The Dunstan Times. FRIDAY, JUNE 11, 1869.

Dunstan Times, Issue 372, 11 June 1869, Page 2

The Dunstan Times.

FRIDAY, JUNE 11, 1869.

Beneath the' Rule of Men ENTf rely just the pen is m. (gutter than theswor.D

Now that the “ grant in aid ” to Hospitals has been reduced to two pounds to one upon the subscriptions received, it becomes highly necessary for increased exertions in the collection of funds on the pari of Committees of management, who must now set themselves sedulously to the work of making up the deficiency. We by no means attach blame to the Provincial Council for making the reduction, what has surprised us is, that it was not made before, or rather that three pounds to one was ever paid at all, because it was never shown by the financial position of any hospital that the old subsidy of two pounds to one was insufficient for all purposes ofmnintenance. A giant in aidoftwo poundstoone upon monies subscribed is exceedingly liberal and in any district where contributions from the public will not amount to one third of the cost of maintaining

its indigent sick, a hospital is a superfluity. It is the duty of every nian, let whatever’ his position in life may be to subscribe to a hospital; from the plentitude of his store to assist the suffering alld needy is an obligation he owes to the cause of humanity, and we believe there are none living upon the goldfields so poor, or so unmindful of their fellow creatures in distress, but who will freely subscribe one pound a year towards the support of one of the most useful institutions which civilazation has given to man kind, and which in all countries even from the most remote periods of their history, the sympathies of the multitude have been enlisted. To give to a hospital is, to help a righteous cause, and numerous instances are recorded, where rich legacies have been bequeathed to these institutions as an atonement for a lifetime of wrong-doing. There are cases where ill gotten gains instead of bringing that peace and comfort which the possessor fondly expected they would do, have only been a constant source of worry and torment, and to secure that happiness which the possession of riches wrongfully acquired have denied, outraged society has only been appeased by the penitent founding a hospital. We have also other instances of a more pleasing nature, where people besides living a goodly life have, when blessed with this world’s possessions, previous to departing it, endowed with their wealth an institution where those who have been less fortunate, when overtaken by accident or sickness might find relief in the hour of their desolation. The Dunstan District Hospital thanks to the good officers of energetic committees has always preserved its efficiency. In i', the confidence of the public remains unshaken, and whenever the public has been appealed to for support, it has been ungrudgingly given. At the present time its financial position is the most satisfactory of any of the goldfields hospitals, nor do we believe that with the lessened amount of the Government “ grant in aid ” there will be any seeming difference. A goldfield’s population knows coo well the value of a hospital, not to contribute liberally towards its support.

If what the Bruce Herald says is true, that the new Government are going to throw open land for occupation and depasturing purposes adjacent to alj centres of population, the charge from the Yogel to the present Ministry will prove a decided gain to the upcountry districts, especially the goldfields. We are not rabid on the land question, nor do we advocate an indiscriminate throwing open of the lands, and turning all the miners into dairymen and cockatoo farmers. What we desire is that, wherever population has settled itself down steadily in the pursuit of any legitimate and lawful calling, they should possess, in proportion to their numbers, a fair amount of land for commonage as well as for cultivation.

Some goldfields have a plethora of land for both, while others have not sufficient grass to feed a goat, or to grow a handful of raddishes for the tea-table, notwithstanding that they contribute largely to the revenue. Cromwell and Alexandra are notable instances of this. Neither of these flourishing centres of mining industry are able to hold out inducements for population to permanently locate itself At both places, comparatively speaking, unless engaged in business, must either dig for gold or leave. The goldfields can never be prosperous un il they are in a position to produce sufficient to feed their inhabitants, and could we but retain among us all the money which goes away for what we should grow ourselves, there is no questioning the impetus that mining pursuits would receive by the cheapening of the necessaries of life, which, as a matter of course, woidd follow. Agriculture muse always go hand-in-hand with gold mining. This has been satisfactorily proved in Victoria, for we find that those towns are most prosperous where both industries are combined. Each assists the other in retaining a supply of labor, because between the two employment in some

shape or other is afforded at all times and seasons of the year. Cromwell and Alexandra have been exceedingly moderate in their demands for land, and they deserve to sueceedin obtaining it, and they most assuredly will do so if they will only continue to agitate. Ko Government can ignore public opinion, especially when that opinion is based upon the solid foundation of equal advantages to all.

The total quantity of gold taken to Dunedin, per Escort from the whole of the gold-fields for the past fortnight amount to 7207 oz. 4dwt. The road between this and CromweJ 1 is, in many places, in a very bad state of repair, and requires the prompt attention of the District Road Engineer. It is highly dangerous to travel with a vehicle after dark. The race which runs alongside the road leaks in many places and helps to make matters worse. There are two men employed patching the road i i a most slovenly manner, and we think were the requisite repairs done in a proper and efficient manner, it would be far more economical in the end.

The sale by auction, by Mr. George Foche, of the stud of trorough-bred and other horses, dairy cattle, household furniture, &c., the property of Mr. J. G. Gordon Glassford, of the Matakanui Station, commenced on Wednesday last. There was a large attendance, somewhere about four hundred persons being present. The bidding was pretty brisk, and the prices realised satisfactory. Musician brought the sum of 65 1. ; the Novice, 4 51. ; Merrpthought, 50/. ; a lot of young thorough bred stock, from 30/. downwards; and the harness horses ond backs brought vero fair prices, as did also the draught stock and dairy cattle. Yesterday the sale was resumed, and had not terminated when our informant left.

