LOCAL AND GENERAL.

Dunstan Times, Issue 436, 26 August 1870, Page 2

LOCAL AND GENERAL.

In respect to the proposed expenditure for water supply on the goldfields, Mr. Vogel, in the House of Representatives, on the 16th instant, consented to limit the expenditure of the 300,000?. to a sum not exceeding 100,000 Z. a year. Mr. Charles O’Neil vainly endeavored to get this amount increased. Mr. Vogel thought it probable the apportioning of this money would prove the most difficult part of the financial scheme, and hoped it would nbt 'be neccessary to expend the whole of the money upon works of so speculative a character. Some time since a memorial to the House of Representatives, anent the Land question, was forwarded from Clyde to Mr. Bradshaw, M H.R., for presentation. Mr. Bradshaw, by letter, informs the memorialists that it was duly presented to the House on the 16th instant, and committed to the Select Committee on Public Petitions for their report. He also says that, as soon as the report is made to the House he will take further action and acquaint the memorialists with the result.

In the House of Representatives on Monday, the 9th August, the following clause, which is so important to the raining interests of the whole Colony, has been added to the Militia Bill, on the motion of Mr. Charles o‘Veill;—“ That, in the event of miners or holders of miners’ rights being called out for Militia duty, their Oiairas and interests in claims or water-rights shall be protected during their absence.” We are given to understand that great excitement prevails and, the most profound indignation is expressed, at Black’s No J in consequence of the contemplated removal of the camp

buildings from their present locale to the newly surveyed township on the western side of the Manuherilna. A memorial to the Government, laying hare the parts of the case and exposing the loss ane inconvenience that would accrue to the residents on the east side of the river, has been drawn up and numerously signed. Dr. Niven and Mr. Sinnamon, who were appointed to present the memorial, left for itunedin during the past week Themonej to cover the expenses was raised among the residents at Black’s No. 1. We have received telegraphic intelligence from G-rey month of the death of one who was for a long time resident among us, and who was highly resoected by all who knew her. We allude to Mrs. Kittelty, wife of Mr. William Kittelty, who died last week, and was buried in the Greymouth Cemetery on Tuesday lust, the 23rd instant. A man named William Walsh was arrested on Tuesday last, and conveyed to Clyde Gaol, charged with assaulting a young woman with intent. The particulars, as far as we can lea r n are : the female, who was about to get married, went to Alexandra to see her dressmaker. The prisoner met her at Heusburgh’s Ferry Hotel, and offered to accompany iier home. While on their return the assault was committed. The lemale’s screams drew to the spot a dairyman named M'Naugh ton, who arrested die accused and conveyed him to the camp In a late issue our Nevis correspondent stated that the residents in chat district had conceived the idea of starting a public library. Several meetings have been held and a committee formed to carry oat the object in view, and, from the energetic man-

uer in which they are working, we have every confidence that their laudaide efforts will he crowned with success. The subscription lists are to be closed on the 30th of September, by which time we hope the Committee will bo possessed of sufficient funds to enable them to carry out their arrangements. The first meeting of the now Town Council was held in ■‘die Council Chamber, on Wednesday evening last. Present; W. Theyers, Mayor, Councillors Finlay, Ilatcliffe, and Beresford, and G. Reid, the acting Town Clerk, The acting Town Clerk was instructed to place a notice outside the Council Chamber, calling tor applications for the office of Town Clerk, stating the salary (3 51. per annum and ten per cent, on rates collected), and stating that applications must be lodged by the 26th inst. It was proposed by Councillor Finlay, seconded by Councillor Bcrosford, and carried, That a greatful recognition of the services of the late Town Clerk, Mr. James L. Henderson, be recorded on the minutes of the Council. It was also proposed that a deputation be appointed to wait on Mr. Faohe, to ascertain what steps have been taken to establish a Pound at Clyde. A vote <ff thanks to the chair concluded the meeting. BENDIGO GULLY. (FKO3I OUR OWN CORRESPOXDrNT. August 22. There is nothing new this week to chronicle, the only remarkable change in the aspect of affairs has occurred in the weather, it has been wet and cold for some days past, to day however it appears to be clearing up despite the pertinacious reiterations of the '* old identities ” of this place, that it is too soon for Spring—too soon for rain—sure to have rain, &c..

