The Dunstan Times FRIDAY, 23rd August, 1867.

Dunstan Times, Issue 278, 23 August 1867, Page 2

The Dunstan Times

FRIDAY, 23rd August, 1867.

Beneath the rule of men entirely just, the pen is mightier than the sword!”

The throwing out in the General Assmbly, of Mr. Haughton's Bill, for the reduction of the Gold Export Duty, is not looked npon with that amount of favor amongst the parties most interested, or rather by those who have to pay it as our Dnnedin contemporaries Would have the Province believe; whether the duty is a Provincial or 'General 'Government tax, is a matter of small moment to the mining population, it is sufficient for them to know that they have to pay it, and that the benefits derived in return are in their exse •absolutely nil. We will allow that the duty is an important addition to 'the .revenue of the Province in which <it is collected, and were it app'ied wholly, or in a reasonable .proportion to furthering the development of the industry from which it is raised, there would be no great objection to paying it, but such unfortunately is not the case, the miners are made the victims of sr.e-

cial taxation, without receiving any cqfcivalent Un return. "We oftentimes -hoar a great deal about ,tke«fos"terlng care of a paternal ghvernment, and-of large expenses incurredin the management of the gold-fields, but those well acquainted with the subject know it to be all moonshine, and that in point of fact, it. costs far less to preserve law and order among a given number of a mining population, than wottM be tlie case with others following different occupations; and notwithstanding the large increase lately made in departmental expenses, the actual cost of Government on the Goldfields, is proportionately less, than were the population employed ; k» agriculture or manufacturing pursuits. The collection of the gold revenue, doubtless costs an ex tra special outlay, but the same may be said of all taxes, a certain amount is ne cessarily absorbed in the cost of their collection ; we should lite to ask the advocates of the Gold Export Duty, by what right, they make the miners objects of special taxation, and place an impost upon their industry in preference to that of all others. The paternal government un-der-whiclTwe have the happiness, or rath er unhappiness to live, have not so much as carried out the first principles of developing a gold producing country—that of making roads, to assist in the transport of materiel, and in the cheapening of food and o her consumable articles, only the most puny efforts have been made to overcome the natural disadvantages of the country, ami the progress mining pursuits, is solely the result-, of the indomitable courage-and perseverance of the miners themselves. With these facts before us, there can be no hesitation in saying, that it is no more right to impose a special tax upon the industry of the miner, than upon the.plough man or stone mason, each one consumers ■of dutiable articles, aftd by so doing contribute their proportion to the 'general revenue ; the profits of gold mining are not greater, even if they amount to so much as those of other occupations, there is agiven expenditure in labour and mate- | r*al to produce a certain result, and wheth|er the result be an ounce of gold, a s.iek ; of corn, or a yard of brickwork, it is all j the same, the value of the article is for | the most part absorbed in tire cost of its production. Gold mining is comparative'y a new industry, and wou'd doubtless be none the worse for some litt'e fostering care being bestowed upon it, but such has not been done, and to tax it under pretences of doing so, and applying the proceeds to other purposes, is, nothin« short of obtaining money under false pretences. We think however, that the time has come when the miner should no longer be an object for special legislation, but should enjoy his rights in common with other citizens; his occupation is a recognised one, and has been rcducoc to a system, the same as all other employ, ments, and with the exception of elective local boards to manage matters of detail, such as in fact are common to many other communities, we see no reason why he cannot redress his grievances in the Courts of Common Law, after the fashion of other people. It is special legislation which produces all the present confusion, and we are sure that with competent magistrates to uphold the law as denned by the local boards/the miner would be better satisfied than with the system of Wardens, with a discretionary power. The newly instituted Appeal Courts have sufficiently demonstrated, that a competent decision, according to the Law bearing on the case is preferred, on account of its being definite, and therefore satisfactory, and when we see such a stand bein" taken by men once looked upon as objects for especial care, and whom to keep i.i order, require 1 an enormous extra outlay for police and other peace officers, there is 'no 'longer need for special legislative cnactmerts. The miner has proved himself equal in intelloct and order loving to otlier-3 of Her SBajesfcy's liege subjects and Ids industry should be as free and untrammelled as any other, which proj duces wealth from the natural products of the soil.

