The Dunstan Times. FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 1, 1872.

Dunstan Times, Issue 550, 1 November 1872, Page 2

The Dunstan Times.

FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 1, 1872.

'Beneath the Rule of Mon entirely j ustd the pen is mightier than the sword.

The establishment of a Flour Mill is of such imminent importance to this district, that We cannot refrain from congratulating the projectors upon their success in having disposed of such a large number of shares, and we may almost with certainty, conclude that the affair is un Jail accompli. The want of a Fiour Mill somewhere in the vicinity of Clyde, must have long forced itself upon our agricultural population, who, beyond the growth of oats and potatoes have, for this reason, not been able to extend their operations. This has proved an enormous loss to the district, not only to the farmers and business people, but to other residents generally. Had there existed the means of converting wheat into flour, at least twenty times the land would have been brought under cultivation that wo now find, people would not have remained idle when there was so much profitable employment before them, and the Government would have been compelled by the voice of public opinion to throw open more laud. The business people have suffered loss, inasmuch as, instead of sending their money away for flour they could have purchased wheat from the grower and sold him other articles in return, thusmakingtwo transactions and two profits in the place of one, and brought more trade into the town in the bargain. Other residents in the district have lost, for reasons that had the money sent away for flour been retained here, it would have been expended in developing the resources of this district instead of others, there would have been more employment for the people, and consequently a much larger population. In whichever way we may look at the matter, our loss has been very severe on account of this want alone, but there remains this consolation left to us, that the establishment of the proposed Mi 1 will bring a corresponding gain. Because wheat was nut grown in the neighborhood of the Duns tan it was no reason wiry a mill should not have been established years ago, we were cnor---mous consumers of the manufacture of articles in the shape of flour, bran, and pollard, and what was to hinder us

from importing—if we could not grow the raw material, and, converting it as wo pleased, we could Lave purchased from the fanners at the Lakes, Teviot and Tuapeka, and supplied them with many articles in return. It is no argument that because there was not wheat grown in the district a mill Was tioft wanted ; according to modern customs Flour Mills are established in the centres of consumption, or at the most suitable places for export. Wheat is more convenient of carriage or than when manufactured in flour, pollard, it goes into a much smaller compass and there is not the wear and tear of bags while it comes direct from the grower to the mill saving continuous handlings and storings. We do not blame the farmers for being remiss in the matter of a Flour Mill, they have had their hands full enough, their business has been to struggle on to make themselves a home out of small beginnings. It is the business men that were at fault, they have other obligations besides buying and selling, their prosperity can only be regulated by the prosperity of others, and the more they assist to stimulate the industry of the district, the greatet will be their gains. We Iwpe that the time has now arrived that whatever errors existed have been discovered, and that all parties concerned have resolutely set themselves to the task of rectifying them. With the establishment of a Flour Mill at the Dunstan, Clyde must regain much of its wonted prosperity and command the large arade and influence which its central position eniitles it.

Nov/ that the excitement respecting the new diggings at Charters Towers and Fort Darwin has subsided, the riches of those places having been enormously exaggerated, while in the case of the latter, the reported alluvial finds had really no existence. People are now settling down again, and we may consequently hope to have some fresh development of our mineral resources to report upon ere thesummer is ended. Dredging operations on the Molyneux promise to be vigorously prosecuted, and under far more favorable circumstances than heretofore. Steam will be the great motive power now; in one case it will supersede manual labor in hoisting the dredge or spoon from the bottom of the river, while in the other, aided by scientific means in the shape of pneumatic tubes, the miner will be able to search the bed of the river for gold with as much ease as dryland, with the water flowing around him protected by his iron caisson, into which it cannot pe netrate. Next there is Mr. Yillaine’s invention being put to the test—this process bears some resemblance to the last mentioned, as in the place of a tube, a sub-marine boat will be used and for ought we may know, will prove equally effective. Mr. Siedeberg has gone to great trouble and expense in substituting steam for manual labor, and wc must give this gentleman great praise as being the first that introduced the steam engine in dredging operations; that he will bo successful we have very little doubt. His experience in this description of mining extends over a number of years, while he possesses a thorough practical knowledge of the business he is engaged in, and has learnt the most likely places in the river bed where gold is to be found; this, alone, is worth a great deal, and will save a large amount of labor in prospecting. Mr. Siedeberg had many unforeseen difficulties to contend against before he got his steam dredge perfected ; he has successfully conquered them all, and we now find everything in thorough working ordei. 11 has often been said to our disparagement that there were no gold workings in the immediate vicinity of Clyde, this might have been true for reasons that the gold could not be got at, the rich lead at the bottom of the Molyneux could not bo reached because of tha quantity of water, while the auriferous gullies under the ranges could not be touched for the want oi water ; there is no mistakening the fact of the presence of gold, it was the means to obtain it that we lacked, that is now supplied—where water was wanted, it will be shortly obtainable, and where its presence was an impediment means have been found to to overcome the difficulty. “ Tis better to be late than never,” and this ho ds good with respect to Clyde, while other places have exhausted their stores of auriferous wealth, ours has been preserved, though unfortunately against our inclinations—still, the fact t hat we possess it, coupled with; the

