The Dunstan Times. FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 19, 1873.

Dunstan Times, Issue 596, 19 September 1873, Page 2

The Dunstan Times.

FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 19, 1873.

Beneath the Rule of Men entirely just the pen is M ightiek than theswoED.

We did hope that when a member of the Provincial Council became one of the proprietary of the “ Cromwell Argus I’that 1 ’that journal would he more liberal in its views, but such is not the case, its editorial management runs in the same narrow grove, while Mr. M‘Kellar’s experience in menand things lias apparently not at all been enlarged or improved by a seat in the Otago parliament. Narrow minded selfishness unworthy of the smallest parish vestry appears to direct public opinion at Cromwell, this, with tall talk, and detracting from the merits of others, appears to he the chosen basis upon which our neighbours hope to build the foundation of their prosperity upon, and to convert the Town of the Ironsides into tho metropolis of the N orthern gold-fields, or, perhaps, the chief seat of government for New Zealand, but, alas, for the mutability of human affairs, this will scarcely be possible—anything to be real or lasting must be constructed upon a more substantial basis, or the storms of time will soon make havoc with the weak places. Nothing should give a right minded person more pleasure than to see his neighbours prosperous; this holds good with individuals as well as communities, while in respect to gold.tields’ townships, we feel assured that when one is benefited, all are benefited, while, if any single town is to be propped up at the expense of another, the whole district will suffer. If any place on the earth’s surface was cur«ed with petty stupid local jealousies, it is New Zealand, each Province is jealous of the other, and the same ridiculous principle permeates through society in its smallest coteries; that a very large section of the people expend their time and energies in detracting from each other, in preference to developing the vast natural resources which nature has placed at their disposal. Because six hundred pounds has been voted by the Provincial Council for a Court House at Clyde, why should Cromwell feel aggrieved, especially when a much larger sum lias been similarly appropriated in their case, surely our neighbours do not want two Court Houses, or would tho aspiring Mayor of that model municipality desire that in lieu of building a new Court House at Clyde, the money should he spent upon the erection of a handsome banqueting hall for himself and colleagues. The Cromwell people have clone a great deal, of what in colonial language is called “blowing” lately, about the central position of their town, and its vast advantages over any other place in the Province, but with the exception of themselves, no one can see it—we own there arc a few busy surroundings, but they are sufficiently distant from the town, that were they to increase much in population, they would be setting up municipalities and newspapers for themselves, and the self same bickerings would be the result betweenßendigo, Bannockburn and Cromwell, as now unfortunately exist between the latter and Clyde. This warring of society on the gold fields is a serious loss to everybody, and we see no escape from it, while there exists so much petty pandering to parties and

supporters by the Provincial Government, who instead of making themselves respected by their wisdom and firmness, earn nothing but contempt by stooping to low mean truckling. Referring again to. the subject, of Clyde there can be but one opinion, and that is, that, whatever may be said to the contrary, it is the most conveniently and centrally situated township in the northern gold fields—because there are few alluvial workings adjacent, it is no reason why none exist—there is plenty of gold in the hills, gullies and ten-aces surrounding Clyde, but they are not workable just now on account of an absence of water supply ; this difficulty will however soon he removed, when wo shall find the tables turned, and a large mining population settled immediately around us, while the re verse is the case at Cromwell. Attached to Clyde there are the out districts of Manuherikia, Blacks, Drybread and Tinker’s, and lastly the Teviut, while the Warden and Resident M agistrate here, also does business at Cromwell, and for the information of our friends there, we must inform them, that the Dunstan Dis trict has been re-constructed once more, it is of the same dimensions now as heretofore, with Clyde as its official centre. The district was never so well and satisfactorily worked as when this was the case, and we hope to hear no more about which township sends down the most gold or possesses the largest mining population, or whether a Court House should be built in one or the other—whatever the exigencies of the district requires, we trust the Provincial Government will consent to do in the interest of the whole, whi'e so long as it is collectively prosperous, we shall have cause to be content. Fears are entertained in Victoria that, the locust plague of last season will be renewed ten fold in the coming one. The appointment of Michael Fraer, Esq., Mayor of Cromwell, a Justice of the Peace, is notified in the “ General Government Gazette ” of the 4th instant. Inconsequence ofthoillness of Mr. Wilson Grey, the usual sitting of the District Court was adjnurueil from Monday last, the loth instant, till Monday, the 22nd. The Dunstan Spring Race meeting will take place on Friday next the 2Gth instant, for which a liberal programme is provided. —The weights are advertised in another column. Mr. John Colo Chappie will sell by public auction on Monday next the 22nd instant the well known butchering business, situate at Golden Beach, near Alexandra, together with horses, pigs, &c. For full particulars, see advertisement. The “ New York Tribune” has discovored a mould made of two vegetables and a simple chemical, in which hair will grow even more luxuriantly than on the human head. By raking a scalp into furrows this hair can be successfully transplanted to a bald cranium. An Amateur Dramatic Entertainment will take place at the Town Hall, Clyde on Friday the 2Gth instant, by the members of the Cromwell Amateur Dramatcc Club, for the benefit of the Dunstan District Hospital, when we hope to see a crowded house. For full particulars, see the programme which appears in another column. We have received a circular from Messrs. Gordon and Gotch in which they intimate that in consequence of the increase of their Colonial trade, they have removed to more commodious premises recently ereoto I by them in St. Bride Street, London. Coresspondouts with them will do well to hear this in mind. The North Otago “ Times ” asserts that if we had a house of Ladies instead of a House of Lords, which consists for tho most part of persons of doubtful sex—persons who, for want of a better name, may be designated “ masculine old women the Bill for the legalising of marriage with a deceased wife’s sister would be even now converted into an Act of Parliament. On Wednesday evening next the 24th instant, the first anniversary of the Clyde Brass Band will be celebrated in the Town Hall by a Dance and Supper. Wc need hardly draw the attention of our readers to their exertions in affording the numerous evenings’ entertainments hitherto, and should hope to see a very largo attendance to testify their appreciation of the same. Individually and collectively we have to sincerely .thank them for their uniform kindness in tendering their services and playing on all occasions, w-hether it has been for pleasure, or for tho purpose of assisting some good work. A bumper house they deserve, and we trust that wo shall not be disappointed in seeing one. The steady down-pour ot rain that we have enjoyed, with but few intermissions, during the past ten days, is a perfect Godsend, and in which all classes alike will be more or less benefitted. The miners can scarcely have too much, and are in great glee, anticipating a good supply of water throughout the summer. The farmers, however, are afraid, unless a fine spell soon sets in, they will suffer from the over-dcso. The mountains, in which ever direction one turns, present a beautiful appearance, being an even mass of white from their summits to a very low level. Those acquainted with the Dunstan, Cai.nmuir, and Old Man Ranges to whom we have spoken say they have not seen so much snow for some years past.