We are compelled, from want of space to ho'd over the letter of our Dunedih corespondent, as also several other letters of interest. Gh Monday last Mr. H. W. Robinson, R.M, at the Police Court, Alexandra, took further evidence respecting the charge ..preferred ngaiust John Weaver for -maliciously damaging the Overs Water Race The -evidence of four witnesses and the mfeager (who "was re-examined) was to the effect that the accused was seen on the night the damage was committed in the neighborhood of that portion of the race which was damaged, and when interrogated as to what took him there pleaded drunkenness; that, the boots found in the possession of the accused corresponded -exactly with the footprints in the locality of the breach, and that the accused admitted wearing the same boots on the Saturday night the damage was done; also that a pick, the hammer head of which corresponded with the impressions on the wood, was produced, and swora to have been in his possession up to the morning after the injury, when he : lent it to anotber man. The Magistrate, after making a careful and lengthy exposition of the evidence, said he could not give judgment until further consideration, and adjourned the case until 4 o'clock on Tuesday, at "Clyde. On Tuesday, Sir II W. Robinson gave his decision in the case alluded to above, as follows: —That a prima facie case not having been made out by the evidence he felt bound to discharge the prisoner. The following piece of information Was handed to us for publication by Chin Chee the Chinese Interpreter, we publish it verbatim:—"A public meeting of the Chinese population was held at Mr Gibb's Half Way House, between Clyde and Cromwell oa the 20th inst. and it was unanimously agreed that, whenever a theft or fraud be committed by any Chi. naman, every facility sha l ! be afforded to the Police to secure the offender. The meeting agreed to subscribe a reward for the apprehension or conviction of any Chinese offender law-of the British Empire. (Signed) Cms Cuee." On Tuesday afternoon last, a tent belonging to some Chinamen, situate in the neighbourhood of the Half-way House was totally consumed '-by 'fire. Luckily the | money and gold they possessed, was on j their persons, or the effect to them would | have been truly serious, as it is, their loss is considerable, the whole 6'f their clothes and bedding being consumed with the tent 'J he first meeting of the newly elected Town Council of Cromwell, was held on Monday the Wth inst. Present, Council. | lors W better, Smitham, Kidd ad Edj wards. Councillor Kidd occupied the : Chair. The following Committees were ! formed ; Councillors Wbctter, .Smitham, j and Edwards, Finance; W. J. Barry, j Mayor, and Councillors Kidd and Smitham, Public Works , Councillors Whotter Edwards and Smitham, Legislative Com mitteo. Councillor Edwards was appointed to sign cheques in conjunction with the Mayor, on behalf of the Corporation, as laid down in the Otago Municipal Corporation Ordinance, 18G5, Clause 93. The usual vote to the Chair concluded the proceedings. A few days ago at the joint expence of two gentlemen residents of Cromwell, a treat, in the shape of a tea party, was given to the attendants of the Sunday School, at that p'ace, a suitable book was also presented to each of the scholars. After the presentations had been made, and the • good things of this life, of which, an un- , limited supply was prepared, had been dis cussed, the amusement of the eve ing com menced, in which a number of gentlemen kindly gave their aid ; Messrs Whotter and Cooth added considerably to the pleasure, by performing some well selected airs, on the Cornopean a' d Harmonium. The soiree, if we may so call it, was a per feet success, everyone, old and .young in. eluded, appearing by their smiling faces to have enjoyed themselves to the full. •' Reunions of this character tend more ■ than anything else, in forming that bond ; of good feeling, that should exist among ( communities, and Ist us hope, the example set by Messrs Purling and M'Mahon will be followed. The " Wakouati Herald " says: —We regret to learn that on the Coal Creek 1 Station some two thousand sheep have been " snowed up " and with slight prospect of their 'being grit out alive. The fall of snow in the up-country districts, is reported as something enormous, and it is feared that the flock owners in mrthy parts will be heavy sufferers from the seve itv of the weather." The close season having commenced on the Ist inst. we draw the attention of sportsmrn to a clause in the Ordinance whereby any person destroying, or offering for sale any indigenous bird is liable to a heavy penalty.

