The Dunstan Times. Beneath the Rule of Men entirely just the pen is mightier than the sword FRIDAY, JULY 2, 1869.

Dunstan Times, Issue 376, 2 July 1869, Page 2

The Dunstan Times. Beneath the Rule of Men entirely just the pen is mightier than the sword FRIDAY, JULY 2, 1869.

Two items of intelligence brought by the last English mail—The increasing demand for Australian preserved meats, and the National Emigration movement—are of considerable importance to New Zealand and to the Pro-

vince of Otago in particular, in as much as they point out the way to largely extend our exports, provide additional employment for our population, and add to its numbers at the same time by direct emigration from home. The opening up of a market for our surplus stock of meat must bo a piece of right welcome news to the squatters, for notwithstanding that it may be a profitable business under certain circumstances to boil sheep down for their tallow, it must be decidedly still more profitable to be able to sell the carcases entire to the meat curer. This will to a very great degree compensate for the low price of wool, the value of which, owing to the competition of the South American States is not likely to improve in

the European market. The new process of curing meat for shipment ap pears to be by no means *a difficult one, and it may bo either prosecuted on the seaboard, or in any conveniently situated locality in the interior; j wo should imagine that a position like that of Clyde would be eminently suitable, and perhaps in lieu of the proposed boiling down es. tablishment our pastoral neighbours might see their way clear to substitute one for meat curing, or peradventure combine both in one. A .practically unlimited demand for our surplus stock of meat cannot fail to give a great impetus to pastoral pursuits, it supplies just what was wanted—the means of profitably disposing of the carcases of sheep instead of having to resort to the Wasteful process of consigning them wholesale to the melting pot. The squatters have now only to sedulously set themselves to the task of converting in a suitable manner the flesh of their surplus fat stock for con. sumption in the countries of Eur ope, to avert the crisis which brought about by low prices threatens them ; and instead of station property decreasing in value, it may be made to preserve an exactly opposite course Looking at the matter from a broad point of view, the exportation of preserved meats to Europe will confer incalculable benefits upon the Province, for besides the labor required in preparing the article for shipment, the money value of this new export will fall little short of that of the annual wool clip even if it does not eventually exceed it. Iso pains must therefore be spared to ensure the meat being landed in the best possible condition, and so establish its reputation for excellence in the home markets,

The Imperial Government have at last seen the necessity of assisting to the Colonies such of the working classes for whom there is no employment at home, and already vessels of the Royal Navy are employed conveying to Canada the discharged work men irom Woolwich and Portsmouth dock-yards. There are always a number of men of war out of commission, and laid up in ordinary at the various naval stations, and which instead of being permitted to idly rot away at their anchors, might with a very trifling additional expense, be employed in the peaceful pursuit of transporting to the Colonies, and where it is so much needed—the superabundant labor of the United Kingdom. The necessity for finding on outlet for the excess of labor by means of the Colonies is gradually forcing itself upon the people of England, and it is deemed to be the wisest and cheapest course, to incur one expense, and effectually remove what otherwise would become troublesome in the shape of a largely increased pauper or criminal class. Canada is the first to be favored with this stream of emigration, probably on account of its short distance, and the readiness with which it always welcomes the immigrant, whatever his clime or color may be. However as we at the antipodes are equally part and parcel of the British Empire; we are equally entitled to receive our fair proportion of this new stream of immigration, and there is

very little to doubt but, that in tbe long run it will pay England mucb better to incur the extra expense of deporting tins surplus portion of her population to hiew Zealand or Australia rather than to Canada, the consumption of British manufactures being so very much larger per head, that the difference in the cost of the passage would speedily be made up and ultimately leave a large profit upon the transaction. The short sighted and ignorant prejudice which exists in the minds of a large proportion of our population against immigration is not only ridiculous but extremely ingenious. The colony is by no means over populated, in fact, it can scarcely be said to be populated at all. The greatest evil under which we labor is the want of population. In America it is universally admitted that where population can spread itself over the land, there cannot be too large additions to its numbers, and that it soon ci’catcs employment for itself. This theory holds equaly as

