The Dunstan Times. FRIDAY, OCTOBER 15, 1869.

Dunstan Times, Issue 391, 15 October 1869, Page 2

The Dunstan Times.

FRIDAY, OCTOBER 15, 1869.

Beneath the Rule of Men entirely just the ten is MIGHTIER than theswor.D

We are glad to learn from the neighborhoods of Drybread and Black's

that the subject of bringing in a large race of water from the head of the Manuherikia river is beginning to engage public attention. The slopes of the Dun»tan Ranges, from Mount St. Bathan’s to the Cairn Muir are rich in the precious metal, livery gully and spur appears to contain gold in payable quantities, and all that is necessary to enormously increase the yield in this direction is a larger supply of water for sluicing purposes. Those conclusions have ior the last two years past been constantly adverted to by us, and the largely increasing escort from Black’s most unmistakably proves that they are cor rect. In nopartofthe Dunstan District are the average gain of the miners so large, nor anywhere else is th're such an immense area of ground to be operated upon or an increased supply of water so badly wanted. From the township of Clyde to Devonshire G lly there exists one continuous goldfield, and, without doubt, equally as prolific in the yellow ore as either Dry bread or Tinker’s. Commencing at the head of the Wai Keri Keri Valley, and from thence following the range round to the Leaning BockCreek, mining parties are row engaged, and have .been so for the last three years, making good wages, and sometimes more, by merely washing with a cradle Now, how much larger would their gains have been could they but have procured water for sluicing purposes '] The yield of gold would have amounted to something fabulous, while employment would have been provided for hundreds of miners, instead of some two or three score. To tap the head waters of the Manuherikia appears to be the easiest solution of this difficulty, and il is an undertaking that promises to be exceedingly remunerative, as throughout the entire course of the race the water could be made available for mining purposes, and, with judicious management, it might be med over and over again. Water, after it has been used in the sluicing claims at Tinker’s and Drybread could easily be carried on to Clyde, amt be applied to ground between tbe Wai Keri Keri Val ey and the township, and afterwards diverted to the bank oi the Molyneux, between this and Alexandra, where another prolific goldtie'd only awaits development Had the Government only made preliminary surveys of the relative levels of .he head waters of our priu ipnl rivers ami the low lying covunry, the race now contemplated might have been ere this begun, or, perhaps, completed, and the expenses of tbe survey repaid by the increased quantity of gold obtained, let alone the extra advantages which would have been derived by the extra consumption of dutiable articles which an addition to the population would have necessitated. We hope that another session of the Provincial Council will not be allowed to pass without measures being taken to en sure the speedy survey of all our principal water-courses and their relative levels with the principal goldworkings ascertained. It is very little to ask on behalf of the mining community, and it has the advantage of being immensely reproductive. The efforts made by members of Council 10 open up the lands are certainly highly commendable; but, at the same' time we require the attention of the country to be drawn towards tbe immense field of remunerative labor awaiting to he made available on our goldfields. If we open up more land it is desirable that we should secure a market for our produce, or producers will jje largely in excess of consumers. Another thing, it must be borne in mind that oilier portio s of Now Zealand are presenting great attractions to the miner, and it is impossible to say what may be the effect of discoveries made in the North Island. We know from experience that, where the greatest number of people are congregated together, the chances of de veloping a goldfield are immensely increased. Small communities never accomplish much, and the contact of numbers is nowhere so beneficial as upon a goldfield. Now that our quart z reefs are attracting attention tbo neeesI shy for increasing our water supply

for alluvial mining should not be lost sight of. It is not to bo supposed that everyone engaging in quartzmining will be successful, and, while capital and labor is present among us, no opportunity should be lost to secure its continuance.

The movement atJQueenstown against the use of ardent spirits as described in our Lakes’ Correspondents letter is well worthy of attention in other places. The system of noblerising on the goldfields, and more especially so in the various townships, has a most pernicious effect, and from this practice alone we have lost many valuable members of society We are by

no means advocates for extreme measures in the matter of ardent spirits, because we believe that when used in moderation they are the reverse of injurious. Unfortunately however for mankind, there are a large majority who have not at all times sufficient command over their passions to resist their free use, and when we come to take into consideration the improved state of society, and how it would be both bodily and mentally advantaged were the consumption of ardent spirits confined to those who only use them medicinally, or we may go a little further and say, I hose, who when partaking of them have sufficient strength of mind to know when they have enough, what a happy social revolution would be the result. Any gentleman filling an independent position in any of our Gold fields townships might with advantage copy Mr. Robertson’s example, and perhaps be the means of saving many a young man from destrucion. The process is such an easy one. and so straightforward an rl simple, that no one could take offence, the mere fact of asking people to eschew spi its, and substitute beer or wine instead, is a very modest request under these circumstances, and especially as in the great majority of cases the party signing the contract does so by his own free will and consent; no gen tleman having the well being of society at heart, should feel any reluctance in exerting his influence to rid us of one of the greatest pests with which society is inflicted. We can say with our correspondent that we hove been eye-witnesses to the happy results of Mr. Robertson’s offer's in the disuse of strong drinks, and in dismissing the subject, we can only hope that bis ex ample will be extensively followed. A Gazette notice states that Ids Excellency thcGovernor has appointed Mr. Vincent Pyke, vice Mr. 11. W. Robinson, to be Returning and Registration Officer for the Election of Members of the House of Representatives for the districts of Manuherikia, Goldfields, and Goldfields Towns, and for the election of Members of the Provincial Council for the district of Goldfields. It is also notified that the Court House, Clyde, has been appointed the principal polling place for the district of Manuherikia, for the election of Members both of the House of Representatives and Provincial Council.

