The Dunstan Times. FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 12, 1875.

Dunstan Times, Issue 708, 12 November 1875, Page 2

The Dunstan Times.

FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 12, 1875.

Beneath the rule of men entirely just thi PEN is MIGHTIER than the SWORD.

From unavoidable-circumstances we are compelled to hold over till our next issue our customary leading article,! and other matter. The Wakatip Mail learns, on pood authority, that. Cobb and Co. have been unsuccessful in tendering for the conveyance of the Queenstown, Clyde, and down-coun-try mails. The tender of a new firm being accepted. Wc are given to unders L and that the tender of Mr P. Siedeberg, 1.512, has been accepted for building the new Episcopalean Church at Clyde. We have received from the publishers (Messrs Reith and Wilkie, Dunedin) the first number of the New Zealand Jurist, (new series) containing amongst other matter, some of the decisions of the late Wilson Cray, District Court Judge ; also, from the same firm, the Tonic Sol-Fa edition of the sacred songs and solos sung by Mr Sankey ; and Reith and Wilkie's Table Book for the use of beginners in arithmetic. Either work is lying on our table for inspection. The late seasonable and welcome rains that have fallen have had a marked effect upon the vegetation—everything now growing apace. To the miners it must prove a perfect God-send, as previously, a general scarcity was complained of. whereas, now there is a good supply, the sluicers especially being able to prosecute their workings with full heads of the indispensable motive power. On dit.—Mr Donald Reid, Provincial Secretary, accompanied by Mr D. MaoKellar, Goldfields Secretary, is expected to visit the District within a few days. We would suggest to our local governing powers to look up their several wants and bring them under the notice of these gentlemen during their visit. The addition of the stud horse (celebrated trotter) Mercury to the long list of horses that visit Clyde for this season, we draw the attention of breeders, and would adv'se all who have not secured a horsejto inspect this noble beast before doing so. Mr Commissioner Weldon, of the Otago Police, made his usual annual visit to the district during the past week. We understand that he fixed upon the she of the new Gaol at Clyde ; and while at Arrowtown, agreed to the site as selected by Mr Inspector Moore, for the Gaol at that place. It is arranged that the Clyde Gaol will not

be commenced till the completion of the one at the Arrow. Mr George Fache requests us to dmv attention to the sale by auction of valuable freehold properties, household furniture, horses, building material. &o, at Roxburgh, on Monday, the 22nd inst. Mr Horace Bastings, M.P.C , as one of a deputation who lately waited on His Honor the Superintendent, relative to the repairing of the Lawrence and Teviot road, said—- “ Accidents occurred every week on the bill between Lawrence and Beaumont; and that the Tnapeka paper did not mention those accidents now because they were so common.” According to contemporaries, Sir Julius Vogel is in considerable request as a desirable candidate for re-election as member of the House of Representatives It is stated that in Hunedin, Nelson, Wanganui, and

Grey Valley, a desire is felt to return him. The Dunstan was the first district the hon. gentleman represented in the Assembly, and who knows but that he might feel inclined to again woo his old constituents if asked. We have to acknowledge the receipt of further copies of the Act of Par'iament during the last session. Amongst the number the Municipal Corporation Act Amend--ment Act is worthy of inspection by oar members of Municipal Councils. The following notice appears in the General Government Gazette published last night“ With a view to the application of the sum granted for the current year to municipalities and road hoards, it is requested that returns showing the amount actually received by each municipality or road hoard during its last past financial year in respect of rates levied for that period be forwarded to the Provincial Auditor of the Province. Such returns must bo made on forms to be obtained from the Provincial Auditor, and must bo verified hy the solemn declaration of the mayor of the municipality, or the chairman of road board, os the case may be. - H. A. Atkinson.” The Palmerston Times reports;—"At Fnllarton’s, or the Four-Mile, near the Hyde di ,'gingi, a party of miners have struck good gold, at 150 feet sinking ; the washdirt is four feet deep, and yields over two ounces to the load. The party intends to work the ground by tunnelling. It is understood that this rich ground has been looked for during the past two or three years, and it is gratifying to hear of its discovery.”

