The Dunstan Times FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 15, 1872.

Dunstan Times, Issue 552, 15 November 1872, Page 2

The Dunstan Times

FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 15, 1872.

Beneath fclie Rule of Men E N'T Ire r.Y Just, the pen is JliauTlEß than-the sword.

-The example set by the Press of "Victoria in holding a conference in Melbourne, for the discussion of matters affecting its interests, might, with advantage, be followed in New Zealand. This movement has doubtless arisen through the late disclosures aneut the Times and Mines case, and which disclosed such a mass of corruption in the shape of newspaper favoritism that -we thought could never have existed in a British Colony like Victoria, where public opinion carries so •much weight. What has been done in Victoria may be done in New Zealand ; and, so far as our experience .goes, the Press of Otago, especially that which represents up-country interests, has been studiously ignored, no Government advertisements finding their way into its columns, unless ■under special circumstances, which ’prevented their insertion in the Daily Times. -There are, of course, a number of Government advertisements 'which we do not expect to reach beyond the newspapers published-in the chief sea-port towns- of the respective Provinces ; hut, when there is anything affecting any particular country district, it would be nothing more than fair, while at the same time expedient, that such notice or advertisement should appear in the columns of the newspaper .published in the district likely to be affected. For the want -of publicity, residents in this district have, times out of number, been debarred from tendering for purely local works. Tenders have been called for in the Daily Times or Government Gazelle, and such short notice given that local men could not possibly send in tenders, and the work has been con--•tracted for by some Dunedin firm at ■ a price considerably in excess of what would otherwise have been the case ; -or, perhaps, many persons who would have tendered never had an opportunity of doing so at nil. The circutation of the Daily Times is, at the best, very small in the up-country distiicts. It is scarcely ever seen except in a few of the principal hotels or leading business houses. ’Io the general public it is as foreign as the Kamschatka Gladiator or Timbuctoo Extinguish?r; and, for purposes of real ■publicity, Government notices might just as well be privately circulated among a favored, few. Since the local Press Ims become firmly -established on the Goldfields it has gradually assumed the position of the only recognised means of diffusing information of local and general import. The ■miner, in his local paper, reads the latest English news days before a .•Dunedin newspaper cmild reach him; while he is furnished with a -digest of any matter of sufficient importance to render the services of the telegraph "wires "dcsirab’e. Local newspapers anr almost invariably read in the re spective districts in which they are •published. Tliey are everywhere recognised by the people, but ignored by the Government This is much to be regretted, and may almost be regarded as a national loss. It is a loss to the public, as, for want of sufficient publicity, more is paid for works and services than were due publicity given, while it is also a loss, and often-times a grievous one, to the parties most immediately interested. The Conference has adopted the following resolutions : “ That the Victorian ■“ Telegraphic Press i-ates should be rc•duced to Is. fid. per one hundred 4 words, and a corresponding rcduc-

“ tio;i bo ina'le for tlio same message “when repeated. That the Conference “ emphatically condemns the principle “ of using ihn Government Gazette as “an advertising medium ; regarding “ that course as a waste of public “ money, and a wrong to the Press- “ That, in the opinion of the Con- “ ference, the sale of Crown Lands, “and all other local notifications, “should be advertised in the news- “ pipers circulating in the districts to “ which such notices refer. That, in '*• the opinion of the Contereuce, the “ control of the Government adver- “ Using vote should rest entirely with “ a Government advertising depart- “ meut, with a view of preventing any “ unfair distribution. That the pro- “ priety of a total abolition of the “ postage foe upon newspapers be urged “ upon the Government.” Each of these live resolutions are as applicable here as in V ictoria, In respect to the first, we are already promised a reduction, and we hope it will not be long before there is a similar reform with respect to the remainder.

