The Dunstan Times. FRIDAY, JANUARY 6, 1871.

Dunstan Times, Issue 455, 6 January 1871, Page 2

The Dunstan Times.

FRIDAY, JANUARY 6, 1871.

Beneath the Rule of Men bstirelt just the PENismauTiEß than the sword

It may be iii the recollection of the majority of -our readers that, gust before the elope of the last Session of tie Provincial Council, a message from the Superintendent was negatived: “That it is advisable some qualified person should form a commission to go round the goldfields, and cooler with miners and other interested .persons as means of pro-

crhig a water supply ; the Ocmrnis sior. to take evidence and to precede any preliminary survey for that purpose." The idea wa- gathered from the Honorable the Colonial T"easurer ; who had received a letter from Mr Lowther Broad, late Warden at the Arrow, in reference to the expenditure of l-5,0()0£. upon the construction of a race to supply the Twelye Mile ‘(or Mace-town) with fifty heads of water from the upper sources of the Arrow River Mr. Vogel’s promptness in Cornfriunicating with the Superintendent rfn the subject was certainly most commendable, and it was the duty of the Superintendent to communicate the matter to the Council hut ns, considering the disturbed state of Europe, there was no probability of procuring any Colonial loan, it would be seemingly ridiculous to incur any expenses in reference to its expenditure, the Council wisely considering that it was necessary to first have the money. for water supply for the goldfields looks very well upon paper, and, before the breaking out of the war, there appeared every probability of procuring it ; but, since this untoward calamity, the chances of a loan are very prohlematica for some time to come, and it will require all Mr. Vogel’s ingenuity, as AgentGeneral, to procure one ii is visit to Europe is doubtless ostensibly for this purpose, but he will scarcely persuade persons to invest in colonial securities, when, at the close of the war, there will be so many opportunities t > profitably lay out money nearer home, Mr. Donald Reid apparently thinks otherwise, and has actually appointed the Commission in the person of Mr. Charles E. Haughton, M P.C and M.H.R., and this gentleman has began his mission. The whole affair can be nothing more than a political dodge, while the appointment of Mr. Haughton, considering that he is soliciting the votes of a goldfields constituency’ is most reprehensible. It is unfair to the miners, as the district which returns him will obtain the greatest share of the spoil, while it gives Mr. Haughton an unfair preference over other candidates while he can do a little electioneering at the expense of the country. When we find that tlrc’-o is u chance of 'obtaining the 31)0, there will be plenty of time to arrange about its expenditure. The Dunstan District is entitled to a huge share of the loan, should it be procured. Nowhere else could money be so profitably invested upon the construction of water-races, nor is there such an immense area of auriferous ground to be operated upon. We do not wish to disparage our nei hbors, but we really do believe that, among such precipitous raountams as exist in the neighborhood of

Mace-town, 15,000/. would go but a very little way in constructing a wafer-race to carry fifty heads, even if there is that 'quantity of water procurable. However strenuously we may advocate an increased water supply for the goldfields, •we firmly believe that the appointment of Mr. Haughton is a mere political job. If Mr. Donald Held desires to enlist the sympathies of the miners in his favor let him come and make their ac quaintauoe himself. We are taxed enough already, without ’being compelled to indirectly contribute towards the expense of securing seats for certain gentlemen in the Provincial Council or General Assembly. If the Commission of which Mr Houghton is the head is really necessary, let some disinterested person be appointed.