FRIDAY, JULY 14, 1871.

Dunstan Times, Issue 482, 14 July 1871, Page 2

FRIDAY, JULY 14, 1871.

It is a long time since an Auction Bazaar for a- charitable purpose was held at Clyde, why this favorite scheme for raising money has been so long in obcyanco we are at a loss to learn. It is not because there has been a superabundance of money to support our local institutions, it must rather he a loss ol that energy which once prevailed in the gathering together of funds for objects that demanded our pity and support. Many of our readers will recollect that

Auction Bazaars were some six yea-s ago tlie means of rescuing the Dunstan District Hospital from very serious difficulties far iii excess of what they now are, ami we see no reason why they should not he equally as successful in the present instance. If our memory serves ns right, the first Bdzaai held in the Victoria Theatre, the site of the Town Hall, realized about 220/ A si mi ar Bazaar held at Crormvel brought 1 ! 01. ; these amounts, with the Government subsidy, added together with what was realised by an active canvass of the district paid off some 1200/. worth of debts, and placed the Hospital upon a hotter footing than any other similar

institution in the Province. What nas been done once can be done again. The district is fur more prosperous now than at the period of which we are writing. There might certainly have been a few more traders, but competition was excessively keen ; we had no agricultural population except some three small farmers, or, rather gardeners in the Wal Keri Keri Valley, there existed no rich sluicing companies, and the first dredge had only just been built to turn out a failure The population, every branch of industry included, was scarcely so large as at the present time. With our present ample means at disposal, and the very many comforts that we have now surrounded ourselves, our ability to give has correspondingly increased. The same liberality displayed now, as heretofore, should provide sufficient articles that could not be accumulated on any other gold-held. This same holds good with the other townships in the district, and as they equally participate in the advantages of the Hospital,' they are under an equal obligation with Clyde. Besides donors of articles, it is al.wimportant that there should also he purchasers to make an Auction Bazaar a success; of this latter class, there is nothing to fear, everybody has some want, while as the artichs to be offered will be so various, per-’ .sons will have the opportunity of satisfying their wants at a fair market value of the article purchased, tv d enjoy the satisfaction of performing a charitable action at the same time. There can be no question but that wc all have something to give, while we all want something at the same time. The Bazaar will be merely an exchange of commodities’after «11, with a slight monetary consideration added. We hope that no local jealousies will interfere to mar the Success of this good work on hand. The object is a strictly charitable one, and as Christian men we should vie with one another in succouring those whom misfortune has made dependent onus. Patients are admitted into the Dnnstan District Hospital from all parts of the Province, and ihe published monthly returns show that our Hospital is preferred above.all others. For medical skill and carclul riming, (helnstitu tion has always borne a good name. In the hard and inclement winter of ISG3, it not only opcned'its doors to all comma, but it provided relief to a considerable number camped outside for want of'accomodation within. The

patients under treatment suffering from ordinary diseases and those incidental to the severe weather, a large proportion of whom were frost-bitten numbered seventy-four, and to the credit of the institution and district all were relieved. The present winter promises to be unusually severe and although miners at the present time are much better housed and clothed still it is impossibletosay whatcasualty may not occur in the back ranges, or who may not bo snowed in, and unable to extricate themselves, unheard of efforts were then made to render assistance to even probable sufferers, relief parties even ventured into the ranges where there was any probability of help being required. It is quite probable that may be called upon this winter to exercise our charity in this direction, and no efforts should he-spared to place the Dunstan District Hospital in a position to meet the requirements of a probable inclement season.

We again call attention to the announcement in another column that an auction bazaar, in aid of the funds of tbs Dunstan District Hospital, will bo held on the evening of Wednesday, the 2Sth instant, and remind our readers that any article they can spare will be gladly received by the‘Hospital Committee. We regret to announce the death of Mr. Patrick Kelly, an old aud highly respected resident at >. romwell. The deceased gentleman has been a sufferer fors me four or five years past. On Sunday last alaming symptoms exhibited themselves, and in spite of the unremitting attention of the medical gentlemen, Air. Kelly gradually sunk, and expired on the following morning. The fnneral took place on Wednesday, and was numerously attended. Deceased leaves a widow and a family, as also a larae circle of friends, to mourn bis loss.

