The Dunstan Times. FRIDAY, OCTOBER 18, 1872.

Dunstan Times, Issue 548, 18 October 1872, Page 2

The Dunstan Times.

FRIDAY, OCTOBER 18, 1872.

■ -■ Eencaththe Ruleof Men entirely jgstd the i*kn is mightier than the sword.

The residents of the Dnnstan Distiict ■cannot hnt congratulate tliemsolves upon the satisfactory statement made l.y the Hospital Treasurer at the meeting of the Committee held on the 7th instant. For a period extending over '■nearly three years there has been a deficiency ; but now we find the item of assets 295 1. 9s, Gd, represented by 23/. 9s. 9d., rash in hand, and 271/. 19s. 9J., Government subsidy due. The present liabilities amount to 229/. Gs. Bd., leaving an actual balance of G6/. 2s. lOd. We should hope that the Government will not ■withhold payment of the subsidy, but at once place the Committee in a posi-tion'to-say the institution is clear of debt,and we haven satisfactory balance at the bank for future operations. With a grant in aid of only pound to pound upon subsci iptions and donations, the Committee must have worked most •energetically to bring about this most satisfactory result. Mr. lv. Barlow, the late Collector and Secretary, and Mr. George Fache, the present cc--cupant of that office, have proved themselves very successful canvassers, and it is to the efforts of these gentlemen that the prosperous pecuniary position of the Hospital is due, and we •hope to see no relaxation of exertion ■ in the matter of collecting money Our Cromwell friends have come out most handsomely lately. Their contributions for the past month amount to the large sum of 131/. 14s. Gd , i'll. os. Gd, of which was the produce of a bazaar and auction sale. The gross proceeds from the Cromwell district, including Bendigo and Oarrick i Heefs, Wanaka, and the Upper Clutha for the year amounts to 29 Si 10s. • Alexandra follows, with 100/.; Drybread and Tinker’s, 60/. ; Serpentine, 211 That a very lively interest is taken in the Hospital throughout the district generally, the foregoing figures .arc sufficient evidence, and this, fact '■'gp should be highly satisfactory to ’

the membors’of Committee, as show, ing that the public have confidence iu the efficiency and management of the Institution, and we may safely venture an opinion that, while this is the case, the public will ever be ready to contiibute.towards the support of so useful an institution. Siuce the establishment ofthe Hospital'lu 18G3, its benefits have been very generally appreciated, and hundreds of persons a-e now enjoying good health who, had it not, been for the timely assistance afforded them in the hour of need, would not now be alive. The calls upon the Institution are, of course, not so great as in its early days, when the miners were badly provided against the severity of the climate. There were at that time scores of cases of exposure, and men were brought in from the ranges almost in a dying state, and left perfectly cured. Upon no occasion has the Dunstan District Hospital closed its doors upon suffering humanity. Even when cveiy bed was full, patients were provided for outddo, and supplied with the necessary food and attendance their cases required. ff or medical skill the Institution has always held high repute, and we believe deservedly so. Servants have always been kind and obliging ] and, though far away from home and among strangers, the poor stricken gold-miner has been nursed with almost a mother’s