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Dunstan Times, Issue 371, 4 June 1869, Page 2

The increasing prosperity and permanence of the gold workings in the Dunstan mining district is very satisfactorily shown by the rapid spread of mutual benefit societies among the population, Between Ci’omwell, Clyde, and Alexandra there are no less than four lodges of the Ancient Order of Foresters, and

supported in the main by those directly engaged in mining. Our Alexandra friends were the last to follow suit in the establishment of a ForesterSj Lodge, but though last, we have no feat that the newly - opened lodge—Court Pride of Alexandra—will hold the least important position among the lodges now established, or to be established in this district. The value which benefit societies must be to a population following an occupation so dangerous to life and limb, as is the case with gold-mining, is in calculable. The bread-winner of a family, when once he has become a member of a lodge, may go to his daily labor with the full assurance that should any unforseenaccident overtake him, so as to deprive those depending upon him of his support, they will not be left destitute. The brethren of his order, pledged by the most solemn obligations of friendship, will supply, in a manner, his place; or should he be overtaken by sickness or any other bodily affliction, be may find cm solution in the assurance that efficient medical attendance is secured to him, likewise pecuniary support while unable to follow his usual occupation, and what is more, if a stranger in a strange land, he will find some one who, with almost a bi-other’s love, will strive to assuage his pain and comfort him during his affliction. Wherever we hear of the establishment of any branch of a benefit society, it is satisfactory evidence to us that the place where such has been established is advancing in the social scale, and that lire population are settling themselves down to a course of steady industry, with the full assurance'of finding permanent employment at a remunerative rale. The resources of Alexandra are manifold, numbers of its mining enterprises are on a scale of great magnitude, and Jrave necessitated urn inv, .. ,u i, o, large amount of capita!. There also exists, then, the unmistakable evidenres of permanence in the sli ape of

the many comfortable residences which the mining population aro almost daily erecting. Those who have ventured in mining speculations appear to be everywhere satisfied with their gains, and aro desirous of making Alexandra their home, as well as to surround themselves with those creature comforts only obtainable in settled and well ordered communities. The miner must now no longer bo included as one of a nomad race,dwelling in tents, and shifting his camping place with gypsy-like regularity, but as one following a humble and lawful calling, laboring dilligently to earn his bread, envying no man what he hath, contented with his own lot and sphere of usefulness.

The Escort on Monday last took down the following quantities of gold:Queenstown 7CCoz. lOdwt. Arrowtown 7560z. Odwt. Cromwell 640cz. Odwt. Clyde 4540z. Odwt. Alexandra 288oz, 18dwt. Teviot 21 Goz, 2dwt, Blacks 4040z. Odwt. Dunstan Creek Odwt. Mount Ida DfiOoz. lOdwt. Ida Valley 84oz. 2dwt. Total ... 5,1230z. 12dwt. Through the courtesy of Mr- Sub Inspector Dalgleish we are supplied with the Escort returns, our reason for not publishing the return for the fortnight ending May 15. arose through the person in whose hands it was plat ed for delivery having mislaid it

Mi’. George Facho particularly requests ns to draw the attention of stud owners, station masters, farmers and others to the unreserved sale by auction on Wednesday next the 9th ' instant of Mr. J. G. Glassford’s Stud of horses and household effects. Through the inclement weather that has prevailed lately down Country, the Cattle advertised to be sold by Auction yesterday at O’Regan’s cattle yards, Alexandra, did not arrive, therefore the Sale is postponed till Thursday, the 17th., by which time there is not a question of their ar riving in the district. A little boy between five and six years of age, the son of Mr William Thompson met with a very serious accident o» Saturday last at Alexandra by falling down a cutting about thirty feet deep, immediately at the rear of the Gold Receiver’s othce, besides one of his legs being broken, the poor little fellow was very much cut and scratched abont the head and arms. The close proximity of dwellings to the workings on the banks of the Molyneux has often times drawn forth comments from us, but without having the desired effect; we trust this sad accident, which might have been attended with fatal results will have the effect of stirring people, (those with families) to a sense of their duty, inasmuch as causing them to remove to where there will not be a chance of a similar accident occurring. On the evening of the 27th inst. Vincent Pyko, Esq., R.M , delivered a lecture—“ Sparks from the Anvil and Flashes from the Fire” —at Black’s No. 1, in aid of the local school funds. From the fact of the lecture having been previously postponed, through the unavoidable absence of the lecturer from the district, much speculation was afoot as to what was to be heard, and all were eager for the summons to attend. The room was well filled, in fact, crowded. The title of the lecture is suggestive of wit and humor, and Mr. Pyke is renowned for possessing Loth qualities, therefore a treat was anticipated, the which was realised beyond expectation To particularise would he invidious, as the rendering of the Irishman, though inimitable, was equalled by the English, and, we think, out-done by the American. Each spark of wit and flash of humor as discharged was enthusiastically received. At the conclusion a vote of thanks was unanimously accorded to Mr. Pyke. We believe that about 147. was raised by the lecture.

