FRIDAY, MARCH 19, 1875.

Dunstan Times, Issue 674, 19 March 1875, Page 2

FRIDAY, MARCH 19, 1875.

The advent nf Sir George Grey upon the political field will rather bo a source of gratification to country residents in Otago than otherwise, more particularly so with the inhabitants of the gold-fields amongst whom, as Governor of the Colony of New Zealand he found especial favor, Before visiting Otago, Sir George Grey had not seen a gold-field, and it was a source of wonder how readily he made himself acquainted with their peculiarities, not only as regards the manner of employment of the people, hut the people themselves, and his keen observations, and suggestions won him many friends and admirers, and it is almost superfluous to say that, no Governor has since created such a favorable impression, or won so unreservedly the good opinion of the people as Sir George Grey. It is with considerable Satisfaction that, wc find him a candidate, at the almost unanimous desire of the people of Auckland, to accept the duties of Superintendent of that important Province; from (ho very first we thought that his election would lie a walk over, and the retirement of flic opposing candidate, Mr Dargeville proves that our opinions were correct. To find that Sir George Grey is the unanimens choice of the people of Auckland to fill the honorable position of their Superintendent, is only the proof of a tribute to his worth, and a no more honorable, independent, of originally minded man could be found to fulfil tlie position. There is every reason to believe, however, that, Sir George will not stop there, hut that, he will seek a seat in the upper branches of Colonial legislature, and although, not actually the Governor of the Colony, will in point of fact, direct more largely it’s government than when ho did so through responsible advisers in days

long past. Sir GcorgO Qt*oy is without doubt a strong supporter of the Provincial system, his observations and experiences having doubtless led him to this manner of thinking, still, he is not prejudiced in his ideas, as in his address ho pledges hiriisolf to conform. to any system of government that may bo desired by the people, as best suited to their wants, but, before rushing into extremities, ho bids us timely warning, not to be in a hurry to take up a new love, before wo have thoroughly satisfied ourselves that, wo can advantageously put off the old. It is right that we should before committing ourselves unreservedly to the principles of abolition of the Provinces, first satisfy ourselves of the honafidcu and suitableness of the substitute, or we might be terribly deceived. The present system of Government is most outrageously expensive, while it is not effective, as it permits no end of abuses to creep in everywhere, and the further from the scat of Government, the greater is the amount of corruption, and the less fair proportion of the public revenue is expended upon local improvements, and this rule appears to hold good wherever Provinces exist. In our own particular case there has evidently been a desire on tire part of the Government to do justice to the upcountry districts, particularly the gold-fields, where, with the exception of a little road-making, there is no veal cause for complaint, but Dunedin interests are too ntron", even with a well intentioned Government, aucl there the lion’s share of the re'venues, it is impossible to help being expended, _ and the seaboard is fitted, while the country is permitted to starve. Accepting Sir George Grey’s recommendation that the country snouid take into considers. tion some more suitable form of Go. vernment before proceeding to extremities on abolition principles, it would be as well that the subject should engage the attention of contemplative rounds. Possibly a lessor number of Provinces might secure to us all that we want, while our ancientprivileges would lie preserved. The changes we demand are a more economical svstcin of Government together with an equitable distribution of the revenues, a thing we have not been as yet permitted to participate in. feo far as (he producing powers. ;,iv eo- corned, the condition of the gold-fields, as well as other portions of the country were never more t rosporons, yet, through had management they are rendered unproductive, and they puisne a sort of linger and die existence, instead of one of healthy activity. Instead of Jam! being available for the settlement of the people in this district we are compelled to import the whole of our breadstuff's, and a large proportion of our horse-feed from elsewhere. T n . stead of being able to supply ourselves with timber from the Walkia Push situate only a short distance from Alexandra and Clyde fim the want of an easily and cheaply constructed load, we have to bring ifc down all the way from the Wakatip or Wnf aka, or import what wo require from Tasmania or America. Even communication wish Dunedin is liable to be cut oft’ at any moment by an extra fall of snow or muddy accumulations while to travel during the summer time anywhere above Clyde is a positive infliction upon man, as well as cruelty to poor unoffending animals. Look at the abortive attempts at road making betweed Clyde and Cromwell, and between that and the Arrow. Was ever money so needlessly and wantonly expended ! In the latter case there has not been an attempt at improvement for years past. What has been done to awaken an interest, or assi-t in the development of the goldfields 1 Nothing, save the bringing over from Victoria of Mr Ulrich to report upon ths quailz lodes, a thing that should have been done years since. There is certainly a reward of E250 for the best invention for saving alluvial gold, but the Government, know precious well that the most effective processes are thoroughly understood, and nothing new upon that score can possibly be invented. What the miners desire is how to find gold to save, all thn other details they perfectly well understand ; assist them to do this, and that is all they require. Wo view Sir Sir George Grey’s entry upon the arena of blew Zealand politics as a bright star lighting up the future.