care. Those whom the good offices of the Ilostipul has assisted should even bear in mind that they owe a debt of gratitude which money will nev«r repay, and it is very pleasing to find that in a number of instances this is really the case There is unfortunately, the reverse to this picture, many leave the Hospital, cured of their infirmities, and who, when afterwards in a position to do so, shirk the responsibility of making amends for the good done them, and we can only say to such, that society has claims upon them which it is mean and contemptible to shirk; if they cannot give much, let them give little, their own conscience will dictate the amount. To preserve in efficiency such an institution as ou r Hospital, is a duty we owe to ourselves and society at large The best of us cannot say when we may require its assistance, some unforeseen accident may overtake us when we least expect, and we may be cai-ileU there against our Will, for it must be borne in mind that medical practitioners in private practice have not the necessary resources at command to meet cases of fracture or emergency like what is procurable at an hospital. To save even one poor life, and perhaps that of a laead winner to a family, is something to take consolation from,and should repay us for all that we have given how much more then should we be satisfied in finding that we have done so in numerous cases A hospital has first claims upon our charity, and when called upon to bestow it, wo should cheerfully respond. Gifts of this sort should, however, spring spontaneously, and when we have given, we should even invite others to do so. The Committee and officers deserve the thanks of the community for the present satisfactory state of affairs and, we hope that they will continue so. Efficient management will always inspire public confidence, and while such is the case, the means to preserve efficiency will not ho found wanting. A requisition, signed by a number of the ratepayers of Clyde, has been presented to the Mayor, asking that a public meeting be called to consider the matter of the Waipahi Railway, and his Worship lias announced by advertisement that such meeting will be held in the Town Hall, on the 19th instant (to-morrow), at 8 p.m. Booth and Company’s Dramatic Troupe entertained very small audience , in th Town-hall on the evenings of Saturday and Monday last. The company, which possesses fair talent, deserved better support than was given them. Mr. Westropp, a gentleman well known and highly appreciated by Dunedin audiences, who happened to be in Clyde, gave his valuable services as accompanyist, and also sang some songs in good tune. Mr. Booth’s local songs were well received, but to our mind, they would have been better had they keen less personal. . By advertisement it will be seen that an entertainment is to he given in the Alexandra jhibrary, on Saturday evening next, the 19th hist., in aid of the Alexandra School Funds. As Mr. Westropp, a clever and talented dinger and pianist is to appear, we hops to dee a large audience. The Shag Valley Reefs are looking up. A Eecbnd battery of five stamps has been placed qn the Perseverance Company’s claim. j Xh o Daily Times learns that Mr. Stafford ap4 bis late colleagues heve absolutely determined not to, join any coalition under Hr.: Waterhouse or any body else. j Mr. HaUensleiii, M.H.R. for the Lakes, passed through Cl -'da on Saturday evening, j oa his way to -Queenstown.

