The Dunstan Times. FRIDAY, OCTOBER 9, 1874.

Dunstan Times, Issue 651, 9 October 1874, Page 2

The Dunstan Times.

FRIDAY, OCTOBER 9, 1874.

BcueaththcßuleofMonKSTinELY just the PKXia mightier than thcswor.D.

The Cromwell Argus camo down rather heavy upon our contemporary the Wakatip Mail for his opposition to the sale of the remainder of the commonages, as well as for taking the liberty to designate that journal a Provincial Government organ, inasmuch as its recommendations were only put forward as a “ feeler.” Of this latter portion of the business wo will allow- that the .Mail was precipitate, and although a Gold-fields' Secretary may or may not be its chief literary head, an idea pervading the public mind that the Cromwell Argus had forfeited its dignity so far as to become an exponent of Provincial Government opinions could not but seriously damage its interests. Provincialism is not loved sufficiently well on the Gold-fields that any newspaper published amongst them would espouse its cause, it is too generally understood that the Gold-fields have everything to win and nothing to lose by the abolition of Provincialism. The arguments of the Argus that the commonages are of no benefit to those for whom they were intended is perfectly cori’oct, and aro precisely the sune that have been put forward by the Mail for years past, but that is no reason why they should be sold, and the people prohibited for ever from making them available. If the Provincial Government set aside as a reserve 178,000 acres of pasture country as a commonage for a largo agricultural and farming district, and refuse to permit tho people for whom it is intended to make such regulations so that they might participate equitably in its advantages, the privilege only exists iu name, and it would be equally as wise and liberal for a benevolent individual to send a cart-load of loaves to a starving multitude, and permit only a v«iy few to eat thereof, as giving the "Wakatip people a commonage, with the full knowledge that under existing arrangements it can only bo available to a very small minority. Any person owning a flock of sheep can do as lie pleases with a commonage, and having grazed his sheep over it, it becomes practically Ids own pronerty as no great cattle will go near it. This has been done in tho most barefaced manner at the Wakatip where persons have actually purchased flocks of sheep for the especial purpose of overrunning the commonages, flocks numbering from one to five thousand being thus depastured and nothing whatever paid to the revenue. This however, does not justify the Provincial Government

taking away the commonage and.Helling it, the proceeds would only go to complete some branch line of railway to cheapen coal in Dunedin, or give the inhabitants thereof a cheap trip to the Ocean Beach, or Forbury Race Course. If the privileges of this commonage are abused, why not institute a Board of Wardens, and give them sufficient power to make such regulations as will raakeit available for those whom it was intended it should benefit.' To accomplish this should be no difficult matter, when not only the public, but the revenue would be benetitted. Any public privilege to be gained now-a-days requires to be pretty hardly fought for, and we do not wonder at the Wakatip Mail standing up boldly for the interests of the people it professes to represent.

Tim large escort taken down from Cromwell on Saturday last, must be something towards a convincing fact that quartz mining in Otago only requires time and patience for its development. The amount something about 2,900 ounces must bo very nearly all gold obtained from the reefs, as after so long and severe a winter, returns from the alluvial workings will have scarcely como in, while even those from the reefs must have been obtained under considerable difficulty from the same cause. Of the value of quartz mining as a future industry, this may be only said to be a foretaste, as during the coming months of summer we may expect much larger escorts than the present one, as stone will be brought more rapidly to grass, while additional crushing machinery will have come into use. At Bendigo as yet, but one Company, Jhe *! Cromwell,” are turning out payable stone, yet it cannot be long before some other claim strikes the reef. The Reliance stands an excellent show, and we should imagine, the Lucknow, will only require to sink deeper to cut a properly developed vein of stone. The Aurora only wants systematically prospecting to test its full value, and wo should judge that the proposed new Company to work this mine starts under most favorable auspices. At the Garrick, things could scarcely look more promising, the number of reefs in the ranges here appear innumerable, while payable stone appears rather to be the rule than the exception, and we must really congratulate our Cromwell friends upon the flourishing prospects before them, and we do hope that the example of perseverance in quartz mining set by them, will induce other districts to make a systematic trial for themselves, in which, is all that is wanted to develop quartz mining in Otago.

