FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 26, 1875.

Dunstan Times, Issue 671, 26 February 1875, Page 2

FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 26, 1875.

We have oftentimes relered to the necessity of initiating some measure to secure an increase to the water supply, available for mining purposes under the eastern slopes of the Duustan mountains. This portion of that vast range fronting the valley of the Manuhevikia contains without doubt some of the richest alluvial deposits in Otago, and we may almost go further, and say, New Zealand. From Mt. St. Eathan’s to where this range tapers off at Clyde on the banks of the Molyneux, a distance in astraight line of at least forty miles, there exists one continuous gold-field, and this is amply verified by the fact that, wherever water is available under any circumstances whatever, the ground is made to pay handsomely. Cur mining intelligence this week discloses a more prosperous slate of affairs than might generally be expected ; it not only shows that the pursuit of mining is satisfactorily remunerative, hut also that, energy and intelligence of a very high order have been brought to bear for the more economical and wholesale dealing with our alluvial deposits. The state of perfection attained in the operations of Messrs of Messrs Greenback at Drybread, the Bine Duck Company at Tinker’s, as well as those of Messrs Sammon, Reid and others at the same place, is something extraordinary. Then we have the vast preparations of Messrs M'Nally, Hastie, and Co., at Clyde, who are bringing in a supply of water to operate upon the newly discovered auriferous deposits, at the head of the Wai Keri Keri Yalley, Such enterprise is nowhere else to he met with, nor does there exist elsewheresnehapromising field for mining enterprise. Wherever the ground has been fully developed, the yield of gold is something astonishing, nothing like the Blue Duck Claim ever existed in New Zealand, eight hundred ounces of gold for four months’ labor of eight men, brings us back to the exciting times of Gabriel’s Gully and the Shotover, but, unlike those places this is not a mere patch, or a short confined run through some terrace, or a crevice in a river bottom. Equally as rich ground exists for acres in extent. and without exaggeration, wc shall not be saying too much when we assert that these extensive deposits are almost practically inexhaustible. It is of course wise that we should direct our attention to quartz raining as the ultimate main stay of the district, still, we must not neglect our alluvial deposits, to the value of which we have scarcely become alive, more especially while it appears that, to increase their yield, is merely a question of water supply, and improved manipulative appliances. Every drop of water available for the use of the miner m this direction is taken up and made the most of, and still move is wanted, and we should he failing in our duty to the distiict did we not urge some scheme to satisfy the demand. The supply derivable from the bend waters of the Manhnerikia has all been absorbed for mining purposes long since. To tap that stream anywhere else lower down its course as has been suggested, would be attended with very questionable sucesss. The water being so polluted by the debris from the extensive workings at St Bathan’s, would render it unsuitable on account of the foreign matter it would necessarily deposit if convey ed in a race of any groat length ; while there exists a still greater objection that this foreign matter is more likely to increase than otherwise. The Lindis River 1 , a very large stream, whichhas meandered from time immemorial through the valleys at the head of the Upper Clutha, unsullied by the ope. rations of the gold miner, is available

for what we require at the Dunatan, To bring in water from this source would be a costly work, still, cost matter’s Utile, if the work will pay for the doing, and in this particular instance there need be no misgivings upon that score. The practicability of the scheme has been already ascertained, but, when assisted by outside support, a very great deal might be done. We are no advocates for continually importuning Governments to help us what we should accomplish for ourselves, but, in an undertaking of such magnitude as the cutting of a large water-race from the Lindis to the eastern slope of the Dunstan Range, Government assistance might very profitably be employed. A party of twelve working men have just comnlcted a water-race, forty-five miles in 1 mgth at St Bathan’s, this, they have accomplished with their own unaided labor. We should not imagine that a distance of more than sixty miles—that is, following the sinuosities of the race—would be exceeded, in constructing the one to which we allude to here. The rock cuttings wculd necessarily bo heavier that in thecase refertd to at St Bathan’s ; still, having ascertained the practicability of the scheme, the co-operation ot the inhab itants, assisted to some extent by the Government should accomplish all we want. The matter is one well deserving the attention of the inhabitants of Clyde, who should see their way suffclently clear to do something towards making a beginning, especially when their interests are so wound up in the increased development of the mineral resources of the district.

