NASEBY.

Dunstan Times, Issue 673, 12 March 1875, Page 2

NASEBY.

—o—{thou a corrkspokdbkt.) We have just had oar newly elected member, Mr J, P. Armstrong, expounding his political views to us. His ideas are rather ancient, not quite suitable to this modern age of borrowing, abolition, and construction. He is a rank Proviricialist at heart, as his address to the electors shows plainly, believing, he says, in self government. He appears to think that self government cannot be obtained, except by the Provincial system, which requires more than its legitimate revenue to keep afloat. The Shire system is what is generally wished for, and this manner of self government will be a great deal more beneficial, conjoined with the more elaborate supervision of the General Government, and less expensive than tho Provincial system. The true causes of Mr Armstrong’s successful candidature are rather odd- Not one out of five of his supporters voted for him, because they thought be will act wisely for tho benefit of the district which ha represents, and the Province—the most natural reason—bnt because ho is good natnved, and says ho is honest, and doesn't moan to do harm if he does. “ Still waters run deep,” and this assumed simplicity goes to hide a considerable deal of shrewdness, which ho really possesses,—not cleverness— and which helps him over tho mistakes and blunders into which such people must reasonably fall. However, he is our Member now, and if 1 run him down, ho won’t perforin the little of which ho is capable. Tho Public Works are not in a very lively state, although tho contractors arc working away steadily. The Sludge Chan

Uel is progressing very fairly being now up to about, two miles and a half from the town. SufHcent mopqy has not been appropriated for this work, it will reqiiiro another L 2,000 to bring it up to the utility point. When all the money that is % at present appropriated has been expended the head of the channel will be about a milo and a half from the town. If it is not brought up further than this it will not he of much Use, as the terraces and the back of the claims will bo situated at a considerable distance above. There is a saying, “It is not worth while to spoil tne ship for a bucket of tar,” and it would be a very unwise step if the benefits of the channel were spoiled for an additional 1.2,000. The head-race is being cut now at a very fair rate, the principal Contractor Mr Abbott of Dunedin, being himself on the works, with a good gang of men. The management of these public works is not at all satisfactory. Mr Browne, the resident Inspector, has not been delegated sufficient powers to have all the little requisites performed, snch as branch races, and so forth. Without this the utilisation of completed portions of the race, as was fondly anticipated before the race is wholly finished, will be impossible. The resident Inspector has not sufficient power; He is reported to be an able officer, and I am sure I know nothing to the contrary, and has been connected with the management of the race even from its first survey. Ho should be delegated more power, and then he would be able to push the work along, especially when the Provincial " Engineer will not personally inspect it. Wo expected a visit from him last week, but as it is rumored he has leave of absence to visit Victoria, 1 suppose it will be postponed sine die. The managing of the Engineering department is causing great dissatisfaction—the appointing Mr Arthur over the heads of long and well-tried men, and then granting the Provincial Engineer leave of absence, after holding office for the wearying time of about six weeks. Concrete buildings are all the rage in Nascby at present. The Town Hall is built of concrete ; the Hospital fever ward, which is detached from the main building, is also-of concrete, or rather, that was the material stipulated for in the specifications. The new Bank of Now South Wales is built of concrete, and the Episcopalian Church; in course of erection, is also built of the same material. The contractor for these buildings is taking ad vantage of the novelty to make the most out of it, as you will understand when I tell you that he has undertaken to build the Hospital fever ward, a building which could be erected in the ordinary way for about Ll5O nr to LIBO for the small consideration of L3OO, added to the ridiculous figure of the contract, he has endeavored to make the job still more lucrative by limiting the quantity of cement. The Town Hall-is a fine spacious building, besides the immense hall, there are in front three small rooms, very suitable for offices, and connected with the stage behind, are rooms of good dimensions. The whole is a magnificent structure. We have had however to pay for our whistle. The total cost is L 2,500, L 2,000 more than was proposed at first, the first estimate being LSOO. The Bank of New South Wales is a large, but unsightly affair. The architect ought to have the degree of S.S A. (Superior Stable Architect) conferred upon him. The following will be the nature of strangers’ remarks on first sight of the town :—‘‘That’s a fine stable about a third of the way up the street, on the left-hand side, Isn’t it? ” “ Yea, but rather a strange place to have a stable, right in the middle of the town.” On entering the town they will meet a citizen, and remark.— “ That’s a fine stable up the street.” “ Stable ! why that’s the Bank of New South Wales,” The bnilding however roomy and excellent inside, has a very uncompromising look outside. A Lodge of Good Templars has been started at Nascby' by Messrs Armstrong and Joyce, of Dunedin. The members muster about forty already. Mr Armstrong, when formerly visiting this place, used to meet one, and hold up between his finger and thumb a shilling, indicating that lie would “shout.” That little habit has been dropped, and instead, when ho meets yon, he says “ Well, my dear boy, how are you ? Are yon going to join our Lodge? I think it will do a great deal of good.” The races of this year have been the worst for attendance 1 have ever seen. The racing has been chiefly confined to local horses, that have succeeded in securing the lion’s share of the stakes. The running was generally good. The “ talent ” mustered in great force, Thimble-riggers were well represented as usual. There was a profusion of fruit of all descriptions. Vehicles wore in great supply. A respected townsman af your’s, (Mr Bill Inaloy,) contributing, with his four-in-hand, and stentorian voice, considerably to the universal bustle and excitement.