good here, we possess almost similar facilities for providing employment for the new comer, even should his name be Legion, for besides a large uncultivated public estate, with its thousands of acres of wildness capable of being converted into corn-fields, we have also goldfields which require to be de- . veloped, the work of doing which is actually stayed for want of willing hands to labor. The necessaries of life are daily becoming cheaper and cheaper, consequently the field for mining enterprise is being profitably extended, and ground may be now worked at a profit, which, under the old system of high prices could only be done so at a- 4 loss An additional inducement also exists for parties to enter into the business of gold-mining, inasmuch that the work of prospecting for new fields may now bo carried on at a comparatively trifling cost. An universal system of emigration must conduce largely to the interests ot the old country as well as to the colonies. We need the unemployed labor of Great Britain, here her idle hands will find plenty of work to do, and instead of being a hj urthen to others, may enjoy a life of honest independence with every prospect of securing a competancy in the end. The cqulization of labor and population may perhaps be rather a new feature in our social economy, but it is deserving of much attention. The co-operation of England with her colonies can pro' serve with ease the necessary balance which is now required. Great efforts are being made to secure rapid communication with even the most distant parts of the earth, and we see no reason why similar efforts should not be made to ameliorate the condition of the working classes, by assisting them to take their labor to a market where, in lieu of poverty, they may exchange it for affluence.

The annual Municipal Elections are now drawing nigh, and our citizens will shortly be called upon to choose from among themselves a Mayor and Corporation. We have now had three years experience in Municipal Institutions, and there seems-no second opinion hut that we are all the better for them. What we have contributed towards their maintenance has been returned to us threefold. In place of dirty and ill drained streets, we have excellent footways for pedestrians, while the facilities for wheeled traffic are equal to any town in the Province. Nuisances, which besides being offensive, were dangerous to health, have been either suppressed or removed, and where confusion existed, order now prevails. View the subject in whichever way we may, the establishment of Municipalities on the goldfields has been attended with the most satisfactory results, and wc can only regret that the discontinuance of the two pounds to one subsidy on rates, will to a considerable degree interfere with their usefulness, but we have no doubt but that, where good cause cun be shown for improvements required, the Government will readily respond to the wishes of the people. With the benificent rule of the present Council, the Citizens of Clyde have great cause for congratulation. Improvements effected need no comment from us, we can only express our satisfaction under general terras and say,— “ well done thou good and faithful servants.” It is not within our province to say whom should be elected to the next Council. We believe that the ratepayers have their eyes upon the most eligible persons, and such of the present Council that have served them well, will in all probability find themselves re-elected to office when the time for doing so necessarily arrives.

Mr. Warden Pyko, Deinstall district, writing under date the 15th ult., reports as follows:—I have the honor to report that on the 3rd ult. I visited the mine, workings, and plant of the Cromwell Quartz Mining Company, situate on what is best known as the Bendigo Gully Reef, about three miles from the Government township of Wakefield, above ■ Cromwell. I have much pleasure in reporting that the company are now in full work, they having purchased and re-erected on their ground the plant of the late Iliudon Company. At present only five stampers are at work; but it is the intention of the company to erect two new batteries of fifteen stampers each,

as soon as necessary arrangements can be effected. From the crushings already made very good results have been obtained in the shape of three fine cakes of gold of exoedent quality. The vein or lode has been fairly tested for stone, and has been struck whereever tried for along tire line across the leased ground It lias been wrought to some extent and at considerable depth in two main drives. The main lode has approximately an east and west bearing—the “dip” or underlie having a northern declination, and the strike apparently a westerly direction. Some leaders have, however, been cut, which show a north and south bearing. On examination of the main drives, I was forcibly impressed by the appearance of the reef. The lode has both face and back as correctly defined as in any mine I ever visited in Victoria. Tins is an unusual circumstance in New Zealand quartz - workings. There is also a tolerably thick “ casing,” seemingly richly impregnated with the precious metal. The casing, and to some extent the lode itself, is vividly tinctuerd with red coloring matter, which lam inclined to think is cinnabar, but I have not yet been able to app y such tests as would enable me to speak positively. From the general appearance of the lode, I am led to the conclusion that it is a true vein, and of very r great extent; and I am further of opinion that the adjacent country will turn out one of the finest reeling districts vet opened in Otago. Encouraged by the success of the Cromwell Quartz Mining Company, other miners have turned tbeir attention to that branch of mining industry. One | party has already applied for, and obtained, temporary protection for a prospecting churn on a parallel reef, ami more are examining the surrounding spurs for other reefs. I will keep the Government acquainted with the progress of the company’s works, and of discoveries in the same direction.

Mr. G. Fache reports that the Sale, of Cattle on Saturday last, at O'Regan’s Yards, Alexandra, was most sasisfactory, the prices realised being in advance of last report ; heifers, two years old, 8/.; steers, 6/.j dairy cows, 12 /.