An old man in the employ of Mr M' Lean, of the Morvan Hills Station, lias been discovered ima deserted hut at tlie Lindis diggings; "bis toes and fingers being badly frost-bitten. From the statement of the poor fellow, it appears that whilst crossing the Grand View Ranges be lost himself and after rambling about for four days without food, he arrived at the deserted hut, in'which he was found; from what we hear no steps ha v e been taken to remove him to the Punstan Hospital, but we believe he is being attended to, as carefully as possible. On Saturday afternoon last, the 17th. test, a large concourse of people assembled between the Clyde Ferry, and the Coal Pit, numbering in all, about 130 persons to witness the launch of the dredge, we have on other occasions spoken of as being built for a local company. Among those present we noticed Mr 11. W. Robinson, J. D. Fefaud, Mayor W. A Low, J P. and several other well known residents of the district. There was also a good sprinkling of the fair sex, who added immeasurably to Ihe gaiety of the scene. About 3o'clock, all being in readiness; the detaining wedges were driven away, and the ves el slid gently down the ways, just before reaching the water, Mrs Feraud Lroke a bottle of champaign over her bows, and appropriately christened her the "Clyde" amidst hearty cheering. After the vessel was successfully moored along side the-beach, 'the good thi gs of this life, that had been unsparingly brovided for the occasion were quickly taken on board, where the company repaired, and in bumpers of sparkling champaign, drank success to the enterprise, also the customary toasts on similar occasions, which were duly responded to. Too great praise cannot be given the spirited owners of the dredge for the successful and liberal manner they conducted the affair throughout, and in wishing them the success their enterprise so richly deserves, we only endorse and reiterate the expressions of one and all who were present. Judging from the satisfactory results obtained by the other dredges, that are working on the Molyneux,'the " Clyde " will doubtless answer all expectations, and we hope will not be the last dredge, we shall have the satisfaction of seeing successfully launched. The Coroners inquest o l the body of Mr J. M'Gill, of Raggedy Ridge, who'-.lied suddenly, was held on Friday last before I H. W. Robinson, Esq. coroner for the ' district. The evidence of Dr. C. Shaw, who made a post mortem examination, j was to the, effect, that deceased died j through congestion of the brain. Verdict ! accordingly. The remains were interred i in the Clyde Cemetery on the next day, a : lart'c number following. The " Buller Express " says,—" A meeting of the friends of the late lamented Mr Josr-ph Yates was held on Wednesday Evening last at the Imperial hotel, and a highly respectable gathering assembled. Amongst those present-all classes of the business men in the town were represented, and amongst them were the representatives of the banks with which Mr Yates was not connected. Mr Smith occupied the chair, and introduced the business of the meeting, which was to collect funds for the purpose of erecting a suitable monumcit over the grave of the deceased gen- • tleman. It was resolved that subscripti- ■ on lists should be prepared and sent to ■ Charleston, Greymouth, Hokitka, the 1 Dunstan, and other places where Mr Y'ates was well known. It was also re--1 solved that al'committee should be formed ■ at Charleston to co-opprato with the Cen 1 tral Committee here and Mr Stebbing, storekeeper, of that place, undertook its 1 formation. Ml' Munsou, of Messrs Mun- ' son and Tyrrell, undertook to do all the - printing in con&cction with the movc--1 meat without charge, and altogether, the • result of the meeting was most satisfactory. Amongst others present, we noticed • several representatives of leading Hokiti--5 ka firms, Mr Comiskey, of Cassius and Co- • mitrke} 7 , for example. Pendi- g Hie clo- ; sing of the subscription lists, the time ' for which was fixed at a month, it was >'j resolved that a fence should be placed - round the grave. We feel sure that a - handsome sum will readily be gathered, for no O'.coa the West Coast, or wherever s he has been stationed, was more generally respected, or is more sincerly lamented i than the late kind hearted Joseph Yates. The Australasian of the 10th inst in it? s mining news, says:—"The "Band of Hope s Mining Company," Ballarat, had a mag- ; nificent washing on Thursday, havb g ob- ; tained no less than 1G37 ounces of gold, for the days work, and 3736 ounces for 'the week. Their highest yield for a day previously, was 1050 ounces, but it has ' been entirely put in the shade. No suck yield as this, was ever reported before, from any mine, in any part of the world, in modem times at least. The shareholders arc lucky.

In the Resident -Magistrate's Court Cromwell, on Wednesday, before llv W\ Robinson R.M. A Cameron, J. Hal lam, A. Burnett, and P. Meagher were 'charged by A Box, Hotel Keeper of Kawarau Gorge, with malicious injury to his licensed house ; the two first named, were fined forty shillings and costs, and the latter'two discharged. The question having been asked us " whether tire presiding Officer at an Election of Councillors has the power to vote 1 ? we give in extenso the reply of-Mr J. Smith, Barrister, Dunedin, who wa3 asked a similar question. The reason for the question in both instances was simi lav, and arose from there being a tie, and the presiding Officer giving his casting vote.—" In my opinion the election is not valid. Tlie'Councillor (or other person properly appointed) presiding has no vote whatever. His duties as presiding officer, as laid down by the Otago Municipal Corporations' Act are, in 'my opinion, quite inconsistent with the exercise on such an occasion of his general right of voting. Ai tl as to a easting vote nothing is said about it in the Act, and therefore he has co right to it.— (~igned) James Smith August 7th, 1867." A Waiigamii paper says : —" We have it upon authority that a new Governor will shortly assume the reigns of power iii New Zealand. That fact is no secret to f'ir George Grey and his ' responsible advisers,' nor do we sre why they should keep so important a matter a secret fidm the colonists." Messrs Cope and Fache, Auctioneers, request us to caU attention to the sale of the Union Hotel, at their Sale Rooms, Sunderland Street, Clyde to morrow.