The Dunstan Times FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 25, 1874.

Dunstan Times, Issue 649, 25 September 1874, Page 2

The Dunstan Times

FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 25, 1874.

BoneaththeUaleof Sion entirely just the pen is mightier than the sword.

It is quite possible to have 'too much of a good thing, and our Dunedin friends appear to have realized this happy state of circumstances lately to an extent they little anticipated. Some mouths ago die cry was give us labor, now it is changed to what shall wo do wiih it, and because they have got more than they can absorb in Dunedin they would like the country folks to relieve them from their difficulty. Desirous as we may be to increase our population it is of no use importing labor other than of the right sort; the gold-fields are not like Dunedin, there is no loafing to be done here, and to expect us to build cottages to attract new chums is n project that cannot possibly be entertained. From specimens we have seen of the class of people coming into the country, they are unsuited for a gold-fields’ life, and it may be always taken as a rule that, to'make a digger requires almost a special c >urse of training, and it is not everybody that can pass through the ordeal. Self reliance appears to be a virtue scarcely possessed by new arrivals, it is rather born of the Colonics than imported, and unless a man possess this, it is very little use his turning his attention towards gold rninsng. The fostering care of the Provincial Governments in finding everything for the immigrants except work, has not tended to elevate them to the position of self reliant colonists, and it appears to us a number of our latest importations have taken such a fancy to Dunedin that they scarcely care about leaving it. A man desirous of finding gold should at least be in a condition to fight his way amongst strangers, and we are decidedly of opinion that had it been necessary to build residences or cottages for the early settlers on the gold-fields, hut very few would have found their way to Otago. If the Go. eminent are so desirous of finding immigrants * work in the up-conntry districts, let them form them into road parties provide them wMi tents and piovisiona, and start them to repair or make some of the very many tracks

would be only doing justice to the country districts to devote a little of the public expenditure in a direction where it is much needed. "We should be most happy to accommodate the Government if we could, but first considering our own interests, we cannot see our way clear to provide homes and food for people of quesand roads required up-country. Employment of this kind can be found for any number’ of immigrants, and it tionable utility. With the rush now going on to the Palmer, and the pro. bability that a large number of people will follow, there will be plenty of openings for new chums, if the accounts to hand are only half as good as represented, there can be no doubt about it, but that Otago will suffer a serious loss of its population, and which will require to be filled up. We would willingly assist our friends in town, but as it was themselves that were so anxious for immigration on a large scale, they should be satisfied to bear the consequences of their own acts.

Tlio entrance fee for the Selling Race to be run for to-day, and which has been previously omitted from the programme, is fifteen shillings—vide advertisement. We have to record the sudden death of Dr Dick, of Nasoby, which took place on Monday last, of inflammation of the bowels.

The House warming at Kemp’s Cape Broom Hotel, Spear Grass Flat, on Wednesday last went off most successfully ami pleasantly, a large party was present, and all appeared to thoroughly enjoy themselves. The good things of this life, amongst whi-li were a Leviathan ham, 45 pounds weight, and three turkeys, ISlbs weight each), were in abundance, and speaks volumes for the hospitality of the host. We wish Mr Kemp every success in his new house.

In the Resident Magistrate’s Court yesterday, before W. L. Simpson, Esq., R.M., the only cases brought forward were those fir small debts, which were settled out of Court.

We are glad to note the rapid progress made in the erection of the telegraph between Naseby and Clyde. The posts arc now fixed as far as Spring Vale (Insley’s). When finished it will be a great benefit to the intervening towns and up-country dist lets, as wo shall not have to depend on one wire, which is at times out of order.

