HIS HONOR THE SUPERINTENDENT AND THE GOLD-FIELDS’ SECRETARY AT CLYDE.

Dunstan Times, Issue 564, 7 February 1873, Page 2

HIS HONOR THE SUPERINTENDENT AND THE GOLD-FIELDS’ SECRETARY AT CLYDE.

On Thursday afternoon, the both ultimo, his Honor the Superintendent and Mr. Horace Bastings (the Gold-fields Secretary) arrived at' Clyde. After having partaken of refreshment, Messrs, Macnndrow and Casting-; accompanied by a number of gentlemen, paid a visit of inspection to M‘Lcnnau’s Pueumatie Dredge ; afterwards to the School House. His Honor then pr, ■ eroded to the Town Hall, where ho was waited upon Try the Mayor and Councillors. His Worship the Mayor said the opportunity was taken of bringing various matters tfedirgike welfare of the district under the notice of his Honor, and his advisor, Mr. Eastings, and ho trusted that such would be favorably considered. The first matter was the construction of the main roads through the Municipality under the Local Revenues Ordinance. His Honor said that instructions would be issued to idle District Surveyor to survey the roads, so that an estimate of the cost would I e arrived at her. Hazleft sail the next subject was tho commonage. Ho would sr.y that an amount of correspondence had passed letween the Government and the Corporation relative to it. As at present managed, the Bunstan Commonage was next to useless to the inhabitants. His Honor said ho had been inclined to carry out the request of tho Corporation, to vest the C-irUrionage in them. His previous Executives however, had raised objections to this course being pursued. His present advisers ho thought would ho inclined to fall into his views, and on his return ti Dunedin ho would lay the matter in its true light before them, and ho had no hesitation in saying that it would ho done. His Worship the Mayor said tho next

mp.tior was the construction of- a bridge across tlio Molynenx at Clyde. JIo fa iJ for the want of a safe, and at the sain i time, economical made of eras ing the river, the traffic was (liveried from its natural coarse a'oiig tlio ’Vest bank of the Molyiic-ax. Hi; Jlounr sai.l ho nail noticed the move that had been made in the direction of having a bridge constructed and the advocacy that ha 1 been given it by the Pros?. It was the intention of the Government to do paUh the Provincial engineer to inspect the line of road on tnc \Vcst bank of the V]Ay umi-, end he would bo instructed to take cog izam o of Ibis dining his hoar. The Government had invited tenders for the conctraelion of a bridge asross the M.dyn ns at the Beaumont, and he would advisehis Executive to adopt a similar course with respect to this. Various other subjects were touched, tiro whole being favorably received. Thanks were accorded bis 1 Inner and Mr. Bastings for their patient hearing, and the conference ended, Subsequently about twenty-five gentlemen entertained Lis Honor (ho Superintendent and Mr. Bastings at dinner, at Hanes’s Dunstan Hotel. The viands were i laced on the tabic in the boat’s best stvlc, and w era done ample justice to. The more substantial condiments Laving been removed, tlio‘dessert, comprising this choicest fruits of the season—all of local growth - followed, after which the real business of the evening commenced. His Worship the Mayor proposed “ Tlio health of Iter Majesty the Queen ” Drunk with all the honors. Mr. James Hazlctt, in a few words, proposed, “His Honor the SuTioriutcndcat,” received with musical honors. Mr. Macaudrcw, in responding, said lie had not expected to have Leon accorded so hearty and cordial a reception. Tim position of Superintendent was an anomalous one. \v itii so many conflicting interests, it was impossible to please every one ; but from the hearty manner in which he had been met, it was evident his r.dministiation of public affairs had not been unsuccessful. His desire had over been to promote thoprospcrilyoftholkovince, independent of classes, and Lo won.el ever continue to preserve the smio line <f policy. His wish had been, long, ere now, to have made a tour of inspection of the gold-fields Previous Executives had been against it, bis present executive, bo was pleased, to say, were of his way of thinking, and readily agreed that a tour of inspection should bo made. The official tour was not to see (ho country, but to redress existing grievance-*, and from what Mr. Bastings and ho had at re a dy accomplished, ho had every reason to believe bis advisers and the country would say it was a wise and judicious stop. He did not intend to touch on the policy of the Government, Lc would leave that to Mr. Bastings, during the cvci mg he might have occasion to touch on other matters. Ho would desire to thank those present for the enthusiastic manner his health .had been received. Mr. B. Xaylor proposed the Provincial Executive, coupled with Sir. Horace Bastings. Mr. Eastings said he was happy that be was in one part of the Province “A jolly good fellow.” Jt was only the other day bo was considered the reverse by one section for some imaginary dealing with a certain purchase of land. Ho entered into the purchase of land by Mr. Ferand, and explained that flic transaction was complete 1 before be took office. Ho. had been twitted by a portion of the Press about taking office in an Executive of which one member is a pastoral tenant. As the mouth-pi’Een of the Executive, ho might say their policy was to put down class feeling and to carry into effect any measures for the benefit of whole and the general welfare of Hie Provin. e, to throw open land for agriculture and commonages, and t> carry rut the Public AVoika scheme, b) which the Country was committed, mi 1 by tbir «fT«r‘a *•> -d to m-k» u ~ su ys . . , the a.,—. j,(i uad ieis it a

