The Dunstan Times FRIDAY, JULY 4, 1873.

Dunstan Times, Issue 585, 4 July 1873, Page 2

The Dunstan Times

FRIDAY, JULY 4, 1873.

Beneath the Rule of Mohextiuelt just the tex is moiiTiEE than theswor.n.

As the Session of the Provincial Council has commenced, it will be as well that residents in the Dunstan District should devote some little attention to what might be the most urgent of their requirements—the Session will undoubtedly be a very short one, so short that, in all probability, there will be no time for party differences, public business may therefore be expected to bo gone through hastily; such being the case, members will require to be thoroughly posted up in what they are to ask for, or their constituents will undoubtedly suffer. A bridge across the Molyneux at Clyde is most important ; upon the accomplishment of this depends in a great measure the future of the town of Clyde, The building of this structure must not however be viewed in a purely local spirit, it is to the interest of the entiic district that a bridge should be built here, while it will greatly advantage other places as well as this. The Town Council will undoubtedly assist largely in a. monetary sense, either by a guai’antee of a certain rate of interest on the cost of construction, or perhaps assist with money itself, so necessary do they deem the work. We arc inclined however to the belief that the bridge deserves to be entirely a Provincial work, it may certainly directly benefit tins town, but it will at the same time confer very many more benefits elsewhere. The direct road to Tuapeka, via the valley of the Molyneux can never be completed without it—it supplies a link to the chain which cannot be disoensed with, and the large expenditure incurred to make this road cannot be properly utilised unless there p a bridge at Clyde, and we do really think that the Government should proceed with its construction without calling for tenders from private persons to build it on terms. Setting aside this view of the case, and assuming that the finances of the Province will not permit of the expenditure, the Government scale of tolls to be charged by tho contractor, fifty per centum upon the ordinary rates on turnpike roads, is far too little, and wo should think that double these rates would rot be too much, with

tho addition of a small charge for foot passengers, at say one shilling for every horse drawing or not drawing, and three pence for foot passengers, together with a moderate toll for great and small cattle. Upon these terms many persons would be willing to enter into tho speculation, and even then if the rates of toll were found to work oppressively, a reduction might be made in the shape of a subsidy, and which tho Province should cheerfully pay. Mr. Hazletfc, we feel as sured, thoroughly understands tho importance of a bridge at Clyde, and will do his best to secure one upon some terms or another. The area of agricultural and auriferous country, bridging the Molyneux would open up, would be enormous, and we should imagine, repay the first cost in the course of a few years by the increase ot revenue consequent upon a large addition to the population and increased employment for them. The mini and district roads are sadly out of repair, in fact, they are never properly put in repair, and even when this is done, the wrong*season of the year is selected ; a system of contract would be far preferable'to the present day labor and much cheaper to the country. Every winter we have to complain’of the bad state'of the roads and our losses now] from 'J. this cause are something enermous, carriage is higher than’it has bcenjjformany winters past,’making it difficultjfor many poor persons to live. Provisions r and material have greatly risen in price, sufficiently so as to drive people away from the district to seek employment nearer the sea board where things are cheaper. The loss to tho gold-fields every winter through bad toads must be something very great. A reservoir for the]supply of the [Town, the settlement of the vexed water question, and some pecuniary assis'ance to prospect the great Dunstan Flat are matteis that should engage our Member’s attention. We will not go further at present, as we may be asking for too much; at the same time we feel assured that Mr.' Hazlett will do his best for his constituents by making the most_of the_ shorty Session before him.