The nominations and weights for the forthcoming Dunstau Spring Meeting appear in advertisement in another column. It is rumored by the Wellington correspondent of the “"New Zealand Herald” That after the Session is over, Mr. O’llorke will give place to the newly elected member for Wakatip. We beg to draw the special attention of our sporting friends and the public generally to the Alexandra Spring Race meeting which takes place this day. —See programme as advertised. Of Mr. James’Smith’s new apostleship, the Melbourne correspondent of the “ Hamilton Spectator writes By the way, it may be mentioned as curious that one of his latest converts and most sincere followers is Mr. Frank Weston, the Wizard Oil Prince! Good fellow, Frank, and clever; but I thought him much too ’cute to fall into Mr. Smith’s ways, unless, indeed, he sees ‘ plunder ’in it from the showman’s point of view.” A messenger galloppc I hurredly into the township yesterday, about noon, and immediately sought out the doctor. On making inquiries we ascertained that one of Mr. Felton’s (Falcon Hotel, Cromwell • road) children, a little boy, had fallen down a miner’s shaft, about twenty-five feet deep, and fears were entertained that the poor little follow’s back was broken. Dr. Thomson at once set out for the scene of the accident, and on his return reported that the little boy had suffered no further injury than a severe shaking, from which he would soon recover. The following evidence was given in the Tichhorne trial: —Colonel Bickerstaff, who was adjutant of the Carabineers, spoke of Roger joining the regiment. He came in a suit of dirty seedy black, was mistaken by the Colonel for an assistant cook, and told to go into the kitchen. Another officer of thehogimenhtold how he and Roger and a Captain Hawkcs hail, i-> impersonating the “ Bounding Bricks of Babylon,” climbed upon each others shoulders, and had come down with a crash, and how Hawkes, being out of temper,g had nearlythrottled “ Tich ” This incident it was contended, ought to have been remembered by the defendant. The late heavy and incessant rains have caused the Molyneux to slightly rise, and put to no little inconvenience the workers on the banks. With the exception of a stray Chinaman to be here and there met with on the beaches, the river hanks are the only parts being operated upon. The bed of the r-ver, known to contain so much of the precious metal, fails to attract that amount of attention it deserves. The Alexandra Steam dredging Company appeal to be undecided. They have succeeded in obtaining a special claim of one mile and a half of the river, but make no move towards getting the dredge. The scheme is well spoken of, and would command support. The Salamander is lying idle just above the Hospital, awaiting a crew to man her. The pneumatic dredge is undergoing repairs and alterations to fit her for current wheejs, which are expected to take the place of the engine in working the air pump. When completed, it is intended to try the rivee above Clyde. Since the establishment of Post Office Savings Banks in this Colony in 1807, theii utility has been proved by the steady increase of the number of deposits, and the large amount of money which passes through these useful institutions In ISO? there were there were only forty-six post offices where there were savings hanks open, now there are ninety-two. The deposits received in ISO? amounte I to 90,3721. fropi 0,977 depositors, whilst in 1372 they amounted to 430,8771. from 31,081 depositors. The balance remaining at the credit of depositors on the 31st December, 1807, was 71,197, whilst at the end of 1872 it was 190,0001. The amount received by depositors for interest in ISO? was 1,0181, whilst in 1872 it was 20,43:31. The expenses incurred in working the department last year amounted to 10,208. The greatest amount of deposits during the last year was in Otago, 101,3871. ; after which comes Auckland, 80,0051, ; Canterbury, 80,0001. ; Wellington, £4,2151. ; Westland, 33,2971. ; Nelson, 24,0871. ; Southland, 17,8431. ; Hawke’s Bay, 10,0001. ; Taranaki, 8,2421. ; Marlborough. 0,1291. From various sources we learn that the prospects of the Bendigo Reefs are such as to create absolute cheerfulness among those interested. The business people, those who stuck to the place during its long season of depression, have a hopeful look, and shareholders, resident and non-resident, should be gleeful over their prospects. The splendid results obtained by the, Cromwell Company at the low level they have reached have had the effect of dispelling the impression that the reefs or veins of quartz were only surface, and would soon run out; also of encouraging others to further researches. The Lucknow Company- (late Colclough’s) is the only one systematically going in for a low level, and present indications are in favor of their being rewarded. They have still some sixteen feet to drive before striking the line of the surface reef, and as the grond continues very hard, a good tew weeks must elapse before they know what will be the result of their labor. Shareholders in the Aurora Company, the most of whom are residents of Clyde, will be pleased to hear the prospects of the venture never looked better. The trihuters of the Company’s mine last week cleared up their second crushing, the result being one hundred and twenty-three ounces fronone hundred and thirty-one tons of stone. Nothing has yet been done in the Reliance (late Morning Star) Company’s claim, Eumor has it that an eighth share has changed hands as something about 2001. We are inclined to think this is only rumor, otherwise the unfortunate buyer’s name would have transpired, as well as the actual amount. Bendigo, in its early days, suffered serious injury from false aud groundless rumors, and wo hope the Reliance rumor will bo the last.