duty to males this tour of inspection, so that each district could lay before responsible advisers of the Government their grievances and have the same removed. In the few hours that had been devoted a large amount of work had been done and many important matters settled. Mr. Macandrew proposed, “The Town of Clyde,” conn’d with the name of Mr, J. U. Cambridge, Mayor/ lie said* Clyde was destined to be the town of the District and he prophccicd for it a happy and prosperous future, The Commonage question was at length settled, the Town Council having been appointed warders. This, he thought, was a great boon, and he hoped R would prove ro. lie desired to draw attention to the fact that the Provincial Government were only too willing to grant a supply of trees 6u application, and if the Corporation would set to work planting it would be a groat hnprovtmcnb —Applause. Mr Cambridge replied, fn suitable terms Mr. Hustle proposed, “ The Commercial and mining interests,” coupled with the name of Mr. James ITaz’ett. Mr. lladctt said, rcgaiding the commercial interest, it would bo like egotism for him to dilate en it, he was happy to cay it was prosperous. As to mining, that branch of industry cr.n only be conside-cd in its infancy. A huge area of highly auriferous land was known to exist in the immediate neighborhood, and when the water races in course of construction were completed, alargo number of men would be employed. Means wcie only now being resorted to, to recover the rich deposits in the Molyaeux. The time was not far distant when the wealth in the immediate ne'ghhoihood would be brought to light, thou Clyde would equal, if not excel many districts that at the present time were making so great a stir. Mr. M'Connaehio proposed “ Pastoral and Agricultural pursuits.’’ Responded to by Mr. Koran.l. Mr. Eastings proposed the “ Press"—rosy ended to by Mr. Faeha Mr. Fe-rand proposed Mr. Warden Simpson, responded to l.y Mr. Simpson. Mr. M‘Kay propose 1 tho “Ladies, ’’responded to by the Rev. Mr. Jones. The company then sang “ God save the Queen, ” followed by “ Auhl Lang Syne,” which brought the evening's enjoyment to a close. Friday, Jakcakv 31. Hi.-; Honor and Mr. Bastings accompanied by the Mayor and Council, Mr. Haslic, Chairman of the Buns tan District Mineis Association, and a largo party made r.n early start and proceeded up the Vdai Keri Ked Valley, visiting and inspecting the valley and the auriferous blocks of land adjoining. Arriving ai some cf the workings, the miners explain a I the nature of the workings, aril tin gr.-at disadvantages they would labor 'under if the land applied to be purchased by Mr. J. D. Foraud, was alimated. His-Honor atones admitted the justness of the argument adduced in favor of the su-o being cancelled, and promised that no effort on the part of iho Government should he spared, to place the whole of tho Valley at the disposal of the miners. Mr. IJestins’ssu jgoshc-d that the construction of a slu-dic Channel would perhavs answer the pnrpcssn of the Miners, and thus preserve intact, the holdings of the Agriculturalists. Further explanations having been entered into regarding tho natrue of the working, and it being avorod that the whole line of tenaccs to the edge of the Valhy was auriferous, and would eventually be worked, and that tho fail in the ground would not allow of lire working of a chains 1 Mr Bastings said the matter must be ic.t between the Government and Mr. Forand. A., move was tho made to the Gorge of tho Valley, His Honor who was in a buggy taking the bed cf the Valley, Mr. Bastings or horseback taking the spurs, thus affording him a view of the entire block, and of other workings passed on tho way. Having arrived at tin- - Gorge, His Honor was ask. d if tin Government would undertake the construction of a rosorvois for the storage oi the water that at present runs to waste, it was explained that by the construction of a reservoirs, ail parties could be supplied with water, and an end would be put to the disputes that are everlastingly cropping up. His Honor said he had experienced the most pleasurable surprise during tho morning's ride, as he had no conception there was, anything approaching so thriving a settlement in the locality', of mining and agriculture combined. What ho had seen that day was almost sufficient compensation for the tour of Mr. Bastings and himfclf. Ho had now a different opinion of tho resources of the district to what he had before be left Dun din. The destroying of tiro various comfortable homesteads ho had seen scattered over the block he should feel some compunction in, lui to make way for the minor, they must, if necessary, be swept away. Mr. Bastings said, he had little expected to see so mued settlement, it would be the endeavor ot the Government to satisfactorily conclude ponding arrangements. In reference to the reservoir, his Honor said, be would instruct tho Provincial Engineer, when in tho neighborhood, to visit the gorge with tho view of making out an estimate of cost, and if it came within reasonable hounds, ho would advise the Executive to have it conslructo 1. J His Honor visited Mr. Sicdcberg’s steam dredge, moored oil Sandy Point, the machinery was set in motion and severs 1 hagsfull of dirt wore brought on board and sluiced. His Honor said great credit was duo to Mr. Siodsberg for his perseverance in constructin'; single handed so expensive a machine, and hoped he would bo rewarded. His Honor afterwards visited the Hospital, ho expressed himsolf phase ! wit I the cleanly state of tho,lnstitution end i lie ] general arrangements; whisr passing I through tho grounds, ho' noticed the i growth, oft e trees, and raid tho Govern ment would bo only too willing to supply any am-jimt o: trees on application.