Oun friends at Alexandra appear at last to have awakened to the knowledge that they possess valuable natural resources. However it occurred that no movement was ever made before to utilise the extensive forest at the head of the Wakaia we are at a loss to know, the subject lias been re furred to upon several occasions by ourselves, but each time it failed to enlist public opinion in favor of doing something towards developing this realty valuable property It is somewhat cheering to find that in the open ing of a practicable road to the Wakaia Bush, local jealousies have been shelved, as we find Mr James Samson the Mayor of Alexandra, and Mr J. ITazlett of Clyde, both waiting upon M'Kellar, the Secretary for the Goldfields, urging upon him the necessity of constructing a roadway between Alexandra and the forest in question. So far as Clyde is concerned, we believe that with a practicable road to the Wakaia bush, the advantages either to Alexandra or Clyde would be mutual. The high prices paid for limber, act disastrously in both cases, while a reduction would be beneficial to every interest in this district. Ho portion of tire Province of Otago has suffered more from the high prices of timber than the Dunstan ; it has been one of our greatest obstacles to progress, and it will matter but little, whether the road to the Wakaia Bush communicates directly to Clyde or Alexandra, a cheaper supply of fim her is the desideratum sought in this instance. Our Alexandra friends we have reason to believe feel themselves a little sore upon the matter of the erection of the new bridge crossing the Molynenx at Clyde, for the building of which the Corporation of this Town have just accepted tenders. This, like the road to the Wakaia bush, will confer very manv advantages elsewhere than Clyde, and must be regarded mere in the light of a , district work, thin one of purely local utility. In the present instance, a better understanding evidently ex ists, Alexandra and Clyde let ns hope, have laid aside their local jealousies, and joined hands to accomplish something mutually beneficial to all parties. The Wakaia Bush and how to gel there is a subject that has oftentimes given us much consideration, and having frequently made the journey there over the “Old Man,” from Alexandra, we never held any other opinion but that, a drayroad could easily be made. There exists not only a very fine forest of timber highly suitable for sawing purposes at the Wakaia, hut an endless supply of firewood might also be obtained, and now that supplies from the Wanaka, Tapanui, and Wakatip are not so cheaply obtainable as heretofore, no better public movement could have been made than the one that, seeks to open up communication with the Wakaia.

Information was received by the Police in Dunedin on Sunday last that a woman named Margiret Collins, servant to Mr .7. Goodoll, Milton, Tokomairiro, had been secretly confined of a female child on the previous day ; Ihe child was found dead in Collin’s bed with its throat cut. The inhuman mother is in custody. Smoking is to ho prohibited on the platform at the Dunedin Hallway Station. On Saturday last the lovers of the intoxicating weed were called upon by the Railway Officials to desist from smoking. It is to be hoped that the same prohibition will be extended to the carriages, non-smokers travelling on the Port Chalmers lino complain of being almost choked or poisoned by tobacco smoke.

We have heen< shown a telegram from the Rev. Archdeacon Edwards, of Dunedin, notifying that the Rev. Mr Dewo has been nominated to Clyde, to fill the vacancy created by the resignation of the Rev. Jones.

On Wednesday next the 3rd March, Mr. Goo. Facho will sell upon the ground at the Nevis Ferry—that well known hotel and stables, known as “ Edwards’s," together with the household furniture, cows, horses, oats, &c. (For full particulars, see advertisement.

A miner of twenty-two years experience, three of it on the Thames, writes to the Wellington papers that, he had prospected the Ohinemuri gold field, but could not find tho color except in one solitary instance, when he obtained one fine speck. Ho and his party prospected twelve days, and found neither reefs nor alluvial to contain gold. Out ot some samples ot likely looking quartz crushed nothing whatever was obtained.

An inquiry into the origin of the fire at the Frankton Dairy Hotel was held before tho Coroner on Saturday last, and resulted in a verdict of incendiarism. The jury desired to add a rider upon the reprehensible conduct of the Agent of tho National Insurance Company in issuing a policy on such a building. It appears tho policy had only two days to run when the fire occurred.

Mr J. P. Armstrong, M.P.C. has been holding meetings of Lis Mount Ida constituents. He advocates the amalgamation of the Provinces rather than abolition. Tho naturalisation ot the Salmon trout appears to have been successfully accomplished. Upon several occasions the young fish have been seen in Dunedin harbor.

The entries for the Handicap races at the forthcoming Dunedin Jockey Club meet at Forbury on the 23rd, 24th, and 23th cf March next, are largely in excess of last year—the total number is 114 as against 78. For the Publicans’ Handicap, there are 21 entries ; Handicap Hurdle Dace, 11 entries ; Dunedin .Jockey' Club Handicap, 23 ; Novel Dace. 9 ; Handicap Steeple Chase, 9; Forbury Handicap, 17. The programme should prove a very attractive one.