Intelligence reaches us that a number of dr.'iye laden with the steam engine and apparatus forM'Lcnuaus Pneumatic Dredge are on the road for their destinationi From other sources we learn that with the exception of some dozen shares, all are disposed of, and that these are set aside specially for district speculators. Mr. M'Lennau and his fellow projectors of the company have every confidence in the practicability of the process for obtaining the gold from the bod of the Molyneux ; and as they have implicit faith in the richness of the river bed in gold, they anticipate nothing but an unqualified success. Mr. M ‘Lellan and his party have had • practical experience with the system, they having been- engaged in the construction of the Rangitata bridge, the foundations of the niers and abuttmeuts of which were laid with it. The following contemporary will show that that undertaking was no ordinary one.—The Rangitata bridge, at Timaru, is one of the largest bridges in New Zealand. An idea of its size can be obtained from the following schedule of the materials used in its construction Masonry 300 tons, concrete 1,300 tons, cast iron 410 tons, malleable iron 280 tons, and 235 tons of timber ; also 81,200 rivets, 14,300 sp kes, and 18,500 bolts in the structure. The total cost of the same, excluding engineering supervision, exchange on drafts, amounts to 19,642/. It is sonsidered to be the cheapest bridge in the colony. Ou Tuesday evening last, the Band of Hope gave thefr usual monthly entertainment, at the Town Hall. Clyde, on this occasion the proceeds being devoted to the funds of the School. The attendance was very good, and the entertainment both amusing and instructive. It would be invidious to particularly mention those who took part and so ably conduced to the success of the evening’s amusement: still we cannot refrain from mentioning that Mr. Westropp, who sang several songs, which were not only comic in themse ves, but rendered in a comical manner, kept the audience in a roar of laughter. Wo must also mention that a gentleman amateur from the metropolis of Otago, happening to be on a visit here, most kindly volunteered his services as pianist, and undoubtedly contributed much to the enjoyment of those present.- After the programme had been exhausted, dancing commenced, and was carried on with considerable spirit, affording enjoyment to a large number of ladies and gentlemen, and when the time tor separation arrived, all were ready to endorse the words . •* We have spent a very pleasant evening!” A Wellington corespondent writing to a contemporary, says“ On Thursday evening hon. gentlemen laid aside their want of confidence motion, and had a step oat with each other in Lady Bowen’s ball loom. The gaiety and grandeur of the affair was equal to tbo occasion. The Maori element was , largely represented. It does indeed sec-m ; absurd that these creatures should be ; paUcit on me Heart to such an extent. At i the supper table they made some amusing , exhibitions. One of their number is reported to have used a spoon in each hand. , diving into a salad on the one side, and a ! mug of jelley on the other.” j A late Scotch paper has the following | “In consequence of the rise in the value of labor and material, newspapers have been obliged to raise the scale for advertising. The Scotsman’s general scale is now sixpence per line ; while the charge for public notices is ninopence per line. It is believed that the other prov ncial newspapers will bo obliged to follow the example set by their Edinburgh contemporary.” The Dunstan Brass.Band seem to be doing good work. Trough -with novices to begin with (in most caces) the leader, Mr. Wild, has undoubtedly had immense difficulties to contend against, still ho and his pupils are making rapid progress Mr. Wild is assisted at times by a very able amateur, well known iu the district. From the progress already made we are disposed to think it will not be long ere we have the pleasure of listening to the invigorating strain of the. Clyde Brass Band. Despite the want of rain in the district, the several gardens, as a rule, are looking extremely well, and even foiward. The fruit trees look remarkably well, and bid fair for an abundant crop, while the lesser fruit bushes show an enormous quantity of fruit in embryo. In more tbao one garden in Clyde strawberries have been in bloom some two or three weeks since, and the fruit is in course of formation, promising a splendid crop. The flower gardens are not quite so forward Still we have seen one or two bouquets of early flowers, and one gentleman infoi ms ns that he had asparaaus on Lis table, grown in his own garden, nearly three weeks ago. As an exception to the rule we arc informed that, on account of the severe frrst on Monday morning last, Mr. Fcraud, of Monte Christo, will loss a large proportion of apricots and peaches. We are requested instate that the Rev. W. H. Beck will conduct Divine service at Alexandra in the School-house, on Similar next, (morningand evening,) at the usual hours. A miner named John M‘Donald has b< en missing since Monday last, Ho was last seen on the bank of the Nevis river, and the impression prevails that he has' I con drowned in that river. A woman namad Bowers, who was being examined in a case heard at the Civ 1 Sittings of the Supreme Couit in Hobart Town on.the 24th nit., made a touching appeal to the domestic sympathies of the Solicitor (general. “ Speak up, my good woman,” daid Mr. Adams ; and Mrs. Bowers replied, I’m not a strong woman ; you know what it is to have twins, and I’ve had twins myself.” This reply completely upset the gravity of bench, counsel, jury, and spectators, and the Solicitor General stemed to enjoy it as much as any on a