The Mining Conference, to be bold at Tuapeka during the first week of the ensuing month deserves considerably more attention Irani the mining community than, we fear, is accorded to it. -The movement is a judicious one, and proceeds from the Miners’ A ssociations. These bodies, although but lately formed, have proved themselves of considerable use to the miners generally. They have been the means of bringing the mining interest, and the wants pertaining to it, more prominently before the Government than has hitherto been the case ; and this influence has been recognised; many concessions having consequently been made. Now that these useful bodies desire to act collectively in dealing w’th measures affecting the interests of-gold-mining,-it is greatly to be desired that their constituents or adherents will exert themselve and give the subject their most earnest atten tion, at the same time sending men as Delagates to the Conference who thoroughly understand the business in hand and will do credit to those by whom they have been elected. The holding of the Conference at Tuapeka however is a great mistake. It should have been held in the Dunstan District, which isthecentreof theOtago Gold-fields, being almost equ-distant from the principal -1 icaLties of raining industry. -Representatives from the Mount Ida District will have a long way to travel, and the same will be the case wuh those from the Lakes; whereas, had the Conference been held at Clyde, delegates would not have been put to more than one day’s travelling In numerous instances, Dunedin would have been equally as convenient as Lawrence. The questions to be considered by the Conference ai e So . various that we cannot hope to -enumerate them all, but will content om-selves with a .passing notice of some of the more important. Mining bn private property is fast becoming matter for earnest consideration, and demands to be definitely settled. It is, doubtless, a difficult question to deal with, on account of so many conflicting interests, and the large land-owners being all-powerful. It is a pity that the operations of the miner should be in. terupted by the owners or occupiers of land, the interests of either being so identical that the one could scarsely exis h .without the other; or, at least, their operations would he so circumscribed that little good would result to either, and, with the exception of wool-growing, without the gold-miner, every industry would languish. New Zealand owes everything to its gold mines. Without their presence it would still have remained isolated and comparatively unknown, and been nothing more than a grazing ground for sheep to the present day. What export trade it did in cerial produce with Australia during the early days of tte gold discoveries must have ceased e e this, Australia being in a position to supply itself, while to compete with Tasmania is hopeless. Local consumption has increased the value of property to an extent never contemplated by its owners, and we find men rolling in riches who, were it not for the gold-fields, would have remained to the end of their days humble plodders upon the earth,s surface. There is no question but that the real wo’king beo is the miner, and his operations must not be imjdcd, and where gold is known, or even supposed to exist, there must be no difficulties placed in the wayofextraction. The miner must have the right of entry upon all auriferous'lands. No sale of large blocks must be made under any circumstances, or the con struction of water-races will be interfered with, and whether for mining, or the means to mine, land upon the gold fields must nob be locked up and leased or sold—the right of entry for these purposes must be definitely reserved. A simplification of the laws relating to mining is highly necessary —proceedings in the Wardens’ Courts are much too complicated and costly, and there is great delay. Courts of arbitration might be established, where miners might refer their disputes and settle them amongst themselves. The principle of allowing professional fees

as pail of coots is Lad, and -wo hold iMt those employing legal assistance should pay for the luxury. Assistance to miners in the matter of water supply under the Public Works’ Act Is a complete farce and a delusion, the restrictions being almost prohibitory, while there is the most unnecessary delay in doing business with the Goldfields’ Secretary’s department. The appointment of a Minister of Mines is highly desirable, there being no responsible head to the mining department that miners have any confidence in, also, an equitable expenditure of the - public monies in constructing roads upon the gold-fields. We have merely made reference to some of the principal subjects requiring to be dealt with by the Conierence, and which demand the serious attention of miners. There are of com se numerous others, which will present themselves for consideration at the meeting. Little time is to be lost now, and miners should bestir themselves to make their representatives thoroughly acquainted with their wants, and send them thoroughly posted up in the business to be considered, not forgetting to elect none but really competent men.

