The Dunstan Times. FRIDAY, AUGUST 11, 1871.

Dunstan Times, Issue 486, 11 August 1871, Page 2

The Dunstan Times.

FRIDAY, AUGUST 11, 1871.

Beneath the Uule of lien Esther t, y jest the pen t is mightier than the sword

Our Municipal ' Council has shown an earnest of good intent in initiating action with regard to the establishment of a county in this portion of Otago, setting an example that we venture to predict, will soon be imitated throughout the length and breadth of the province. At no period in the history of municipal institutions has a greater need arisen than exists at the present moment for earnest and united action to extend the powers of local self-government by an organization, comprehensive in its details, equitable in its operation, and fitted to rid the body politic of ills which are a public curse - evils every day increasing at the hands of ■weak, vacillating, or incapable pro viucial rulers Long suffering, yet. patient; hopeful, even when political confusion has reigned supreme ; listening contentedly to words fair and specious ; deluded by the plausible theories of political mountebanks; yielding with blind submission to abortive attempts at legislation, resulting in naught but discontentment and strife in the Council Chamber; oppression and injustice without—the people of Otago have sweated and groaned beneath their burdens, or contented themselves with meekly discussing the right of authority, and asserting popular principles that are but nugatory if uot carried into instant effect. At last they seem roused to action. The public press of the province teems -with indignant utterances at the mal-administration of public affairs. The words “shame” and “Provincialism” have become synonymous. A crisis has arrived in provincial affairs, and it becomes the duty of all men assuming to possess the attributes of moral courage and common sense to face the difficulties of the situation, and devise the best means to extricate themselves from present and impending difficulties. Concerning themselves for the public good of their adopted country, petty ties and petty jealousies should be abandoned. Ail minor topics of mere local bearing should be allowed to lapse in their own insignificance, before the momentous question of the general public weal. The-pub lie interest should bo the one supreme consideration, the din of faction should be hushed ; and the meaningless cries even yet feebly uttered by mercenary supporters of a moribund constitution should be silenced by honest out-spoken words, the incentive to effective action, |md re-echoing the sentiments of our Superintendent, who, nltra-provincial-nt as he once was ; has in Ins desire for the public good, already exclaimed “ Perish provincialism; if it interfere with the work of colonisation.” As an adjunct to the comprehensive scheme ot public works shortly to be initiated, ! which, in its faithful carrying out, contains a solution of the problem how best to advance colonization ; we sub-

niit that it is absolutely necessary to direct all legitimate efforts towards the centralization of local government, and the wise control of public monies locally expended. To this end the establishment of a county system in Otago would seem to bo the most effective ; and, in deciding to invito the co-opera-tion of the Alexandra Town Council, in petitioning for the establishment of « County on the Dunstan Gold-liekls; the Clyde Corporation has shown wisdom. Without doubt the two municipal bodies will on this point work harmoniously together for the mutual ad van tage of the two townships, and for the general good of the important district, upon which the vitality of the townships depends. It is a cheering fact indeed to know that, at last, a point of mutual interest to both communities presents itself for consideration. Mere petitioning, however, will not suffice. In the details of recent provincial legislation, nothing has proved its

rapid degeneracy so much as the sham of petitioning. Communities—nay, private individuals, forsooth have freely exercised their privileges; but, whenever confidence' has been placed alone in the justice and equity of the application, the prayers of the petitioners have been disregarded; but, backed up by chicanery, wilful perver sion of facts, bounce, and braggadocio, petitions unworthy of a moment’s consideration have received compliant attention. In the General Assembly, it may be safely assumed, petitions will be dubious y received unless backed up by strong evidences of honest public support and sympathy. Agitation is the wortl— prompt, effectual, and unwavering. Let meetings be held wherever many or few can be gathered together; let delegates assemble to ventilate and discuss the subject in all its points and bearings. The final result of such deliberations is not doubtful. The responsibility of any individual holding any stake in the land of his adoption is self-evident. It is a question to be discussed earnestly, persistently, and fearlessly The choice is given—to establish local self-government, or still permit Provincialism, in its corrupt embodiment, to “ Bestride our narrow world Bike a Colossus, and we petty men * * * peep about To find ourselves dishonorable graves. ”

