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Dunstan Times, Issue 525, 10 May 1872, Page 2

We have received copy of a petition to His Excellency, the Governor and the Executive, shadowing forth the advantage of a line of railway from the Mataura, proceedingalong the valley of the Pomahawk, and striking the Molyneux at a point near Moa Flat, as against the line from Toko raairiro to Tuapeka, a correspondent writing from Lawrence on the subject, says From the commotion the petition is mak ing in Tuapeka. and the efforts that ar e being made to prevent people signing it; there must ho a larger amount of feasibilifw in the scheme than in our petted one, and if it is in good hands, there is hut small doubt of its gaining the day against us. People may say as they like, hut the Tuapeka line is to ho made for the benefit of Lawrence alone, as if it is once there, every power human will he raised up to prevent it going further, and then Lawrence will be the boasted centre from which -ali the Molyneux and your part of the country, Cromwell and Queenstown, must draw their supplies. 'lho game is certainly worth the hunting, and the prime movers and most interested will deserve it if they win, as they have spared no trouble to obtain their object. (You may publish this if yon like.) As to the relative merits of the two lines wc must say, »ur leaning is to the side of the Mataura cum Pomahaka one, along which route is sonic of the fattest agrieulral land in the province. It taps'the Tapamu and!other extensive hushes, skirts the Switzers diggings, and as its junction on to the Molyneux, is in the centre of the most rising district in Otago. The whole -of these advantages can be gained in aloul-

thirty miles of a comparatively leVel route; whereas, the Tuapeka line will pass over a barren'eountry from beginning to finish, and iu its courscmust be a continualcutting and sideling,—in fact an expensive affair. We will deal with this subject in a future issue. We are reluctantly comp died to holdover till next issue Letters signed W. F. Forest, and John Bull, also other communications. The San Francisco Mail which is now nineteen days over due has not as yet been .heard of—grave fears are entertained for the safety of the vessel. The recovery of the Prince of wales was commemorated yesterday the 9th inst and observed as a’strict holiday. The Government Building’s, Banks and places of business be. ing closed in the morning the Rev. J. Jones performed Divine Service iu the Church of England. Tho Hesi lent Magistrate Court Cromwell has for the last two sittings been occupied in hearing cases for debt, the Trustees in the Estate of E. Halliday Bannockburn being the Plantiffsiu each casujudgent was given for the amounts claimed. The Cromwell Local Committee of the Dunstan District Hospital, we understand, propose to hold a “Gift Auction Bazaar,” in aid of the funds of the Institution. Wo wish the Committee every success. The Hospital is heavily in debt, and any addition to its funds will be most acceptable. Now that the Provincial Council is in Session, is the time for all grievances the district may be laboring under to be brought before the notice of the Government. Petitions of a private character we hear of being forwarded ; but as yes there arc few, if any, prepared relatingto the public weal of the district.

Another large crack has appeared in the fabric of the Christchurch Town Hall, and the noise was such when it occured that those in the building ran out under the impression that it was going to fall in. The new crack is at the west end of the south wall, and a few feet from the roof. Tho bui ding was first injured by an earthquake two years ago. Mr. Seiderberg has so far progressed with his steam dredge as to get up steam, and for the first time in the history of Clyde sounded the shrill steam whistle to the no slight amusement of the young fry, to whom the sound was new. Mr. Seiderberg expects to have everything in full working orderduring the next week, when he will commence dredging operations. The Government have been lavish in their offers of bonusses for the introduction of various things, a more fitting enterprise for the Government’s recognition there cannot be, as it has been a work necessitating the expenditure of a great deal both of time and money, and one, ffSthat it answers tho expectation formed of it, will open up an industry that will do more to enrich the province, than is thought of at the first blush. Let this be as it may, we hope however the people of Clyde will not allow Mr. Seiderberg to steam away from his present moorings without wishing him bon voyage.