The Dunstan Times. FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 19, 1869.

Dunstan Times, Issue 396, 19 November 1869, Page 2

The Dunstan Times.

FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 19, 1869.

Beneath the Rule of MenENTiRELY just the pen - is mightier than the sword

Tuesday, the 7th of December next, is gazetted as the day upon which the various Benches of Magistrates on the various goldfields will hold their annual licensing meeting for the granting of publicans’ licenses. This, to the vendors of spirituous liquors, means no more than that they are called upon to appear, either personally or by agent, before their Worships to renew or otherwise obtain permission to practise their calling for one year, after having paid the usual license fee. It is, however, high time the public, who are really very much intei-ested had something to say in the matter. Hitherto the publicans, or persons styling themselves such, have had things pretty much their own way, and, when they had paid for their licenses, considered their obligations at an end. This idea has doubtless been fostered by granting licenses indiscriminately to all applicants, the payment of the fee, and thus adding some 20/. or 2 51. to the revenue, being, in the eyes of the licensing magistrates, a sufficient qualification to supply stimulating drink to the public. Circumstances, however, alter cases, and now that we have made the goldfields our home, and become a settled community, before we privilege persons, or rather grant them a m nopoly of a certain trade or business, it is desirable that they should be in a position to fulfil the obligations required as an equivalent for the privilege conferred. This is a matter of considerable importance to the public, and more especially to those whose business necessitates their travelling from place to place, while it also particularly interests the publicans themselves. There are plenty of what are termed hotels, more especially on the road-sides, where the accommodation for travellers is of t he most meagre description, everything being nearly as rough as it was in the early days of the gold discoveries; for, notwithstanding the improvements that have taken place in almost everything, we find many publicans a long way behind the mark, and it would seem, in these cases, that the business of dispensing nobblers was opposed to the cultivation of progressive ideas. This is a constant source of complaint by travellers, more especially between this and Dunedin, and where at least the very best of accommodation might be expected. In the townships there is not much cause for complaint under this head throughout the entire goldfields, the number of public-houses are greatly in excess of public requirements. It may, f perhaps, be an entirely Dew feature in social economy to refuse

permission to a person 'desirous of entering upon a certain 'lino of business merely upon Hie supposition that there is not sufficient room for the display of his peculiar abilities or that they are not wanted ; but, as the Government take upon themselves the special guardianship of hj - telkeepers, charging of course a high annual premium for doing so, it is noth ag but reasonable that the objects of so much care should not be suffered to go alone. They have a right to be protected, not only from undue competition, but from illicit dealers in their wares, and, were this protection given, the carrying out to the letter of the provisions of the Licensing Ordinance could with better grace be insisted upon. It must be apparent to the most casual observer that, where the number of publichouses is so very much in excess of what is really necessary, the trade of selling nob biers must be forced, or rather people induced to think who do not require to do so. That such is the case is proved by the enormous consumption of spirituous liquors in proportion to the population. We are by no means viciously inclined, nor are we drunkards, and we require less police protection than any other class of colonists; but, without being drunken or vicious, we drink more grog than is good for us. We have no natural penchant for alcohul; we par take of it because of the inducements to do so, and, while it is so indiscriminately sold, there is no possible abatement of the evil. If the licensing magistrates would take th« “ bull by the horns,” and iook upon the issue of pub 1 leans’ licenses as a matter of public morality rather than of revenue, hotelkeeping would speedily become a legitimate business, and, instead of the publican, in his own person, being necessitated to attract custom, the superior accommodation which ids house provided would do so for him. Even if the revenue under this head did suffer, there would be found an excess in other shapes, leaving out altogc her the moral gain to the community at large. In numbers of instances single females, not . being widows, hold publicans’ licenses. Nothing can be more reprehensible, and it would not be permitted anywhere out of New Zealand. The -nine principle also holds good in the case of the male sex, and none but married men living with tinir wives diould be qualified to hold a license.Both of those conditions are strictly enforced in Australia, and are found to work exceedingly well, and the same would be equally so here. The remedy for many of the evils herein complained of is in the hands of the magistrates, and we hope they will use, not only their influence, but their prerogative, to provide a remedy