Juatitia of Horse-shoe Bend, and Consis ent, of Roxburgh. Your contributions we consigned to the waste paper basket. We have no intention of allowing our columns 'o bo used as a vohie'e of abuse, we would advise you to meet Alt. Bc-ngor and abuse him to his face. Mr- Geoogo Faclie will soli on Saturday next, at Clyde.. Horses, share in the Garibaldi Drake and a, four roomed wooden house. , The eoritena-y of Sir Walter Soutt is to bo observed on the 9th of August nest in Dunedin.

llio nomination and election of Mayor, of Clyde for the ensuing year took place at the Town-ball yesterday. Only a few persons were present. Mr. Joseph Hasti acted as Returniug'Officer and Mr. Barlow ns Acting Town Clerk. Mr. J. U- Cambridge briefly proposed Mr. James Hazlett as a fit a'id proper person to fill the office of Mayor of Clyde. The nomination having been seconded by Mr. Grindley, and no other candidate be ng proposed, the Return-, ing Officer declare 1 Mr. James Hazlett duty elected. The usual vote, of thanks

[ closed the proceedings. The first meetl-g for payment of monthly subscriptions to the funds of' the newly formed Building Society was held at the Council Chamber on Monday evening last, ihe majority of the shareholders attended, but from some misconception or probably forgetfulness, a few allowed their subscriptions to fal’ in.arroar. At a meeting of the direcors, it. was deed led that no fines slioul 1 be recorded on this, the first occasion, in the event of the subscriptions being pai i to the Secretary during the ensuing week ; but that in future all lines for nonpayment should Re levied, in accordance with the rules of the Society. It is not probable that occasion will hereafter arise for the strict enforcement of the rules in this respect, seeing that it is to the individual advantage of every member to promptly pay up bis oversubscription ; so that funds may speedi'y accrue for profitable investment Careful perusal of the code of rules, adopted by the present shareholders ; confirms, ihe impression that the operations of the Society will prove of greater advantage lo the community than has yet been generally ad-" mitted or even surmised. To ‘the thrifty it offers a safe and profitable investment for their savings. For the borrower it will afford an easy and equitable moans of obtaining advances repayable by gradual payments suited toeach individuals special emergencies and on terms considerably easier than thousurious rates usually charged by private money lenders. The special advauta ge however, is the facility offsre Itoshareliohlers f r the purchase or erections of freehold dwelling houses. Any shareholder possessing a section of land whereon he deems it advis ihle to erect a snug dwelling house, may, under cer ain stipulations, obtain an advance from the Society, sufficient to cover the cost of the building. Sucb advance being repayable by instalments extending at his own option, over any period from four to. ten years ; and at a rate of interest not much exceeding, the usual rent paid by a tenant. A good percentage of such payments being moreover eventually recouped to the borrower, in the form of bonuses or yearly dividends, accruing on the shares he hoi Is in the Society. Many will doubtless ava themselves of so easy a means of becoming the proprietors of permanent abiding plaoesand, as the scope an 1 purpose of the Society become more generally familiar to the pubic, a large accession of names will bo a Ido 1’ to the already respecta’ delist of shareholders. Building Societies in their operation exemplify the most popular an 1 legitimate form of co-opera ive -vsociation. With rare exceptions wherever established they had bean eminently beneficial and under careful j management there can bo no need to ■ ov.bt the ultimate success of the OtagoGold-fiel-ls Permanent; “ Building, and Investment Society.

Pet ween four cn 1 five o’clock yesterday afternoon the inhabitants of Cly'e were alarmed by the cry of fire, and hastily gathered at the unusual signal,' when they saw vivid flames arising near the Hospital. It was discovered that the cottage of Mr. Joseph Young was ablaze, and, before assistance could bo rendered, the building and its contents were totally consumed. The owner was working in his chum, Mrs. Young being in the township, a-ul thus the fire was only discovers i by people at a distance upon the flames bursting through the roof. Scarcely a vestage of the house or its contents remains. The origin of the fire is unknown.

On Tuesday evening last a serious accilent occurred at the cord pit, Clyde. The unfortunate man is a new arrival, and is was only the first day that he hah been down tbe nit at work. .11 appears that ho and another workman wero breaking down coal, when a slip oceured, and the men was covered with coal an l mulloch which, had not have been for the fortunate circumstance of there being a mate with him, might have resulted fa'ally, lie was got out us quickly as possible. Mr. Holt, the proprietor of the pit, rendered all assistance in his power, and had the injured man conveyed to the Hospital, whore he now lies, severely suffering Mora the effects of broken ribs and internal contusions.