Our Cromwell correspondent writes—“ I hear that Mr Gudgeon will shortly take charge of the new Bank which is now temporarily opened at Messrs Hallenstein and Co’s old store. Mr Gudgeon is very well liked, and the new Bank have done the right thing in securing so useful and competent an Agent.” Our Cromwell correspondent says,—That a profitable speculation is now open at Cromwell. Our old bell-man and Town Crier having announced his intended departure from the district, the sonorous announcement of “rollup,” whenever any public movement or demonstration is on the tapis, promises to be heard no longer. The old man, who has for some time past performed the duties of attracting public attention by force of voice and bell is clearing out, seeking “ fresh fields and pastures new, ” not that this gentleman’s departure will in anyway interfere with the future of Cromwell, hut I do not like to see the “ old identities ” selecting other spots on which to rest their weary hones nevertheless, 1 wish the old fellow good luck, anyhow. A Dunedin contemporary hints that the -Dev. Father Coleman has commenced an action against the “ Daily Times ” newspaper, anent some libellous remarks made by a correspondent, signing himself J.B. on the manner in which collections have been made at St Joseph’s Church. The matter appears to be one wholly connected with the congregation themselves, and J. S., although a Catholic, should have stated his grievance in the proper quarter, instead of parading it in the columns of a newspaper. Even supposing that Father Coleman did resort to strong measures to collect money from unwilling contributors, he doubtless knew with whom he had to deal, and J.S. finding that he could not very well escape “ shelling out ” on that particular occasion should have slept upon his wrath, instead of rushing rashly into print. The fruit harvest at the Dunstan appears to be a prolific one, and we never recollect the trees having been so thickly loaded with such a store of tempting luxuries before. Dunstan growers are travelling everywhere between Queenstown and Mt. Ida with express-waggon loads of the produce of their orchards, and find a ready and profitable market, while consignments are also forwarded by coach to Dunedin. With railway communication to the metropolis, a very lucrative branch of industry will be opened to the people of this district. It is said that a large quantity of wine will he made this year by the fruit growers. In quality the peaches, apricots, and plums are not to be equalled by any of Australian growth ; wc state this from experience, every tn’n owning a garden at the Dunstan invariably sends a sample of its produce to his newspaper Editor for approval. This practice has however been too generally followed this year, and we have been compelled to ask our friends to cease their favors.

A Mr Dngald Sinclair, the gentleman, v ho was fined by the Bench at Naseby a short time since in the snm of 2.5/. for sly-grog Belling, when, also, both himself and wife were fined 40s. each for an assault upon a CWnaman, the lady regretting when giving her evidence that akcttlc ofboilingwaterhad not been at hand to pour over the head of the poor devoted Mongolian, while the police, at the same time also , appear to have stated that, they had been privately informed liquor had been supplied to young girls of fourteen years of ago enticed into the interior regions of Ids delectable shanty, stigmatizes himself as a persecuted individual. Mr Sinclair, according to the Dally Times, complains that their country reporter came down upon him rather heavy. The Editor in dealing with Mr Sinclair’s complaint, states it to ho one tirade of abuse of the Tlesidcnt Magistrate and police at Naseby, but soothes Mr Sinclair’s wounded feelings by publishing that portion of his letter, which says, “ that ho was not an old offender, as ho had not been previously convicted of any crime against the laws of bis country.

We would draw attention to tho sale of Mr Fowler’s valuable household furniture, which is to take place to-morrow (Saturday), at 2 o’clock. A gentleman who has given groat offence by acquiring a largo fortune upon a preliminary capital of L2 I2a. is forsaking tho theatre of this most enviable exploit. Ho has ever been a punctual attendant at the kirk and this much it is needful to say to give point to the following. At the sale of his effects a fine pair of carriages horses which it was expected would sell for 120 guineas realised only LBO. This was mentioned in the presence of an especially gonial clergymen of tho Church of Englaud, who said so gravely as not to be suspected of banter:—“ Don’t wonder at it in the least. These horses were confirmed Sabbath breakers. They were in front of Chalmers Church every Sunday for the last two years. It wasn’t to be expected that they would bring a price in their present impious frame of mind.”

The arrived immigrants sent up to the Queenstown barracks do not appear to go off very well, scarcelyjone half of the number having, found employment, but then, this portion are married people with large families ot children, a most unsuitable class for the gold-fields, and who would not find employment anywhere else. The gold-fields require young men and young women, tho former to work at the mines, or harvest fields ; the latter are wanted foi wives by the stalwart diggers, or husbandmen, or as domestic servants.