In our last'week’s issue 'in' referring fo the miners’ strike’ at [the Carrick Range against a reduction of wages wo concluded by saying, “We would advise the storekeepers, butchers and bakers ' to' strike against'givingHick.T,Wedhink';that would be blow for blow.” Since then, when in the neighborhood of the Carrick, we wore honored with an [universal [recognition by the miners of that locality, not such a recognition, may be, as’ many} would desire, as it was only by the intervention of a personal friend we wore saved ! from ’personal abuse. We do not now desire to raise a hornet’s nest about our ears, or draw down the wrath of the community upon us, but we would in as’ concisejtenr.s as possible state that, the threatening attitude assumcdjby theypot’valianf crew, who dared to question our right of opinion in so" unconstitutional a manner, has not, and and will not deter us from expressing rn opinion, let it be ever so unpalatable. The day'has not arrived when either the smiles of flatterers, or the groans and threats of a mob will sway the press. We are but a small member" of [that’ estate that guides public opinion it is true,[but in our[ sphere we are equally as useful as some of our larger; brethren fat [all events, we have our duty to perform, and so long as wo live we will do it fearlessly. During the many years we have been connected with the gold-field's, numbering wer’twenty-onefour voice has ever beenTraised against the system of indiscriminate credit, 5 conscientiously believing it to be most pernicious fin its effects, and it is only when a sound and convincing argument.is produced,"proving that our tenets are wrong will we give in—we would remind our friends that the force'of blows will never'convince us. A man was "admitted into the Dunstxn District' Hospital on Tuesday "evening last, from Bannockburn, suffering from severe contusions and bruises, produced it is supposed) by falling during Monday "evening from"the roadway leading to’ the Kawaran Bridge on to the river’s beach, a depth of about one£hundred,,feet. The man is a complete stranger in the district, and it is supposed’partook too freely of the good things’so liberally given by the proprietors of the'bridgo on the occasion''of the formal opening of that structure for traffic. We have[since,heard the'poor fellow has died from injuries'rcceived. There are four entries from New Zealand for the Melbourne Cup of 1873, namely, Mr. Hume’s Casinway, three years old; Nosworthy’s Lurline, three years ; Nosworthy’s Calumny, three years; and Mr. Bay’s Tambourine, four years. They are are all Canterbury horses. The following is the result of the poll for the Suporintendency, as officially declared : Macandrew, 3,902 ; Gillies, 2,759 ; Graham, 26 : Majority for Macandrew, 1,143. There !was a good attendance, and the several candidates briefly addressed those present. According to the Illustrated Revkio Lord Byron’s secret was that he had a wife before he was married to Miss Milbank. This would assuredly explain everything ; but the results of such a revelation would even now be disastrous to many persons.