The Secretary for Stamp Duties, calls the attention of the public, through the press, to section 16 of the Stamp Duties Act, 1866, which specifies the instruments on which the duties payable may be denoted by adhesive stamps affixed by the makers or holders. On all other instruments the stamp must he affixed at the Stamp Office ; any stamp not so affixed is of no avail, and the instrument to which it is affixed is unstamped within the meaning of the Act. All instruments required to be stamped after execution, excej>t those specified in section 16, must be presented at the Stamp Office within one month after the date of execution. Instruments not presented within one month become liable to a fine of 20/. per centum upon the duty payable, which fine is increased to 100/. per- centum after three months from the date of execution ; no fine in the latter case being less than 5/. The ship Nightingale, which arrived lately at Melbourne from the Cape, brought ninety returned diggers from the South African Goldfields.

The dredges on the Molyneux at the Dunstan are without exception doing remarkably well.. At the Teviot they are not doing well, there being but one that is on gold. Two have been prospecting below the Dunbarton Rock, but without success, and they are now making their way back up the river.

The second sale by auction of the Township at Roxburgh was held by Mr. George Fache, on Tuesday last the 29th ult. There were about twenty allotments sold, those in good positions realized above the upset price.

The mild weather during the past week has been most favorable to mining in the District, it having had the effect of replenishing the waterraces thad had been getting very low, thereby enabling several claims on the banks of the Molyneux to got to work again. The Frenchman’s claim has commenced work, and doing very well. The Manuherikia Water-race Co’s claim at Butler’s point, on the Manuherikia, is ■ progressing satisfactorily, and from the appearance of the different strata? the Company have gone through, a rich deposit is awaiting them on the bottom, The Company at Butcher’s Point, known as Stanbrook and party are working with a will; the pluck and perseverance evinced by this company in battling against the many difficulties that beset them, deserve a rich reward and it is to be meet with that they are there arc about twenty on this claim. The Ovens raHfand other companies who are sluicing away the banks of the Molyneux are apparently being remu crated for their labor. The dredges between Clyde and Alexandra, five in all,are doing remarkably well; this branch of mining employs sixty nei, The other dredges between Alexandra and Ttviot are rot do i g so well, the bed of the river in this direction beingt oo bare. A party of men have lately constructed a very large reservoir on tire west bank (f the Molyneux opposite Clyde.

On Tuesday last an accident happened to a waggon on its way between Clyde and Cromwell, which might have been attended with very serious results. As it is, we are happy to say that the damage clone by the roll-over was but slight, both horses and driver escading most miraculous'y without a scratch. From what we could glean t appears that, while travelling slowly along the road, which in many places is but just wide enough for one vehicle, by some manner of means it got off the track and rolled over down the bank, a distance of fifty feet. We will noi be so ungenerous as to assing the accident (o carelessness, hut it looks very suspicions. As will he seen tvy advereisement, the sale of the property of the Ida Valley Quartz Mining Company (previously announced to be held on the 30th ult.) has postponed to Friday, the 9th inst. .

A correspondent writes to us to in quire, how is it that, while we are paying the exorbitant price of one shilling and six pence for the four pound loaf, a baker at Cromwell can send it from that place, and sell atone shilling, the journey from and to Cromwell entailing a journey of something over twenty six miles 'Flie high price of provisions is a subject on which we have written over and over again, and we see no remedy but for the consumers to take up the matter and deal with those who supply the necessaries of life at the lowest ratio. By doing so, our monopolists will doubtless soon be brought to sell their commodities at a reasonable rate. The time is now past for “keeping up the juices ” and those who have not the money to throw away, will find it necessary to deal in the cheapest market.

Wo are requested by the Secretary of the Duustan district Hospital to draw public attention to clause 10 of the rules of the Institution, by which it is laid down that no subscriber whose

subscription is in arpear one month shall be entitled to Election, whether of any other elected office, of Medical officer v, on or about the 6th of no person will he vote whose subscription is not paid prior to the 6th of July. By our advertising columns it will he seen that the Sale by Auction of the Intestate Estato of John Duley, deceased, of Alexandra, is indefinitely postponed. The reason is, we believe, that the widow of the decascd will administer to the Will.

The Escort on Monday last took down the following quantities of gold:— Cromwell 644oz. Odwt. Clyde 504oz. Odwt. Alexandra 935oz. 9dwt. Queenstown 78Goz. 8dwt. Arrowtown 55 Ooz. Odwt. Teviot C45oz. 7dwt. Dunstan Creek 302oz. Odwt. M ount Ida 726oz. Odwt. Total f),093oz. 4dwt.