The ‘‘Stranger in the Gallery,” 'who writes to the Hawke's Bay Herald a narrative of the proceedings iuParliamcn, says:— Mr. Hallenstein, the new member for ; Wakatip, was another of those who, in the | lobby slang, had been regarded up to the date of his declaring himself, as “sitting on the rail.” He got off the rail oh to the Opposition side. His speech created a favorable impression in regard lo his conscientiousness and earnestness in the cause of public morality. In allusion to certain observations of the Treasurer, to the effect that members who accused the Government of corrupting, accused the House of being corrupted, and that it was improper to make such accusations, Mr. Hallenstein carn'-stly-deprecated the attempt to slur over so serious an evil in this light manner. They were warned from introducing this delicate subject. He, for one, “never yet was afraid to do what was right.” .Such a sentiment, 1 fear, coming from most members, would he regarded as bunkum. Coming from a new man, however, with regard to whose antecedents nothing was known which could lead the House to suppose that it was otherwise than perfectly sincere, it was received with loud applause. Mr. O’Conor followed i n support of the resolutions, and thought he might with advantage copy Mr. Ilalicnstein’s example in dwelling on the abuse cf patronage. Such observations, however, coming from him, elicited no response. The Water Companies at Mount Ida have reduced the price of water by five shillin>>s per head. Mr. Vogel in the House of Representatives intimated it to be the int-ntion cf Government, if possible, to end the Session in the early part of next week. At the-Waste Lands Board meeting on the 9th instant, the objections of Mr. W. W. Wilson, Solicitor for Mr. E < haranck to the granting of a coal lease to Toms and Bussell, Alexandra were noted. Mr. Logan’s Plan of Survey of coal lease, Bannockburn was approved, and the price of coal at the jit’s mouth fixed at twelve shillings per Ton. At tile Criminal sitting of the Supreme Court, held in Dunedin, Plummer, the escaped convict, in a logical and somewhat eloquent speech of great length, defended himself against the charge of being illegally at large, pleadmg t hat, though at large, he was not at large “against the peace of our Sovereign Lady the Queen, her crown, or dignity. ” His defence was that he did not run away from the warders, jlmt that they i ran away from him. He explained he was suffering from an attack of diarrhcea, and obtained permission to he absent from work. After 'being absent some minutes he was missed, and the warders, instead of looking for him where he had been legally- put, went, off in another direction, leaving him free. He concluded his defence as follows: Of course 1 am the legal property- of the Crown for the time being, so that I cannot legally object to being held responsible for any action, of the officers towards me, or for any neglect of duty on their part. The prosecution has failed to prove, gentlemen, that I did escape. His Honour: It is not neccvssary; I told you that before. The prisoner: Well. gentlemen, this, I submit is the sippie and only ground. Ami to be held responsible for the neglect of my keepers? If they leave me, unknowingly and innocently, where they have legally taken me, is the fault mine? Have I, by their ruuning away from me, committed a crime against the peace of the Queen, and placed myself ille- | gaily at large? 1 say- 1 have not. The crime—the fault—is not mine The blunder rests entirely witli my keepers. I cannot help the blunder, and am I to be made to answer for it—am Ito be made to suffer for it? Where is the guilt? Will you, gentlemen, allow so foul a blot to ha cast upon Britain’s imperial escutcheon; will you allow the beautifully poised, the balance of justice, to he so miserably upset; will you allow the brilliant and dazzling lustre of the Crown to be sullied; will you allow the royal dignity of the noblest of Soverigns that ever swayed sceptre or sat upon a throne to be so imposed upon by bavin it bruited forth that a poor prisoner, one of her subjects, wrs basely punished because he was held responsible for the action of hiskeepe-s? You will not, gentlemen —you will not. By the sacred valueof your oath, you cannot. Gentlemen. I have no more to say. The jury- found the Prisoner guilty and ho was sentenced to two years hard labour to commence at the expiration of his last sei.tcnc. TELEGR A I’ll 1C D ik-PATGIIE3 (From the Dni'.y Times.) Friday, October 11. The new ministry were sworn in at noon to-day. They consist of: — Mr. Waterhouse, Premier; Mr. Vogel, Colonial Treasurer and Postmaster Genaral; Mr. hall, Colonial Secretary; Mr. M‘Lean, Native Minister; Mr. Ormond, Minister of Public Works ; Mr. Bathgate, Commissioner of Customs ; Mr. E. Richardson (of Christchurch), no ponfolio at present, but to he Minister of Public Works at the end of the session, when Mr. Ormond will retire from the Ministry, as he objects to resign Lis Snperiuteadcncy. Mr. O’Rorke has also been offered a reat ip the Cabinet, and will probably accept the offer. The Miners’ Franchise Extension Bill, giving holders of miners’ rights pov.-er to vote at elections of Superintendents, was read a second time. | In alluding to the recent large sales of ■ land, Mr. T. L. Shepherd, in reply to Mr. Reid, said that ho i. geutlyiucn was a sham and a delusion. He slumped the country i like an advertising sandwich- -on onn side : ! “ Settlement of the Land 1 Land for th e People ! People for the I.and 1” While on the other side : “ Look here ! Squatters, support your titan ! Fifty-thousand and Twenty-thousand acre blocks without competition ! The I-it of lend, agricultural j arid auriferous I”