The Dunstan Times FRIDAY, FEBURARY 21, 1873.

Dunstan Times, Issue 566, 21 February 1873, Page 2

The Dunstan Times

FRIDAY, FEBURARY 21, 1873.

Beneath the Eule of Men entirely just the pjjy is aiauTiEß than the swop.d.

Tiie miners’ address published in our last issue, points out some valuable suggestions, many of which have been referred to oftentimes under other circumstances. We have always refrained as much as possible, from charging the Government with not giving sufficient publicity to their actions connected with the alienation ■ of land or the construction of public works, for reason that we might have been considered selfish, or lay ourselves open to the charge of only look, ing after the business of the public, when ourowu interests were ultimately concerned. The Miners’ Association have, however, taken this matter up, and which is largely referred to in their report. We quite endorse their opinions that the “ primary cause of dispute in a large percentage of Warden’s Court cases, is due to a want of sufficient publicity ,in application.” The mere posting of a notice st either end cf a head or tail race, am' perhaps a few places along the route of such intended vace_ can scarcely be called any notice at all None but those immediately on the spot can know anything at a J about it, while, were the application published in the local newspaper, and posted up in some conspicuous place, say on a recognised notice board, in the locality of the race, and the same at the Court House, every person would be made aware cf any application to possess or alienate public property. The expenses of giving due publicity would be very small compared with the value of the property to be obtained, ami we really do believe that whenever persons seek to become possessed of anything that gi% - es them a preference in ownership or a monopoly of public , property, the expenses of giving their desires sufficient publicity is a mere • bagatelle compared with the ad vantages to be-gained. In calling for tenders for public works, thousands of pounds are lost to the Province annually, for the want of sufficient publicity, local contractres have no chance. But few people sec the Government Gazetre, and except to those who make it their business to peruse that-publication, advertisementsmight as well be entombed in some public cemetery, Experience has shewn that local residents can execute contracts much cheaper tbau contractors living at a distance, and it is only a waste of money, let alone the unfairness not to give them a chance. The cost of advertising in the country newspaper is nothing compared to the saving that might he effected, and we -'have no hesitation in saying that for every shilling thus expended pounds would he save I. In contracting for •public works, the address recommends part payment in land, the idea is really a good one, and where roads .require to he made, agriculturists in s the vicinity would gladly embrace such a chance of purchasing their!

freeholds. The roads and tracks iu the vicinity of the gold-fields are really disgraceful, and we feel assured that were communication more easy, the mining population would be very much larger, wherever roads or tracks have been made, an increase of population has invariably followed, and could the construction of necessary nn-ftiis of connection be secured by payments in land, we might aho conclude that the cost would be more imaginary than real. ,