On Sunday evening, an accident'. <>t a scrims nai ure occurred to Charles Archer, a miner, of Bendigo Gully. Archer h»d been to Clyde, and was returning to. the leefs. The horse was a very spirited animal, and threw his rider, afterwards kicking him while on the ground Dr Corse was soon in attendance, and it was (hen fuund that the collar bone was broken in two places. This was set, and on Tuesday the injured man was removed to the Dunstan Hospital ; we are glad to hear he is in a fair way of recovery. The satisfactory price realized by the sale of the Caledonia Race and Claim at the Half Mile Beach, Alexandra, (£2,800) has created increased confidence.iti mining matters through out the district. The bidding was most spirited, and eventually was knocked down to Mr. Michael Kutt, a shareholder in the cr'ebrated Frenchman's claim. We heartily wish Mr. K.ett every success in his new venture. We understand that it is in contemplation to form a Masonic Lodgo at Cromwell, under the English Constitution The Brethren muster pretty, strongly in that locality, and there is everyiproßi*ct of the miocees of the lodge.

Home interesting discoveries were made by Captain Fraser, during a recent visit to the Ida Valley, in the shape of several stone knives and «aws. They have been placed in the Museum. An inquest was he d at the Hospital, Dunedin, on Monday, the Bth in»t., ”p. n the body of Waiata, one of the Maori prisoners, who died soon after his arrival. A verdict, to the effect that the prisoner died from general debility, was returned.— Daily Times. We take fine f Reiving froin the Daily Times : A telegram from Hobart Town, dated the 22nd ult., and published in the Argus , thus details the late capture of salmon in the Derwent:—“The first salmon was caught last night. I kin and another fisherman were fishing in the Derwent, in Beauty Bay, with a seine, when they captured a salmon—one ten inches long and five inches in girth, and a sefeoud nine inches long. The Commissioners and a great concourse of citizens are now at the museum inspecting the fish, and the incident has naturally occasioned great excitement. The fish are the natural production of the Derwent, they are the offspring of salmon which had been hatched from the original ova, and consequently may be looked upon as a second generation.” The manner in which the salmon were disposed of is mentioned by another telegram of the same date :—“The Premier gives a banquet to the members of Parliament to-night, in the Council chamber. The salmon caught yesterday will be on the table. On Sunday the 7th inst. Mr. J. G. P. Grant delivered a sermon within the Caledonian Grounds, Dunedin. His subject win “ The End of the Wicked ” with special reference to the New Zealand rulers, and the “convict city ” There Were about six hundred persons present. Bruce Herald. Mr. Warden Pyke, in a letter to the Secretary for Lund and Works, dated the 6th inst., statesthat in order to put a s'op to the spirit of gambling in shares which had manifested itself at Cromwell, he issued the following notice;—“ That in the event of any share or portion of a share in any quartz c aim, held under protection certificate, being sold, transferred, or publicly advertised for sale, the certificate will be compelled to put on the full number of men within twenty four hours thereafter; failing which, the claim will be forfeited.” He also contradicts several statements cii ciliated with regard to the reefs, chiefly respecting the direction in which they run. Daily Times.

From the Provincial Government Gavette we lake the following :—‘f It is liereliy notified that the Annual Licensing Moisting will be held on Tuesday, the 7th day of December, at the Courts ot the Eeiident Magistrates throughout the Province, for the purpose of granting General, Night, i ottle, and Wholesale Licenses, itc. Intending applicants are reminded that the Ceititicates, together with the License Fee, must be lodged in the Treasury, Dunedin, within twenty one d.ys (viz., Dec. 29) from the above mentioned date, or in default thereof, for a further period of thirty days, the License maybe issued upon payment ofa Fine of Two pounds in each case, additional to tho License Fee. All persons interested are hereby informed that the Law will be strictly enforced, and that if they fail to inake the necessary applica t.ions and payments as herein stated, they will have no possible remedy Applications must be lodged with the Olerk (if Court, at least fourteen days be'o e tl e said meeting. The Melbourne Cup was won easily by Warrior, Monk, second, and Phoebe, third.