By a private telegram kindly placed at our disposal we learn that a very crowded meeting was held in Dune in, anent tho Mayoralty. The meeting lasted about three hours. Jdr. Eireii was subjected to a very severe questioning, while Mr. Fish was favorably received.

An accident, fortunately unattended with with any serious result, occurred on Saturday morning, near tho Water of Leith. As Cobh and Co.’s coach was passing a dray laden with wood, the ’“ toggle” of the dray cane nut, causing it to tip .This frightened the coach-horses, and they became unmanageable, eventually dashing away with tho fore-carriage. They were, however, stopped at the White Horse Ho el, without further damage. This trilling accident has been somewhat exaggerated; hut, after careful inquiry, the above facts are all we can ascertain.

By advertisement it will Ije seen that Mr. William Hay has on view and for rate,

at the Dunstan Hotel, Clyde', a large ami varied assortment of Family and other Bibles, Praye -books, Church Services, &c Mr. Hay has for some years acted as agent in this and the neighboring colinies, and lie states that; he has disposed of upwards of thirty thousand volumes during the past four veil s. The sale will continue to-day and to morrow.

Mr. .Warden Pyke delivered r lectnre on Monday evening last -in the School-hovse, Alexandra, in -behalf of the Ladies -School Fund. The subject, “ American Humor ?? was handled in a most masterly style, and as the flow of wit and humor fell from the lips of the lecturer, most hearty bursts of merriment and laughter were e-icited—had Mark Twain himself, or the redoubtable Sam Slick occupied the platform, the constant roll df drolleries could not have been more telling. Mr. Theyers, Mayor occupied the Chair,“and taking the cue of the lecturer in a few pithy remarks on behalf

of the ladies, returned thanks. In the Provincial Government Gazette , of the sth July IST 1, it is notified, tliat Crown Grants in favor of the following are ready for uplifting. George Aitken, Alexandra ; C. Attfio’df’and another, Clyde ; J, Cox, Clyde ; J. M Mac-kersey. Alexandra ; M. Marshall, Clyde ; C. Morris, Alexandra ; A. Waddell, Alexandra. At lire usual weekly meeting of the Waste Lands Boa d, held on Wednesday, the sth iust. Mr. John Marsh submitted for approval a plan of land applied for ■ y him at C omwell. It was resolve! that the land he valued and offered for sale with valuation for improvements added to unset price, and

that-it be a condition that; the'applicant made, precedent to the sale, a deposit of 10

per cent, an lif the laud be not sol 1 such deposit to he forfeited. The Select Committee of the Provincial Council appointedtoconsidertheadn lustration of the Goldfields, boughtnp their second Interim Report yes'erday. It relates to petitions from certain settlers, miners, an! others at Tuapeka and certain resident inthe Mount Pence;- district, and is as follows :—“Your Commitee have the honour to report that they would strongly urge upon the Goverment the absoluute necessity of complying with the reques'jofjthe petitioners. The evidence before the Committee proves that it is ihe only way to' facilitate the settlement of people upon the land in our populous Goldfield v as though it may cost the Government an outlay at first, the return of revenue received -from those (list lets where this course has- been adopted fully justifies such outlay; and your Committee would further recommend that all petitions in reference to the opening of laud for settlement, winch have been forwarded to His Honour the Superinten ’out and Provincial Council since ISiifi, should be forwarded with the view to their being laid upon the table rf the II use of Represcn 1 atives Daily Times.

The f 'Homing questions have been submitted to the Schoolmasters of Otago by circular from the select Committee appointed by the Provincial Council to consider the petitions of Roman Catholic inhabitants of the Province on the question of religions education in the public schools: opening or close of the in accordance with Clause 43 of the Education Ordinance ? Do you impart any further religious instruction in school hoybn I the reading of the Scriptures ; and, if so, of what nature and at what time ? I* it known to the children that, if their parents or guardians object to their being pr sent during the reading of Scripture or imparting religious instruction, they are not bound to attend ? What books do you use in school, exclusive af geography aui mathematics ? In your position as a schoolmaster do you considsr yourself to be under any denominational control ?” The Daily Times says “ A handsome watch and gold Albert chain are about to be •presented to Sergeant M'Gann, by the inhabitants of Queenstown, as a mark of the esteem in which they hold him, The presentation will be on view for a few days at Mr. Beaver’s, Princes-street,

The General Government Gazette of the 2Dth ultimo intimates that the sitting of the House of Representatives is further proro.uedto Monday, the 13th of August.

