The Dunstan Times. FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 12, 1869.

Dunstan Times, Issue 355, 12 February 1869, Page 2

The Dunstan Times.

FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 12, 1869.

Beneath the Rule of Men entirely j cst the pen is mightier than theswoßD.

Tub Dunstan Jockey Club annual races, an account of the events of the last two days of which we give in another portion of our columns, concludes, we have every reason io believe, and without boasting, one of the most successful race meetings ever held in the Province of Otago, and we feel assured that those geitlemen who have takeu so much trouble to bring about this satisfactory result,

cannot look upon their achievements with other, than feelings of unmingled satisfaction. The meeting held by the Stewards on Friday evening last showed that not only were the workings of the Club thoroughly satisfactory, but that financially it was a success also. Considering that after discharging all outgoings, there is left the handsome sum of two hundred pounds exclusive of subscriptions to come in, there remains no doubt but, with the same admirable management that has characterised this season’ s races, those of next will be still more successful; and we see no reason why the prophecy made by a sanguine Steward, that one thousand pounds will be available as prizes for next year’s meeting will be other than realised. Row, with the exception of Mount Ida, all the Northern Goldfields meetings have been concluded, it is not out of place to review the passed, and we may ask ourselves, although we have done so well, whether we might not have done better 1 answer replies in the affirmative, and looking at the matter in a broad light, the only conclusion to be drawn is that, one good District Race Meeting would be far better than so many small ones. We have no wish to disparage our neighbours, because we believe that each possess an undoubted right to do as he pleases with his own, let “ every tub stand upon its own bottom ”is doubtless a wise maxim but, there are exceptions to every rule, and all lovers of our noblest of English sports must agree that, with respect to horse racing this trite old saying is wrong. It must be bourne in mind that, the population is an extremely scattered one, while numerically small at the same time, and that it was only through the most strenuous and well directed exertions, •coupled with the central position of the Dunstan, that the Jockey Club were enabled to provide so bountiful an entertainment, the only thing that in any way tended to mar their success was, the number of small race meetings held since Christmas in the ■outlying Districts. This rivalry has certainly been commendable, but unfortunately there is not sufficient room for it; none of these minor races have given the slightest satisfaction to sporting men or to the owners of horses either, while with that portion of the public denominated as spectators, they have been a positive waste of time. There should be no such thing as local jealousy when we engage in a national pastime, if any rivalry exists, it should be to emulate each other in providing for one grand event, where all might meet and enjoy themselves, and where the prizes to be contended for, should make it worth the while of owners of good stock to enter the lists and compete for victory. It must be distinctly bourne in mind that horse racing, besides providing us with enjoyment is, also the means of improving the breed of the most useful of animals that man possesses, and that unless well bred horses can bebrought together to compete in the race, there is very little reason to doubt but that the breed will be allowed to deteriorate, and we all well know the value of a good horse in a country like Otago. The position of the Dunstan, considering that it is the centre of a large squatting and mining District, and we may go even further and without egotism add, the very heart of the northern half of the Province, no position can therefore be more favorable for the bolding of an annual Race Meeting which should be proportionably as attractive to us, as are the Epsom, Ascot or Doncaster meetings to the people of England.

We feel asured that such can be achieved, if the sporting men of the Dunstan and its surroundings only will it, and how that the necessity has made itself painfully apparent, henceforth let us act only for the common good and discourage all future attempts at getting up puuy races; let there be one meeting worth patronising, and which shall not only afford pleasure to ourselves, but be a credit to us at the same time. One thing done well, is better than a number of things badly.

The Escort on Monday last took down the following quantities of gold

Hie New Zealand Gazette of the 29th ult. intimates that the following additional rule to the Gold Fields rules and regulations, 1868 has been sanctioned by his Excellency the Governor, and that it is to be taken and read as a proviso to the ninth of the said rules. “ Provided that the Warden of any Warden's Court may, on being satisfied that any person is a fit and proper person to be registered as an Agent to act in such Court on behalf of parties in any such com plaint, action, or proceeding, register such person as an Agent to appearand act at that Court for any such parties, and any person so registered may, so long as his name shall be on the Register kept at such Court, have the right, in the absence of a barrister or solipitor, to appear and act for any party without express or further permission from the Warden of the Court; but such registration may be cancelled at any time by the Warden acting at such Court on it being made to appear to him that such person has been guilty of misconduct, or is otherwise unfit to act for parties in such Court,”

The same Gazette also notifies that Clyde has been appointed chief polling place in lieu of Naseby for the District of Gold Fields for the Election of Superintendent and Members of Provincial Council.

We hear that a block of land of about two thousand five hundred acres will shortly be thrown open for selection in Agricultural Lease Areas; the land is situated on the run of Messrs Glassford, about fifteen miles distant from Clyde, and three from Black’s on the main north road. As this land is the very best piece in the whole District, being excellently watered and composed principally of red loamy soil, we wou'd advise would be selectors to be on the alert, as doubtless it will not remain very long unapplied for. The sum of £5 each has been awarded to Sergeant John Cassels (No 311) and the Chinese Interpreter, John Ah Loo by the local banks interested, for zeal and attention display.-d in the successful prosecution of four Chinamen, lately arrestedat Cromwell for manufacturing and disposing of spurious gold.— Sun.

