FRIDAY, JULY 2. 1875.

Dunstan Times, Issue 689, 2 July 1875, Page 2

FRIDAY, JULY 2. 1875.

Odr contemporary the Otago Daily Times appears to be on more unfriendly terms than ever with its old founder and chief, Sir Julius Vogel. As Mr Henry Mandeis seeks to exterminate the rabbits, so the Daily Times seeks to exterminate the Hon. the Premier. What new crime Sir Julius has committed against the peace of our Dunedin contemporary, we are at a loss to learn. Is it because that he is indisposed in London and unable to return immediately to his duties, that rises the bile of the City luminary 1 or is it that when the Times lost the services of Mr Vogel, it lost its head, and having fitted itself with a wooden one, it has been on the stool of repentance ever since, and continues to vent its displeasure in heaping contumely upon the man who brought it into being, because he is not in the Colony to defend himself 1 Sir Julius will however return j he is not the man to run away or deset t the Colony when it needs his services, and we may very safely conclude that he will be able to protect himself against his calumniators, be they whoever they may, and wc e betide the Times when it gets properly assailed by him. To persecute a man when unable to defend himself is mean and contemptible—who can reply to taunts made against them the other side of the globe 1 If the Times has anything to say against Sir Julius, let it reserve its charges until he comes back to New Zealand, and not take the mean advantage of throwing diit at a man when he is powerless to resent it. We always thought that our contemporary was inclined to be silly, but he has apparently, and rather hurriedly reached his dotage, if wo are to judge by its ravings these last three or four weeks. We strongly advise the Times to desist from kicking the lion until it is assured that, using an hibernicism, “ ho is dead entirely ” or there is great danger that he may, when least expected, turn round and bite, and we are assured that our contemporary, above all things, desires to preserve a whole skin. Suppose that Sir Julius has deemed it advisable to substitute a system of promissory notes in lieu of free immigration, it was no more than time that something was done to relieve the Colony of the heavy cost of bringing a lot of people into it, who, for the most part, were really not worth their keep on ship-board

Another tHng, it was high time the tide of immigration was somewhat stayed, the population being pretty amply sufficient to meet the demands for employment. VYe opine that it will not take so very long before the three and a half millions, which we are to get as the proceeds of the four million loan, will be expended, and then what will be the result to the labor market 1 The answer suggests itself: nothing but complete stagnation, and men looking all over the country for work, and finding none. It may be very easy for the Provincial Government to vote the construction of lines of railway out of money to be borrowed, but, can this be done, after the Colony itself has exercised its borrowing powers to the utmost limit. We should imagine that the General Government will not permit the Provincial to try, when, should it even be given the power to do so, scarcely any one would be foolish enough to lend. In all reason we are sufficiently indebted already, and it was time that we took into consideration our paying powers ; the debt of the Colony at the present time can scarcely be covered by the entire Custom’s revenue. If we are to add Provincial loans to this, posterity will be made bankrupt betore it is born. Sir Julius sees the necessity of drawing in his horns, and we may safely calculated that the days of lavish expenditure are coming to an end. The Daily Times heralds as a favorable omen the establishment of a vinegar and pickle factory in Dunedin, but we assure our contemporary that when Sir Julius Yogel returns, and the three and a half millions expended, and this sum ’null not be sufficient to complete works at present in hand, that there will bo. an overabundant supply of pickles and vinegar'in Dunedin, and of which the Daily Times will most undoubtedly receive its fare share.

Ax.TilotJQsX the Gold-fields’ Secretary does not apear to possess very clear views upon the necessity of establishing a School of Mines, yet, we should imagine that he is sufficiently alive to the fact that something should be done to improve the miners in the knowledge of their profession. A School of Mines supported partly by Government contributions, and partly by private subscriptions, would most Hke’y prove the be'sfc means of meeting the difficulty. In this surmise we quite agree with the Goldfields’ Secretary, and we only hope that he will make the accomplishment of this a fixed pui’pose, without waiting to find out some solution to his other many ideas upon the matter. Being resident in a place like Cromwell, Mr M’Kellar should thoroughly understand how desirable it is that, persons engaged in the pursuit of gold mining more particularly that branch, which devotes itself to the manipulation of our quartz reefs, how necessary it is that a better knowledge of the business should he move generally diffused. Mr Ulrich’s report pretty plainly points out this to be the case, and although there may exist many detractors from the value of that gentleman’s report, there can be hut little doubt but that the result of Mi Uh-ich’s visit is the cause, to a very considerable extent, of the increased interest that is now being taken in qnarfz mining. In this particular branch of mining cur knowledge is rather scant, more especially in the reduction and treatment of the ore, if we may be permitted to so term the quartz rock before it is submitted to the operation of the crushing chinery. Regarding the practical management and working of mines, we will not say so much against, still, there is but little to doubt, but even in this we have much to learn, and a School of Mines would materially assist us to improve our knowledge. Gold mining having now become a settled employment, there are many amongst ns who desire to excel in this pursuit, and when able to afford it, there should exist some facilities that 1 ersons so inclined should have the means of acquiring the information they so much desire. Another thing, a considerable portion of tho native born population will soon bo verging towards manhood, and many of our young men must per force of circumstances turn their attention to gold mining as tho business of their lives, and how desirable it is that they—say for only some two or three months out of the year should be able to obtain instruction in tho higher branches of their profession. To all appearances quartz mining is only just beginning to become developed, and the more we come to understand it, the less difficulties appear to stand in the way of the realisation of our hopes. Late discoveries have proved the existence of highly payable quartz lodes in Otago, and it is only our want of knowledge that has kept us from opening them out long since. A few more successes will permanently establish this particular branch of our mining industry, and instead of capital flowing in charily for want of confidence in the nature of tho investment, it will be abundantly proennble, and tho mines developed accord-