His Honor Wilson Gray, Judge of tho Bistvict Court, stated during the sitting of the Court on Wednesday that his jurisdict on in tlic district terminated with tho present month. By our exchanges wo learn that Judge Harvey succeeds Judge Gray next mouth.

Wo are requested to draw attention to the sale by action on Thun'ay, April Ist, at Insley s Farm, of dairy cattle, farm implements, it:. See advertisement.

Purchasers of dairy cattle, horses. So., will do well to attend tho sale at Love’s Yards, Blacks No. 3, on Saturday, April 3rd, as all the lots to be offered are of firstc'.ars quality.

Mr J. C. Chapplo desires ns to draw attention to tho sale 1 y auction at Spear G ass Flat on Monday next, of Mr T. Wilkins’ dairy cattle, horses, &c, Mr Fergus, District Bead Engineer, laid out tho eastern approach to the Clyde bridge on Wednesday.' The next step we expect will bo thu calling far tenders for the work. ’ 1 ■ 1

The recent discoveries of ro«f« running parallel with the Cromwell Company’s reef at Bendigo are cresting a good deal of stir and no little speculation, not only on tho spot, but throughout tho district. From aeveral parties, in whom wo have implicit confidence and who have lately visited Bendigo, wo learn that tho bands of quartz discovered are extremely rich, and have every appearance of permanency. Tho case Shotovcr Gold Mining Company v. Armstrong, for amount of overduo calls, heard in the It M. Court, Dunedin, before T. A. Hansford, Esq., D.M., has been settled, tho plaintiff's being nonsuited, on the ground that proceedings wore not commenced within fourteen days after the call became payable. This judgment, wo may' imagine, will open the eyes of a great many legal managers. AVe have for the past few weeks been drawing attention to the neccessity to register, as the period allowed for registration will expire at the end of the month. The Grey Diver Argus in drawing attention to the subject says : —“The importance of registration now is increased by the circumstance that a general election for tho House of Representatives will take place either at the end of the year or early in 1876, and, as in all probability some readjustment of the representation will be made upon the basis of the number of electors, it is very desirable that the rolls for all the West Coast districts should include as many names as possible. Ifc is also likely that the miners’ franchise will be abolished next session, and should tins be done minors’rights will no longer be . available for voting purposes. Every one in tho possession of a hut or dwelling of annual value of Ls—that is, say two shillings a week—is entitled to vote if he applies to have his name placed on the roll, and no one should lose the opportunity of qualifying Ivin self."

The second eldest son of Zvlr W, Williams, Clyde Poundkeeper, on Saturday la*t, whilst out riding, met with a very serious accident. From what we can learn it appears his horse when in a full swinging canter fell down dead, and for aught is known rolling over the hoy, as when dis • covered by Mounted Constable Brown he was unconscious. On being restored ho was placed on the constable’s horse and conveyed home Besides a sever 0 shaking ti c boy’s face was badly hru'sed, and he complained of an injury to one of his logs.

In the Westland Council now sitting, a hill sty’ol the “Westland Public House Bill” has been introduce 1, which provides that “ Bar” license fees shall ho LSO, and ‘ Hotel ” licens-s 1.40 per annum. A “ Ratepayers’ Protection Society” has been established in Wellington. Its objects are to prevent the immense increase of local taxation, and to bring pressure generally upon the City Council. On Wednesday evening last a social dance took place in the Town Hall, Clyde, about twenty couples being present. The company though limited appeared to enjoy themselves. The C'ydo Brass Band, under the leadership of Mr Wilde, occupied ih" orchestra, and, as usual, gave the utmost satisfaction. Refreshments in the shape of tea and coffee, cakes and sandwiches, Were availab’c during the evening, and were done j ustioe to. The celebrated “ Biondin ” has been performing to vast crowds at Adelaide. It is computed that no less than 00,000 persons have paid to witness him. Cn Saturday last the rights and piivileges in connection with the ensuing Dnnedin Races were sold, and realized the large sum of L 1,348 10s.