The second election of Municipal Councillors, consequent upon Messrs. Naylor and Cox having polled an equal number of votes for the East Ward on the late election day,was productive of a lively little contest on Tuesday last, between the partisans of the rival candidates. The more so perhaps because each party felt sure of \vinning. The twelve votes given for either side on the first occasion, were again reckoned on as a moral certainty in the early portion of the day, but this did not prevent a careful watch being that each individual should come up to time at the polling booth. As the hours passed away it became evident that the struggle would be again a close one, each party putting forth their efforts to place their favorite first. At 4 p.m. the interest culminated, and the declaration of the poll was eagerly waited for. It came at last, Naylor, 13 ; Cox, 10 ; whereupon the winning side became demonstratively jubilant, and the losers grimly resigned. It seemed imperatively neceosary that some one’s health should be immediately drunk to allay any feelings of irritation that might possibly be ranking the minds of disappointed electors, and copious libations were indulged n „,l 11 •. c . °

m and the prosperity of Clyde freely toasted, and better iuck next time, to the losing can- . didato, who has at least the satisfaction of knowing that he has been honorai.lv d«. feated. Last evening auont half past five, another unfortunate was.added to the already long list of victims, who have met their death in the Molyneux. It appears the deceased and two others were in a small boat, and

while attempting to board the “ Kcarsage ’ dredge, which is moored in the centre of the river, got font of the shore lines, me of which caught the deceased, aud precipitated him into the seething current. The deceased rose smuggling to the surface of the water once, but immediately sunk and was never more seen. The two others wrh the boat were carried some distance down the stream where they landed. The name of deceased was John Farley. At Alexander aud the Teviot, he was known as the “ Irish Ambassador.” It will he seen in our telegraphic news that an election is about to take place of a representative in the General Assembly for theßoslynDistrict, vacant by the resignation of Mr. Driver, who for private reasons, has recently deemed it expedient' to allow his constituents an opportunity of choosing another representative. Messrs. Cuttrn and M'Glasban are in the field, and Mr. Driver also offers himself for re-election. ... , Mr. GeorgeFache notifies by advertisiiient in another column that, on account of the • remove! of Mr. John Alloo, the Chinese Intcrpretc- from Clyde 'to Queestown, he will dispose of by pnplic auction, on the 22nd instant, his dwelling-house andground. As the property is a valuable one, and must bo disposed of, especial attention is directed to it.

It is our melancholy duty to chronicle tho death of Airs. Hawthorne, wife of our respected townsman, Mr. T. Hawthorne, of the Clyde Hotel. She had been slightly ailing for some time past, and expired somewhat suddenly on Saturday morning the sth ins'ant. Tho immediate cause of death being disease of tho heart. The funeral took place on the following Monday, and a very large concourse of friends assembled to show their respect for tho memory of the departed, by following her mortal remains to their last resting place. At least three hundred parsons were present, gathering from all parts of tho district, and the funeral cortege as it wound its slow length along to the cemetery presented a most impressive appearance, Mr. Hawthorne being a 1 member of the Forester,s Society, the brethren of the Clyde Alexandra, and Cromwell Courts gathered in full force, and, first assembling at the Town Hall, marched in solemn p occasion to the Clyde Hotel, where the customary funeral address used by the order was given by 0. H. Brother Bankhead, of “Court Star of the Duns tan.” At the grave the beautiful burial service of the Church England was [impressively read by W. W. Wilson Esq. A painful accident occurred to a yonne man named Partridge, at the Eowburn ou | Monday last. It appears that desiring to j discharge a fowling piece, and having made i several ineffectual attempts he was resting with his hand on the end of theharrel, when it unexpectedly went off and lodged the charge in. the palm of his hand. The young man was at once removed to Cromwell and thence to Clyde, where he now is progressing favorably, under the caro of Dr. Thomson. * Mr. Chappie desires us to state that he will dispose of by auction, at Drybread,, this clay. A bakery, and a lot of Hour, etc.