I Among tin business transacted at the "Waste Lands Board on the 26th ult. was the following Messrs. Howarth and Bradshaw applied for a copper-mining lease of some ground at Moke Creek.. The app'ication had been first made in 18C5.—A similar applictaion was made by William Jackson Barry in respect of the same ground. Mr. Howarth said he believed the surveys of the ground in question had now him sent down to the Board ; and that being the case, ho presumed the Board was in a position to grant the lease originally applied for in 1865. That morning he re* calved information from Mr. Connell that he intended to oppose this application, or to apply for the same ground on behalf of Mr. J. W. Barry. Now, as far back as 1865 he found the Board had received the deposit money on the application made by Mr. Bradshaw and himself, and he also had in his possession a letter from tire Commissioner, agreeing to grant a lease to Mr. Bradshaw. Mr. Connell said he appeared on bshalt of Mr. W. J. Barry. The matter brought before the Board was very important. This was a case in which a very old agreement made hy the Waste Lands Board was sought to he brought into force. After a lapse of eignt years, during which nothing had been done, it was sought to oust a person who was re illy prepared to open up the ground. He submitted that the right of Messrs. Howorth and Bradshaw to a lease had lapsed many years ago If they had been in earnest about working the lode they would have taken steps to perfect their title and get a lease. Nothing was heard of those 'gentlemen until Mr. Barry made his application. He (Mr. Connell) had letters from Mr. Barry, stating he had visited Victoria, and had succeeded in f inning a company to work the lode. Mr. Howarth trusted the Board would hesitate before they deprived Mr. Bradshaw and h'mself of their just rights. He might state that they were merely the representatives of others. There were twelve people interested in the matter, and they had spent 15 )/. each upon the rfline. When he (Mr. Howorth) went to England, in 1866, he endeavored to start a company there to work the lode on a very large scale, hut a crisis occurred just on his arrival, and it was useless to then attempt to put a copper mine ht) the market. Another gentleman who went home was also instructed to Heat a Company,butthemarket wasagaindepressed, and the project was unsuccessful. They, hj owever, never had intended to abandon the matter. Everything had been done that the Board required of them. On the 23th of July a deposit was made of 20/. for the Board or the Government itself to make a survey, and he could only say that they were active at the time in prosecuting the succcssfid working of the mine. Why the p’an had not been furnished in the meantime he was unable to say. They were prep red to accept the lease at any time, and t icy were prepared to take it now. The results they had obtained were satisfactory, although they were not in a position, without getting a further contribution of capital, to carry the thing to a successful issue. If the lease were now granted, further efforts would be made, and if they failed to comply with the conditions of tho lease, the Board could take tho course prescribed in such a case. The Chairman said that this was the first time the Board was in a position to call upon Messrs. Howorth and Bradshaw to take up tho lease, and it was resolved that a lease should be granted to tho original a 5 dioanis. The report of the District Lmd Officer at Clyde upon tho application of Mr. Jay to purchase land in the Wai Kari Kcri Valley,'was road anp consincralion of the matter held over for a week. Messrs. Harding and Hughes applied tj purchase about two acres of laud on]\vhich their brewery isbuilt,[between Clyde and Cromwell, on Mr. John M‘Lean’s run. Tho application was postponed. Mr. John Walker applied for a lease ef two acres f railway reset vcatClyde. Theleasewasgranted at a rental of 2/. per acre.—Mr. Leary, on behalf of Mr. James Stuart, applied for a lease of section 14, Block 1,, Cromwell, for coal-raining. Tho lease was granted, the maximum price of the coal to be 20s. per tan.—The application of William Williams for exchange of gold-fields leases for licenses of sections 62, 65, 6;i, and 67, Block VI., Leaning Rock District, was granted. Tho bridge across the Kawarau, near the Bannockburn, was formally - opened fo r traffic on Monday last. This bridge lias been constructed by M'Cormick and Company, tho Government subsidising for the approaches. A largo concourse assembled on tho occasion, and the proceedings, a full account of which will be found in another column, passed off satisfactorily. “‘Atticus,” writing in the Melbourne Leader, relates tho following rather good thing The other day a case of assault being tried in one of the local courts, the defendant assorted ho had been called foul names by the plaintiff, ‘j Have you any. witnesses ?” asked his Worship, to which an answer in the affirmative was given. “ Who arc they again demanded tho P.M., and was told that Arthur Melville could be brought forward. Judge of the dismay of the defendant on seeing the P.M. peep ominously at him over his spectacles and hearing him in awful tones condemn the statement just made as a self-evident and palpable lie. Thej'dofemlant could not say a word, but his professional dared to intimate that his Worship was a little too hard on his client. “ When a man,” retorted the magistrate, “ states that he has half Melbourne as witnesses, I assert it is a palpable falsehood.” Explanations ensued, and when it was explained that a similarity between “ Arthur Melville” and “half of Melbourne” bad deceived the generally acute sense of hearing of the magistrate, that official unbent, and confessed that the charge which he had been led to make required an unqualified apology. A contemporary describes how “ a young man who thinks he has a fine tenor voice I was vaccinated with a brickbat by a sleepless neighbor last week.”