The new Town Hall of Clyde is rapidly approaching completion. During the past week the four handsome pillars which ai-e to support the poitico entrance have been built, and give a very favorable impression of what the facade will be when finished. The rafters of the roof have been set in their places, and in a few weeks we hope to congratulate our towns-people upon possessing one of the handomest and most substantial public buildings in Oago. The hopes of the inhabitants of Tasmania arc* once more excited on the subject of a payable goldfield. The Launceston Times says :—“ We have heard but little for some time past from the rich auriferous quartz lead discovered at Waterhouse on the north east coast in March last: but Mr. Williams having forwarded a large sample of the quartz to Melbourne for assay, we are now in a position to announce the result. The quantity of quartz operated upon weighed 4501b, and this produced 14dwt2gr of gold, equal to 3oz 2£dwt to the ton. The gold is of the standard of 18 carat, and is value for 31. 2s. per ounce.” The ship Yorkshire, which reached Melbourne from London some few days ago, brought the disastrous news of the total destruction by fire of the ship Blue Jacket on her homeward voyage fram Lyttehon, N.Z., which port she left with a valuable cargo of wool and gold on the 11th February last. The crew and passengers escaped in the ship's boats, one ofwhich containing tfye captain, chief officer, and six sailors, with the whole of the passengers was picked up by the Hamburgh barqe, Pyrmont, bound to Falmouth. The other boats have not been heard of.

We are much surprised ti learn that Mv. Arthur D. Harvey, the lleceiver of gold revenue, and Clerk of Courts lias been refused his travelling expenses to Cromwell, although his multifarious duties necessitate his attendance there at least once a. week. He is compelled either to Lire a horse at Ins own expense to travel on public business or to walk the entire dis tance, some twenty eight miles. Surely such a state of affairs ought not to exist. We should not have considered it our duty to refer to the matter, were it not that the public suffers in consequence of this cheeseparing policy of the Government, for it stands to reason that Mr. Harvy’s time can be much more advantageously employed than in walking] backwards and forwards'■ between i the two Townships. j ' A native letter from Moh aka ' says, that Xe Kooti’s body has been washed ashore there in a biscuit case with a rope and anchor attached.

Throughout the length and breadth of the Dunstan Mining District, there exists a more satisfactory and contented feeling than has been for a long time past, the restless feverish disposition that as a rule pervades all mining communities is rapidly giving way to a wish to settle down and reap the golden harvest that is lying broadcast; it is but lately the resources of tho District are becoming known as is evidenced by the high prices asked for mining interests, and by the number of purchasers that • spring up on the slightest whisper of a share being in the market. During the past few months several interests have changed hands ranging from 800/. to 300/. each.

The owners of the dredges working on the Molyneux most pertinaceously keep the result of their labors a hid den secret from the world, various evidences however convince us our remarks in former issues were well founded, as to very heavy finds being made.

In consequence of being unacquainted with any of the facts of the case, we refrained from noticing in our last issue the non-arrival of the Mail via Tuapeka, up to the time of going to press. It appears that the boy, who was carrying the Mail was a si ranger to the road, having been employed for the one journey only, and that being overtaken by night, when within sight of Alexandra lost the track, and whilst endeavouring to find that, lost the horse carrying the Mail, and for some cause yet unexplained, without going into Alexandra and reporting his loss, retraced his steps back to the Teviot. The horse and mail bags were found by Mr. J. Cumraing, the post master and the Sergeant of Police the following morning within half a mile of Alexandra.

During the sitting of the Criminal Court, Dunedin, Corfitz Cronquist was sentenced to two years hard labor for obtaining money under false pretences, and another acquaintance with our Clyde Lock up in the person of Robert Littlecot was sentenced to three years penal servitude for forgery.

Crown grants in favor of the under mentioned are published in the Provincial Government Gazette as being ready for uplifting : —Bedford Butler; Edward Gharnock, Chin Chee. R. E Field, (4 sections) Ah Sing, James Scott, James Simmonds, Thomas Stanbrook, F. W. Whitnall, all Alexandra ; J D. Feraud and D. Halan, both Leaning Rock District. The New Zealand Gazette notifies,— That Sections 6, 3, 7 and 38, Block 3, Township of Cromwell, are reserved as sites for public buildings. D’Arcy Leigh and another have been fined 1/. each at Nelzon for the “lark ” of removing a brass plate from the shop door of Ernest Nehse, tobacconist. Anent this we are le(a)d to observe that these high “ mettled ’’ young men had evidently been literally found in “ brass" by Dame Nature, and can have had no excuse for going out to “ steel more ”, They may be congratulated that the Magistrate only mulcted them in “ tin” instead of providing them with “irons.”— Oaraaru Times.

Mr. Feorge Fache reports that tlie pricces realized at the sale at A lexandra on Monday last of general merchandize, the stock ofC. Neiper, bankrupt were in every way satisfactory. Some of the extensive workings on the Molyneux are getting in full work At Frenchman’s Point, over thirty men are employed, and at Butcher’s Point, about the same number; up to the present time the' men have been engaged in fixing the water wheels and pumps preparatory to getting into the deep ground that contains the golden deposits. The Manuherikia Water Race Company in their new claim at Butcher’s Point on the Manuherikia have got fairly under weigh, and expect shortly to declare some very handsome dividends; the pumping machinery employed by this Company is about the best we ever saw ; the wheel is fifteen feet diameter, with three feet breast; and the pump is seventy four feet long, with a bore twelve inches by two in the clear. In the advertisement which appeared in our last respecting the sale by auction of the farm, <fec., of the late Mr, George Kenny several omissions occurred. We now draw our reader’s attention to the farm produce consisting ol oats, wheat, potatoes, carrots, straw, &.C., particulars of which appear to day.