From the Victorian Mining Statistics for IS7O we learn that the average yield per ton fiom quartz treate 1 in that colony varie 1 last year from about six anl a half pennyweights at Ballarat to twenty-five and a half pennyweights’ in Gippsland. The information obtained by the Department for the year covered the treatment of ’ about seven and a half million tons of quartz, and the average yield was at the rate of eleven pennyweights four, fifty-seven grains. The Bruce. Standard says A spirit of wanton mischief seems to prevail in many of the Colonial children and youths. An instance in which this was shown occurred ou Thursday afternoon. Two hoys of the name of Roberts having played “ truant” from school, to pass away their time, we presume, got some matches, and very porseveringly attempted, to set fire to a large stack of straw, opposite and near the residence of Mr. J. L.' Cill'es. Fortunately, from the recent rains, the a‘raw would not ignite very readily. However, at last they effected their mischievous purpose to some indent. Before the flames extended, the fire was no' iced by one ortwo.of|Mr. Cillics’s children, and with the assistance of a man passing at the time, the flames were soon extinguished. The police were made aware of the eirciyn dances, and the elder of the hoys was taken to thoCamp. A ‘ter a severe reprimand from the Sergeant he was dismissed ; hut iu our opinion it would have been well to have given him an hour’s time in the lock-up to reflect ou his bad conduct We hope that pirentswill in future bo careful to prevent th ir children from having matches, ns we have little doubt' many t;f the mysterious .flies every now and then taking place are due to tho mischievous tricks of children. .

The Dunedin k liar offers the following explanation —■ A short time since we publishe 1 a letter under the heading “ Bobbin/ the Dead. ” The allegations contained Cvo charges against the police, which we uld hot have published, had it 'not been that our duty as journalists bring the matter under public no ice *Thc_ letter complied with the usual rule of supplying the address the writer, with the distinct premise that

if necessary tho writer “ would come forward and prove what he stated. ” We are informed that the,. subject has'been twice strictly enquired into; ihat the allegations are utterly untrue; and that no person of the name nttatched to the letter is to- be found in the dis'rict excepting a very respectable storekeeper, who denies having written it. While wo regret having teen made the means of giving publicity to a statement which from the explanations ■given we believe is wholly, untrue, we feel it our duty not the le s to pros cute <o the utmost anyone who has been guilty of so infamous a crime as to forge a name and address for tbe purpose apparently of gratifying private pique. It is necessary for public purposes that the"press should make -any wrong public, but it is equally necessary that every statement should l« true, The public are equally inte>est"d with ourselves in securing the integrity of the press, and though weofler a reward of Lit) for such information as will lead us to convict so despicable -a scoundrel, we feel that tbe crime is so heinous that every assistance will be freely given to enable us te convict the offender.

The following telegram, dated Shanghai, April 12, is pm lished in the London pap ers: —“ An i;n ortant despatch of the Chinese Govermr-nt to the foreign Ministers has been published, in which the former demands the abolition of female schools; that teaching against Confucius and the Chinese doctrine shall be forbidden; an I that missionaries, except at Treaty Boris, shall he considered as Chinese subjects. Tire declared that the attandance of woman at religious services will not be allowed, and that in case of occurrence of another massacre comp.ensatiouwill not! be grantedancjaetnalmurder s alone, will be punishable. Ho rep.lies Lave as yet been . published.” Commenting on this , the Spectator says:—* If this telegram fairly reports the meaning of the Chinese despa’eh one of two even's has happ.enxl. Either the anti-foreign party has triumphed at Pekin, and we are on the eve of another massacre, or the Government has been piromised some support on which it relies support which docs not come either from a Catholic or Protestant power. Fighting Russia in China would be pleasant. “ For the benefit of those who may need a little consolation wc publish tho following from a correspondent of an exchange ; If any of our readers suffer from toothache, neuralgic affections arising from teeth in any state of decay, they may experience relief instantaneous and permanent by satur ding a small bit of clean cotton or wool with a strong solution of ammonia, and .applying it immediately to the aifectel tooth, The pleasing contrast instantaneously produced sometimes causes a fit laughter, although a moment before extreme suffering and anguish prevailed. I have used the remedy for over one year, and have obtained sufficient proof to warrant publication. The “ Southland Times “ says. The following lively- picture of ihe Provincial Council of Otago is from tho pen of a member: be n at work, and in reality little or no real work has been attempted. The whole affair is a game at humbug ali round; ibe art lies in the concealment of the fact. 1 confess I am heartily sick of it, and I hope and pray that ihe forthcoming session of Assembly will- cutthe goruian knot, and set us all out our buisness. ”

