The Dunstan Times FRIDAY, JUNE 26, 1868.

Dunstan Times, Issue 322, 26 June 1868, Page 2

The Dunstan Times

FRIDAY, JUNE 26, 1868.

Beneath the Rule of MenEJfTIBELY just the pen is MiGHTiEE than the sword.

Now that the time is fast approaching when we shall have again to record our votes in favor of aspirants for civic honors, it behoves the citizens of Clyde to exercise a wise discretion, and not vote for any man incapable or unwilling to push forward the interests of the district ; but let them place into the Council men possessing some ideas of advancement and above petty jealousies and stupid party strife. It must be fully tome in mind that we are living in a new country, the capabilities of which only require development, and all that ii necessary to in crease the population and wealth of this district is that each individual should lend his aid and his energies to promote the public weal. United action will accomplish anything; all that is wanting is the will to perform,

A Town Council composed of men of progressive ideas could accomplish many useful and important measures; not that they in themselves, or from their own private resources, could be expected to do more tlian other citizens,hut their example would be followed and they would be supported in any movement undertaken for the grod of the community at) large. Pt cause Clyde is c!uU at j-rc

sent, that is no reason that it should

always remain so. Its central position, and the fact of its being on the main line of road through the gold-pro-ducing districts of the province, gives it many advantages as a business centre, and all that is required is enterprise to make it such. A short time ago we chronicled the arrival of flour from the Wakatip and splendid bread it made We have the authority of those skilled in breadmaking tint it was almost equal to Adelaide, and could they but ensure a supply there would be no more flour brought np from Dunedin. Until recently there were but few persons cultivating the soil in this district, owing to difficulties with the pastoral tenants of the Crown ; but those difficulties have in a great measure been removed by the squatters giving permission to jiarties to cultivate. The Government now step in and promise to throw open fifteen thousand acres for occupation, and which we believe will shortly be done. Now to induce people to take up and cultivate this land, it is necessary that there should be a market for their produce, it is of no use them continuing in the old system of growing hay, oats and potatoes those articles are almost a drug in the market now, and what would be the case, were the number of persons cultivating the soil increased. The remedy is in our own hands, and we have only to avail ourselves of it by the erection of a " flour mill/ This would very sensibly increase the population, by affording large additional employment, let alone the advantages to be derived by retaining the money in the District which now goes away for the purchase of bread stuffs We have seen samples of wheat grown by the settlers in the Wia Keri Keri Valley, and between that and Black's and we have no hesitation in saying that the land here will produce wheat equally as well as the Wakatip. The erection of the flour mill there, has given employment to hundreds, and has been the making of that District, and precisely a similar course is open to this, and where we have a considerably better market. If private enterprise cannot accomplish the erection of a flour mill, let there be a Joint Stock Company formed, and we are sure that the necessary capital will be speedily subscribed.. We have a splendid motive power at our disposal ; the Town is entitled to two heads of water, which at the elevation it could be brought in at, together with the additional supply that might be obtained, there would be ample power for the working of machinery. Let an effort therefore be made, and that which is now running to waste be turned into a stream of wealth.

We have been given to understand that the members of the Clyde Sing, ing Class purpose giving a concert in aid of the funds of the Dunstan District Hospital. The class will be glad of the services of non-members, and shou'd any such be willing to render their aid, they are requested to forward their names to Mr. James Spensly, the conductor.

A meeting of the Church of England Committee was held on Tuesday evening last, the 23rd inst. Present: Mr. H. W. Robinson (President), and Messrs Spensley, Hazlett, Cambridge, Grindley, A Christophers (Honorary Treasurer), and C. Fache (Honorary Secretary). The minutes of the last meeting were read and confirmed. Correspondence was read and approved. The sub-committee appointed to fence and rail the Church reserve reported they had drawn up specifications and plan for fencing, also they had agreed with Mr. Williams to plough and level the ground. A tender from Mr. Atkins for fencing was opened, andiead, price £sl. There being but one tender, and the price named being greatly in excess of the anticipated cost, it was after considerable discussion agreed that the Tender be not accepted, and that the sub-committee draw up fresh plans and lay the same before a full committee, prior to submitting them to competition. The President and Secretary were appointed a committee to negotiate with the \Va.-te Lands Board respecting the purchase of the Church of England reserve. A vote I to the Chair concluded the mwting. j

We were favored with the sight of telegram, dated Dunedin, 40 minutes past 11 a.m., Thursday, which stated " the down mail had not yet arrived " Such being the case we must cease to wonder at the delay of the up mail, which only arrived last evening. We learn that some very good paying ground has been lately struck under the Dunstan Ranges, near the head of the Wai Keri Keri Valley, near Kenny's farm. Some men have lately been earning ,'from 20s. to 255. per day, working with a cradle only. During the last week a number of men have gone out in this direction, and they report very favorably of the prospect obtained. On Monday evening last a meeting of Rate-payers the proceedings of which were of a very desultory character, was held at the Town Hall, Clyde, to consider the deficiency by the late Town Clerk. Mr. W. L. Bailey was voted to the chair. The rate-payers seemed very indignant at the manner in which the business of the Munici pality had been carried on by the Council, and expressed an opinion, pretty strongly, that they should make good the deficiencies, and a vote was unanimously carried that those who refused to contribute their part should resign office at once. Scab has broken out in the Lakes district. The Wahatip Mail says : "We regret to learn that scab has broken out on Messrs. White, Brothers', run, and that eleven thousand sheep will have to be dipped. It, however, does not exist in an agravated form, nor extensively, through having been discovered early." A correspondent of the Wahatip Mail writing from Switzer'son the 9th inst, says : —" I will not commence my letter by croaking, but I must be honest, and in plain words confess that during the last two months there has been an exodus of two hundred of our population, and I see no prospect of their return ; in fact, too much hasbeen made of this place, and we are now only suffering a recovery. There are about live hundred people (exclusive of Chinese, who muster one hundred) sett ed down, and that is the greatest number we can possibly expect with the present supply of water. A new race lias been commenced, to carry twelve heads, which, when will command more than a mile of good sluicing ground, and materially assist to support our present township. Some of the richest claims are yielding ; s much as twelve ounces a week to . acb shareholder, but these are only few and far b■tween. The average returns arc under one ounce a week per man, which is little enough for men who have to pay M. a week for a sluice-head of water, and then only receive it eight hours each day."