In another column of this journal appears anadvertismeutforthe sale of Jewellery, &c., &c., at Mr Goodwin’s estblishment; Clyde. We would wish to draw our readers’ particular attention, as this is a genuine sale, on account of theownerleavingthedistrict. A meeting of the Committee of the Dunstan Jockey Club was held at George’s Dunstan Hotel, on Saturday evening last, to settle tip for the races and other business. W. Fraser, Esq., President, J. Hazlett, Esq., and eight other members of the committee were present. The minutes of the last meeting having been read and confirmed, accounts amounting to 62/. ss. 2d. were passed for payment. The sum of 20/. was paid to Mr. Logie, to defray expenses incurred by him as handicapper, and, on the motion of Mr' Hazlett, it was resolved to present a sum of five guineas to the Secretaiy, making in all a salary of twenty guineas, for the efficient manner in which he had conducted his duties The stakes were handed over to the respective winners, and each expressed himself well pleased with the whole arrangements of the meeting. The usual vote of thanks closed the proceedings. A gentleman, the name of Hamilton is now travelling through the Dunstan Pistrict making sketches for a work which he intends shortly to publish ; he has taken some splendid views about Clyde, one we saw of the Molyneux Gorge, taking in the Town ship, was a masterpiece of Art. Mr. Hamilton also executes water color drawings to private order, and those who desire a really nice picture should seek out MV. Hamilton, who, bye the by, is of rather a retiring disposition.

The Queensland Times says:—“As the whole of last season’s Ipswich cotton crop has now been shipped, we have to place on record that the produce of this district for 1867-8 was 4,227 bales, weighing net 1,297,8231b5. of clean cotton.” It is rumoured that Mullany, who turned Queen’s evedence in the case of the Clerkenwell explosion, has arrived at Melbourne. We would draw our readers’ attention to the weights for the Mount Ida District Handicap, which appears as an ad >ertisment in another column. The Melbourne Argus says, that a change of a momentous character in the constitution of two of the Banks of issue incorporated in Victoria is contemplated. The proposal is to apply to the Legislature for power to lend money on land, houses, and otherfixed securities. Around Shortland, to assist in the disintrication of Gold from the Quartz that is being obtained from the numerous claims, there are no less than forty-seven crashing machinescarrying in all five hundred and six stampers, Auckland, papers state there is a probability of a new Goldfield being proclaimed at the Bay of Islands. The Natives are favorable to the opening of the land on the same terms as were given at the Thames. We have received the first number of a journal, The Mount Ida Chronicle. published at Naseby; our contemporary has our warmest wishes for the success of the undertaking. We feel assured if the same taste and judgment is displayed in the selection of reading matter as in the first number, the Mount Ida Chronicle will be not only a credit to the District, but to the Province. We are requested by Mr. George Fache to draw attention to the sale of buildings, and household effects at Clyde, on Thursday the 18th instant, likewise to the sals of Dairy Cattle, Horses, etc. on Saturday, the 20th in staut, at Low’s Cattle Yards, Arrow. By reference to our advertising columns it will be seen, that Mr. Chas. F. Johnson, the proprietor of the Sydney Hotel, Cyde, has reduced the price of noblers to sixpence, why this should not have been done before, is a mystery. We wish this spirited boniface success. The Government Gazette intimates that his Excellency the Governor has been pleased to accept the resignation by Mr. H. A Stratford of his appointment of Justice of the Peace. On dit, it is rumoured our Cromwell Correspondent says;—“ Mr. Stratford has been appointed to a vacant Warden ship in the North Island. Blacks diggings on Saturday last, was visited with a storm of rain of unusual severity ; from what We could glean, it must have been a kind of water spout, as the down pour was confined within a limited area. The fluming that conveys the Golden Gate Race across two gullies at Blacks’ was swept away and utterly destroyed. About twenty men will be thrown out of employ till the race is repaired, which will take about a fortnight. The price of bread (see advertisement) has been reduced to one shilling the four-pound loaf, by a tradesman at Alexandra. This movement is a stnpin the right direction, we hops to see others follow in the same path. The contract for building the bridge across the Shotover, at Foster’s Ferry, has been taken by a Dunedin firm The contract price is under 7,000 i The excursion to the head of Lake Wakatip, in the steamer Antrim, promises to be largely attended. Mr. Smitham’s coach left yesterday morning, with passengers from Clyde and Cromwell. We are given to understand that the Survey Staff that has of late been engaged in this District marking out Agricultural areas &c., has been disbanded, and that Mr. Bate the surveyor has received intimation that his services are no longer required by the Government, whether this is part and parcel of the policy of retrenchment that the Government of Otago are pursuing, or whether the whole of the work of the district has been completed we cannot say. Mr. Bate has always been very popular, and hi« leaving the district will be regretted by all who knew him.

Clyde 788oz. 5dwt. Cromwell 504oz. Odwt. Alexandra 287oz. Odwt. Blacks 454oz. Odwt. Lakes District. Queenstown 919oz I8dwt. Arrowtown 558oz. I7dwt. Mount Ida District. Mount Ida 694oz. Odwt. Dunstan Creek 135oz. Odwt. Total 4,341oz. Odwt.