An instance of what may bo fitly designated. “ cbo ik ” in the thieving way caire before the Melbourne City Bench recently. A petty thief avr.s convicted of having stolen two coats from the back of a stall in the Eastern Market, and offered them for sale to the stall-kc per in front. The first coat was innocently bought by the owner, avbo, however, discovered when the next one was offered him that he was buying his own property, by finding his business ticket in the coat pocket. The prisoner was sent to gaol far three mmilhs. At a recent meeting of the Directors tf the khotover Gold Mining Company, registered, it avas suggested to “ post ” the names of all shareholders who are in arre.r with calls. The Daily Times says that, — “ We are ronvmled by a large and influential shareholder that snob a course would ho a somewhat dangerous proceeding, as it would in effect Be a comment on pending litigation, i.c., on the appial which will ho taken to the .Supreme Court as a test case. The amount in round numbers of money in the Savings Banks of the Colony is as follows Auckland, LSG,C6I ; Thames, L21,5t3 ; Now Plymouth, L 13.414 : Napier L 26.930; Wellington, L 102.401 ; Blenheim, L 12.732 ; Groymouth, L1D,313 ; Hokitika, L 15,693; Christchurch, L153,5t7 ; Dunedin, L 193.323 ; and Invercargill, L 27.223.

Professor Oonglitroy was to have sailed from London in tlic ship Carpathian in January last for Melbourne. His arrival may therefore be early looked for. "We have receive;! from the Post Master General, an I acknowledge with thanks, a very handy card, combining the Now Z aland, Australian, and Kng!ish Post time table, Calendar for 1575, and the Postal rales on correspondence for the United Kingdom. The now Town Hall at Nasehy was formally opened on Wednesday evening the intli irstant, by a Ball and Supper. The Maerewheuna branch of the Otago Miners’ Association appears to bo well off. in having a balance in hand of L 69 13 0. For tho current year 1,78,01)0 in cash, and LIO.OOO in Scrip has already been received for tho sale of land in the Wellington Province.

We have received from Mr J. Braith waste, Booksollc", of Dunedin, tho second number of the “ New Zealand Songster ” Tho little volume is exceedingly well got up, and contains tho words of a very large number of popular songs, also, conundrums, dji.

iEglcs in tho Australasian says The captain of an Adelaide stoainor was lately applied to by n now arrival who wished to work his passage to Melbourne. Looking at tho individual, who did not appear to bo an eligible immigrant, tho captain expressed his surprise that he should have been sent out to tho colony. “What," said the captain, “ do you expect 'to do in Melbourne?" “.Oh 1" said the other, “I’m just the sort of man they want—you see I’ve got a trade.” “ And what, pray,” said tho captain, “is your trade?” “I " said the other, “ am a glass-eye maker.” His Honor Judge Noel, in the Insolvency Court, Melbourne, refused certificates of discharge to three publicans, on the ground that they had not paid 7s. in the; £ to creditors. The applicants wore— John riomcr, of Carlton ; Patrick Murphy, of Melbourne : and JRobert Jervois, of Fitzroy. His Honor, in tho course of the remarks he made while refusing the certificates, said that he should require! all insolvents whose estates had not paid 7s. in the £ to creditors, as required by tbe Insolvency Statute, to give full and satisfactory reasons that the failure to do so arose from no fault of their own, or otherwise he should refuse their certificates. His Honor also adjourned several other certificate applications, in order that the insolvents might furnish him with better Information as to why they had not paid tbe requisite dividend to creditors.

It is .a curious circumstance, remarks the Southern Cross, that there has keen during the past year a decrease in the gold yield of the three principal gold producing colonies of Victoria, New Zealand, and New South Wales. In Now Zealand the yield of gold for last year was 37(5,388 ounces, or nearly 129,000 ounces less than that of the previous year. Still this yield, reduced as it was, was about 133,000 more than the produce of New South Wales for 1874, which a 1 so exhibits a considerable decline as compared with its own former returns. The same thing is observable in Victoria, though to a less extent proportionally. While both New Zealand and New South Wales exhibit a decline of almost onefourth in each case, Victoria, whose production is considerably larger than both, shows a falling off in the past year of only about one-eighth. It is evident that men are turning their attention more largely than hitherto to other occupations than those of gold-mining ; hut we do not doubt that in all (he three colonies a period of revival will come ; and people are strongly hoping to behold its advent here at Ohinemuri.

