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Dunstan Times, Issue 526, 17 May 1872, Page 2

We have received a letter from Mr. T. L. Shepherd, in which he complains of being misled by a statement that appeared in a late issue, to the effect that a block of land hadljeen thrown open on the run of Messrs. Stafford and toll, Ida Valley. He says_ ■“mo land has, as yet been marked out or surrendered by Messrs, Stafford and Bell.” We are very sorry to have been the unwilling cause of misleading Mr. Shepherd, yet we cannot but express our surprise that he should be so ignorant on a matter about which he has bad so ranch correspondence. If we are rightly informed and we have every confidence in our authority, the fact that 7000 acres of the best land in Ida Valley has not been thrown open ere this fs not to he laid at the doors of Messrs. Stafford and Bell. Perhaps, Mr. Shepherd can ("form his constituents who is to blame.

1 Summer has passed away, and winter is fast approaching, hut as yet nothing has been done to render the roads in our district passable. After the few light showers of rain that have fallen every jroad' is perceptibly worse. In what state they will be after the winter snows and frosts have played upon them it is no difficult matter to imagine, but it is to bs feared*there will be considerable difficulty in travelling. Grave doubts are even entertained as to whether there will not he a blockade, and, should these fears he realised, too much blame cannot he cast upon, not oiily the Government; but our Representatives, We are given to understand that a requisition calling on Mr Hickey the member of Kawarau to resign is in circulation through the district for signature. The Wellington Inlependent says:—“ Mr. T. L. Shepherd, the member for the Duustau has f ireibly remiadel us of his reputation for impudence. The other day he did us the favor of supplying us with* telegram to the effect that he had addressed his constituents spoken over two hours, and received a vote of thanks but he omitted to pay. the three shillings, cost of the message. As Groville’s agent obliged us with » similar message Upon the same subject we had to pay rather dearly for the gratification of learning that the brazen member of the Duustan had like another historical personage—spoken.” Wakatip Mail says:—“ The Arrow River Mining Assocla'ion find themselves ina little dilemma in regard to the formation of a Mining Board. They see danger in the proceeding as it seems they cannot readily obtain the signatures of 500 European miners without going to great expense aud they are disinclined to accept Chinese signatures, as there would be danger of thelatter, by their organisation, becoming the chief voting power in any elections. The Fifth Anniversary of the Court Royal Oak of Kawarau, Ancient Order of Foresters, is to he celebrated this evening, at Richard’s Hotel, Bannockburn, by a ball and supper. On Friday next, the 24th inst., the Court Pride of Alexandra will celebrate their anniversary in a similar manner, in the Library Hall, Alexandra. It will be remembered that, on'the-special day’s racing at the Forhury on March 25, Exile had to walk over for the Dunedin. Handicap, which gave rise to a good deal of dissatisfaction and disputes among those who bet against his chances of winning the race— some of whom held that, as no other horse started, the bet was off. Mr James submitted the question, and the disputed one in reference to the Hurdle race being given to Nigger on the first day, to the Australasian, and this is the opinion of that paper on both matters: —“ 1. According to the conditions of the race, he would not be entitled to the sweepstakes. 2 and 3. The bets being p.p., of course the backer of Exile wins that is if he received the whole of the stakes, hut only the half of the wager would he paid if he receives only half the stakes.” The Weekly Times has the following in reference to the Sydney Cup:—“A high functionary from New Zealand who has hod a. particularly good time of it since he came to Melbourne, didagood thing over both Leger and Cup. If this gentlemen is as cute, in political financing as he is in betting, then the New Zealanders will do well to keep him at the head of their Treasury for, not content with pulling off several ‘Hamlets and Prophets,’ and backing both seperately he actually backed the crack three-year-olds each to get places in the Gup; and as two of them did so he was rewarded for his pluck.” Geo Faohe requests us to draw attention to the Sale by Auction of Fruit and Forest Trees, to he conducted by hku on Friday, next the 24th, inst at Clyde. The fruit trees being'all of a very superior description aud thoroughlylacclamutized and are worthy of special attention the forest trees are fine healthy, such an opportunity of buying from so large a selection of locally grown trees so rarely occurs that persons laying out gardens should take advantage of the Sale aud attend. The system of heating rooms by means of steam pipes has been demonstrated by Mr. Fames of the Dunstan Hotel who has introit in his; Billiard room xvith success the ararrangement is simple and inexpensive and we would recommend a visit of inspection.