ORIGINAL CORRESPONDENCE

Dunstan Times, Issue 595, 12 September 1873, Page 3

ORIGINAL CORRESPONDENCE

—o We do not identify ourselves with the opinions that may be expressed by our correspondents.] o—fro Tin: editor of the dunstan times.) Sir, On reading the leader in this week’s “ Cromwell Argus” the first thought that struck me was : what a fatherly interest (with an eye to No. 1, however) these Cromwell people take in us poor unfortunate residents at Clyde. Yet it is somewhat inconsistent withal. Last week they quietly snubbed the whole of their own iuhabita its from the Mayor (in his official capacity too!) downwards, who signed a memorial in favor of a private specu'atio i near Clyde, and this week they pitch into Clyde generally for seeking a new Court House, in place of one which is but the least bit better than that which the Cromwell people have so lately vacated. No one at a distance who reads the article would imagine that Clyde has as large a district round it as Cromwell itse'f, and that of the gold sent from Cromwell scarcely any is gathered within several miles of the township. Fortunately, while the members of the Government can speak fair words over a banquet at a distance, th«y can lightly estimate that the revenue of a province is not wholly to ne spent for the benefit of a township of some four or five hundred inhabitants, however great its natural advantages for raising oust, both litera]|y and metaphorically, I am, &c., ONE OF THE DOOMED. Clyde, Sept. 9, 1573. (to the editor of the dunstan times.) Sir, —You will-no doubt have heard that the Gold-fields Act has been thrown out in the House of Representatives. This Bill vas supposed to have been drafted by your member, Mr. T. L. Shepherd, and also to have received very considerable consideration from many of the Mining Associations. When the Bill comes on for a second reading that gentleman was absent, and it is reported he was playing billiards at the tine. This shows the interest he takes in the go'd fielels. Here is a Bill that has cost a large sum ■of money to draft, print, anti circulate, and which has been carefully consineml by those interested, thrown out because the author prefers to while away his time at billiards. It does seem strange that the miners, who are intelligent men, should return such men as Mr. T. L. ;?hepherd, Mervyn, and oiliers. These men only make the Goldfifids of Otago ridiculous ; and, after all, what do they cave for them? I think it high time that those interested in the tiold fields should see that they are represented by persons who, at any rate, have s one interest ill the district they represent, and not by Shepherd, Mervyn, and Co. It is currently reported that Mr, T. L. Shepherd won: to Melbourne after the last Session of ihe General Assembly, intending to remain there during the recess, and only returned in consequence of a hope that he might become a member of the Tolmie Government. This is the conduct of a man who has sincerely at heart the interests of the Goldfields. I am, &c., LOOKER ON. [ Wellington, Sept. 1, 1373. (TO THE editor of the dunstan times). Sir 1 thought the “ Cromwell Argus’, Ind become convalescent and had got rid of that continuous whine it has been suffering this past three years, but it seems such ii not the case, as it has now broken out in a regular howl, and Clyde seems to have the same effect upon it as a red rag has on a mad bull, surely, its bile must be rising, to cause .t to send abroad such a miserable yell, reminding one, of the valorous dog. who stands with his tail between his legs, and barking defiance at the moon Now, about the large amount of gold sent from Cromwell, will the Editor be kind enough to tell how much is raised in Cromwell ? what arc the quantities brought from the Gorge, Bannockburn, Nevis, Cardrona, QuartzviUe, Bendigo, and other places for the purpose of being sent by the Escort, t ten the magnificent pile of figures indulged in as the sum total of Cromwell gold production will become small by do{fees, and beautifully less. Then pe >plc at a distance will be able i o estim ite the true va'ue of such high falutin as that indulged in by the “ Cromwell Argus.’’ I am, &e., TOBY. Clyde, September 10. IA DVERTISEMENT. ] —O (to the editor of the dunstan times.) Sir, —1 am now living, somewhere about ten years, between Clyde and the Half-way House, o i the west bank of the Molyneux. I have a gun, but I must say the only use I ran find for it is for hawks or wild cals taat occasionally pay a visit to ray pigeons; but I could soon clear them out of the way. Now, Mr. Editor, there is another thing I must s y. There is a party I suspect i f shooting at my pigeons, on the road or on Hie road-si !e, I clout’s know which, as I have not put myself to the trouble to Watch the party, although I had a gentleman call to see me the other day, and he advised me to watch a certain party, and that 1 might do some of those fine days, and you may depend upon it, Mr. Editor, whether it be the party I suspect or any ether party, friend or foe) if I have any of either), and I find out they are shooting my pigeons, that the contents of my purse ' will sooner or later find out the pigeonshooter. 1 have, Mr. Editor, informed the Sergeant of Police of parties shooting my ■ pigeons, and I have not the least doubt but ■"hat he will do his ' cst to find out "ho is

destroying them with the gun. Why, Mr. j Editor, one would think we were in the forests of Africa, where are lions, tigers, and o’ her wild beasts ; but, Mr. Editor, 1 don’t know or ever heard of any dangerous beasts between Clyde and the Halfway House, and yet there is private property v Inch can be destroyed by the gun. 1 had something stolen from my place some time ago, hut 1 will not say what, because I might perchance find out who the thief or thieves are. Now, Mr. Editor, 1 think it is high time that something should be done to put a stop to the shooting of pigeons on the main road- If there are hundreds of wild pigeons in Otago, why not go on to the hills or into the valleys to shoot them, and not be shootii g people’s pigeons on the road Mr. Editor, I have nothing more at present, only that I am sluicing about two miles and a half above Clyde, on the west bank o the river, and that my name is FREDERICK WHITTAKER. Sept. 9. 1873.