ARROWTOWN.

Dunstan Times, Issue 690, 9 July 1875, Page 3

ARROWTOWN.

—o—(FROM OUR OWN CORP.USPONDKN’T.) The hard frosts of the last few days have brought sluicing operations almost to a stand-still, except in very favorable situations. The river workings are in a very nourishing state The Sons of Fortune tunnelling through the Arrow Falls, are now clear of the reef; the wash is a tight gravel, showing gold in small quantities. The river wash has not been reached as yet, probably some fifty feet mire will require to be driven. Both above and below the Sons of Fortune Company’s ground, mining doing first-class, L 8 to LlO per week a man being by no means an uncommon rate of wages. The Universal Company is working away, and finds their new culvert tail-race answers admirably. The late ranis have caused the water to rise 15 feet in the Arrow United, and it is thought that they will be required to cut a channel for the storm water coming down Bush Creek before they cam successfully bottom. The desire for the opening of reefs still continues.

A considerable number of cases occupied the attention of Mr Henry Stratford, R,M., in the Resident Magistrate’s Court on Tuesday last. Some were under L2O ; others were hoard under the R. M. Court Extended Jurisdiction. The cases where damages were sought for trespass, Mr Stratford decided he would not hear. The residences of the litigants, and the circumstances of the causes of action being out if his (Mr Stratford’s) Wardens’ jurisdiction ; which, in justice to Mr Bcetham, -was tl.e boundary line he preserved. Mr Stratford explained that, of course he could hear the cases, but as a matter of courtesy to his brother Magistrate he must decline. The litigants settled their disputes without the intervention of the law, frightened probably at the admirable summing up of Mr Beetham, who, after hearing a trespass squabble, gave a verdict to each claimant for all that he wanted. The litigants obtaining LSO from each other, tne respective sums claimed, has naturally produced a salutary effect upon quarrelsome neighbors. Mr Stratford also displayed a little originality and a departure from the beaten track, when, in deciding one trifling case, he refused to allow counsel’s fees, giving as his reason that, where the conduct of a ease was within the comprehension of any ordinary individual, a lawyer was a luxury, which the person enjoying it should pay for. This ruling of the Bench gave g eat satisfaction. Owens against Prase-, and Fraser against Owens occupied the Bench for some time. This was an assault case where Milk. D. Owens, of Morven Ferry, got pretty severely handled and had one of his ribs broken by Fraser. The dispute had apparently arisen through Mr Owens attempting to rescue his dog, which was being worried by two other dogs belonging to Fraser, who is a shepherd in the employ of Messrs Boyes Brothers ; the said Fraser alleging that Mr Owens’ clog was worrying his employer’s sheep. Both cases were dismissed, o>- rather, one was dismissed, and the magistrate signified ids opinion that the other would follow iu the same suit. It was therefore withdrawn.— Gilmour against Bridge, claim for L 33, value of three tons of flour, forwarded by order of defendant to one Cameron, a storekeeper residing at Winton, in Southland, was the last case heard. It appears to he a sort of a cross action, arising from a suit over a bill of exchange. Mr Bridge having agreed to take the flour as part paj ment of the bill, and then refused to do so. A verdict was recorded in favor of plaintiff, with L 7 5s costs to defendant, it not being satisfactorily pioved that defendant had been furnished with a bill of particulars. The annual meeting of members of the Arrow Miners Association was hold in the Library Hall, on Saturday evening last. The business being the election of officers and six members of Committee, retiring by rotation. Mr J. A. Miller (the President) occupying the chair. After the reading of the report by the Secretary, Mr J. F. Healey, and an address from the President, the formal part of the business was concluded with an unanimous vote of thanks all round. MrH. J. Cope was then elected by the meeting to the office of Chairman, when the elections were proceeded with : Mr J. A, Miller was elected President, and Mr J. F. Healey Secretary, and Messrs Symons, Walker, MWhertcr, Brown, Elmans, and Smith, members of Committee. The Chairman after a rather long speech upon the advantages the Arrow Mining Association had conferred upon the district, and the prosperous future looming out upon the mining interests generally throughout the Province, explained that the meeting owed much to the enterprise of Messrs Hallonstein and Mandcrs, their representatives in the Provincial Council, not forgetting also, Mr D. MacKellar, the Secretary for Goldfields, who had materially forwarded the interests of the Arrow. Mr Cope also mentioned that Mr Homy Manders

was present nml would address them ; while also there wore some matters demanding the attention of the meeting, which it would bo as well that they should deal with at once. Mr Manders spoke upon a variety of subjects, and a vote of thanks and confidence were recorded in his and Mr Hall eastern's favor. Among the propositions immediately connected with the business of the Association, one was a recommendation to the Goldfields Secretary, “ That it bo an instruction to Wardens to refuse applications for land for agricultural purposes on blocks already sot aside as auriferous reserves.” These applications had given the minors no end of trouble in making objections thereto. One of the speakers, Mr Walker, dwelt very forcibly upon tho folly of land being reserved for the purpose of tho miner, and then permitting agriculturalists to apply for its occupation. Tho Crown Terrace business produced a considerable amount of discussion. Tho report and recommendations being at variance with the evidence given in Dunedin by Messrs Symons, Cope, and G-oldstane, The proceedings were very animated, and lasted until past eleven o’clock, when they were brought to a close by an unanimous vote to tbo chair.