ingly. The successful establishment of a School of Mines should not by any means bo difficult of attainment, and wo must hope that Mr M'Kellar will apply himself sedulously to supply this now rapidly growing event.

Tho votaries of Terpsichore are hereby intimated that tho next meeting of tho Clyde Quadiillo Assembly will take place on Wednesday evening next, in tho Town Hall. The Band will bo in attendance at half-past eight o’clock. We are requsted to draw the attention of subscribers and visitors to tho time of meeting and trust that they will bo punctual. A two-days’ sale of pictures in London realised LIOO.OOO. The appointment of the Mayor and Council, and Messrs James Dawkins, John Towan, and William Bennet as the Board of V. anions for the Cromwell District, is gazetted. Tho Illustrated New Zealand Herald for the month of July is excellent. Tho views of Dunedin, and Newcastle, New South Wales, on toned paper, are equal to anything of the kind previously published by either tho English or Colonial papers. By a notification in the Provincial Government Gazette we learn that Mr Bobert Stout has been appointed legal advisor to the Government, and acting Provincial [solictor. Tho cancellation of lease to depasture stock on portion of Runs 244 and 201, situate in Tiger Hill district, in 2405 acres is notified in tho Provincial Gazette. Maryborough is decidedly improving, says the Wide Bay Times, and then goes on to prove the assertion by a lengthy description of a new sausage machine, started by a local butcher. On tho Thames goldfield gold is, it appears, tendered for by the Banks. The Auckland Evening Star says We are informed that the Cure gold—4S2ozs—was tendered for to-day by the Bank of New Zealand and the National Bank, The former was tho purchaser, being 4d per ounce over the National, or a difference of LS Os Sd on the parcel We have to acknowledge with thanks the receipt of further statistics in connection with tho Census of New Zealand for 1874-5. The parts now to hand are ; Deport by the Registrar General, General Index, Part 7, Education of the People ; Part 8, Sickness and Infirmity ; Part 9, Land, Crops, Live Stock, and Produce ; Part 10, Industries, Land and Building Societies, Public Libraries. Places of Worship, &c., Maori population and Boundaries of Electoral, Districts. From the Report wo learn that the cost of producing this remarkable volume was no less a sum thanLß74o 10s Id, being L 1259 9s lid less than estimated. The Mount Ida Chronicle says :—The main line of road - -especially that portion of the line from Wayne’s to Kyeburn—was never in a worse condition than at present. The carriers, to avoid well known bad pieces of road, ‘are actually making a detour by Macraes and Hyde, and during tho last two weeks almost the whole of the upper traffic has passed through Naseby to avoid the main line of road from Douglas’ to Eden Creek. The ruts are so deep that waggons have actually to be dragged for miles on the carriage by sixteen and twenty horse power, tearing them in some cases almost to pieces, or twisting or breaking the bolts and screws. Some waggons which came hero lately were two weeks on the road. Deepen tho Dunedin harbor certainly, but open up the interior by railway or passable roads first. The Tuapeka Times says : A man suffering from rheumatism lately took a passage by the Dunstau coach for Dunedin, intending to enter the hospital there. Soon after starting on the frosty road, the poor fellow was pitched,about the coach in all directions, from under tho seat to tho roof, a feat common to all travellers on that road in the winter time. Such was the shaking the patient suffered that by the time the coach reached Lawrence the rheumatism had totally left him, and the man instead of going to the hospital, ho returned to his work. We would therefore recommend Hugh Craig to advertise in the Tuapeka Times as follows:—“ A complete cure for rheumatism, price two pounds—a journey on Cobb’s coach from Clyde to Lawrence. ” The Inangahua Herahl proposes that in event of Provincial institutions being abolished, the gold duty should be regarded as the revenue of the districts in which it is raised, and goes on to say—“ If Provincial institutions are swept away, tho form of Government replacing it in a district such as this, would find it necessary to resort to direct taxation of mining property, tut wo know of no form in which its incidence beat so lightly as by continuing tho gold duty. If an effort is to he made, and none would desire to see it more than ourselves, let it he in tho direction of securing the product of this prolific source of revenue to the districts wherein it is contributed. Such an alteration would certainly prove more acceptable generally than the abolition of an impost which, notwithstanding all the clamour raised by political agitators presses by no means heavily, and which it would be impossible to replace by a less unpopular form of taxation.” Goldshorough’s Monthly Circular, before us, contains cheering news for sheep owners. Prom tho favorable telegrams from London, reporting tho May and Juno series of sales at advanced rates of Id to lid per lb, more encouragement is given to buyers in the Melbourne market. Tho total export of wool from tho Australian colonies is not likely to bo more than three or four per cent in excess of last year, while from Amfcrica and the Capo of Good Hope the yield shows a decrease, the market is, consequently firm, and present favorable rates may be expected to be maintained, with a probability of an increase. Tho total quantity shipped this year from Melbourne is 293,06G bales. Tho current prices in Melbourne are—Greasy, 74d inferior, to Is 3d superior ; fleece washed, Is 3d inferior, to 2s 4d superior ; scoured, Is 4d inferior, to 2s 2d superior.