The Lyttelton Times says : “At the Lyttelton Resident Magistrate’s Court, on Thursd y last, the iicket-of-leavo men from Fremantle, Western Australia, were b ught upon remand, MrDuncau (Crown Prosecutor) attended by instructions from tbe Genera! Government, and urged that the Court should order the men to be rent back to the c-dony whence they can ic. Theßench made an order to that effect, and the men will consequently be detained in custody until the sailing of the Queen of the South! .

PROVmCIAL COUNCIL. Mr. Thomson moved, “ That there be laid on the table a return showing the municipalities to which the sum of 1,500f. is duo, and the amount due to each.”

Seconded by Mr. Henderson, andcaried

Mr. Shephard moved, “• That an address bo presented to his Honor the Superintendent, requesting that ho will cause to be reserved thr e hundred acres of land, aljoining the township of Roxburgh, for the use of its inhabitants for commonage an i recreation purposes. ” Mr. Reid moved the following amendment : —“ That an. address be presented to his Honor the Superintendent, requesting that ho will cause to bo reserved three hundred acres of lan 1 adjoining the township of Roxburgh, for the purposes of recreation and public utility.” The amendment was accepted by Mr, Shepherd, and carried on the voices. Mr. Hickey moved, and Mr. Shepherd seconded, “ That the petition of the inhabitants of Cromwell, relative to commonage, Ire referred to ho Goldfields Administration Committee. ” Carried.

Mr. BradshaiV moved ; That an ad'hvsg be presented to bis Honor the Soperintendent, i eoommending diat all that area in ihe Province of Otago, containing by admeasurement three acres, more or less, being part of run 215, ami situate at Mr a Flat, in the Benger Survey District here the boundaries are specified] bo set apart as a site for a cemetery at MoaFlat." Carried.

Mr. Mervjn brought up the following interim report of the select Committee on the administration (f Goldfields :—Your Con mittee having carefully considered the various petitions in reference to the establishment of a Courthouse and Gaol at either Clyce or Cromwell, are of opinion that in the event of a Courthouse or Gaol erected in the Dunstan district, it should be erect* i at Cromwell, as the centre of the Northern Goldfields.”

lu committee of n] plyth followingitcms wore passed Wardeia, five at 430/, two at 400/. j and one at 100/., 3200/., under the head of “ Gpld-ficl.is.’’ Ibc folkwing items were passed ;—lie

ceivers, 1850f. ;8 bailiffs, 823f. ; 2 inspectors of depasturing districts, 3121. 10s. ; 2 Chinese interpreters, 3251. ; travelling expenses, 5001. ; fuel and light, 1501. ; s'ores and furniture, 501. ; temporary accomodation, 1001. ; printing, advertising, and stationery, 1501. ; incidental expenses, 100 1.

linden the head “Eoad Engineers,” the following items were pa<sel :—Chief Engineer, 4251. ; 1 District Engineer, 3251. ; 2 District Engineers, 505 1 ; Assistant Engineer, 1501. ; Draughtsman, 1101,; Railway Manager 3001. ; apprentice, 401. ; travlling expenses, 3101. ; printing and slarioneiy 501 Air Mervyn moved, “ That an address he presented to His Honour theSupertendent, requesting that be will be pleased to cause the sum of 5001. to he p'aced on the Supplementary Estimates, for the pnipose of establishing an Hospital at Mas by.” Air. Mervyn, under the.pecuniary circumstances of the province, moved that the item be reducod to 2501. The motion, as amended, was carried.