IV" ~ »<r Mr. Siedebcrg informs ua that our late notice of him was incorrect, he says unfortunately through the river keeping at so higha level, he has been unable to obtain any gold whatever, but expresses his belief that when the river falls to a medium level he will be repaid for all outlay and trouble expended. We regret having in this case published other than the facts of the case. The late refreshing rains have heeu most heartily welcomed by all classes, the farmers and market gardeners are highly elated, as their crops which threatened to be but poor by the rain fall must be greatly improved. Plaints forbearing hi the District Court, Monday, ISth of November, IST2:—Mace v. Cotter and another,‘damages 149(; Pcrnam v. M'Morran, debt 951; Zielc v.\Birnie, debt 801. 10. ; Campbell v. Holmes, debt 1001; Hallenstein -and others v. Hastie, debt 1391. 8s 3d. Another fatal mining accident occurred at_Surface Hill, Mt. Ida, on Saturday last, The unfortunate fellows name was William Beardswell. The first and final dividend of five shillings and six pence in the pound in the estate of E. G. Eyan is payab'e at the office of the Trustee. —(See Advertisement) By a private telegram we learn that the Bishop of Dunedin, Dr. Neville, arrived in Dunedin on Wednesday last. At the regular meeting of the Lodge Dunstan, S.C. 470, held in the Town Hall, Clyde, on Wednesday, the 13th inst. Officers for the ensuing year were elected as follows Bro. F. Siedebcrg, R.W.M. ; A. D. Harvey, S.W. ; C. P. Beck, J.W. ; G. Clark, Treasurer; G. Fache, Secretary ; Rev. J. Jones, Chaplain; M. Marshall, S.D.; J. Patterson, J.D. ; W. Fache, LG. ; E. Moore, Tyler. Brothers Eames, Grindley, and Madigan, Stewards, and brothers Marshall and Eames, auditors. ohe installation was fixed for, Wednesday, De. cember 4, On the evening of the same day the ceremony will be celebrated by a Ball. In the afternoon, at about four o’clock, the Chaplain will deliver a sermon in the Lodge Room, to which the public "will be admitted. Shearing will commence at Galloway Station on the 25th instant, and at Mouteric and Matakanui the first week in December. On Saturday last, Mr. Hislop; Inspector of Schools, officially examined the scholars attending the Clyde School. ag-He expressed himself as being highly pleased with the efficiency of the various classes, as also with the system of teaching adopted by the. teacher, Mr. Stevens, under whose tuition he said the children could not but improve. . Referring to the school buildings, master’s residence,!'and grounds, they reflected the greatest credit on the committee. A Daily Times telegram says :—lt is rumored on good authority, that Mr. Julius Vogel, after visiting Australia, will proceed to England, to negotiate another large loan, and that he will also visit the Vienna Exhibition.

Mr. John Ewing, convicted for shooting a Chinaman at St. Bathan’s and sentenced to two years imprisonment, was released from gaol on Saturday last, by virtue of a warrant under the hand of His Excellency the after four months’ incarceration.

A correspondent at the Carrick informs ns that the general prospects of the district are most favorable, he says:—Last week, the Nil Desperandum cleaned up the first crushing at their new machine of 54 tons with a result of 63 ounces, that the company have about 300 tons of stone on gras?, which prospects fully one ounce to the ton, that stone is still being raised, and that at each level the good prospects are maintained. Logan’s battery has started work with a small lot of about 40 tons from the Robert Bums. The Golden Gate on the same line, is as yet in stain quo ;’but now that means of crushing are at hand, the shareholders propose putting men on to raise stone. The Elizabeth Company have struck the reef at their low level, the stone being about twenty indies thick. The last crushing, 70 tons, yielded only forty two ounces of gold. The Heart of Oak and Star of the East claims are pushing forward their works most satisfactorily, the stone maintaining a good thickness, and the yield being up to the average. The Ool’een Bawn and the Caledonian on the spur lower down the range are both creeping into public favor ; the yields from each being highly satisfactory. Our correspondent concludes his letter by dealing generally with the pernicious system of shepherding that has, up to the present, been carried on on the range, and hopes for the welfare of all concerned, that the days of the shepherd are numbered.

Tlio folllowing are the latest Australian items as published in the Daily Times ; Seamen are demanding 10/. a mouth for the run home.—An attempt is being made to cover up the defalcations of Scott, the Manager of the Koroit branch of the National Bank.—The Victorian International Exhibition was opened on the 6th instant. —A man named Richard Cooper, living in Lonsdale-street, Melbourne, kicked his wife to death on the.dth instant.—The Suez Mail is expected in Melbourne on the 18th instant —The Geelong Meat Preserving Company re-opens shortly. The companies are buying largely at stock sales.—The London telegraph is causing great changes in the character of Melbourne mercantile trade. An extensive fire occurred at Alexandria on the 4th instant. A whole block of buildings including the Union Bank, was destroyed. The Bank’s books were saved. The buildings were partially [insured.—The Sydney Banks hold over three millions worth of gold.—A woman named Sarah Bill has been sentenced to death at Bathurst for murdering her child.—At Adelaide there is a large demand for seaman at 91. per month.