.An inquest was licit! at Welshman’s Beach, near Roxburgh on the Bth instant, before Mr. John Brighton, J P., on the body of a Wan found in the Molvneux three days previously. The deceased was not identified, and the jury returned a verdict of “ Found drowned.”

Messrs Bastings and Kofoed of Weatherstones turned out their first brew lust week. This fact was an nounced by the bellman, who further invited all hands to “ taste and trv ” free of expenee. This had the effect of drawing together a large number of customers, and a contemporary says that “ the crowd afterwards showed signs of great animation.” It would appear that the arrival of the Maori prisoners at Dunedin Gaol must be cause ot congratulation to European residents of that establishment. According to the Daily Times: “ The authorities of the gao have determined to allow the use of tobacco among the European and Maori prisoners. As it was considered necessary to make this allowance in favor of the Maoris the authorities wore obliged to grant the same indulgence to the European prisoners, in order to prevent dissatisfaction among them.” A fire of great magnitude occurred on the 4th of August, in the city of Philadelphia, resulting in the loss of at least one life and serious injury to ten or twelve firemen and others. The loss of property is estimated at four millions of dollars.

We are given to understand that the General Gove nment have purthe whole, of the Provincial Lines of Telegraph,

An accident of a very serious nature occurred at the Theatre Royal, Melbourne, on the 26th nit. In the last scene of Othello, Hvhflre lago stabs Emiline, Herr Baiidmahn'(lago) made apparently the usual thrust, when Mrs. Steele fell to the ground uttering piercing shreiks, which were at first regarded by the audience as part of the business of the scene. Such, however was not the case, and it was soon discovered that Mrs. Steele had received a severe wound some five inches in length. Medical attendance was quickly 'rendered, and the unfortunate lady was conveyed to her residence. The lady, we are glad to hear, is progressing favorably towards recovery, though her nervous system has received a most severe shock. Herr Biindmanu himself suffered tlie most agonising distress at having caused the injury, and the audience showed the greatest possible Sympathy for Mrs. Steele.

A stranger entering the ' own of Clyde cannot fail to notice the large stone store now in course of erection by Mr. B. Naylor, a very early resident on the township. On Friday las r , the interesting ceremony of lav - ing the corner stone of the building was performed by Mr. W. R. George in the presence of a good sprinkling of friends. Mr. Geirge briefly ad dressed tbe company present, and placed in tbe cavitv a bottle containing coins, copies of thesevoral journals V. Tbe stone was then lowered to its place, and Mr George declared it, duly laid. Three times three were given, and the company drank to the prosperity of the worthy and enterprising proprietor. The children were not forgotten, but were regaled with a profusion of sweets We have received the prospectus of a new paper, shortly to appear. It is entitled the Mining Journal, and wili contain the whole of the mining intelligence obtained from reliable re liable resources. The want of a journal advocating the mining interests and recording, not only new discoveries, but the progress of old ones, has long been felt, and from the intimate kuowle Ige of mining matters possessed by those connected with the proposed new journal we a e of opinion that it will prove a success. The well-known ship Lightning, for some years past engaged in the Australian trade,, has - been totally destroyed by fire at Geelong, where she was taking in cargo. We take the following from the Daily Times telegraphic news from Melbourne ;—“ On the morning of. the 2nd the Legislature sat till three o’clock, as the Opposition were bilking against time for the purpose of prolonging the 'debate on the tariff. In the course of the morning a discreditable scene took place between the late Treasurer and the present Premier. The former characterised the latter as a boaster and a coward, whereon the Premiei retorted by threatening to pull the late Treasurer’s nose, a’d great confusion ensued. The debate was resumed next day, the Opposition still endeavoring to waste time.”

The Escort on Monday last took down the following quantities o: gold:— Queenstown 1021oz 15dwtArrowtowu 690oz 15dwt Cromwell 723oz. 2d\vt. Clyde 2i)2oz. Odwt. Alexandra 339oz. Odwt. Black's 404 oz. Odwt. Dunsta" Creek 52oz. 3dwt, Mount Ida Total ... 931oz. Odwt. 4.413(.z. 15dwt.