Mr. Lunisdne moved, “ Thta an address be presented to his II .nor the I u printerdent, requesting him'to place in the Estimates a sum adequate to the payment of giants-insaid to country Hospitals and Benevolent.lnstitutioris, at the rate of 21 to 11. contributed by public subscription to these institutions.”

A,Ler several honorable members had ox. pressed themseh cs as c pposed t. th m .tio , in consequence of the unfavorable state of the public funds.

Mr. Bastings said, that if by deferring tbe expenditure of votes on public works these institutions could secure payment of the subsidy, he would rather these votesrcmained unexpended than these institutions should be deprived of pecuniary assistance, and in order that adequate assistance might bo rendered, he would walk up to his l.nees in mud.

Air. Basstian, in advocating paym-nt of 'he subsidy to thesainstit tions, addressed the Committee in a similar strain, and, like Air. Bastings, referred to the proba’ le sufferings of the destitute and afflicted if the necessary pecuniary aid were withheld.

The Committee divided in the motion, when there were found to bo—Ayes, 10 - imes, 11. Tbe moth n was therefore declared to he carried.

The Committee then divided on t], question, “ That the metiVn rs ; molded b adopited.” (The amendment, moved by Air. Daniel, was that the rate be If. to If,, instead of 2f. to If,) A division was taken, with the following result—Ayes, 19; noea, 11. The motion, as amended, wes therefo e carried. TOWN COUNCIL, CLYDE. An adjourned nesting of the Council was held on Wednesday evening last the 12th instant. Present.—Air. James H azlett. the Mayoand Councillors Hues*on, We’sford, Clark| Hastie, and Patterson. Amongst other busines transacted it was resolved that the nomination of Councilors and Auditors take place on the 2uth instant.

The Mayor statoil that Le had taken ac ion iu the matter of a stling oj the District Supreme Court ai d gaol «t‘Clyde. It was unanimously resolved that a vote of thanks be recorded in the n.inutcs to the Mayor, for the prompt action he took in going to Dunedin to look after the interests of Clyde.

Resolved that Mr. Barlow, be appointed Acting Town Clerk. An account of Mr. James Holt, rendered, was decided to be allowed to stand over for six months.

A vote of thanks to‘the chair terminated the proceeding 1 -. RBIDi.NL' MAGISTRATE'S COURT. CLYDE. Tuesday, July 11. (Before Vincent Tyke, Esq., R. M.) J. C. Kerr, charged with embezzlement, was discharged.

Kerr v. Fache.—Claynfor lb',, travelling expenses from Invercargill to Clyde; I2f, travelling and other expenses while in the employ of defendant ; and Gof. damages, being three months’ wages, for wrongful dismissal. The claim was reduced to 45W; 19s ;« to l ’ri«S R within the jurisdiction of tire Court. After luaring evidence, the Bench reserved judgment till the following day. Wednesday, July 12. Kerr v. Fache.—ln this case the Rod. de ,t Magistrate gave tire following judgincut for the plaintiff: 51. on the first item; G- 7 . 9s. 6d. on the second. On the third i era jiidgmei t for the defendant, the Benah remarking that plaintiff’s misconduct furly justified his dismissal by defendant without notice. WARDEN’S COURT, CLYDE. Wednesday, July' 12. (Before Mr. Warden Pyke.) JK E. Elliott and another.—Application for J mining lease on Prospect Flat, Cromwell road. Objected U Mr. Brough appeared for applicants. Mr. Wilson for R. Felton, the objector, The grounds of the objection were, that the rules and regulations, and also the Gold Fields cts had not been complied with, and also that the objector was entitled to a crown grant in fee simple from lengthened occupation’ tamp from the fact of he Government having in their hands monies, a deposit on an application for an agricultural lease for the land now apnlied for.