An inquest was held at the Dunstan District Hospital, on Tuesday last, before Vincent Pyke, Esq., Coroner, on the body of Arthur Kennedy, who, it will be remembered, drowned himself in the Molyneux on the 20th September last. Erom the evidence of Dr. Niven it was proved that deceased was laboring under temporary insanity at the time, and was not under the influence of drink, either at the time of his death or previously. Evidence was 1 kewise taken of John M‘Kay and Frank Foote, to the efl'ect that they had endeavoured to rescue the deceased from the water bur, without avail. The verdict given was in accordance with the medical evidence. A rider being added to the effect that Messrs. M'Kay and Foote deserved great praise for their courageous efforts to save the deceased.

J. L. Gillies, Esq., a member of the Provincial Executive, who lias been in the district durin'i the past few days, has been waited upon by a few deputations, who brought several •matters under his notice, Mr. Gillies, in his usual urbane manner, moat courteously met the several parties, and promised to give his prompt attention to the various subjects touched upon.

In a recent issue we noticed the Government had voted 50/. and a gold medal to Mr. Colclough, of Cardrona, for his exertions in assisting Constable Hunt in the capture of a lunatic. The Daily Times, on the subject, says : “ We understand that some difference of opinion has since arisen with regard to the gold medal, which will prabably result in its being deposited among the curiosities of the Museum, [f the Government intend to reward acts of bravery by means of gold medals, we. should recommend them to establish an Order of Merit,under the protection of some tutelary Saint whose services in that capacity have not been retained by o*her Governments."

The Lyttelton Times says :—“An opinion, is gaining ground that the next Christchurch race meeting should be held during the stay of the F'ylng Squadron in Lyttelton. According to the Admiraly programme,the Squadron is due at Lyttelton on the sth January but as in all probability it may be delayed a little, it would bo necessary, in changing the date of the meeting,to reserve power to change the race days in accordance with the movements of the Squadron, which would be known least a month before arrival at Lyttelton. We understand that the Jockey Club propose to take the matter into consideration.

We extract the following from the Charleston Herald (a West Coa«t paper) “ During the hearing of n case in the Warden’s Court yesterday, there was a slight passage of arms between the Warden (Mr. Broad) and Mr Horne, barrister-at-law, which afforded thosepresentsome amusement. It seems that while Mr. Horne was examining a witness the bench hinted that he should not suggest evidence to his witness. Whereupon Mr. Horne struck the table violently remarking that, he would not bo charged with telling lies. The bench, not telling lies; but suggesting them to the witness. Mr. Horne,—l deny it, if anyone is telling lies it is yourself. The bench, —Sergeant, remove Mr. Horne from the Court. For a moment the sergeant hesitated, when Mr. Horne said, Serjeant, take me out of Court. A minute after the irate barrister was ordered to sit down. When the case was concluded his Worship remarked that if the bench was not sir-ported it had better he done away with altogether. Mr. Horne replied - hat ho always supported the bench and should continue to do so, but would not put up with indignity. The suggestion by the Inspect >v o, Nuis ticGS to disallow the slaughtering of sheep and pigs in the Townahip is doubtless a very good one, bit we think, had he included the removal of pig styes, the prohibiting of goats roaming about, and the abatement of many other equally as serious nuisances that exist in our midst, he would have shown he had an eye upon all, where it now looks like a half measure. We have been shew a specimen of what we suppose to be plumbago i.y a gentleman in this town, who is connected with a party engag d prospecting a quartz-reef in the Cairn Muir Range. From what we could understand, a perfect lode of the mineral was come across in one of the drives. A sample has been sent (undercover) to Dr, Hector for bis opinion, and if he pronounces favorably the mine will be at once opened up. A correspondent writing to the Tnapchl Times, under the beading of “New Superintendent,” says:—‘lf Mr. Wilson Gray refuses to became the Superintendent, and I don’t think any one will withstand him, there is only one other man who has the requisite knowledge and experience, and that is Mr. Vincent Pyke. The heavy rain that has fallen during the past week has been a perfect God-send to the district, everyone being benefitled. The farms and gardens, which where languishing for mois'nre, now lo > - mist beautiful, and the owners look forward to good crops. We learn that since Tuesday afternoon last it has con imied to snow heavily upon the ranges. The fall is very oportune, as it will materially increase the supply of water in the creeks. From the columns of a contemporary, we notice the Post Master General has at length deigned to conside1 ’ favorably, a tri-weekly, instead of a bi-weekly mail between Clyde an 1 Queenstown, he says, If the cost will not be materially increased, a triweekly mail will ho established.

The Masonic brethren making every preparations to render t\he ball on Thursday evening next an able and pleasant affair. We understand that upwards of two hundred invitations have been i sued, The' - refreshment depai-tment will be under the able management of Mr. W. 11, George, of the Dimstan Hotel’ The Consecration of the Town Hall for Masonic purposes will take place prior to the ball. A foot race took place at Clyde on Saturday last between Donald M‘ Bain and Joseph Laverty for 20 1., or 10Z. aside, distance, 410 yards; about a hundred people attended to witness the contest, over which there was a good deal of speculation ; the betting was in favor of Lafferty, though M‘ Bain’s friends and supporters were in good cheer. A start being effected by Mr. M'Keown ; ’he lads went away at right good speed, and for the first three hundred yards it was anyone’s race, at this distance Lafferty put on a little extra steam and gradually crept ahead of his opponent, and ultimately reached the gaol an easy winner, M‘ Bain having had to pull up, singing “ bellows to mend. ” The London correspondent to the Daily Times indices that Mr. B. L. Fargeon is writing a piece for Lady Don, who is performing and doin weil in the provinces.