The Dunstan Times. FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 30, 1870.

Dunstan Times, Issue 441, 30 September 1870, Page 2

The Dunstan Times.

FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 30, 1870.

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

While again advocating the necessity for a sitting of the Supreme Court in its criminal jurisdiction being held at Clyde, we do not base our argument upon the fact of the large number of criminals who have been sent down from here within the last few weeks for trial in Dunedin, but upon the great saving to the country and the convenience to witnesses that would rcsnlt from a Supreme Court sitting at intervals being established here. In the case of the late gold robbery the cost of the prosecution must have been something enormous, let alone the private loss to individuals. Besides the escort robbers we sent eight other prisoners to Dunedin, and could they have all been tried here, the money saved would have gone a long way towards building a gaol and its appurtenances, and, what is more, had there been a gaol at Clyde, there would have been no esoort robbery at all.

Situate in tlio very heart of the gold producing districts, Clyde is, and must maintain, the position of the most important inland town in the province of Otago. It is no argument that, because there is no large body of miners immediately resident, other places will out-rival it in importance. The experience of the last three years must have thoroughly dispelled that idea, and the very fact that it has r-e----tained its position from the very first as the commercial centre of the northern and north-western goldfields is a sufficient justification fur the Government making it the official centre also. We have a Town-hall, which, at a very nominal expense, could be converted into a Supremo Court House, without detracting from its present usefulness, and there is very little doubt but that the Corporation would gladly undertake to effect the necessary alterations without cost to the Government. We have a resident member of the legal profession, and it is probable that we shall have another before long. It cannot therefore be argued that the prisoners tried at Clyde would be unable to procure professional assistance, and a visit, say once a quarter, from one of the Judge* would put the country to no very great expense; in fact, it would ellect a saving. A gaol is all that is neeessary to effect this great public convenience, and, with material everywhere so handy, there should be no difficulty in the matter. We believe that, in asking for the establishment of a Supreme Court Sessions at Clyde, we are only asking that a much-pressing public want should bo satisfied. Tim up-country districts of Otago are at present sacrificed to Dunedin. No attention whatever it paid to their wants, and. whenever money is expended, it is only done so grudgingly. We hope our next representatives, whoever they may be. will not let this subject dr >p until what we now' seek is secured unto us.

As, in all probability, a special, but brief, Session of the Provincial Council will shortly be called, it may not be out ot place to impress upon our representatives the most urgent of our local wants. This will be the last opportunity they will have of advancing our cause in the Council, unless reelected at the coining general election. There is yet time to secure something for us, which good office would doubtless be held in kind remembrance when the proper time comes for again soliciting our suffrages. That the subject of roads demands attention there can ho no two opinions. Ko country inhabited by Englishmen was ever in such a deplorable position for want of good roads as was Otrgo during the last winter, and even now the evil is but barely cured. With the present aspect of affairs in Europe we may confidently give up the idea ol effecting a loan for railway purposes for some time to come, and our only alternative for the means of locomotion is to fall back upon our old system of common roads. A practicable road at all seasons of the year, connecting the northern goldfields and Dunedin, by way of Tuapeka and the valley of the Molynenx, is of first importance. The commerce of the interior cannot be carried on without it, and it should have been constructed long since. There are no engineering difficulties in the way, and material in the shape of stone is everywhere easily pro curable-—in most instances can be obtained on the spot where it is wanted. The rise in the price of the necessaries of life last winter, owing to the badness of the roads, has been a great tax upon the'industrious classes, and has been tantamount to a reduction in wages, while many works have been actually stopped altogether because of the enhanced cost of material. The river crossings is another subject demanding attention. The extortionate demands of the proprietors of punts amounts to something equivalent to twenty shillings per ton upon goods between this and Tuapeka or Queenstown, and it cannot be borne without considerably circumscribing the necessary traffic, That the Government should possess themselves of the punts, and lease them upon terms equitable to the lessees and the pnblic, is now an actual necessity. The throwing open of more land for leasing, under the agricultural leases regulations- must not be lost sight of. The high price of flour and every description of horse-feed has been a serious drawback to our progress, and, on account of the latter, local industries have suffered. By opeuing np more

and w r e provide increased employments for our population, and we retain persons in the province who, having saved money at gold-mining, are desirous of making themselves a home, and who would gladly remain here could they procure what they wanted. Each of the matters herein referred to demand the earnest and urgent attention of our representatives.