Mr Facho desires us to draw attention to the sales on Saturday next, at Cromwell, of household furniture, and first-class saddle hack.

Mr Fache desires us to draw attention to tho sale by auction of the Old Library Hall, Clyde ou Tuesday next. Mr Cambridge, Clyde, is we notice the successful tenderer for the new Library Hall, Clyde, to be erected alongside of the Town Hall.

We have to acknowledge the receipt of Supplement to the Provincial Government Gazette, which contains the newly compil'd Regulations of the Otago Educational Board.

We are informed that a telegram was received yesterday afternoon from Mr Blakeley, of Blacks, to the effect that he had been acquitted ou both charges of cattle stealing, lately preferred against him. We notice elsewhere that John Blakeley wai acquitted ou the charge of cattle stealing. We learn, however, from a contemporary that a fresh indictment was to be preferred against him. We regret to learn by WakatipMail, that Mr B. Ilallenstein, M.P.C., broke his leg, tho result of a capsize from his buggy, while going homo from his farm to Arrowtown. Mrs Arndt, of Cromwell, who occupied a seat in tuo buggy, escaped with a alight bruising and the shock, and was able to givo the alarm. Mr IT. Mamlere, who intends again wooing the suffrages of tho electors of Wakatip, in place of Mr R. Clark, resigned, issues an address wherein he speaks very plainly on the question of Provincialism. Mr Coventry, the Manager of the Pneumatic Gold Dredging Company has, after an absence of some three weeks in Dunedin, again returned to Clyde. From what we can understand, that Mr Coventry’s instructions are to"re-ship the cylinders, put tho dredge in full working order, and to give her another trial.

The Albert Town Annual Rico Meeting takes place on Friday and Saturday next, the 15th and 17th inst.

We notice a general improvement in the appearance of the Clyde Cemetery, the paths being nicely trimmed up, and the shrubs, of which there are a good few well attended to. The Clyde Cemetery, if properly looked after, must, in the course of a few years be as creditable a "God's Acre,” as is in the Province, and we hope the Trustees will not allow it to fall away for the wont of a little attention.

The thoroughbred entire “ Architect ” has been bought by Mr I. Louhnan, of the Mount Piss Station, and will travel the districts of the Dunatan and Cromwell this season. For pedigree and full particulars we refer our readers to advertisement in another column.

We are requested to draw attention to the sale of farm implements, which takes place to-morrow (Saturday), at Marsh's Yards, Cromwell. It will be sieil by advertisement elsewhere that there are some valuable pieces of agricultural machinery included in the list of articles lo be eol J. We have received intimation of a very serious accident having happened to a little fellow, the sou of Mr Win. Blackwell, of Kock-side, Mamiherikia, about two miles from Galloway home station. The little fellow appears to have fallen over a precipitous face connected with his father's sluicing claim, resulting in an instantaneous death.

In theßcsident Magistrate's Court, Clyde, yesterday, a man named Charles Brown charged by the Police with being drunk and disorderly was fined 10s, or 24 hours’ imprisonment. The latter alternative was accepted. There wore two small debt cases also heard

It is notified elsewhere [that Presbyterian Services will be held on Sunday next; in the morning at Clyde, in the evening at Alexandra, the Rev. Mr Boyd officiating. Mr Eubt. J. Creighton, late editor of tho Guardian, on the occasion of his leaving Dunedin to occupy a similar position on tho New Zealand Times, was presented with a handsome graphoscope, by the members of the Guardian staff, as a token of esteem Mr Creighton also was presented, by his private friends in Dunedin, with u very handsome silver salver.

Tho whole of the preliminaries for starting a “ Female Servants’ Homo ” in Dunedin has been satisfactorily arranged, and a Committee of 23 ladies, with power to add to their number, elected to work out the details.