Dr Carr intimates his intention of giving his mesmeric and phrenological entertainment in the Town Hall to-night. Theie are some people-for instance, a nice Irish lad, with a bit of a “ stliiek ”in his fist just a trifle “ riled-like”—whom it would he dangerous to ask to feel your bumps, but the inquisitive in matters of that kind need bu under no apprehension in the hands of Dr Carr, who to go and hear we would advise all our friends if they desire a really amusing, at the same time an intellectual evening’s amusement. Mr M’Eaeben, photographer, wdio has opened his studio at “Auckland’s Fancy Bazaar,” solicits a timely visit, as it is his intention to remain at Clyde, but one week. Mr Fache reports having sold by Auction at Tiger Hill, on Wednesday last, farm implement-, produce, horses, &c., realizing first-rate prices, more espeeiallythe horses. Five hundred bushels of oats fetched throe shillings and one penny per bushel. Wc are requested by the collector of the Dun?tau District Hospital to acknowledgi the receipt of L2 sterling, being the amount collected at a Lecture given by Dr Carr at Alexandra on Sunday evening last. Amongst the lately appointed Territorial Justices of the Heace wo notice the name of Edward Herbert Esq., of Lawrence Dr Carr delivered a very eloquent address or lecture on Sunday evening last in the School-house, Alexandra to, though not a large, yet an appreciative audience, the subject chosen being “Beyond the grave.” At the close, Dr Can- intimated that any donation would he handed to the Dunstan District Hospital. The sum of L2 9s 3d was thereupon subscribed, L2 of which was ban led over to the Institution, the balance tj defraying the cost of lights, &c. Wo Lave to acknowledge the receipt of volume of votes and proceedings of the Provincial Council for 1574 from the Provincial Government printers ; also, a parcel of Acts as passed during the late Assembly at Wellington from Mr G. Didsbury, General Government printer. At a recent sitting of the Nelson Borough Council, a letter was read to the effect that Mrs Barnett would hold the Council responsible for an accident which occurred to her, whereby her arm was broken, owing to the neglect of the Council is not keeping a grating in Waimca street in proper repair.

A correspondent nt Roxburgh, in writing tons says:—“We are likely to lose Dr Niven ; the Black’s people seem iletermincd to hold out every inducement to him to return, and I fear, from what the Doctor says, he may accept the guarantee which is likely to he offered to him in order to induce him to return. Should he leave wo arm it likely soon to obtain the services of another medical man, whose urbanity of manner, professional skill, and gentlemanly deportment will be equal to I-is ; and, from all I can learn, bis return to Blacks will lie hailed as a boon by the whole district.” In reference to municipal affairs be says ; "The election of Mayor and Councillors has passad, and like the Corporation itself, was a farce. Mr Dominique be Bedel, fo the great delight of his friends, lias nt quit i sue ■limbed because defeated for the Mayors’ chair ; on the contrary ho has manifesto 1 more common sense than he got credit for possessing.”

At the last meeting of the Cromwell Fire Brigade it was resolved to expend L3O odd in buckets, ropes, hooks, &c., and L7O in hose and] water tanks. In the Legislative Council on the Hon. Captain Fraser moving the second rending of the Clyde Water Works’ Bill, the Hon. Mr W aterhouse moved an amendment, That the second reading he made an order of the day for that day week, giving as reasons that there had not been sufficient time to consider the matte' - , that there was nothing to show the ratepayers were parties to the Bill, that therefo-e the Municipality might bo given power .to expend money in a way the ratepayers would be opposed to. The amendment was therefore carried. The Hon. Captain Fraser the residents of Clyde tave to thank for taking charge of the Bill in the Council, ;but small thanks or even credit is duo to the Hon. Mr Waterhouse for his interference with a matter he could know nothing of, and by which the people of Clyde are prohibited for another year at least the blessing of pure water fordomestic purposes. We would inform the Honorable Gentleman that the people of Clyde were most anxious for the privilege sought, aud in their behalf we venture the hope that when the measure again comes before the Council as of a surety it will, he will not again insanely interfere, and prevent the passing of so desirable a measure, as the providing Clyde, or any other town, with pure and wholesome water.