A public moeting’is to be held'at Naseby on the 11th instant for establishing a Hospital in tbe Mount Ida district, now that the sum of 2-501. has been voted by the Provincial Council for that purpose According to the Chronicle such Institution is to be a modest unassuming Hospital, conducted upon the most simple and moateconomical principles, The half-yearly statement of affairs of three of the -Quartz Mining Companies at Bendigo Gully show as follows :—Aurora.— Total subscribed Capital paid up, 70001. ; Cash in hand, 0/1. 6. Bd. ; Dividend, nilAlta. To al subscribed Capital paid up, 21251 ; Cash in hand, nil; Divibend, nil.’ R"yal Standard.—Total subscribed Capital paid up, 67761. ; Cash in hand, nil; Dividend nil. The Provincial Government Gazette of the 2nd_instant notifies that’Crown Grants for laud, in favor of the persons undermentioned residing at Clyde, are now ready for do-. livery. John Cox, RlooksXXX. and XXXI; George Cache, Block XXXV. ; James Hazlett, Blocks XXXTII. and XXXIV. : Benjamin Naylor, sections 6 anl7, BlockXlf. Tne monotonous dullness .of the lon* winter evenings has been agreeably relieved dining the present week by the entertainments” given by Mrs. - Alexander, at the Town-hall. This ladyhas ; won golden opinions in'hertour throughout the colonies by her talents as an actrcs ; so much so 'hat further encomiums are well nigh superfluous. Her wondrous versatility of talent, histrionic skill, and tapid transition of cha ranter, enables her to keep an audience amused and intereste i' from ithe beginning to the end of her clever entertainment: >'he is ably assisted by Mr. Alexander, and the music incidental to the performance is rendered most pleasingly by a skilled musician. To those who appreciate the moral and physical advantages of a hearty laugh,-we can recommend Mrs. Alexander’s entertainment as a potent provocative to the full exercise of their risible faculties._ By reference to our advertising columns is will bo seen that two porforii°ances Will bo given at Alexandra to nigbt and on Saturday, and at Black’s and Drybroad on the following Monday and Tuesday. The exoe dingly mild weather lately prevailing has hastened the development of spring regulation. In many gardens trees and shrubs are rapidly budding. In Mrs. Pyke’s well sheltered grounds poach trees may ! e seen iuleaf, and strawberries actually in blossom , We notice that Mr. E. Ryan has set a good example to his neighbors, by improving the footpath in front of his premises. The School Committee and owners of adjoining property might, at a very small on lay, finish tho good work commenced, and thus p-event the accumulation of wa’er which after every storm now collects in unsightly pools, to the inconvenience of pedestrians. It is presumed that goo 1 and sufficient reasons exist why the Corporation does not see to the matter. Acording to the Daily Times, whales have once more become pleantiful round the shores of New Zealand, and there can be no doubt as to tho remunerative character of whale-fishing on this coast, if engaged in by experianced persons. In Auckland, the subject has recently received a considerable share of public attention, the result bein* that a whale fishery company is being organised, with a proposed capital of 200,000f. The Tdranalca Herald records the astonishing fact that the Sergeant of Police stationed at New Plymouth, on hearing that a motion for raising his salary was to bo tabled by a member of the Provincial Council, asked the honorable member not to move his resolution, as he was quite satisfied with tho 4 aa'ary he was already receiving. Probably I tins patriotic officer was actuated by similar : reasons to * those affecting the American minister, who respectfully declined an addition to his modest stipend, on the plea -hat he was sufficiently worried in collect- r ng tho present contributions of his flock. v TlieTT'ssfrrM and Gladstone Gazette, reports 1 ;hat Captain Baldwin and Mr. Grubb, Post. 1 t naster, have met with pr- at success in oh- . i lain ing applications for Life Assurance. I

■ We are requested to state that the second subscription to tho Building Society is due and payable on Monday night next, at the i Council Chamber, where the Secretary and other officers will ho in attendance. Another hatch of four hundred and seventy eight Chinese direct from the Flowery Land arrived in Dunedin on Saturday last in the Golden Sea. A further consignment is expected to arrive in about three weeks by tho Noord Brabant, In the published lists of assisted and guaranteed passengers it is notified that one hundred and thirty wore despatched from Glasgow in May last, per ship “ \\ illiam Davie,” and forty three from London, per ships “Shun Leo,” and' “Carrick Castle.” A Jolly firm, who reside not one hundred miles distant, have the following N.B. at the foot of their advertisement:—“Twoand a half per cent, on all cash transactions.” From the year 1852 to 1870 ninety thousand Chinese arrived in Son Francisco. It is estimated tnerc are seventy thousand distributed throughout the United States at present. Mr. J. C. Chappie requests us to state that on account of most excellent prospects, far beyond anything expected, having been discovered in O’Brien, Minton and C.nui pany’s claim in Butcher’s Gully, the share advertised to be sold by auction by him cn the 15th instant is withdrawn. The Victorian Legislature is undoubtedly a go-ahead one, hut the following motion lately table 1 by Colonel Champ, -ia&a step in advance of even what the |||p progressiva in most communities wouhPlike to advocate: —“ That no shop in any, 'City or town in "Victoria bo opened or kept open, or any goods bo sold therein, except between the hours of eight in the forenoon and six in the afternoon, under a penalty of 51, /

- The Oamaru Times reports that the Camara Hospital Committee having rolected two thousand acres of land, under the endowment granted by the Provincial Council, the same has been temporarily reserved by the Superintendent.