The Dunstan Times. FRIDAY, JULY 22, 1870.

Dunstan Times, Issue 431, 22 July 1870, Page 2

The Dunstan Times.

FRIDAY, JULY 22, 1870.

Beneath the Rule of Men entirely just the pen ia mightier than theswosn

It occurs to us that we should not allow the Municipal Elections to pass over without making a few remarks on the advantages of the ‘municipal system. If we compare Clyde and other goldfields towns with what they were before they became municipalities we have at once striking examples that it was mainly through the municipal system that they hold their, present prominent positions. We will not say that they would have ceased to becommercial centres, because trade always locates itself where it is most convenient for buyer and seller ; but, leaving commerce out of the question, the goldfields municipalities have acquired a standing and influence which, had they simply remained what they were—mining townships, —they never could have hoped to enjoy. A recognised system of local self government is not only beneficial in its action at home, but it carries weight abroad, and judging from the debates in either the Provincial Council or the House of representatives, an incorporated town asserting itself is consi dered as fairly representing the opinions of the district of which it is the centre. Clyde was among the first goldfields towns that elected to become a municipality, and in general appearance it has improved ever since. The streets and side walks are well paved, and may be used by pedestrians with great comfort either in summer or winter. We have an efficient water supply both for household purposes or in case of fire, and during the dry season we are able to allow streams of water to course down the streets, making them cool and pleasant and agreeably free from dust. We have a handsome Town Hall, excelling aiij building of the kind out of Dunedin. The Hall not only answers the purposes of the Corporation, but it is available for the citizens as a place of meeting either for business or a place of amusement. It is admirably adapted for the holding of sittings of the Supreme Court, either in its civil or criminal jurisdiction, and we hope that ere long it will be applied to this purpose. Clyde is the most central town on the gold fields, and the public convenience demands that an occasional Session of the Supreme Court should be held here for the trial of both civil and criminal cases.

The present winter is the dullest we have ever experienced, but this seems proverbial everywhere. From floods and bad roads trade is almost universally prostrate. Instead ot the Molyneux being low and the dredging machines and beach claims yielding up a rich harvest of gold, they are all in a state of idleness, and scores of men who might have been earning good wages had the season been favorable, have been compelled, to leave the district and seek work elsewhere. The causes, both local and otherwise, from which the present depression results are happily of a temporary character and are rapidly being removed. The line frosty weather is causing the river to fall rapidly. The supplies of water running into Lakes Wakatip and Wanaka are now so ice bound that they scarce'y run at all, and both lakes are gradually becoming lower, and with such favorable news from the chief sources of supply there is every probability that the Molyneux will go down low enough yet. The roads are improving fast, and locomotion is by no means so difficult as was the the case a week since. It is certainly better to be late than never, and instead of giving way to despondency we should find consolation in the fact that there is plenty of time for a prosperous season ere the summer is upon us The election of Mr. James Hazlett for the third time Mayor of Clyde is unmistakable evidence that he enjoys the confidence ot the citizens, and as soon as the Municipal Elections have been finally concluded we feel assured that the Council will proceed to business more vigorously than

ever watching over the interests ot the district. Clyde has had many a hard struggle to maintain its position, but, in all cases it has come oft' the conqnerer, and we fool assured that it will continue to maintain its present position as the chief cOntre of business for the Northern and North Western Goldfields.