knowledge that wo bliall i>oon bo able to turn it to account, is sufficient to repay us for hopes long deferred, and we have much pleasure in congratulating our readers, that the prospects of the town and district are brighter now than they have been for years past.

Mr. Warden W. L. Simpson arrived by the Tuapeka Coach last evening. We are given to understand he will take charge of the District at once, and that Mr. Carew, will resume his duties at Black’s. The result of twelve day’s crushing of the Star of the East Company, Garrick Bange, cleaned up on Friday last, was a cake weighing nearly one hundred and three ounces. -- The road at the rear of the West side of Sanderland'street is still progressing, though not so speedily as it did at its commencement. The staff of men engaged on the work has been considerably diminished, hut still we hope to see it completed by the contract time. Our Masonic brethren have derided to celebrate their anniversary by an invitation ball, to taken place on Monday, the 2nd of December, in the Town-hall, Clyde. Previous halls given by the Craft have proved most enjoyable affairs, and we doubt not but the coming one will combine all the accessaries required to render it equally as successful as former ones. The machinery has arrived for Messrs. McLennan and party, who are busily engaged in fitting their dredge, which, with the assistance of the pneumatic boat, it is hoped, will bring some largo portion of the precious metal to light, now lying at the bottom-of the Molyueux. From the fact that by the process enabling the miner to work under the water at any depth it is self-evident that the system about to be tried, has a very great advantage over any of the ordinary dredges that have hitherto been used on the Molyneux, successful though they were for a time, until the tailings became too heavy for them to overcome. We shall anxiously watch the advent of the experiment. We regret to have to announce anothe misfortune has occurred to the Clyde coa' pit. Early on Monday morning the sustaining wall which supported the platforms on which the new machinery was erected gave way, causing such damage to the spur wheel and other portions of the works that operations had to be at once stopped. We are sure every one will heartily sympathise with Air. Holt. He has been at great expence and no profit for months past, and now, after a large outlay for the purpose of supplying the inhabitants with the very necessary article of fuel, this accident takes place, rendering further oxponce of a considerable amount, necessary to obtain the desired end, independent of the labor and loss. However, Mr. Holt is not the man to be beaten easily, and we hope soon to see the pit at work, and its owner receiving the reward due to his energy and perseverance. We hear that Anderson, Lindsay, and party, who, for the past twelve months and more have been engaged race to divert thewates-s of Leaning Book Creek across the foot of the Dunstan range to the terraces at the rear of Clyde, are bringing their task to an end, and by the now year they expect to complete it. The ground to he operated on by this race is highly spoken of. A good few miners are scattered in the neighborhood, and by applying what little driblets of water available, are making good wages. When this race is completed we expect to see a busy thriving popula. tion located between tbe Wai Keii Keri and Clyde. ADNally and parly’s water race from Chatto Creek is being pushed ahead most vigorously. This seat of work appears, by all accounts, to he of greater magnitude than was at first contemplated, but nothing daunted, the party are sticking to it manfully. No time is mentioned as to when water will be available for mining purposes, but it is thought the first instalment will reach its destination about the latter end of the summer. This isone of theundertakings on which some few thousands of the Loan might have been very beneficially expended, and we think the party have been blind to their interests in not making a claim. The body of the man M‘Donald, who, it will be remembered by oar readers, was missing, having last been seen on the Nevis township, was discovered by some Chinamen, on a shallow bank of the river, about six miles below the ford deceased must have attempted so cross on his way home. An inquest was held on the body, before E. 11. Carew, Esq., Coroner, on the 24th ult., when the jury returned an open verdict of “found drowned,” On Friday the body was removed to the Cromwell Cemetery, where it was interred, in tha presence of a a goodly number of Nevis and other friends and acq aintanoes. On Friday morning last a fire occurred on the Dunstan-flat, which entirely consumed the dwelling and contents, belonging to a minor named Joseph Young. It is supposed to have been caused bv Young throwing down a match, after lighting his pipe. This is the second time that ho has been burnt out. Some time ago, the Inspector of Nuisances gave notice to all owners of pigs that they must discontinue keeping them within the Municipality. With few exceptions, we be'ieve, his behests were complied with. But we think it was even better to have pigs kept in a clean condition and confined, than to have them groping about at large as at present. George Robertson, of Melbourne, has purchased the sole right of republishing in Australia Mr. Anthony Trollope’s forthcoming work on the Australian colonics, and the proprietors of the Australasian have purchaaed from Mr. Robertson the right of republishing Air. Trollope’s work in weekly portions in their newspaper.

