a Hail way, from the mouth of the Clutha, via Tokomairiro to Dunedin, but happily /or the up-country district-, the General Government disallowed the Railway I can Ordinance, and the Province escaped being plunged heavily into debt, for the construction of a l'ailway to where it was not wanted, for in one ease, 'there is ample wa'ev communication, and in the other a magnificently metalled road. Before indulging in the luxury of 1; ail ways, the use of which, on account of the small population, will not be required for very many years to come; common sense would dictate, that we should possess good ordinary roads; such is net only immediately required, but would have the advantage of being also reproductive, and repay in a very short time the original cost of construction, let alone Ihe gain to the country, by the increased value of property. The Canterbury Government, have set a most worthy example in the matter of road making ,on the West Cuast Goldfields, they have gone coutiderably ahead of the population, cutting tracks far into dense, and hitherto impenetrable forests, thus have lain the country open for settlement, and the result has been, that hundreds have been retained in the Province, i ' who, otherwise would have imigrated | elsewhere. The long talked of, but much I I needed track, from Lake Wanaka, to the j J Haast River, has not been surveyed, tot- j I withstanding that the gold-workings have ! ex ended South, from llokitika, to Jack- ' son's Bay; then there is the road from Cromwell to the Wakatip, that remains still unfinished, and appears likely so to be till such times, as we possess a more comprehensive system in the management of Public Works, and an improved method of carrying them out. The enormous cost of the necessaries of life, as well as of mining material, can only be attributed to the want of internal communication, prices of goods are doubled, and trebled by transport charges aloce, and industries, that would give employment to double the number of our present population are neglected; because they cannot be entered into from these causes alone. With the re-delegation of the " powers " it is to be hoped that the Provincial Government will make some effort to open up the interior of the Country, or money spent in emigration, may as well be thrown into the sea, for without we can give the new arrival, land to settle upon, and a market for his produce, or find him employ ment in some shape or another, it is infinitely better that he shoti'd remain at home.

In consequence of pressure upon our space, we are compelled to hold over correspondence from Alexandra and Cromwell, The past week has been without a precedent, for rough stormy weather*, The roads are in an impassable condition, Cobb and Co's coaches, although travelling with mails only, have boon delayed a day beyond their usual time. The Mail, which arrived here on Wednesday night, was only brought through from Pigroot by most enormous exertions on the part of Messrs Smiley and NettJefold. Mr Moore, the contractor for the Nevis Mail, made his return journey, on Wedm-sday, under im mensc difficulties, Ins horse, being almost buried in snow a number of times, the least depth on the Carrick Ranges, was four fet.

The adjourned meeting of the Hospital committee, took place at the Council Chambers. The business was unimportant. In the neighbourhood of Punstan Creek the fall of snow has been unusually heavy Mr Jas. Taylor of • t Bathan's, has made a sleigh, which answers admirably for travelling over the snow. The Stock Plant and Claim of the Canada Reef Quartz Mining Company, was sold by Messrs Gillies and Street by auction for the sum of £IIGS ; the future working of the Mine, is to be carried on by a new Company, comprised partly of original, and new shareholders. We are request; d by the Honorary ecretary of the Manuherikia Public Library to acknowledge with thanks, the receipt of £27 13s Gd from the Alexandra Quadrille Assembly, being the proceeds of the late boll, held at the Loyal Mail Hotel Messrs. Campbell and Low, of Galloway tation, Manuherikia, have imported, by the Lady Egidia, thirty ewes and six rams ofßambonilk-t breed. With two exceptiors they have all arrived in excellent condition, o e of the ewes lambed on the passage. The i traduction of this valuable breed of sheep amo g the flocks grazing in this dist ict, must prove of immense advantage, not only to Messrs. Campbell and Low, but to other flockowners, leaving alone the benefit to the country at large. We learn from a Paily Times telegram' that the Duke of Kdinburgh may be expected to arrive in New Zealand about the end of November, or in December next. To avoid jealousy, he will visit the Australian Co'onies in geographical order, commencing with Western Australia. The election of Councillors at Cromwell, resulted in the return of Mr W. Smitham, for Bridge Ward, and Mr It. Edwards, for Kawarau Ward A meeting of the Cromwell Counei' w is held at the School room, on Wednesday, the 31st ult the Mayor, in the Chair. Present, Councillors Whettcr and Marsh. Proposed by Councillor Marsh, —"That the standing ordess be suspended pro tern seconded by Councillor Whettcr. Proposed by Councillor Marrh, —"That Cr Whetter, and the mover preside at the election of Councillors, and the votes to be taken at the Town Clerk's office for Bridge Ward, and the Cromwell Hotel for Kawarau Ware Seconded by Councillor Whettcr, and carried. The usual vote to the Chair, concluded the proceedings, It will be seen by our Alexandra correspondent's letter that a Total Abstainanee ' Soeitty is about to be formed at Lower! Manuherikia, The movement, emanating es it does from the miners, is a step in the i right (lircctiou, and we have no doubt but , that the effort will be successful. The large number of pigs, poultry, goats &c. straying about the different Townships, having become a positive nuisance, we beg to call the attention of the public to Section IT of the Tig and Poultry Oulinance, which says, It shall be lawful for the owner of any fenced land, and under cultivation, either himself, or by any authorised person to destroy any Tigs goats or poultry, found trespassing upon such land. West Coast papers give a deplorable account of the Southern diggings. The Haast is represented as nearly drained of population, not more than forty or fifty diggers being left. In consequence of bad weather, no vessel had called there for some time, and there was an absolute scarcity of the necessaries of life, tobacco was unobtainable, five shillings was ottered for a pipeful of the weed All the Gov ernment officials have left by the Bruce for llokitika; the few diggers that remain are engaged beach working, but are only earning a bare subsistence. The Canter, bury Government have prosecuted vigorously the cutting of tracks, and a large amount of country has, by these means been opened to the miner A party of nine men arc said to be located at Jack, son's Bay, and getting coarse gold. We have been requested to call attention to the s alc by Auction to morrow, at 3 p,m. at the Rooms of Messrs Cope a d Eache, The iron Cottage, late the residence of the master of the Clyde School. It will be seen by our Advertising columns, that Messrs Ziole and Co. will clear off by public Auction, on Saturday, the 17th inst at the Stores of Mr W. J. Barry, C'roni well, the remaining stock of Gro. ceries, Clothing &c. of the late Mr Thomas Shanley. Affairs in New South Wales, appear to be in a sad plight. The Government have stated i i the Assembly, that the interest on the debfs of the Colony amounts to £IOOO daily, and that at the begining of the next year one million will be due. but no funds are available to pay it without fresh taxation.