The first Directory of the Colonial Bank was elected at a meeting of Shareholders—about 200 being present—on Wednesday last, viz., the Hon. M. Holmes, Messrs A. W. Morris, W. A. Tolmio, W. J. M. Larnach, John Reid (Merton), Donald Reid and John Iltid (Elderslic). We have observed, lately, a couple of men busily at work at the foot of the tc • race abutting on the river, immediately at the rear of this town. On making enquiries wo learn they are making good wages, tho which, considering the primitive mode they have of working, namely, stripping by hand, aud extracting the precious metal by means of a common cradle after carrying the washdirt in buckets to the river, a distance of 50 yards, is very good, and a proof in itself that if a head of water could he brought to hear on the ground something beyond wages could he made. The line of telegraph, Clyde to jSfasohy, is fast being completed ; the poles are erected to within about two miles of Clyde, and the wire nearly the same distance. We understand that had it not been for a delay of more than a week for the want of material, tho line would oro now have been completed. The following item of mining intelligence which will he interesting to shareholder?, wo extract from tho Wakatip Mail“Mr Grace, manager of the Shotover Terrace Gold Mining Company reports the yield for the week as 750z. The gold now being obtained is of a course description, many of the pieces weighing from half an ounce to an ounce and a half. Tho prospects of tho mine are in every respect Improving, aud the indications obtained show that a large amount of profitable ground has yet to he worked. In fact, it is stated by the men, as well as by Mr Grace, that there is any quantity of ground to he worked, and that it will take years to exhaust tho deposit ; strange to say, shares are reported to he very low’ in Dunedin. The causes stated are various—tightness of the money market, Ac. One report is of a rather remarkable nature, and has just reached Queenstown, viz., that the yields are being “ salted.” We have made sufficient enquiries to he able to assert that there is not the s'ightcst foundation for the statement. It is so absurd at the first glance as to seem a mere laughing matter. A shopkeeper in Christchurch was fined five shillings, under an Act of Charles the Second, for selling a cocoa-nut on a Sunday. Seven thousand head of great cattle in the Province of Otago, or, so we learn, such was the number on which assessment had been paid for the ysst year by the pastoral tenants, and assuming there are tho same number running on hundreds, and on private lands, wo do not much wonder at the scarcity that is spoken of in every direction, and shall ho but little surprised if in the course of a very few months, the prognostication of a local butcher is not verified—that is, that beef will ho dearer in Otago shortly than ever it has been.

For some time past mention lias occasionally been made of donations of LIOOO each to several of the Loudon charities by an anonymous donor. An English paper now states that it has reason to believe that the person who thus "does good by stealth, and blushes to find it fame,” is ' no less a personage than Queen Victoria, and it adds that she must have given away npwards of LIOO.OOO in this manner.

Mr R. Varcoo, of St. Bathans, long connected with the Scandinavian Water Race Company, has been appointed Working Manager of the Carrick Range Water Race. The assessment of stock in the Province of Otago, excluding the late Province of Southland, which was duo and paid into the Provincial Treasury on Thursday last amounted to L 54.018 llsSd. The number of stock assessed being 7000 great cattle, and 1,810,000 small. For Southland the assessment amounted to LCOOO ; making a total of nearly IJS 1,000.

We are happy in stating that a fair start 1 was given to the re-orgamsing of the Clyde Cricket Club on Monday evening last. A meeting having been called by adverts®* ment some eight gentlemen answered with the determination of making the noble game of Cricket a success in this district. It is very probable that the Club, ore long, will muster some twenty-five or thirty members. For the information of those interested in the game, and are desirous of joining, we beg to inform them that practice will commence to-morrow afternoon at three o’c’oe't.

