BLACK'S.

Dunstan Times, Issue 459, 3 February 1871, Page 3

BLACK'S.

(froji OUR own CORRESPONDENT.) , The coming elections are beginning to occupy die attention of the miners and settlers in this district in earnest. Mr. Fra sex addressed a crowded meeting at die Shamrock Hotel, on January 31st, Mr. Cheeseman in the chair. The candidate dwelt at some length On the topibs of the day, expressing himself in favor of the financial scheme propounded by Mr Vogel ; of facilitating the sett’ement of'the people on the hind hy a system of deferred payments ; the reduction of the gold duty ; and thought the sum proposed to be expended for water supply on the goldfields too small. Mr. Fraser also spoke at some length on his past conduct as member of the Provincial Council, refuting a charge made against him by Mr.' Shepherd, with regard to the opening ”p of land for settlement He also stated that he was favorable to the election of Mr. Macandrewas Superintendent. After a few unimportant questions had been answered Mr. Wotherspoon proposed, and Mr. Leask seconded a motion to the effect—“'l La*- Mr. Fraser was a fit and proper person to represent the Dunstan district in the House of ilepreseritatives.” The motion was carried unanimously, and after a vote of thanks to the chairman the proceedings teiminated

Mr. \\ ortli was to have addressed tlio electors on Saturday evenin'* last but owing to some cause or other lie foiled to put in an appearance Hr. Niven appears to be the favorite candidate for the Provincial Council in this part of the country, but what the policy of the electors is in the other parts of the constituency, I cannot sav.

In mining there is scarcely anything doing just now. There is a good deal of prospecting going on in the flat, but in most instances without any satisfactory result. Cheeseman and party are cutting a large drainage channel up the flat, for the purpose of prospecting some new ground in the upper part of the flat. They have not, however, struck anything payable yet. Water being very scarce, owing to the exceptional dryness of the season, a large number of are idle.

Harvesting operations are being prosecuted vigorously. The crops are very fair this season Oats bdilig cx pccted to yield an average of 40 bushels to the Here.