The Dunstan Times. FRIDAY, JANUARY 3rd, 1868.

Dunstan Times, Issue 297, 3 January 1868, Page 2

The Dunstan Times.

FRIDAY, JANUARY 3rd, 1868.

Beneath the Rule of Men ENTIRELY jcst, the pen is mightier than the sword.

It appears to have become an established custom, that the journalist should address his readers once during the twelvemonths, and there is no better opportunity for doing so, than at the commencement of the new year. It is now six years since the Dunstan District boasted a newspaper and from that time to the present, we natter ourselves, that we have not failed in our mission, as a free and impartial exponent of public opinion likewise as a watchful guardian over the interests of the people. A newspaper properly conducted, exercises a wide and beneficent influence over the dis" trict in which it is published, its uses may, in some cases be ignored by the ignorant and benighted few, and we really do feel, that we are not wrong in saying that, people are only studying their own interests by supporting a Public Journal. Purely as a tradesman, the printer, sets a worthy example in the matter of enterprise. In little and remote communities with a bare prospect of support, we see the disciple of axton establishing himself even before the majority-' of other people knov scarcely where I, Vcgin ; but

grasses also, and the services of the printer become appreciated, and he gradually takes a prominent part in moulding the character of the people, among whom he has settled. The "Dunstan District" since we first appeared upon the scene has undergone many and various changes, and, although trade may not now be so brisk, nor population as large, things are decidedly more legitimate, and inthe social scale Ave have made considerable advancement. Commercially speaking, business has partaken of a settled character, and properties have improved in value, while we possess respectable looking Townships, with well formed streets, that would not disgrace many of the older Victorian Goldfields. In the District, there are three Municipalities, each of which has been of considerable benefit to the places where they have been established, and we hope that the time will come, when we shall see the system of local self government widely extended it being the only true system of government. Events have proved that we are an order-loving people, and that the management of our own affairs can safely be placed in our own keeping, and with decided benefit to the tate likewise. Each of the three Townships possess their Schools and places of public worship, presided over by duly qualified teach) s, ai.d in no case do we find them lacking the necessary pecuniary support, The Friendly Societies, in the shape of the ,\ ncient Order of Foresters have established a footing at Cromwelland Clyde, and that Order, like in Victoria, promises to acquire many adherents from among the mining community. At Alexandra the miners have set a most worthy example in the matter of a Temperance movement, and, through the efforts of a few earnest, and sel* denying men, who, relying on the old adage, that "Example is better than precept" have succeeded in establishing a flourishing Society, now numbering some seventy members, several of whom, have personally informed us that, since joining, they now live in comfortable homes, wear better clothes are happy in the bosom of their fami. lies, attend Public Worship, and are able to send their children to school, and subscribe to a library and a newspaper. In miniug operations there have been great improvements made, the appliances in use, have reached to such a state of perfection, that the business of extracting gold from the soil, has been reduced to such a defined system that operations can now be carried on with as certain a result, as is attainable in most ordinary trades and pro. fessions. However, further improvements, in the modus operandi will yet be made, and year by year, it will be found, that population will be steadily on the increase, and the general pros, perity likewise in proportion, lo the industrious and enterprising, theDunstan istrict presents many advantages and, although for want of sufficient perseverance there may have been failures, yet, where there has been continuous application, success has invariably followed. We now wish our readers a happy New Year, and hope to find, when we next address them on a similar occasion, that, we have not labored in vain,nor have our predictions been otherwise than verified

The Escort on Monday last took down the following quantities of gold : Dunstan ... 7840z. 9dwt. Cromwell ... 1510oz. Odwt Alexandra ... 7480z. Odwt. Blacks ... lGl2oz. Odwt. Dunstan Ck.... 18590z. Odwt. Mount Ida ... 16420z. Odwt. Hamilton ... 4360z. Odwt. Total 8,5910z. 9dwt, We have been requested to call attention to the advertisement in another column, notifying an adjournment of the meeting of the Shareholders of the Dunstan Masonic Hall Coy. to Wednesday, the Bth hut., at which meeting the proposal to extend the