they put me iu mind of the lawyer endeavoring to persuade a man who was actually in the stocks, that the authorities could not subject him to the indignity ; the culprit’s only reply was, “ but you see I am in ” a sufficient confutation of the argument too I imagine. The Cromwell Company ’had a washing up last Monday of three hundred ounces-tor eight days crushing, they have ten stampers at work now, with the quantity of stone they have on hand, and their wide reef, they should make a good show this season. The Aurora Company have their paddock nearly full of stone, they are putting their water race in order and will start crushing next week, the reef in this claim still continues wide. Colcloucdi and Company are busy getting out stone, they expect, their machinery in a fortnight, the manager has arrived from town to superintend the erection. Jiroadfoot and Company and the Iguana Company are about to amalgamate for the purpose of driving a deep main level from lieodigo-gully

to work both <•' .ini this is a step i the right direction and will be watch ed with great interest by all claim holders here as the proposed drive w’ll be at a much greater depth than has been reached in any of the claims. The Alta Company continue raising quartz, I have not heard when their mill is to arrive, but I may remark the sooner the better. The new di-covery by M'Loughlin and Do. spoken of in my last increases in importance, the reef is widening and improves as they descend, it has furnished a further incentive to prospectors, who are out in all directions, but who I am sorry to relate seem to rest satisfied with merely scratching on the surface ; quartz reefs as a rule are not unearthed by such a simple process. There is a good deal of desultory alluvial mining in and about Bendigogully being carried on, but the want of water at the necessary elevation prevents anything of a permanent character being undertaken; the proposed water supply scheme must meet this difficulty and find employment for a large population, as there are hundreds of acres of poor ground which would pay good wages under +he improved method of hydraulic sluicing. The water in its course would also supply the motive power for all the crushing mills likely to be required in the district. I trust the necessity fo* 1 increasing the water supply to the goldfields will be duly impressed on the minds of the candidates at the coming elections, as it is the universal belief that much, if not the whole of the present depression in the Province would be cured by a judicious expenditure of the Government funds in this direction. I no tice that your correspondent, “ John Just Wages” who, like the ‘Borealis’ he raved about favored us with an effervescent gleam of brilliancy has been pounced upon and severely handled by an indignant “ Shepherd”in the columns of a contemporary, but as it was a remark made by me that “ J,J. W.” took exception to, I may be excused if 1 try to make my moaning a little plainer to that gentleman. What I wished to convey in stating that reefs which will not afford £4 per week wages to the miner, will not pay at £1 per week, was that consequent upon a reduction of wages, a corresponding falling off in the amount of

labor .performed ensues. Labor like any marketable commodity, is supplied in the largest quantity fertile greatest price. (I speak from nearly fifteen years experience in all classes of labor in the colonies), therefore what is gained in money is lost in time, and J. J, W. would find, if he could try the experiment, that Ids “ Borealis” and “ Rising Sun” Companies would be about even at the end of the year, notwithstanding the difference of fifty per cent in the weekly wage, He asks if it is not a fact that, a treat many quartz claims have been thrown up because labor is too high. I answer, “ No.” The true reason was that the extravagant expectations of paying shareholders were not by the appearance of an immediate return when the first excitement had passed off, and in disgust, claims were abandoned which in more patient hands, will yet, like virtue, bring their own reward, ' I can give a case in point, About three years ago, I was talking to a gentleman from Dunedin as to the possibiliy of letting’a quartz mine and mill belonging to a company of which he was a director He asked me what rent I

thought couhl be obtained. I told him about twenty to twentyflve per cent on the capital invested would bo paid, He immediately sliht meup by saying, quite indignantly, that capitalists in town did not invest their money in mining venturesfor such paltry returns, and sooner than take it the whole should go to the hammer—an 1 it was, The occasion which called up this dis. mission, was the exercise of an undue arbitrary power on the part of certain employers to cause a reduction of wages in tlie district, anl whatever the result, such attempts can only produce contempt and disgust. Doubtless, the employer looks at the question in one one way and the workman in another, but might it not be just possible that both, by taking an important view of the matter, would arrive at the same conclusion. Should this desideratum be accomplished, we may hope to see “J. J. W's”, dream of a “ smiling and happy land ” realized. Dr, Carr held a wanes (good word) last week at Goodall’s hotel, Bendigo, and on the whole was rather entertaining. Some of the audience were got under the “ influence”, and performed the usual antics, and some had their omniums phrenologically manipulated. A few of the latter appeared to he more astonished than pleased with the description of their qualities, and with good reason. One was told that he had a head like a bull; another that his head was like a bull-dog’s; and one unfortunate that his knowledge box resembled a whales—very like a whale.