A man interrupted the progress of our (Thames Evening Star) reporter this morning, as he was rushing about tlio town in order to gather all the latest news to be bail in the limited time at his disposal, to tell him that he - the man —who, by the way, was passing honest to look upon—had seen a mermaid on the beach at Tararu, and that the mo-maid at the time was engaged in the aquatic pursuit of combing out her air with an oyster-shell. •It is not of much consequence to the world at large whether or no there ha such things: it would seem to effect Mr Neptune more, supposing him to be influenced by she tender passion;” howbeit there lias been some learned discussion upon this point, which has not left a very decided impres, sion on the minds of many of the simple kind of humanity. Our reporter is a superior man, and he laughed at the hare notion—or rather notion garbed, and that in fine colors. There is a possibility, however remote, of the informant having been awake at the time ; but it might not be advisable for any person to wait long in the hope of seeing this mermaid, in case lie might he disappointed. We understand that the various Runholders in the interior districts of the Province have agreed to pay at the rate of 17s Cd per hundred for shearing this seasi n Last year the rates wore 20s in the northern portions of Otago, whereas they were from Iss to 17s 6d in the Southern ; but men are more plentiful this year than last, and as shearing in Australia is also earlier, larger numbers of shearers from that quarter will arrive in November than formerly, so that the terms proposed by the 'Runholdcrs in this district will probably lie the highest offered in the Province.

A monument has been erected to the rotorious Jim Fisk. It turns out that the “ beautiful American actress,” who cajoled the Russian Duke Nicholas out of his mother’s diamonds, is none other than the celebrated mistress of Jim Fisk—Josey Mansfield—the woman who sent Fisk to his grave and Stokes to the Tombs.

To day the Clyde Spring Race Meeting takes place on the Dnnstan course, than which, a no hotter one is to bo found on the Otago gold-fields, it being perfectly level, with a good distance of straight 'run home, and is as near as possible one mile and a half in distance round, and has a substantial and commodious grand-stand, but good as it undoubtedly is, it might be infinitely hotter, would, but the Jockey Club fence it in and lay it down in English grasses and clovers ; this suggestion has been thrown out so many times that we arc heartily sick of it, hut, in again reverting to it, we would if possible rouso the Club from its supine indifference to the matter and incite them to action. Several offers from time to time have been made by persons the sole privilege of enclosure for glaring purposes for a term o f years; these have hitherto been rejected on the assumption that *bo Club purposed doing the work themselves, but as the time is passing and no show is made of carrying out this purpose, we must urge upon the Club the desirability of either carrying this most necessary work to a successful issue, or again opening up negotiations with those who are willing to do it, and thereby make the Dun stan Race-course a more pleasant recreation ground, than wo have at several of the late general race meetings experienced it to bcOf the sport to day wo can say nothing, from the number of entries for the principal Pevents and the whole of them mostly starters, we look forward with fine weather to a good day’s sport. The horses entered for the Alexandra Handicap are J. HazletVs Brunette, IT. Goodman’s Verbena, T. Wilkin’s Kathleen, T. Keenan’s Pickpocket, M'Clnskcy’s Dnngivcn Lass, Gordon’s Turpin, and Taylor’s Stanley ; for the 'Dnnstan Handicap—Hazlett.s Brunette, Wilkin’s Kathleen, Goodman’s Verbena, Keenan's Pickpocket, Keenan’s Jock the Fiat, and M’Clnskey’s Dnngiven Lass. The privi leg* in connection with the meeting are held by Mr W. Insley, the well known caterer, the grand 'Vand ; Mr P.lne, the horse paddock, and Mr T. Webb, the true | and correct card. Wo hope to see a prod attendance. Hi this notice we mav state | that the Croniwclll meeting takes place on I Fr’day next, the entries for the Handicaps are we bear very small, only th-eo fo- the Spring Handicap, viz.—Brunette, Bick- j bi'er, and V.'r-tn s . and fertile PnbhVans’, only Brunette and Verbena. The right ta ■ occupy the erand-stand and sa bllino pad- ' dock was sold by Auction on Wednesday last and realized LlB 7?., Mr Marsh being the purchaser.