The Dunedin Evening Sta- says :—lt is understood that Judge Harvey will shortly arrive to relieve Judge Gray of the judgship of the Otago goldfields. At the last sitting of the Westland district court at Greymouth, Mr Perkins, on behalf the local bar, expressed regret that his Honor was leaving the district. The members of the profession had intended to present him with an address, hut since then they had been invited to joni with the public in a more general testimonial, anil this they intended to do. Ho thanked his Honor for the courtesy and kindness with which he had always treated the members of the bar At all times ho had proved himself anxious to assist them in the carrying out of their duties by granting many facilities for proceeding with business. His Honor, in rep’v, said he felt much gratified and flatterel rt tho wvy- in which ho had discharge I his du'y in thit Court. He was sure they would ; iv j him credit for endeavoring to conduct the business of tho court impartially and with regnlarityTand this heoould only have done by the assistance he had always rece.v'.d fn m the members of the bar. When ho first took his present office his position w as a most peculiar ore, having been one of the professional g»ntlcmen practising in these courts, and being personally acquainted not only with the members of the bar, but also with all classes of the commnnitv, still he had endeavored, while occupying his sea*-, to hold the scales o' justice even between all parties, and he thanked the members of the bar for their kind expressions. Wo learn from tho West Coast Times that the Sneaker of the Provincial Council, it is sail, has been the recipient of tho following letter, purporting to emanate from the Harp of Erin Hotel, and purporting to be signed by the member for Okarito : —“Sin.—l trust you will accord me the satisfaction of naming a friend on whom to wait, and make arrangements for an honoraide Settlement of our dispute. I may he permitted to sta L c that I am aware the course I now adont is not allowed by the Standing 'Orders of the Provincial Council or British House of Commons. But, sir, permit me to remind you that in pursuing this course I only do that which a very dis. fngiiishad relative of mine (ibis very day fourteen years aco) did to the present Bight Honorable Sir B abort Peek 1 am also a rare that this honorable system of settling disputes between geiit'emen has at no time been recognised by your plebiau nation, bnt since time immemorial such has been the custom among gentlemen of all other nations and especially in the grand old country wbic.i gave me birth. In conclusion, I trust you will not further disgrace the name of honorable by declining to accept an honorable settlement, or take advantage of my position as a number of tho Provimiil Counoi'. If you do, Beware! Beware !! Beware ! !!—P.S.—Yon can have oilmen of weapons.” Of course, the communication is tin product!-n of some practical jokis*-, but such, it is said was not tho presumption on the part of its recipient, and it was for some time a serious subject for consideration with tho police, the Executive, and tho alarmed friends of the prospective duelists. Tho perpetrator of tho joke did more than create fun ;'ho established a funk. —Wo may add that Mr O’Donovan was carefully watched by detectives, and that Mr Speaker consulted his safety by sleeping at Government Honso

j Count Medina Pomar, in his newly published work, “ The money moon,” tolls the following story:—“ It was at the hotel at Dumbarton. 1 had just got up and rung the bell for some hot water for shaving. A waiter answered my call. I want some hot water if you please,’ I said, 'And what for do you want the hot Water ?’ ‘ For shaving,’ said I. Von eanna have hot water on tho Lord’s Day for sic a thing has shaving naidfthe waiter,’ horror-strUek at the ides. I insisted again but avith the same effect Na, na, said ho, ‘yecanna hae’t. 1 Necessity is the mother of invention tis said and this aroused mine. I thought that if 1 could arrange the order in such a avay that it would not affect his religious scruples ho would bring it directly. I tbcrc p ore proposed that I should like some toddy and told him to brims the materials for making it consisting of whisky, auvar and boiling water. These he bought without the least demur. I gave him the whisky which he drank, and I used the water - . So conscience was satisfied.'’ , , „ The New Zealand Times thinks that not the least result of the abolition of Provinces question will be the division of tbe House and the country into two great and distinct parlies, “ rendering Parliamentary Government possible in reality, as it now only exists in name.” A sugar crushing and refining Company, with a capital of LlOf) 01)1, to encourage the growth of the sugar-cane, Ins been pro. jeetedin Fiji. The co-operation of New Zealand and Australia is relied upon