An argument arose as to whether the oh j olor should prove what sections of the rides bad not been compl ed with, or the applicants that they had do. e everything^- -y necessary. The 'Warden called on tiie objector, he

saying it was not his intention to wade through the rules and Gold-Holds Acts to discuss what had not been done. Mr. Wilson explained that the application had not been gazetted. The Warden said he must over-rule that objection, the applicant having done his duty on that point, for anyTirregularity on the part of the Warden orthe'Superintendent, whose duty it was to advertise in the Gazette, the applicant must not suffer ; if it was doomed of vital importance to hav" the Gazette nro luced he would adjourn the oa'o. Mr. Wilson said in the interest of the parties he would go on with the cia'-e, and would further object as section 11 had not been complied with, the report of the surveyor not staring every particulars. This objection was over-rnled, the Warden saying there was no argument, Mr. Wilson said that it was use’ess for him to make objections if the Warden overruled him. Richard Felton, sworn : Have been in ■occupation of the land applied fo;' since May, 1364. I hold a business license, a publican’s license, and a miner’s right, and , drive in mv possession a receipt for 10/. from the Gove nmont on an application made by me for an agricultural lease. Cross-examined by Mr. Brough : The Government have refused to .refund the 10/. Some months since I applied to the Government to purchase the land. .1). Elliott, sworn": Had sunk-three shafts on the ground, and had obtained prospects that would pay from 10/. to 12/. per week per man.. If the application is not granted a water-right we have will be valuloss in twelve or eighteen months. To work the ground we propose to divert the road at our own eot, subject to the supervision of the Road Engineer. The Warden said he would report to the Superintendent on the evidence. DRYBREAD. (FROM OUR CORRESPONDENT.) A public meeting was held inHinchcliiie’s Scandinavian Hotel, Drybread, on Saturday 'evening last the 10th instant, with the object of eliciting ah expression of opinion as to the action of the Government in deha ring the district from the services of a Ward.en and Resident Magistrate. Mr. S. M'Cullough, who was voted to the chair, flaid : —He felt himse f in a peculiar position, as chairman it was his duty merely to introduce the subject matter of the meeting and to regulate the proceedings; hut, on the present -occasion, he thought •other duties devolved upon him, and he was resolved not to shirk them. That great blame is to be attached to some one for keeping so large and influential a district without the services of an administrative •officer there could be no question, but where to rest, the onus he w«s at fault. He would "re uind the meeting that for the past ; ■eight-weeks the" only Government officer to i attend to any of., their wants, was a con- i sta’da. He was .jjdt there to dictate the . action necessary to-be taken, but be must flay if the meeting allowed the present opportunity topass withoutgivingan expression ! •of their opinion, they deserved all they got. | The delay in appointing an officer to attend to j their several necessities, it appeared to him,' was traceable direct to the Government, who, after appointing M'Carew, a gentleman well fitted to occupy the post, were vaceillatihg enough to hold oft' the confirmation of the appointment till arguments in favor of another gentleman were heard and settled. When the appointment was made, everything should lie considered : and once made, the Government should allow of nothing to come in between thorn and their decision. Political s rife ought not to stop in and interfere where the convenience of a large section of the community is at" stake. He conclu ’e.l his remarks by expressing the hope that someone would bring forward resolutions expressive of the state of feeling in the district. MrM'Leau ro : e and said : After what had fallen from the chairman ho felt he had little to say further than express his disgust at tile state of things. A great deal of work was accumulating an i he was much afrail if some alteration was not made, and that quickly, confusion would arise that would prove extremely detrimental to the true interests of the distriob . Ho would propose, That, in the opinion of this meeting, the / action of the Government in withdrawing the services of the warden, without appointing a successor, is highly injurious to the interests of the District. Sacond- d by Mr. Adam, and carried. Mr. W. Greenbank said he did not as a rule believe in taking to task the powers that be, as frequently they had difficulties to contend with that did not appear on the surface, but the action of the Government in this instance struck him as being weakness, and censurable to a degree. By the course pursued no one interest was benefitted, and with the view of drawing the attention of the Government to the un- , settled s'ate of the district, ho would propose— “ That the Chairman be requested to write to Mr. Shepherd, the Member for the district, asking him to bring the matter before the Government. ” Seconded by Mr. James Campbell, and carried. Several other gentlemen addressed the meeting, the whole of them supporting the views expressed by the previous speakers, and agreeing that the delays and inconveniences the miners were put to was a serious drawback to their prosperity, and detrimental to their interests. A vote of thanks brought the procccdingsto a close. A social gathering in the District School House was held on Fri-lay evening last, and proved to be one of tbo grea est successes that ever yet took place in these parts ; at the very lowest ccmputation t one .hundred nud fifty people were present, the whole of whom, despite the extreme cold and other little drawbacks thoroughly enjoyed themselves. The cntertainmoilt opened with vocal and instrumental music by tho " Dry-