A Mr R. K. M. Smythe, writes to a friend intimating that he has succeeded in catching two live moas, the one being the parent—about Bft. high—and the other belt progeny—sft. high. The Daily Times in publishing the letter with the sweetest simplicity, expresses the hone that Mr Smythe will keep his prizes secure. A further letter has been received stating that the moas had escaped. At a meeting of the Dunedin Shareholders of the Heart of Oak Quartz Mining Company, held at the Company's office on Friday last, it was, amongst other things, resolved—That a new lease of ground bo applied for ; that LR9O be put down as the buying or selling price of tho crushing plant, hold conjointly with the Star of the East Company ; that if the latter Company disagree to these terms application for a dissolution of partnership be male ; fiat a now tunnel be put in at a lower Icve', and that an overdraft of L2OO ho got on security of claim and plant for present prosecution of the work.”—Guardian.

1.19,588 is the contract price for the Mataura contract of the CTutha and Mataura Railway ; and Messrs M’Menamin and Co. are the successful tenderers. Altogether there were twelve tenders, the highest being 1.34.000, by Mr A. ¥. Dawson, of Invercargill. The last named gentleman, to all appearance, is anxious to make his fortune quickly. Tho high standard of medical education in England is well known. Recent statistics seem to show that physicians have learned to apply their knowledge to their own lives with telling effect. The united ages (d 28 physicians who died there last year amounted to 2354 years, giving an average of more than 84 years to each. The youngest of the number was SO, the oldest 93 ; two others were 92 and 89 respectively ; three were 87, and four wore 80 each ; and there were also more than 50 who averaged from 74 to 75 years. From these figures it would appear that the doctors, unlike their clerical brethren, are practising what they preach, and that to, with admirable results to themselves. When medical science gives good health .and long life, we can all appreciate its value. Sergeant Smith, of tho Police here (says the North Otago Times) dropped upon a man who has been wanted a long time, a day or two ago. While looking at the new skittle alley at the Swan Hotel, the Sergeant noticed a man for whom he thought there had been anxious enquiries, and accosting bim by name, was met with a ready reply The man's name was Burleson, and a warrant was issued for his apprehension nine years ago for stealing a draft for Ll9O at tho Teviot. About that time the Sergeant had a two days’ ride in quest of his man in vain, to find him at last in the accidental way above noted. Burleson was immediately arrested, and has, we hear, since confessed to the crime with which be is charged. Burleson, has, it appears, been, since levanting from New Zealand, in business in Sydney as a baker, but with that fatality which seems to attend breakers of tho law, returned to the scene of his misdoings only to fall into tho hands of the Philistines.

The Palmer correspondent of the Cook(own Courier, writing from Sandy Creek, after giving a description of matters on those Goldfields, goes on to say—‘‘There is already a population hereof about 3000, and it is absolutely essential that every digger should have one or two good horses, and the means to fit him out with everything ho requires fora couple of months or so at a time. Everything is necessarily dear, and a sort of semi-starvation, under the heat of circumstances, may bo calculated upon at intervals Men have no business to come to this rush unless provided with good horses, rations fur two or three months, philosophy enough to stand disappointment, and sufficient courage to prospect on their own account.” The Mount Ida Chronicle says :—“ Wo hclievo that Mr 11. W. Robinson may he expected to take charge of his old district about the 10th instant."

The following appeared as an advert! crnent recently in tho Thames Evening Star : “The Light Fingered Party at Parawai who has for some years continuously supplied himself at my expense with firewood, is respectfully requested to communicate with the undersigned, stating his probable requirements during the next six months, so that necessary arrangements may be made forthwith."

The Hobart Town Mercnry is severe “ Many long months after the visit of the Italian frigate, Garribaldi, one of her officers, endowed with more than usual lyric genius, penned a charming little song in ri • membrance of a pleasant sojourn here, and sent it from ‘the far-off southern land,’ to friends here, who only too gladly offered the courteous officers of the ship such warm-hearted hospitality as they could. So much for the one picture. Now for tho other. When the Flying Squadron visited ns, a cadet named Lieut. Police, received similar kindness from the hands of onr fel-low-colonists, and rewarded it by writing a hook, containing the most lying asportions on those whose hospitality ho enjoyed. Wo hope the Admiralty may have cause to send Lieutenant Bruce this way again. Wo will gladly welcome him, and so will many anx-ious-hearted tradesmen, who like Hans Breitman, sorrow fully inquire, ‘ Where is d it writer now ?’ ”

