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Dunstan Times, Issue 369, 21 May 1869, Page 2

Mr John Mount has moved for a very practical measure in the Provincial Council—the appointment of a 1 commission to'inquire into the management of the ferries throughout the Province, with the object of ascertaining the possibility of fixing an uniform rate of toll. This motion if given effect to, will give a vast stimulus to mining industry, also to trade in the neighbourhood of the valley of the Molyneux. It is a matter which very materially affects the interests of the Townships along thatjjroute, and Mr. Mount’s effort to obtain a reduction in the present exorbitant rates charged by the punt lessees should be strenuously supported, more especially by the Municipalities of Lawrence, Alexandra, Clyde, Cromwell and Queenstown. Now that a addition is our Chinese population, th«]janks of the Molyneux and Kawarau Rivers will in all probability be chosen as a field of operations by the increasing multitude, and it is by this route that the new importations from the Celestial Empire will find their way up country. The residents on the Northern Goldfields are deeply interested in the success of these new comers, and when they do find their way amongst us, instead of diverting the stream by the imposition of heavy and exorbitant tolls, should offer them every attraction and facility to come and dwell amongst us and to develop the hidden riches of our. river courses and gullies. Leaving of Chinese altogether the ®Sgh rates* of toll now charged various punts very seriously affect otvr interests, inasmuch that by making travelling from place to place so excessively dear, there is not one half the amount of traffic which there should be, and

trade consequently suffers. It is a well ascertained fact, that where communication is easy, districts so connected are proportionately prosperous. The various centres afc mining indus try are now Logining commodities with each in stead of sending money away''from the goldfields for necessaries, we can keep it at home and there is necessarily so much more capital available to promote settlement and extend mining operations. The high rate of toll charged to travellers at the several river crossings, falls ultimately upon the general public ; the dealer in commodities charges so much extra for his goods, so that in the end the real burthen of the impost is borne by the consumer, who invariably is least able to sustain it. As yet, the many thousands of pounds expended by the Provincial Government to connect Tuapeka, the Dunst an and Labes, by the natural highway of the Molyneux and IWe practically been thrown a%|y, theVqnly beneficial result has been “the fatten, ing of some half dozen lessees of punts at the expense of the public. Every laborer is worthy of his hire, and every service rendered should be paid for, but such should be within the bounds of reason. The tolls chargeable at the ferries ought not to reach more than double the rates charged at ordinary Turnpike gates, and if such will not maintain them efficiently, they should be subsidised by the State, rather than that the traffic of the country be interrupted. If communication between the goldfields by way of the valley of the Molyneuxneeds for the present a special outlay to sustain it, there is this consolation, that with the growth of population it will gradually get less knd less. Our greatest necessity, is the want of po’ pulation, and to attract* it, every possible facility must be ajforded for travelling and the interchange of commodities. We once again repeat, Mr. Mount’s motion very Liaterially affects our interests, and hje must be vigorously supported to give it effect.

From the'reports of the] proceedings of the Provincial Council, we see that a Bill, amending the Licensed Auctioneer Ordinance has been passed through Committee. The amendment relates to the time of holding Sales ; by the new Bill, Sales cm be continued up'to]twelve at night. We undemand that the breeding pond at Queenstown, for the reception of the salmon trout, r is quite ready. The interesting little strangers left Dunedin, under the charge of Mr. Clifford, on Wednesday last, and are expected to arrive at their distination to day.