Some one in Auckland who Lad little to do baa recently been studying bow others who have less to do—some clerks and office boys—kill time. lie says: Their2inode of passing away tbo leisure hours strikingly resembles that of fishing for sprats, as precisely the'same implements are used, with the exception of a rod and float. In the building is a verandah or balcony over a kind of back yard which is infested with vermin, and it is to this balcony that the individuals mentioned repair in their spare moments, to enjoy themselves in angling for—start not!—rats. A line after "being uncoiled, is carefully baited with a small and delicate morsel of roasted cheese. This being clone to the satisfaction of the expectant angler, it ii gently dropped over the railing.in the immediate vicinity of what is supposed to be the favorite resort of these animals, andtha fisher patiently waits for a “bite,” which, however, often occurs w.thin a very few moments after the line has “touched the bottom.” It is then that the excitement begins, and the line is run out till the rat is supposed to have a good hold, when the person abovegives a sudden jerk; and in three cases out of six succeeds in landing a fine rat, which is knocked on the head with an office ruler brought for that purpose, and the tail cut off as a trophy after which the hook is extracted, baited afresh, and again thrown overboard in search of fresh prey.—Grey Dicer Argus. DUNSTAN DISTRICT MINERS’ - ASSOCIATION. A meeting of the Committee of the above Association, convened by’tiicular, was held at the Clyde Hotel on Saturday evening last, for the purpose of considering the desirability of appointing delegates to re-preseut-this district at the Conference about to be held at Tuapeka. Mr. Hastie occupiefj the chair, and explained the objects of the 'meeting. Mr. Alexander was of opinion that, before the Committee appointed a delegate to attend the[Confcrence, it wasmost desirable energetic efforts should be made to extend the Association, and render it what it was originally intended - -an Association representing the whole of the Duns tan District. Alexandra had now a similar society in existence, and this Committee had tried to induce the miners at Black's, Drybread, and surrounding districts either to join this Association or to form a kindred society of their own. Cromwell, the Carriole, Bannockburn, and Bendigo were at present unrepresented, and ho]would ask that the cooperation of the Alexandra Association be invited .to endeavor to get committees formed in those places. Then a Dunstau District Miners’ Association might be established, such to consist of two members of each local committee. The local committees could hold monthly or quarterly meetings, and report to the District Committee, which body would deal with all matters of importance to the mining interests generally, and would correspond with the Government and others interested in the management of the gold-fields, and also with the Central Committee it is proposed to elect. At present he would not enter into a discussion regarding the various objects of the Association and the rules required to be adopted. Great care should be taken that both the objects and rules be such as would tend to promote unity among the miners. In scspect to the proposed Central Committee, ho thought that, instead of such Committee having to correspond and deal with matters connected with every isolate 1 local committee in the Province, it would bo better that other districts should unite their local committees in the manner hehacl indicated,[and the Central Committee would federalise with the District Committee. As to sending delegates to the Conference, his opinon was that one person, elected by and from the members of the Association, would suffice to represent the whole district. He would not now go farther into particulars, but would be glad to do so at any future time, provided what he had proposed met with the concurrence of the Committees and the miners of the districts ho had mentioned. After discussion, the Committee expressed itself unanimously in favor of Mr. Alexander’s proposition. It was resolved ■:— That some of the Members of the Association attend the first meeting of the Alexandra Committee, and seek their cooperation in the matter. That other Members -should take steps to forward the objects of the Association in other parts of the district. That, if possible, a meeting of the Members deputed by the various local bodies t > form the District Committee should meet at Clyde on Saturday', the 23rd instant, to appoint a delegate to attend the Conference to be held at Tuapeka. That the local Committee meet in 'the evening nf che same day, and, in the event of their views in regard to the district not being supported, then to appoint a delegate fsom among shemselves.