The long expected ship “ City of Dunedin ” arrived at the heads on the evening of the 10th instant, after a protracted passage of 113 days from Glasgow, as she has some 230 passengers, besides a valuable cargo of soft goods on board, there can exist no doubt as to the amount of anxiety her long voyage caused. The arrival of this ship at Port Chalmers was attended with rather an amusing incident in regard to the shipping reporter of the Daily Times It appears that when the City of Dimed n arrived here in December. 1873, that gentleman reported in his newspaper as to the general nncleanliness of the immigrants’ quarters. This appears to have raised the bile of the worthy skipper of the “ City, ” who evidently seems to have resolved that, no more newspaper men, representing the Times, should board his ship. Tnis resolve he gave effect to in the following amusing manner. As soon as the Times reporter put in an appearance, he found one of the s lilors blocking up the gangway; the re porter representing that he had authority to hoard, was permitted to pass ; he next was met by Captain Ross, who roared out, What are you doing here,? “ get into your boat again ;” the reporter expostulating, the captain roared still louder, “ over the side with you.” Again the reporter expostulated, urging his right to inspect the immigrants’ quarters, but the captain roared louder than ever, “pitch him overbeard,” advancing, as if to give effect to the threat, followed by a move on the part of some of the officers, who,'as they approached, made remarks as, “ We have had enough of you, and have not done with yon yet.” The reporter deemed it advisable to make tracks, and regaining the gangway, made his way over the side to his boat. But the reporter appears not to have been so easily vanquished as these voyagers over the salt sea waves expected, and he retaliates, after a very ingenious fashion He showed that, by a carefully prepared list, no less than seventeen large ships leaving English and Scotch Ports for New Zealand and Australia, all of which left either some few days before or after the City of Dunedin had arrived at their several destinations within periods of 68 and 81 days respectively; he then goes on to say that, the vessels he had enumerated, had all experienced fine average weather, while that the “ City of Dunedin ” was not either signalled or spoken to by either of the ships that were at sea with her, thus hinting as we should imagine that the protracted passage of the “ City of Dunedin ” must, in a great measure, he due to the captain having travelled upon the wrong road while voyaging from Glasgow to Port Chalmers. The Resident Magistrate’s Court, Clyde,

W. L. Simpson, Esq., R.M. presiding, was occupied on Tuesday and Wednesday last, in investigating a charge brought by James Connew against Walter Anderson, for stealing fruit from his garden on the night of Saturday last the 20th instant, resulting in the accused being discharged, the evidence proving that he was in the town of Clyde, a distance of three miles from Conn“w’s garden at the timo of the alleged robbery. The simple facts of the case are —Connew on returning home from Clyde on Saturday night last, or rather Sunday morning, about 12.30. a.m., saw a man in his garden gathering fruit, he immediately called out, whereupon the man picked up a bag and run away. Connew, who was on horseback, gave chase and pressed so ch.se on the runaway’s heels, as to make him drop the bag, he, however, eluded his pursuer by running in amongst a lot of old workings, whore Connew was afraid to follow. Connew hereupon turned back, and picked up tbc bag. He founded his suspicion of accused from w hat he could see of him whilst he was running. The Magistrate in discharging the accuse’, spoke very strongly on the manner of the evidence, and said that witnesses appeared to have but a faint idea of their responsibility, whilst in the witness-box, and characterized the evidence as most contradictory. On the Tuesday, ono witness upon stepping into tho box, asked who was to pay his expenses, and showed symp ; tons of having taken “ a drop too much,” for which, ho was invited to partake of the hospitality of a paternal Government. On tho rising of the Court on Wednesday morning, ho was introduced to tho R.M., who tendered him an account for 205., supporting tho demand by n lecture on tho i evil consequences of courting too closely 1 the acquaintance of John Barleycorn.

This day Mr George Facho will sell at the Town Hall, Cromwell, leases of Corporation Sections.

We are requested to notify tho disciples o' Terpsichore that a friendly and social dance will take place in tho Town Hall on Wednesday evening next tho 3rd instant, the Clyde Band having kindly consented to play on the occasion. On previous oo casions we have noticed a most market want of punctuality on the part of botl ladies and gentlemen, which has marrec considerably tho enjoyment of the evening, We hope on this occasion punctuality wil be observed. As an evidence of the value of minini property in this immediate neighborhood a fourth share in the head-race and clain known as Lindsay and parties, Dunstai Commonage, changed hands during tin week. We did not hoar the price, but wi understand it was close on COOf. Mr W Anderson was the seller, and Mr Dawson of the Nevis, the purchaser.