We are requested by the Treasurer of the Dunstan District Hospital to acknowledge the receipt off2G 13s Od being the amount contributed on ■ the Dunstan Race Course on the third day, and successfully contested for by Dr. >haw's Idle Boy, five other horses starting. '1 he installation of Dr, Douglass as W.M. in Lake Lodge of Ophir for the ensuing Twelvemonth took place on H. John's day. The ceremony was ably conducted by the Retiring Mas-. ter, Brother D. Weaver assisted by P. M's Broad and Cronquist; after the installation, the Brethren assembled and congratulated Dr. Douglass on his elevation to the honorable post of W. M. A very handsome present was made to Brother D. Weaver for his services during the time he had acted as Master, it consisted of a Past Mas* ters Jewel. The following Brethren were then invested in their various offices by the W.M. :—R. Millet, S.W. C. Lorimer, J.W. ; M, Fraer, S.D.; G. Atkins, J.D.; B. Hallenstein, J.G. W. Donne, T.; J. W. Robertson, Treasurer. C. ? aden, Secretary. The right of occupation of the grand Stand, and to erect one booth at the Queeenstown Races, was sold l>y Pubic Auction on Monday last for the sum of Forty one pounds. The purchaser, was Mr. Albert btehardt, of the Queen's Arms Hotel, Queenstown. The first soiree in connection with the .M-anuherikia Total Abstinence Society was held in the School Room lex'uidra on the evening of the 28th December, more than one hundred assembled to regale themselves with the good things provided by Mr. Beattie of which, there was an abundance. After the tables were cleared away, the President gave a brief statement of the Societys position, and which now num bers about seventy members and is steadily on the increase. During the evening, a number of ladies and gentlemen entertained th e audience with vocal and instrumental music to the delight of all. Mrs Murphy sung the Tempest of the Heart with great taste I and feeling. Mesdames Watson and ! Daws also sung. Messrs Bennett, Webb, Beaton, Beattie, Jackson, and Robertson lent valuable assistance in amusing the Company. The meeting was an entire success, notwithstanding the absence of a few persons who [ were expected to take a part in the 1 proceedings. After a vote of thanks being accorded to the Ladies, Mr. Beattie, and Chairman, the proceedings wound up by the singing of the National ntlvem. We are requested to remind the Brethern of Court Star of the Dunstan Ancient Order of Foresters, —"That the Half yearly summoned Meeting for the election of officers and other important business takes place at 8 p.m. this evening.'' We perceive by the General Government Gazette that Messrs R. F. Field of Alexandra, and A 1 D. Harvey of Clyde, have been appointed Paymasters under the 35 th section of the Public Revenue Act. It will be seen by our advertising column that the Rev. Dr.C'opeland Presbyterian Minister of Tuapeka' will preach ( D. V. ) at Alexandra on the Bth inst. and at Clyde on the foltowing day The invitation to join in the Pic nic given by the members of the Clyde Singing Class, on New Years Day, was very generally responded to, the attendance comprising the majority of the inhabitants of Clyde. The children attending both the Day and Sunday School were assembled on the ground, and prizes wore distributed amongst the little ones for excellence in sundry juvenile games. ! he Committee had provided a shelter from the burning rays of the sun by the erection of a large marquee. The ladies were plentifully supplied with boiling water for tea, and it was really a pleasure to see so many people enjoying themselves, assembled as they were in little knots under the shade of the rocks, cosily partaking of the cup that cheers but does not inebriate." During the interval, between luncheon and teatime, there was some very good solos, and part singing by members of the singing class, accompanied on the violin by Messrs Spenseley and Campbell. After tea there was racing and jump, ing in sacks, Sir Roger de Coverlcv winding up the amust ments of the day. All present seemed thoroughly to enjoy themselves, and it is to bo desired that a New Year's Pic Nic will bo one nro<v'f '■}-■■ ■ • -vr-.'! '•■■• i-iv-r *■ ! ' - f.i

On Tuesday night last, at Cromwell MrW. Grumitt late Agent for the ank of New South Wales, was presen. ted by his friends and admirers with a gold watch, Mr Grumitt being about to leave the district The much talked of Goldfield at the Thames, appears to be by no means in a prosperous condition, nor does it promise anything for the future. We extract the following from the " Wakatip Mail'" being from a letter received by Mft R, D. Owens, of the Morven Ferry, from Mr. W. Thomas, late manager of the Criterion Quartz claim Arrow, and well known as an experienced quartz reefer :—Shortland Town ship, Thames Diggings, Nov. 25th 1567. Dear Friend,—l have left the West Coast. That part of New Zealand is too wet for me—nothing but rain clay and night. There are seven thousand men here. What we are going to do here I don't know. 'I here are a good many claims working, but they are all only leaders running from east to west—no main reef found yet; some of the leaders are turning out from twenty to forty ounces to the ton, but I think that they will soon run out. There is no inducement for anybody to come over here at present, and if anything good should open up I shall let you know ; if not, 1 shall start again, but I don't know where to go. Do you think that I could get anything to do about your part 1 Please to let me know as soon as you can. I should like to come back among old friends once more. Remember me to al! friends, and accept the same yourself from your old friend. Messrs. Iverson and party, of Con. roy's Gulley, have we understand been granted a special claim of considerable size, which they propose to work by a tail rece to be constructed through rock. he work of construction will be very heavy, and many «eeks must elapse before the claim can be brought into working order These are the sort of enterprises which give perma. nence to a district, and which are everywhere decidedly on the increase, We understand that a considerable number of applications have been made for water rights in the Upper Clutha district, and creeks as far up as Mount Grandview have been applied for. Sluicing operations art? everywhere extending over the Dunstan district; this peculiar system of mining has { : now reached to such a state of perfecI tion, that ground oontaining gold in almost infinitesimal quantities can be | made remunerative.