broad Christy Minstrels,” who never failed in eliciting uproarious applause for every dance, song or piece of music rendered by them. The troupe had evidently gonc’to a vast amount of trouble in attaining such proficiency, and I hope before the winter evenings are past they will give us another treat. The minstrels having run through their programme, tho room Vas cleared and dancing was induced in by its votaries till daylight. Mining news on account of King Frost having held in bondage for the past three or four weeks the liquid clement, there is really nothing to report, as al 1 hands during that time have»been idle. With the exception of Greenbank and party’s claim in the main gully, no one cb-im in the mode of working or appliances demands special attention, as the canvass ho ein one is used, as in the other. In Grcenbank’s claim however iron pipes have been substituted for canvass, and the benefit of the change isperceptib’eat a glance, as I intend in a future contribution to enter into more fully into this subject, I will not now say more than that Mr, Greenbank is deserving of every ibanks from the mining community. At Norman Town. Tinker’s and Devonshire, in fact, throughout the district," everything has been at a stand still, but the customary activity will soon be resumed with the change in the weather. TH E LAK ES. (from our correspondent.) A correspondent writing from Arrowtown, says An immense fall of snow has taken place within the last few days, such an accumulation has not been seen since 1863. Many parts are quite inaccess'tile, and travellers have been compelled to beat a ha ty retreat. A very severe aeo'deut occurred to the flour mill of Messrs. Gilmour Bros., on Sa ur ’ay last, fi’he water wheel has regularly broken down, the ironwork is broken to atoms, and the woodwork very considerably damaged. It will take a considerable time to effect the necessary repairs. It is said that a -second mill will soon be started in the Arrow dis iict. ORIGINAL CORRESPONDENCE [AVe do not identify ourselves with tho opinions that may be expressed by our correspondents.] WATER RIGHTS. {TO THE EDITOR OF THE DUNSTAN TIMES.) Water being a natural agent of essentia importance or necessity to the producing interests of the country —mining, agricultural, and manufacturing—must I e properly utilised, so that the resources of the country may be rendered av tila'dc for the genera good; and as all the different branches 6 useful indus'ry may be considered, from a political point of view, of equal importance no section or c’ass of the community should have any claim t.) precedence," priority of title, or peculiar privilege in the use of wa'er. In the legislative measures of the Government, preferential rights must depend upon priority of grant of use for a specified purpose, and each and every class of interests should be protected alike in die legitimate use and enjoyment of its legally established privileges. ■To illustrate the princip’es enunciated in these communications I subjoin a few cases bearing- upon the question of legal rights referred 10. Oa the banks of a rivulet or-brook in England are situate a number of mills and manufacturing os'ablishments. In tho upper part of the stream is a paper manufactory Below is a cloth-priniag establishment using large quau ities of odors and dyes, and also making use of tho water-power of the stream to drive its machinery. Lower, down the stream is a landed estate, the proprietor of which is also owner of the fishery rights within it. The law allows each of these proprietors to make use of the water as it flawed by his premises, and protected tho several interests. The piper manufacturer, hy using large quantities of chlorine, &c., for deffioldrisini' so impregnated tho water of the stream with the lefuse from from his works that, when it was mads use of in the preparation of his colors by the cloth printer, it was injurious to them. The owner of the fishery complained that tho fish in the rivulet wero destroyc I by the foaling of tho water with tho refuse from both manufactories. The law ordained that the right to use the stream did not sanction the prac ice of making it a conluit for any offensive or deleterious matter contained in the refuse from tho manufactories. To obviate the evils complained of reservoirs were constructed, in which the polluted water of the manufactories was allowed to stagnate, and deposit, as far as possible, its noxious ingredients before again pursuing i s course down the water channel The rights and privleges of lha proprietors above-mentioned had been possessed and legally established for several generations ; hut the principle of the law, that no person must defile a water-course, nor in any war prejudice tho rights of his neighbor, settled the differences, and established the just ro’ationa of these “ riparian proprietors.” When a stream is used merely as a motive power, for propelling, a wheel or screw, tho water returns to, its natu al channel uninjured ; but tho proprietor would have valid claims for compensation in case of the water of the" stream above him being artificially diverted, for any other purpose, from its natural course. I am, &c., AGRICOLA. 1 July 10, 1871.