Thfi usual monthly meeting of the Committce of the Duustan District Hospital will he held in the Committee Room, on Monday evening next, at 8 o’clock. We have to acknowledge the receipt of a pamphlet embodying the opinions of the Victorian press, no a work lately published in Melbourne, under the title of “ An easy m ithod to leam French without a Master” by Mr G. Leßoy, Evans Bros., Collins St., Paid shers. To the Student desirous of obtaining an insight of the French language we must conclude the work to be invaluable and would strongly recommend it. The following statement shows the total number of letters received from, and despatched to the United Kingdom by the undermentioned Colonies from 1803 to 1872Victoria 10,801,043 New South Wales 4,203,783 South Austialia 1,018,982 New Zealand 0,834,040 Tasmania . 019,009 Queensland 1,405,903 Western Australia 244,000 The 21st instant is the day fixed by the Municipal Corporation Ordinance for the annual election of Mayor. The duties of the office are becoming more onerous every year, and it devolves upon the citizens to elect the most suitable man of their number to the office. Opinions in larger communities than ours are divided as to whether the office should be a rolling one, that is, changing every year, or every five or more or less number of years; whether the Mayor should be selected from the Council, or whether the Council, or the mass of the ratepayers should have the power of electing. Each question is worthy of consideration, and we should like to hear them separately answered from the Council table. Mr. G. T. Stevenson, from all accounts, is being handsomely rewarded for his enterprise and the plucky manner he has battled with the host of difficulties that beset him in testing the capabilities of the Caledonian Beef- Garrick Range. The claim was originally in the hands of twelve share holders ; but one after another, as difficulties and dangers increased, got out of the affair, leaving the whole burden on the shoulders of the object of these remarks. Nothing daunted with his position, having an innate belief in the existence of a payable reef within the boundary of the claim, ho put his right foot foremost, and offered battle to the foe. Over twelve months have now elapsed, duiing which time ho has not only proved Lis Judgment to be good, but has netted nigh one thousand oifnees of the precious metal, besides having to hand and ready for the stampers about one hundred and fifty tons of stone, and the claim is in splendid working order, with plenty of stone in face. Thu expenses incidental in bringing about this desirable state of things we cannot say what proportion they bear t rthe result; but heavy tl ough|they doubtless were, they leave a handsome margin of profit, and wo hope in th; n;xt and many succeeding years ho will be as handsomely'rewarded, as during the past one Mr. Stevenson has been employing nine bauds in the mine, to whom he has been paying the highest wages on the .reef, namely 3 1. 12s. per week. A man named Hickey was brought in from Palmerston on Saturday last, by 7 Consi able Morkano, on a charge of suffering from temporary insanity, and being unfit to remain at large. Drs. Moffatt and Crocome were called in to examine the supposed lunatic, and gave it as their opinion that the mental derangement was but of a temporary character, and had been brought on by the abuse of strong alcoholic liquors. It transpired in evidence that the accused had been drinking heavily for some time, and that when apprehended his conduct was such as to cause apprehension that ho would do himself some serious bodily harm. On the recommendation of the medical witnesses the accused was remanded until Monday. The most discreditable disclosure in connection with this unfortunate affair is that the accused is represented as being an e :-M.P.C. On Monday morning, it having been reported to the Resident Magistrate that no improvement had taken place in the conduct of the above, but that bo bad to some extent become more violent, he was committed to the Lunatic Asylum, Dunedin, for proper care and treatment, and was forwirded to town by Smith’s down coach— Wa'qmmlt Herald. Tho-cwho have a penchant for fur goods c nnot do better than pay a visit to Mr. Benjamin, at tho Dunstau Hotel, Clyde, and we are assured they will not come away empty-handed. The goods Mr. Benjamin has on view arc without a doubt tie grandest things of tho kind we have ever seen, and if only for a sight of them are worthy a visit. There are muffs,'.cuffs, ai d necklets, made of opossum, kangaroo, wallaby, and emu skins, and many other articles of ladies’ apparel suited •to the season ; also rugs of all sizes, waistcoats, hats, See. As Mr. Benjamin’s stay does not extend beyond to-morrow, he having arranged to visit Naschy on Monday, we would advise none to lose the opportunity of inspecting a really fine stock of furs.