The Coroner’s inquest on the body of the late Mr. Braniganresulted in the following verdict :—“ That the deceased died from softening of the brain." A man named Peter Mulvey was, sentenced at the late Criminal sittings at Hokitika to eight years penal servitude, for shooting at Hugh Calder with intent to kill. We are in'ormed that Monday the 22nd instant is the last day applications can be reoeived for shares in the National Insurance Company. Shares, we understand, stand at a premium in Dunedin. In reply to a question by Mr. Murray, the Minister of Public Works said that MiHenry Diiver had valued the Port Chalmers railway material at 9,4401., and had received 1381. 15s. as remuneration for so doing. The privileges in connexion with the District Race Meetings were submitted to competition during the past week, fetching the following prices : Alexandra, sold by Mr. Chippie, 51.105. ; Clyde, sold by Mr. Fache, 251. 10s. ; aud Cromwell by {Fames aud Stanbrook, 171. 10s. The following were the purchasers of the booths—Alexandra, W. Robertson; Cromwell, T. Heron; Clyde, W. Fames. From a report of the proceedings of the Queenstown Municipal Council we learn that a letter had been received from the Mayor of Cromwell, requesting the cooperation of the Queenstown Council in urging upon the Government the desirability of making Cromwell the terminus for the second day’s mail service from Dunedin. After discussion, it was resolved that the letter be acknowledged, with an intimation that the Council declined to take any action in the matter. The District Road Engineer, Mr. Fergus and his assistants have been busily engaged during the past week pegging off and lixing the levels of the road between Cromwell and Clyde, the preparatory steps towards the expenditure of the sum of 2,0201. voted for the road at the late sitting of the Provincial Council. For the construction and maintenance of main lines of road our advocacy has ever been in favor of the contract system, no better opportunity could present itself to test the wisdom of onr advocacy than on this road, and we hope the system in this instance will he adopted. A Wellington telegram to our Cromwell contemporary says,—“ A Bill has been introduced into the House of Representatives which will deprive Otago of its reserves for High, Grammar, and District Schools, and for Hospitals and Benevolent Institutions. The.e voted for its introduction—Bathgate, Reynolds, Macau drew, Cuthbertson, M'Gillivray, M'Glashan, Mervyn, Shepherd, and Tolmie . against— Brown, Gillies, Murray, Pyke, Reid, Thom son, Taiaroa, and Webster. The Bill is a gross treason and breach of faith with the Province. Reynolds and Bathgate spoke strongly in favor of it. Macandrew and Cuthbertson did the lobbying. The passage of the Bill through Committee will be delayed in the hope that every place in Otago will send protest by telegram.”