Mr, Pacho will sell by auction to-morrow (•Saturday), at tbo Dunstau Hotel, at 3 o’clock, two good useful horses.

JfeWe beg to acknowledge the receipt of Hansard, and a parcel of other parliamentary papers. By advertisement in another column it will he seen that Mr. W. W. Wilson, barrister aad t Solicitor, will attend at the next sittirigs of the District Court both at Clyde and Crgmwell, All horses and- cattle found running on the run of Messrs. Strode and Fraser, will be impounded after the 4th instant, if the same are not registered at the station.—See advertisement. We are requested to draw attention to the extraordinary meeting of Shareholders in the Alta Quartz Company, to be held on Saturday, the 1G of November Shareholders who are unable to attend should appoint proxies. The Dunedin and Port Chalmers Railway is in a sufficiently complete state to allow of a train to pars along the line. On Saturday last, by invitation of the contractors, several members of the General Assembly, who had arrived from Wellington were conveyed in a first-class carriage, drawn by the locomotive Josephine, under the guidance of Mr. Amos and assistants, the time occupied on tbe journey being : bout forty m’nutes. It is an iou c:d that a train,..will run on the Princes of Wales’s birthday, the Dth inst. The Dally Times says : —“lt is the intention of Sir George and Lady Bowen to make Fernhill their residence for a few weeks before the end of the year. On the occasion of the Governor’s visit to Dunedin, his Excellency will be accompanied by the Hon. Mr. Waterhouse, who is desirous of making himself personally acquainted with this part of the Colony. This will bo the first visit paid by Lady Bowen to Dunedin.” The formation of the Canterbury Deep Sea Fishery Company has already been noticed. The capital is 100(j/, in 50 shares of 20/, each, and 35 have already been taken upby 27’infiaential residents of Christchurch The object of the company is to bring a greater supply of fish and of greater variety into the Christchurch market. It is proposed to purchase a cutter, boat and all fishing nets and lines that may be repaired, the fish to be sent up daily to the Christchurch, railway station, and to be sold at once by auction, at tbe station, in small lots. It is proposed that the hands required should bo paid by a per ccntage on the profits. It is also proposed to purchase an old boat to be kept in Lyttleton, for the purpose of keeping any extra fish, so as not to glut; the market. The pfoject is one which ought to commcad itself to public support, as a regular supply of fish is a great desideratum in Cristchurch, as it is in all other parts of the Colony. In the midst of a circus performance at Sandhurst says the Bendigo Evening "Sews, a “contretemps occurred of quite an unexpected nature by the sudden collapse of the platform designated the dress circle, and the precipitation of its occupants, some 200 in number, to the ground. Ladies, gentlemen, and children all came down together, and presented a struggling mass of arms, heads, and legs. For the moment all was confusion, ami a sort of general panic prevailed, but attention was quickly drawn to the unfortunates in tbo dust, and tbe work of extrication began. Luckily no serious injuries occurred, though bruises were rather plentiful, and many were frightened than hurt. Chairs having been provided, tbe performance was continued, and the rest of the programme carried out.” Weechurch, who stabbed Mr. Duncan at Pcntridge andjon whom sent nice of dcath’was passed for the same, but commuted to imprisonment for life attempted to commit suicide in the Melbourne gaol, by opening a vein in his arm, with a piece of glass. Had tbe warder not hoard him fall and gone to his assistance, it was believed that ho would have bled to death in ten minutes. The Welsh papers claim Mr. Stanley, the discoverer of Dr, Livingstone, as a Welshman. One of them writes : —“ Mr. Stanley is no other than John Rowlands, son of Mrs. Rowlands, of Glasgoed, near St. Asaph ; and that anyone visiting the Castle Anns. Denbigh, can see his brother and sister, his carte da visile, and have a glass of good beer or porter, or, if a total abstainer, a bottle cf ginger beer at the same time.” It is said that a feminine Joe Smith, or rather a counterpart of that prophet, has arisen in America. She preaches tbo doctrine of the plurality of husbands, and shows stones covered with hieroglyphics, which she swears came direct from Heaven, and which entitle a woman to an indefinite number of lords. As yet the number of these “latest day” saints is small, and their prophetess’ only habitation is an old army tent. A tooth of the Emperor Napoleon recently fetched 6/. Bs. in Brussels. On a recent Saturday, at the Now Smithfield Market, London, there was an astonishing array of empty hooks. It was explained by the butchers that the regular supply of meat had to be destroyed, on account of the great heat of the weather ; in fact, that meat would have to bo eaten nearly alive to be wholesome. In tbe House, Mr. Bathgate is a most effective speaker, and remarkably fertile in suggestions of a useful character on all subjects connected with commerce. On the whole, he is decidedly rhe most presentable Minister that could he selected frem among the Otago members, — Hawke's Bag Herald. Mr. T. L. Shepherd, member of the House of Representatives, occupies a very different position in the House now-a-days from that which ho did last year, when three-fourths of the members walked out during the delivery of his maiden oration. Soma of his onslaughts on the Stafford Ministry have been among the meet Mvely