The Molyneux is x’apidly falling to its winter level, and numerous parties are preparing to work the golden beaches and bars as they become dry. The dredges are likewise in lull work, and, according to the reports which reach us, are reaping a rich harvest The terrace claims from Clyde downwards, including those of Sims and party, M unford and party, the Ovens Company, and Manuherikia Waterrace Company, are all in full swing, and judging from the general cheerfulness of the shareholders, * are doing well. At Frenchman’s Point, Halfmile Beach, Butcher’s Point, and other places along the course of the river, a busy scene presents itself, there being in the aggregate one hundred and fifty men actively employed. The Chinese, of whom there are from two to three hundred in the district, appear to ViR- doing wen* A large number., of this jetton Itar population are settled on the Manor--burn Flat, about two miles from Alexandra, and are working "ground that was partly wrought four and'fivc years back. In this flat were some very rich patches, and we do not doubt but that John will drop across many more that have escaped the European. In fret, our mining prospects have not presented so healthy an appearance for some time past, consequently business is brisker, and a general feeling of confidence has arisen among all sections of the community.

The amount of gold obtained from the quartz claim at Bendigo Gully, or any information relating to the workings, have hitherto been a hidden secret. During the past week, however, it has *beconmknownSihat the stone is yielding fir sprite, i if.fact, exceeding every expectation of the sanguine proprietory, the result of ten days’ crushing being somewhere about two hundred ounces of pure gold. We can only say we heartily wish a continuance of the like good fortune. Indomitable perseverance and pluck, the same as displayed by the shareholders, in battling and surmounting the many difficulties that encountered them, deserve rich rewards.

We understand that Mr. F. D. Bell Mr. R.S Dods, and Mr. John Bathgate will contest the representation of Dunedin in the Provincial Council rc.ndored vacant by the resignation of Julius Vogel, Esq. During the past week, a miner named M'Rally, was admitted into the Dunstan Hospital, suffering from a frightful crushing he received while working irthis claim at Tinker’s Qully. It appears Nnft the earth under which the poor \ fellow was working, slipped in, and buried him. We hear that he is progressing 4s well as can be expected, but, from the nature of the injuries, it is doubtful if he will recover.

We are requested by Mr. G. Fache to draw attention to the Sale by Auction this day at Mulvay’s farm, near Alexandra, of cattle, horses, drays, farming implements <fec, Also to the Sale of Drapery, &c at his Rooms, Clyde, to morrow, Saturday. Mr. Fache informs us that in both instances the Sales will be bona fide, therefore we would advice parties who are in want of any ,of the articles, advertised to attend.' S,

A case occurred the other dky in the Resident Magistrate’s Court, Hokitika, in which the manager of a drapery establishment was sued for the cost of an advertisement which appeared for two days in the West Coast Times. It ' had been ordered without any mention being made of the number of insertions required, and, as the usual custom is, was "continued until countermanded,. After it had appeared two days it was withdrawn, and the charge made was £lB 18s., and it was stated that had it been continued for a month the cost would have been only £35Judgment was given for the amount claimed and costs.

A' meeting of the Committee o Hospital is appointed to bo held in. the Council Chamber to-morrow evening, at 8 o’clock, to receive tenders for erecting a residence for the House Surgeon, and also to take into consideration the motion respecting the resignation of Dr. Shaw. The Provincial Government Gazette of Wednesday, the 11th instant, announces that agricultural leases will be granted within :—All that area in the Province of Otago, containing by admeasurement 2500 acres, more or less, situate on Run 223 in the Tiger Hill Distinct, and bounded towards the north by the Lauder Survey District, 15,040 links; towards the east by Ciown Lands and the Manuherikia river, 10,53-1 links; towards the south by Spottis Creek and Crown Lands, 11,766 links, and 4308 links; towards the south east by Crown Lands 11,101 links; and towards the west by Crown Lauds, 19,000 links.

We understand that the subscriptions towards the Bishop Jenner Fund have reached the sum of 200 1. The lists will remain open for a month.— Daily Times. The Wellington Evening Post learns that Mr. E. Fox, for a long time connected with the Otago Daily Times, has accepted an appointment on the Hansard Reporting Staff.

The DaHjuTitms says The late Provincial inxr arulNfcccrclavy, Mr. Jleft for sphere, of action. A and admirers accompanied him on board the steamer, and bade him farewell..