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Dunstan Times, Issue 353, 29 January 1869, Page 2

We repeatedly Lear complaints from the outlying distiicts, about the nondelivery of ibis paper. As wo know that the whole of the papers are regularly sent from the Post Office, Clyde, we inform subscribers that wo intend to make inquiry into the matter, and trust for the future that all papers will reach their destination. We have much pleasure to state, that, during the absence of the Her. Mr. iloss, the Llcv. Mr. Morrison will officiate both at Clyde and Alexandra. On Sunday next at Alexandra, at 11 a.m , and Clyde, 7 p.m. We are requested to state that Mr. George Faehe will sell on Thursday, Hie 4th February next, a lot of first class Hacks, also on the same dry,' the building known as the Highland Home Hotel, and on the following ; j day at his rooms, Sunderlaud-street, Clyde, at '0 o’clock, sharp, a well selected stock of Books, just arrived by the ship City of Dunedin, from London. \See advertisement). It will be seen on reference to our advertising columns that a bull, in aid of the funds of the Duustau District Hospital, will take place at the School house, Clyde, on Friday evening next. On Monday last an accident happened to the Queenstown coach, a few miles from Arrowtown, The driver and passenger were both thrown out, but fortunately escaped any serious injury. We are happy to notice a great improvement in the grand stand this year. The old building has been thoroughly repaired in a most substantial manner, and newly painted, ■while the lower department has been judic ously fitted up for the convenience of visitors by Messrs Johnson and Patterson. Freemasons of the Scottish Constitution will be interested in the following paragraph from an English paper. A movement is on foot, in consequence of dissatisfaction with a recent decision by the Grand Lodge of Scotland in regard to a case recently before them, to institute a new Grand Lodge, founded on the ancient laws and constitutions, which it is alleged have been broken by the present order. Already it is believed that a sum of nearly 10 Oi has been subscribed by the promoters. A distinguished cotclunan has consented to be be nominated for the office of Grand Master. Wo earnestly impress upon all persons not on the Electoral Roll that the time has again arrived to put in their claims A general election will soon take place, and it should be the object of every man to secure the right to make his opinion felt. -•-Wakiftiv Mail.

The attention of visitors to the races, and owners of horses is called to Advertisement in another column, announcing that it is determined by the Committee to start the first race at one o’clock precisely each day. A largo meeting of the Thames minors has unanimously voted that it has no confidence in the promoters of the petition asking for the recall of the powers delegated to the Superintendent. Mr. Grove suggested the getting up of a petition asking the appointment of Mr. Vincent Pyke and Mr. Wilson Gray, of Otago, to inquire into the grievances of the miners and frame suitable byelaws.— Daily Times.

On the 20th inst., Messrs. Horace Bastings, J. C. Brown, and Cormaek. as a deputation from the Tuapeka Land League, waited on his Honor the Superintendent, and presented a memorial, asking that, three runs in the district should be thrown open. Mr. Bastings and Mr. Brown spoke at considerable length. His Honor in reply, said that he was as anxions, and so was the Government, to see the country settled, as ever the League could be. But when the League asked that GO.OOO acres »f country should be thrown open, at a cost of probably £20,000, the Government, were bound to remember Mount Ida, Alexandra, Cromwell, the Teviot, and Hyde districts were without an acre of commonage, while the Tuapeka district had now 83,000 acres of unsold land as commonage. To give half that area to each of the districts mentioned, would cost, probably £50,000 in addition to tho £2OOOO iuvo ved in what was now asked for. The question was one of money wholly; and neither he nor the Government could give to tho deputatioa any other answer than this. The matter must be dealt with by tlie Provincial Council He desired to say two things to Iho deputa tion however. He was often blamed as connected with the leases for runs, a question which was wholly settled before ho took office, and tho country beginning to reap the fruits of the Land Act—a measure which ho and others did their utmost to oppose, bc- \ cause they foresaw that from its operaI tion woul I arise the difficulty and ■ dissatisfaction which had now arisen, i —Evening Star.