and effective of those made during the late debates. In the course of one debate ho remarked very appositely that “he considered the present Ministry would, in the future history of New Zealand, bo known as the whip Government, because they had been placed upon those benches, not by reason of their policy, but by means of whips, numbering not only one, but twenty .... It was amusing to him when ho thought of the past—the ‘ wretched past,’ which had become historical, —and remembered that the hon. member for Timaru assorted that those miserable Superintendents had, in former days, been the curse of the Colony, to see that ‘ happy fam’ly’ on the Government benches. It reminded him of a happy family he saw in a cage in London, where the rat and the mouse laid down with the cat and the dog.” This was too much for the Speaker’s sense of propriety. He pointed out that such expressions could nqt but be considered as personally offensive to Members of the Ministry. Mr. Shepherd replied that “he was merely saying he remembered that the Premier had alluded to members of the Fox-Vogel Ministry, as a ‘ miserable set of wretches ’ he did not think he could be accused of speaking improperly in merely referring to a ‘ happy family ’in London. He had no dojibt the ‘happy family’ would revert to their former and natural instincts, and they would see disruptions in it before long.’ In the debate on supply he referred to the illusive anticipations held out by the Government that they would reduce the estimates by 50,000/. or 70,000/. For his part, he had no doubt that if they did they would lose some of their supporters, many of whom took a deep interest in some of the large salaries on the estimates. Therefore he did not think the Government, with a majoiity of three —and such a three!— would venture to suggest retrenchment. The Government took groat credit for their industry', and for the long hours they worked. He had no doubt they did work long, for ho believed there were members of the Government who would require twelve hours to do what an ordinary man would perform in four. Consequently, if they did their work properly, and as well as the Pox-Vogel Government did theirs, they would require to work every one of the twenty-four hours to do what that Government did in eight. He bad no doubt they would claim credit for a quantity of Work ; but it was quality that was wanted, not quantity.— lbid. The following appears in the Wellington Independent: —“Sir,--On the 24th September I wrote from my easy chair in the corner a letter which appeared in your paper. In that letter I said:—‘lf they (Messrs. Fitzherbert, Gillies, and Curtis), whom I dofended if you remember, for holding to both offices as strictly illustrating the weakness and the strength to hold- of human nature. ‘lf they,’ sail I, ‘resign as Superintendents why in ten days they may find themselves stripped of Ministerial office without the least chance of being re-elected for the Superiiitendencies.’ Right Iwas,you observe I’m all there when the bell rings; and ‘chortling’ over the accuracy of my prophecy In ten days, them’s the words my bowling swell. 24 and 10 is 34, which is the 4th October, because 30, days hath September &c, Look in your own columns, and you see. I signed myself .‘Hook It,’ and they all will like birds, to-morrow; and then will come in ‘Jupiter Vogel’ as they call him—very proper too (Jovis, Jupiter, Jovem, kc. Mr. Bowden will tell you what declension it is)—very proper too, as I was saying—‘ Jupiter Vogel’ the ‘bird of Jove’ wot whipped the owls and the bats, an 1 tbe vultures kc., all to pieces, and made them do as I do —namely—‘Hook It,”’