The Dunstan Times. FRIDAY, DECEMBER 17, 1869.

Dunstan Times, Issue 400, 17 December 1869, Page 2

The Dunstan Times.

FRIDAY, DECEMBER 17, 1869.

Beneaththe Rule of Men entirely just the pen is mightier than theswoßD

We have to apologise for the omission of our usual leading article. An extra number of advertisements compel us also to omit a mass of other matter already in type. The Escort on Monday last took down the following quantities of gold

That most admirably conducted and largely circulated organ of the Government—the Advertising Sheet —notified, a few weeks since, that a Conference of Goldfields’ Wardens was to take place at Clyde, on A] onday last. To the public that was the only notice given, and, we believe, to the Wardens nothing farther until the very eve of the Conference, wh°u they were officially notified their presence was required in Dunedin. We will not question the advisability of the Conference, or the amount of practical good that may result from the tinkering with the Goldfields Rules and Regulations, neither is it our intention to question even the power of the Executive to deal with the subject in such a manner. What we would shew, is, that not only a great waste of public money will unnecessarily be expended, but a great loss of time in regard to the public servants whohave to meet at this Conference, will result from this alteration. There are at present five Wardens, the sphere of whose duties lie from seventy to two hundred and twenty miles from the Aletropolis entailing the following amount of travelling, viz.,—Air. Beetham, 208, Air. Pyke, 156 ; Air. Robinson, 94 ; Air. Simpson, 76 ; Air. Wood, 140; making altogether in round numbers, reckoning the going and coming, 1,336 miles; whereas, had the Conference been held at Clyde ( the distance to travel would only have been 500 miles, as follows ; Air. Beetham, 52 miles; Air. Pyke, nil. ; Air. Robinson, 64 miles; Air. Simpson, 72 ; Air. Wood, 62, thus effecting a very considerable saving, both of time and money, besides interfering but little with the duties of the gentlemen engaged. In fact it appears the Government put themselves to considerable trouble to discover the most circumlocuitous method, “ how not to do it ” to the cost of the tax payers. A Chinese Doctor named Sin Sing was drowned while rafting timber at the head of Lake Wakatip on the 6th instant. He was buried in the Cemetery, Queenstown, on Saturday last; A large number of his countrymen and Europeans were present. The deceased was a Brother of the Alasonic Order.

The Alexandra Jockey Club Races and the St. Bathan’s Annual Races are announced to take place on the same days, namely the 27th and 28th inst. A Very liberal programme is advertised for both these meetings, but we think it a pity that arrangements colild not have been made so that the owners ot horses and the love; s of this truly Bri'ish sport could have been p esent at both of the meetings.

We are requested to announce the arrival in Clyde of Mr. H. Burton, Photographer and Artist. Mr. Burton’s portfolios of views and carte de visites are sufficient evidence of his skill and ability ; it would be well lot 1 those who have not had the opportu nity of inspecting them of doing _ so at once,, as Mr. Burton’s visit is limited to two days only, at the ex-pix-ation of which time he proceeds to Cromwell, The Queenstown Corporation sent a man down on Wednesday last to Invei’cargill to bring up trout. He is to carry them up by hand if necessary. Ponds are being prepared for their recption. The same body have sent a memorial to his Honor the Su perintendent to make a track at once from the head of the Lake to Martin’s Bay. We are requested to notice the arrival at Clyde of Mr. Armstrong, Dentist. As his stay is but of short duration (only two weeks) we would advise all those who have diseased teeth to pay Mr. Armstrong a visit. His long experience as a practical dentist, and the uniform success that attends the whole of his operations, x-enders further comment from us unnecessary.

A correspondent to the Tuapeha Times says :—“Sir, I have been informed the Island Block is to be at once thoroughly worked for gold, under the auspices of a wealthy and influential company, who will employ a very large amount of labor in wresting, nolens volens , the auriferous treasure from what would have been (if the agricultural lease system obtained the mastery) potatoe beds of a numerous and squalid population. If it is not more desirable to thus encourage and employ foreign capital than to sacrifice the land in the manner indicated, then I own that my views, which I am aware are those of the minority (an enlightened minority), I may be permitted to say I am wrong. The large new stone store now in course of erection by Mr. B. Naylor, in Sunderland-street, Clyde, is proceeding rapidly towards completion, and when it is finished it will be both an ornament to the town and an unmistakable evidence of the prosperity and enterprise of our business people. The building measures fiftyfour feet by fifty-one feet our aide ■ wall is sixteen feet in height by two feet in thickness, with stone partitions inside. Nine hundred loads of stone have been used in its erection. The windows and doors will be of plate glass set in cedar frames. They have been ordered specialiy from inmedin by Mr. Naylor, and will cost GO/, before they leave town. The entire cost of the structure will be between 800/. and 1,000/. The 1. ilders are Messrs. M'Kessar and Sutherland, and there is every evidence that they will faithfully perform their contract.

The reduc ion in price for shearing has caused a good deal of discontent, and in one instance a strike, necessitating a postponement of operations. The Bruce Herald informs us that Air. Koberts, of the Ardmore Station on the Pomahaka, purposed commencing shearing on the 2nd instant, when a portion of his sheep were brought into the yards in readiness. Some half-a-dozen shearers were ready to commence work, but demanded 18s. per hundred. Air- Bober s, however, declined to give more than 155., the price generally agreed upon this season. This the hands present declined to accept, and the sheep were at once turned adrift, the shearers preferring to go on strike to working at that figure. At the usual weekly meeting of the Waste Lands Board held on Wed nesday, the Bth. instant, the following business was transacted.—“ The letter of the Alayor of Alexandra, suggesting that the sale of that township should be held at its cam]), was considered, and the suggestion was approved, viz., the sale to be held at Alexandra. Air. Warden Pyke’s letter, as to the upset price of Clyde, was referred to the Provincial Solicitor. Air. David C. Cameron's application to purchase sections 66, 67, and block 1, Shotover district, held lease, was sanctioned : to be paid wr in one month. Air. J. C. Chappie, and Air. W. C. Theyers, applied to purchase sections 13, 14, 15, 16 and 17, block 1, Alexandra; postponed. AYith regard to the townships of Hyde Hamilton, Naseby, Roxburgh East, and Wakefield, it was determined that unsold surveys should be cancelled, excepting reserves The Government to be recommended to abandon educational reserves in the Township of Roxburgh East.”

Mr. George Fache will sell by auction on Tuesday last, 21st instant at Cromwell, a mob of cattle, inclubing about twennty bead of fat bullocks, the remainder being fat dairy cows. The attention of butchers is particularly drawn to the sale, as the fat cattle are very prime, aud just suited to the season.

The English Mail we understand will close at the Clyde office on Sunday, the 19th instant, at 9 p.m., at Alexandra on the same day and hour, and at Cromwell, on Saturday, the 18th, at 3 p.m.

We have to record the sudden death of a miner at Blacks’ No. 1, Lamed David Bewes on Tuesday last. Vincent Pyke, Esq., the Coroner for the District, held an inquest on the body on the following day, (Wednesday) when the jury returned a verdict of “ died from natural causes.”

Queenstown 130;)oz 6dwt. Arrowtowu 503oz 9d wt. Cromwell 820oz. Odwt. Clyde 404oz. Odwt. Alexandra 314oz. 17dwt. Bunsta" Creek 228oz. 14dwt. Mount Ida 978oz. Odwt. Total ... 'Z. Gdwt .