The following report, for the information of our readers, we extract from tlxe New Zealand Sun. We give it in extanso,. as it contains much valuable useful information respecting the amount of gold obtained and the population. Also as we perfectly coincide with the conclusion arrived at by Mr. Warden Tyke, that the average earnings of the miners in the Dun -tan district have raivly been equal ed, if ever surpassed on any Goldfield during the same period:—“ Mr. Warden Pyke (Dunstan district), writing under date the 12th inst., reports as follows: During the month of December, the recurrence of the Christmas holidays has prevented any great amount of work having been executed. After washing up, most of the miners hat e energetically devoted themselves to the festivities of the season, so that smaller escorts may for a time be anticipated. The river has attained an unusually high altitude throughout the month, but the snow is now off the mountains, and the waters are rececding rapidly. The miners arc vigorously prosecuting preparatory works for the coming winter, by stripping bank clams and building dredges, and I entertain a very satisfactory conviction that the yield of my district will he largely increased. The great cry is still for more water. There is an immense extent of country known to be highly auriferous on the fl inks of the Knobby’s, the Raggedy Ranges, the Dunstan and Pisa mountains, but which is of necessity now looked up for want of an adequate water supply. It is only by the construction of reservoirs in the gorges that the present watersupply can be enlarged. Were this done, the resources of the district could and would he indefinitely extended. I am very pleased to report that not a single instance of disorderly conduct lias occurred during the holiday season in any division of this extensive district. The escorts in December took down gold from the Dunstan as follows; Clyde dl vision, I,l7oounces; Cromwell, 2,1680z5.; Alexandra; 4570z5. ISdwtsg Black’s, 1,5620z5.;t0ta1,5,3G40z5. Idwt. The mode in which the escort ro : turns of this district aro published • is incorrect, and also somewhat in j jurions, the Clyde escort being always srt down'rtf, the 1 hmstan tseerrt,

whereas Clyde is only a division of the Dunstan district, in the same way as Lawrenceisadi'ision of theTuapeka district. Dining the year ending 3< st December, 18G8, the totals of gold forwarded (per escort) from the several divisons of the Dunstan district have been as follows:-Clyde, 17,9200z. 17dwt j Cromwell, 14,799 ozs.; Alexandra, 12,9390z5,; Black's 9,8750z5. 19dwts.; total, 65,5330z5. 19dwts. The above shows that the Dunstan contributes more than one - third of all the gold produced in Otago ; and it is certain that, with trifling exceptions, the whole quantity as obtained within the four corners of the district. The population remains steady at my former estinate, viz : Miners, European, 1,000; Chinese, 300; business people and others, 900; total, 2,200. The average number of persons engaged in mining pursuits during the year 18G8 may be estimated at about 1,200 It will be seen that after making ample allowance for the introduction of gold from any other district, the average earnings of the miners of the Dunstan for the year have been an excess of 414 ounces of the value (calculated at 3/. 15s. per ounce) of 15G/. per man, per annum— An average not surpassed, and rarely equalled on any other goldfield in the world during the some period. The promised entertainment of the Cf. and F. C. Club came off on Friday evening last, •at the Clyde Schoolhouse, and, as we had fully anticipated, its success throughout was undeniable. The Molyncux Minstrels appearing like their brethren, the famous Christie Minstrels, exer cd themselves unsparingly, and exhibited great taste in the selection of songs, which were fairly rendered considering the very short time they were enabled to practice. Their conundrums, which for the most part worn localisms, caused considerable merriment, and the broader the joke and the harder the hit the better appreciated. Artemus Ward well sustained his reputation for originality and wit, but it was reserved for Mis. Brown to carry the house by storm. That dear old soul, standing before the audience in propria persona, was greeted with marked enthusiasm, and during the period of her visit failed not to elicit continued laughter, so much so that some of her remarks upon the British Army wore lost altogether, while her mild deprecations only rendered matters worse, as every movement in her attitude provoked fresh peals of merriment. It must ho conceded to Messrs. Campbell and M‘Donald that their excellent playing, the one on the violin and the other on the pianoforte, contributed

ill no little degree to the enjoyment I of the evening. “ Auld Robin Grey” and “ The Flowers of the Forest” were perfoimed by those gentlemen in a manner highly creditable to them. The former air especially was handled by Mr. Campbell on the violin in such spirit as to evince that it was no mere matter of execution with him, but that his feelings were aroused to a warmth which genius alone can inspire. As the limited space necessitated refusal of admission to a greatnumber of persons, it is to bo hoped that in a short time those who were thus unavoidably disappointed will have an opportunity of experiencing a similar night’s pleasure, for it is one, it may safely be said, which fully carries out the object of the Club,formed, according to the address delivered by Mr. A. D. Harvey—a copy of which wo are compelled to omit for want of space—to provide an antidote against ennui, and to agreeably interrupt that monotony of existence which is invariably forced upon all residents on a goldfield. We have to acknowledge receipt of correspondence from Cromwell, likewise a letter from the Teviot, but from a want of space, but from a want of space, we are bound to let stand overdntil our next issue. The New Zealand Gazelle notifies that Cardrona and Mace Town have been appointed Polling places for the election of Superintendent and the members of the Provincial Council. Also that sections G, 37, and 38, Block 3, Township of Cromwell, has been set aside as a reserve for public buildings or other purposes of tee General Government.