The Daily Times says “ A gentleman, who left this place some months ago, with the intention of digging for gold at Samoa, has returned to New Zealand. He got no gold, and never readied Samoa. It would be well, we believe, it some of our impulsive settlers who are now on the move for the Palmer never reached their destiuation" , »

The Rev. Charles Withey, who has been officiating as deacon at Cromwell and adjacent districts, was admitted into the priesthood at St, Paul's Church yesterday (Sunday). The Bishop of Dunedin, Archdeacon Edwards, and the Rev. J. Dewa took part in the ceremony. The Bishop preached an admirable sermon from St, Luke, xii, 42nd and following verses. Mr Withey has been licensed to the euro of Balclutha. Guardian.

“Let no man in future (says the Ovens and Murray' Advertiser), returning to England from Australia to take up property to which he is entitled, ever breathe the naras ‘Wagga Wagga. ’ A bricklayer named Scott, well-known in Beechworth and the whole of this district for many' years, and occasionally in the course of his trade sojourning in the town which is so intimately connected with tne most wonderful claim the world lias yet heard, was informed some months ago by letters from England that he had become entit’ed to considerable property. People, even men, change in twenty years. They get fat, or they get grey, or they grow a beard, or indulge in a moustache, their accents, their manners becoming totally altered, but above all they may have been in Wagga Wagga. Mr Scoit o i bis arrival amongst his expectant relatives had unhappily undergone nearly all throe changes, especially as he had grown fat and had been in Wagga. He was immediately questioned as to whether ha knew anything of that world-renowned town, and on answering in the affirmative, was told he was ‘only a claimant,’ and ha must ‘try it on ’ elsewhere. In downright earnest Mr Scott’s identy was challenged, and lie has been obliged to send back to Australia for photographs, letters, and othor d icumonts and proofs that he is himsolf.” The Christian M‘A usland, from London, has arrived at Ib.rt Chalmers, bringing with her .156 immigrants. The following particular of insubordination of part of the crow on the voyage is tak'-n from the shipp ng columns of the Guardian : “Seamen seem to he doing their host to become a terror to their captains, and it is now quite a common occurrence to hear of threats and assaults on shipboard. We havo to add another assault to the list, committed on tl s captain of the vessel whose ar'ival we hare just described. Amongst the crew of tho ship are four A.R’s named James Murphy Andrew M‘Kcnzic, John M'Artney. and Claus Hann. Them men were tho disturbers of tho pcaco on this occasion, Murphy acting as leader. On the 2nd August thn ship crossed the Equator, and, it being Murphy’s turn at the wheel, ho came aft, dressed in rather a fantastic style. Tl e chief officer thinki ig tho manner in which the man was dressed was exceedingly imprudent in the presence of women and chib dren, ordered him forward to effect a change. Murphy at first nl cyo and went forward, Imt came aft again with M ‘Artney, also dressed in a burlesque style. Ths two men wee immediately orde e 1 ferward, but this time Murphy’, backed up 1 y M'Artney, decidedly refused, and the pair commenced abusing the mate, and hauled him off the poop-deck. Ho and Murphy fell, tho mate being uppermost, hut M'Artney came to his companion's rescue, jumping on top of the mate. Tho struggle was then continued between the two men and the mate. Dr Eadson, who was at this time sitting in the saloon wiiting, seeing what was going on, at once called Captain Duncan, who was in his private cabin ra 'ding. Tho captain and doctor rushed out together, ami endeavoured to stop the affray, when Murphy rising struck tho former a severe blow over the head, and hrc unc, if possible, move violent than before. M’Artney drew Ida knife, and threatened to stab and rip tho captain up ; while Mr Strachan, chief mate, endeavored to keep tho men off the captain. While doing so, another of the four came from behind and atterapte 1 to strike him, but was prevented doing so by some of the passengers. Several of the male passengers shielded the esp*a:n from further harm, and by an extreme effort tho mutinv was quelled. More particulars arc likely to be elicited before * Magistrate.”