WANTED A GAOL FOR THE DUNSTAN.

Dunstan Times, Issue 686, 11 June 1875, Page 3

WANTED A GAOL FOR THE DUNSTAN.

(TO THE EDITOR OF THE DI7NSTAN TIMES.) Sir,—Residing as I do on the banks of the Molyncux, between Clyde and Cromwell, it rather amuses mo to listen to the various arguments on the necessity of providing a Gaol for the Dunstan District. As I have been asked to sign my name to a petition in favor of such a desirable establishment being built at Cromwell I refused to do so for reasons, not that I have anything to complain against, nor do I desire to interrupt the progress that place is making ; but, I really do not see any necessity for a Gaol being established either there or at Clyde. With the small European population settled in the Dunstan District, 1 think the Electoral Roll, which includes Cromwell as well, only shows some 620 names : now, 1 should like to know, MiEditor, what change has come over us that a gaol is so urgently needed? A more q net, order-loving people I imagine scarcely exists in any other part of the known world, and I feel thoroughly assured tha' did the petitions from Cromwell and Clyde represent public opinion on the necessity for a Gaol, it would bo exactly opposite to that which is stated. The movement, lam convinced is entirely a Municipal one, and emanates from the Town Councils of the rival towns, merely for the purpose of attaching to them a little extra importance. Even were the coveted Gaol to bo built it would require to be filled with prisoners, and where, sir, are we to obtain them from? It is very clear that we should require to manufacture them. Perhaps it might be done in this form say, that the Town Councils of Clyde and Cromwell oiler premiums for all the rogues and vagabonds in New Zealand to select the Dunstan as their place of abode, with a liberal graduating scalesay, the highest for murderers, then descending gradually to petty larceny. 1 might, perhaps, suggest libel, as it would be most desirable that newspaper writers should have a chance of being incarcerated. All the villany iu the ' Colony would bo found gravitating towards this direction, whose numbers might possibly bo augmented by a special consignment of Dr Feathorstone’s most careful selections. Having achieved all this the ratepayers of Clyde and Cromwell would, no doubt, cheerfully submit to an increased assessment on their properties, so as to bear the additional cost of keeping things in order ; also that they might properly sustain, with becoming dignity their newly found honors. This might be all very well for the people living in the towns, but it will not suit the miners. Quartz miners will have a thorough objection to having their copper plates and ripples robbed; and precisely the same will be the ease inregaid to ground [sluicers in respect to their tail races, as well as other ordinary miners. Farmers will object to having their horses stolen, or their hen r josts tampered with ; while every householder will not at all feel satisfied at the prospect that at any moment his place may be broken into and robbed, or that when he lays down to rest at night he may have his throat cut before morning. There is no necessity whatever for any increased criminal establishments either at Clyde or Cromwell. The Dunstan district is quiet and peaceable, and Mr Editor, let it remain so. If Judge Harvey does hold a criminal jurisdiction the longer it remains unused the better will it be for the district and your humble servant— Father of a Family, Cromwell Road, Gth June, 1875.

MR. lIAZLETT, M.P.C., AND THE CROMWELL PETITION. (TO THE EDITOR OF THE DUNSTAN TIMES.) Sir, —The public ouglit to be very much obliged to you for the trouble you have taken in sifting out the difficulty as to whether or not Mr Hazlett did sign the Cromwell petition. It appears to me that you went about your busness properly, and I must also record my thanks to "Mr H. Manders, and D. ilacKclla”, for the veiy prompt manner in which they answered your telegrams. I consider the explanation as very unsatisfactory. Mr Hazlett is the wrong sort of man to sign any document a thout first ascertaining its meaning, and when he struck his name out, it would be more like the truth to say that it was from fear of the consequences rather than that it had been placed there in error. Mr Ilazlett thinks Clyde Gaol will be all right; it is to be hoped that it will be so, and strong enough to hold within it every wrong doer in the bargain. Had it not have been for the trouble you have taken, Mr Editor, it is quite possible that the Gaol would have been all wrong. I hope that Mr Hazlett’s constituents, when he returns from Dune lin, will demand from him some explanation of his conduct in this matter, as well as what he has done since ho has been our member. He has never once offered to render up an account of his stewardship yet; and it is now high time that ho did so. No man can blow hot and cold at tho same time. Mr Hazlett must bo either in favor of a Gaol being built at Clyde or Cromwell; therefore, let him say what his intentions are without so much beating about tho bush.—l am, &c., Straightforward. Clyde, Slh Jane, 1875.