On Tuesday and Wednesday last Mr. George Fqclie sold by public auction tlie freehold property known as Winstanley’s National Hotel, SunderV 1 treet, Clyde, together with the household furniture and effects. There was a fair attendance on both days, and the prices obtained for the several lots were Very satisfactory

We nptico the arrival at Clyde of two portable fire-engines, for the use of the Volunteer Fire Brigade. Those engines were experimented with yesterday morning by some members of the Brigade, and, considering their small size and portability, appear to possess great power. We have been credibly informed that, in Dunedin alone, upwards of a dozen fires have been extinguished by the timely use of these engines. It is proposed to hold a meeting of the Brigade at an early, date. There was a great cry out some short time ago respecting the publicars, who were almost universally condemned (and with some justice) for charging a shilling for a “nobbier.” The public contended that the high charges of the publicans was the means of keeping the necessaries of life dear in proportion. Our Bonifaces have come down fifty per cent; but what of our butchers and bakers 1 No one can say but that “nobblers’ are a luxury, while bread and meat are essential to human life. With the present glut of sheep in the neighborhood, how is it wo are called upon to pay 6d. per lb. for mutton, while at Alexandra (only seven miles distant) it is being sold for half that price 1 Again with respect to bread, it is preposterous that, with flour at its present rate, we should be charged Is. Cd. for 41b. of very indifferent bread. A French correspondent of Land arid Water says : —“ I have transported fish a hundred times to distances of upwards of a hundred miles without their appearing to suffer in the least by remaining a day or two out of the water. To effect this, they must be placed upon straw in boxes pierced with a multitude of holes. They must bo laid upon their backs, and be packed sufficiently close as not to be able to turn themselves. Such layers of fish must be separated from each other in a manner that will allow free circulation of air around and about them. The fish may thus be kept out of water for as long as two days if it is winter, the only season in which it is prudent to transport them long distances.”

We have to omit our Cromwell correspondent’s letter, also various other communications of general interest to our readers, through an over crowding of advertisements.

THE LAKES. (FROM OUII OWN' CORRESPONDENT.) An rowtown, May 25.

“ Every man Iris own landlord ” is the order of the day here now The sale of the township allotments took place yesterday, at the Library Hall, Messrs. D. Powell and Co. were the Auctioneers. The attendance of buyers was very large, and I am sure that had the Government .not have confined themselves to the Advertising Sheet for giving the sale publicity, but availed themselves of the local journals, there would have been many more buyers present, and, of course, higher prices obtained. Still, as things were, (for nobody sees the Advertising Sheet) the sale was an undoubted success, and shows well the confidence there is in the future success of Arrowtown. The total amount realized must have been at least GOO/, Eor ] romirent business sites there was a keencontest; sections put up at 1/. realized from 10/. to 12/., and in one instance as much as 15s. pm - foot frontage was obtained. The Presbyterians, Church of England, and Roman Catholic bodies all bought sections for the erection of churches and minister’s residences,and one acre was bought by the School Committee for a play-ground. A new mining company has been started to work the bed of the Arrow river. It is their intention, to erect powerful pumping machinery, also, to flume the river over their workings. That the project will be of some magnitude I have only to mention that the company’s order to Messrs. J. W. Robertson and Co. for sawn timber, is ten thousand superficial feet. Some of the tunnelling claims are paying extraordinarily well. They are all in the terraces boi dering the Arrow river, and arc driven on the bed rock It appears that in all these terraces the reef, though rising to the outside, dips within, and wherever a level soft bottom is reached, (which occurs in long narrow gutters between hard high reefs) there is always gold. Some of the best claims are paying from 20/. to 30/. per week per man to shareholders. From what I have seen lately of these tunnels, which, of course, are all in spurs from the Crown Terrace, I have no hesitation in saying that the Terrace itself. must be rich in gold. I held this opinion many years ago, as from the very first, it was always apparent that here was the source of supply for the Arrow (then known as Fox’s) and Cardrona,. The members of the Queenstown Amateur Dramatic Club intend showing themselves off to the Arrow folks on Wednesday evening next, when they will perform at the Library Hall. The proceeds will be devoted to some of the local institutions.