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Dunstan Times, Issue 301, 31 January 1868, Page 2

The Escort on Monday last took clown the following quantities of gold:— Dunstan ... 4630z. Odwt. Cromwell ... 45-loz. Odwt. Alexandra ... 30ooz. 13dwt. Black’s ... 3020z. Odwt. Mount del a ... 6990z. Odwt. Hamilton ... SSOcz. Odwt. Total 2,5030z. 13dwt We are requested by Messrs Cope and Fache, Auctioneers, to draw atten tion to the sale of useful Horses ex Omeo, this day at the Commercial Sale Yards, Clyde, also to the sale at Alexandra to morrow (Saturday) of the Commercial Hotel, together with the Household furniture, light draught and saddle horses, spring cart &c. In consequence of a pressure of matter, wc are compelled to hold over till our next issue, our Cromwell correspondent’s letter, also letters from “ Coionist” and “ Frank.” An accident occurredt on Wednesday morning last in the Cromwell district. From the report of the Sergeant of Police, it appears that a dray, may named Perry, with another man left Perriam’s Hotel, on the Louburn, with a horse and dray, both being the woase for drink. A short time afterwards, about three hundred yauls from the hotel, the two men were found on the road, lying between the wheels of the dray, Perry with his skull fractured, the other man insensible. It is surmised that must have fallen from the dray, and received their injuries from the horse’s feet. We have received the first number of “ Punch,” a new monthly periodical published in Dunedin. The want of such a journal has been long felt in the Province, and wo wish our satirical friend every success. Another proof, if it were, needed, of of the necessity of a bridge over the Shotovcr river was given yesterday. When Cobb and Go’s coach arrived with the down mail the river appeared quite low, but the current being very strong a largo hollow had been mfUle near the only fordable crossing, and the horses became suddenly submerged. The coach was tilled with water, and it was by the merest chance that the bank was reached. The horses were nearly swimming, the water running ae high as the driver’s scat. In the Southland Provincial Conn oil on the subject of change of form of Government, Mr. Pearson brought forward tire following motion.—“ That the. form of government at present existing in Mew Zealand, viz, by Pro vincial Governments controlled by a General Government is no longer suited to the circumstances and requirements of the colony, and demands immediate modification. That a central Government and Legislature for the

two Islands would greatly conduce to the efficient performance of the functions government, the financial credit of the colony, and -the general good of the -'community. That to effect such a change, the colony should be divided'into counties, and subdivided into road districts. That the pure ly municipal administration of affairs in caclrcounty should be vested ‘in a Board,* the members of which should be elected in a manner similar to that prescribed for the election of Superintendents under Clause 4 'of the Con' -stitution Act. That the police, gaol, harbor, land and survey departme ts should be under the entire control of the General Government. 'I hat our representatives in the General Assembly be requested to use their utmost influence for the attainment of such a change in the present form of govern nient. That a copy of the foregoing resolution be sent to the honorable the Colonial Secretary.” The principal speakers on either side were, Mr Pearson in support of the motion, and Dr. Hodgkinson in opposition. The debate was twice adjourned, and occupied the greater portion of three sittings. A distinct shock of an earthquake was felt on Friday evening last the 24th inst. at about half past G o’clock Clyde has on several previous occasions experienced similar shocks, but none of such force as was the last. ; it was generally felt throughout the district ; some miners residing fourteen miles distant, under the Old Man Range distinctly felt the vibration of the earth. Ly the Dunedin and other papers, we learn that about the same time a similar shock was felt nearly all over the Province. The “Oamaru Times 11 , says;— That on Tuesday, the 24th ult, the now self acting punt at the Upper AVaitaki Ferry was opened for traffic by its enterprising owner, Mr Christian ITille, in the presence of a few of the squat tors of the district, and others assembled on the occasion. Mr. Edwards,of the Xcvis Ferry, Kawarau River, the | contractor, took the helm, music and \ dancing being kept up on the deck of ! the punt while it crossed and re-crossed the river several times, the smooth working of the gear, etc., giving gone- 1 ra-1 satisfaction. Great praise is due to Mr. C. ITille for the enterprise and energy he has displayed from the first in undertaking a work so beneficial to the district, notwithstanding the serious loss he sustained in total dc- 1 struction ol the former punt erected by him, the result of heavy floods, a circumstance in itself suiiiciontly dis- 1 heartening to have deterred most men I from again attempting so costly an undertaking. The efficient manner in which Mr. Edwards, who has had long j experience in punt-building, has completed the work, gives general satisfaction to all those interested in the undertaking.