The profits of superior breeding liavo boon exemplified (says the Melbourne Age) in the most definite manner by the result of Mr Morton’s sale at Skelsmcrg Hall, and more recently that on tho estate of Messrs Robertson Brothers, at Colao, Last year tho surplus draft of by Messrs llobertson realised L 12,000, This year the amount has been LL’O,OO7. There will be, it is stated, 3,000 head of fat stock sent to market in addition this season, which will average about Ll2 per head, giving as the gross * income for tho year upwards of L5G.000.

With regard to the Victorian Gold-min-ing Company lately placed on tho Loudon market, tho London correspondent of the Argus writes The prospectus has been issued of tho Becchworth Gold-mining (J cupany Victoria, with a capital of L 200.000, one half of which it is sought • to raise here. Tho company has been formed for acquiring some mining properties already existing, from which it is stated wonderful returns have been obtained. On an outlay of In 5,000, two mines —Tho Doma Mungi and the Sons of Freedom—alone have already retainedL2o3,ooo. “Monthly returns of L 20,000, of which one-half would be profit,” may, we are assured, he “ safely relied upon and this net return of L 120.000 a year is to be had for LI 10,000, only LIO.OOO of which is asked in cash, the rest being taken in paper as fully paid up shares. “The public, therefore,” remarks'? the Times, “ are offered for LIOO,OOO, LOO,OOO of which is to go to working expenses and plant, a mining'propcrty which oughtjto he cheap at a million. This seems generosity without adequate motive, and we should think the money had better be raised in Victoria, where the gift of so valuable a property might be better appreciated than it is likely to he here.”

We are given to understand that under the heading “New Zealand as it is,” a series of papers, descriptive of the political, social, and industrial conditions of New Zealand, will shortly appear in the Australasian. The papers are the woik of a special correspondent of that journal, who has had excellent opportunities of acquiring a full knowledge of tho details of his subject, and they are likely to bo read with great interest, especially by New Zealand readers. The first paper will appear almost immediately. With ..the July number of the Australian Sketchcr will he published, gratis, a large bird’s-eye view of Adelaide, printed on toned paper, 38in. by 26in. The writer of a letter, signed “Justice” in the Cromwell Argus, commenting upon the late case of Drury v, Aitchison pretends to hold a very high opinion of the conduct and literary probity of that journal. The Arrow Observer however, entertains a widely' different opinion, and thus dilates upon the practices of tha Argus, it says in its issue of Wednesday last—- “ Our Cromwell contemporary does not seem at all particular whether it acknowledges the extracts it makes from other journals or not. It frequently takes locals and other interesting matter from the Observer and does not acknowle Ige them. Perhaps its proprietor thinks that originality of items from the Arrow would be spoilt wero he to acknowledge that they were tho p operty of the Observer. It is an act of a very moan kind, and wo would rather that some one would begin tho “ penny-a-liner ” system to the Argus—as it has lost ids Arrow correspondent—than have oi r columns robbed.”

The Anew Observer, writing about Mr Henry Manders, M.P.0., says “He has, undoubtedly, proved himself worthy the confidence of everyone in the district, and should he return home this way, there is no doubt he will meet with a warm reception, for his zeal in the cause of the Arrow and its surroundings. The meaning of the paragraph is certainly veiled in obscurity, and it must leave Mr Manders in considerable doubt as to whether he has done too much or too little for his Arrow constituents. To relievo himself of this uncertainty, we are informed that Mr Manders returned home to Queenstown by way of tho Bluff and Invercargill, thus giving the Arrow a wide birth. From the proceedings of the Provincial Council, wo should havethoughtthat Mr Manders worked pretty hard for his Arrow constituents ; but, soma people are never satisfied.