A commission has been appointed by the Governor to inquire into tho nature of certain claims on a colliery reserve at Westport. 'J he claim consists of certain buildings erected and improvements made in the said reserve, valued by claimants at £50,000. The Government allege that no authority was ever given to these parties to squat on the reserve ; and District Judge Weston and Warden Beetham, of Queenstown, Otago, have been appointed commissioners to investigate tho case. They ait on the 25th inst., at Westport. The General Elections.- -The Grey Kiver Argus, generally well informed, says on this subject:—The day of election is likely to occur sooner than was expected. It was expected that the election would not take place till February next, when the present Parliament would expire by the effluxion of time. But it is understood that instructions have already been forwarded to Beturning Officers to prepare the mechanical appliances connected with polling, and the presumption therefrom is that the election may come upon us at any moment, "like a

thief in tho night." Sir G-nree Grey and Fitzherliert are delighted to have an opportunity of inspecting the waste lands of Otago, with the purpose of carrying out their views of appropriating them as the property of the whole Colony in general, and Wellington and Auckland in particular.—We understand that Mr Murray (the member for Bruce) intern's to apply the first instalment of his honorarium in tho purchase of a pair of new inexpressibles ; he having,-during last session, by his constant and rapid action in rising up and sitting down prejudicially affected the seat of his trousers. We hope this is not premonitory to his losing his seat altogether. —Saturday Advertiser. Some months ago a digger by the name of Stanley was admitted to the Hokitikia Hospital, where, through indisposition, he was obliged to remain for several months The sequel is thus told by tho West Coast Times : —When leaving he stated that he was without funds, hut he desired to pay for the medical attendance and hoard provided him while in the Hospital, and he requested that the account for the same should he rendered to his f.-iend and relative, the Earl of Derby. The Secretary of tho institution, acting upon the directions given, though not without some doubt at the time of any successful result, posted the account mentioned, which amounted to L2O ss. By the last English mail a remittance was received for the amount, and a receipt has been forwarded to the "cousin of tho Earl,” who is at present at work in the Kanieri district. The Arrow Observer says : -It is an old saying, and we scarcely think it can ha a true one, “that if once bit, wo are twice shy.” A few days ago, a fair gentleman with his better half, driving a handsome pair of hay cobs visited the district. They were—so they would have us believe, — travelling to dispose of goods belonging to a firm who had “ gone broke ” in Melbourne. They offered twee is, silks, &0., at remarkably low prices, and the fair gentleman said that sewing machines would arrive shortly, with which “ Sarah ”, would make suits of clothes, ladies dresses and riding habits at such low rates as were never before heard of. With this tale they gulled a large number of people in the district, and persuaded them to buy large quantities o F cloth, &?. It is said that no less than L-100 worth of stuff was got rid of in the Lakes district. About three years ago a gentleman (?) on the same suit visited us, and was very successful in disposing of goods. They promised that a Mr M‘Dermot should follow in their wake, and make suits up and find trimmings for 15s, and all such ridiculous prices. But Mr M'Dermot never put in an appearance although we looked out very anxiously for him. Smiling young ladies, sour and crusty old gentlemen, goodhumoured farmers, and jolly publicans are now awaiting the arrival of “ Sarah and her sewing machine,” as they want their stuff made up. One lady in the district has made her son a new suit—Oh, what a failure. Every time that boy stoops, rip goes the material. The sowing machine is brought into requisition again and again, hut ea'-h. time “rip it goes,” until the ohildis a walking mass of seams. We sincerely hope and trust that the next lot of these “ insolvent firm” people that travel this way, will provide themselves with iron armour, as if not Mrs Jones and Mrs Brown, will scald them to death. As the following conversation, which we overheard the other day will show how those ladies felt on the subject; “ The nasty thieving things, to come here and roh me and my poor child -en in that audacious manner. I spent the last L 4 I had in iny possession, and I have been saving that for I don’t know how long. Let me once get a sight of them, and if I don’t give them both something they won’t like, Mrs Jones, my name’s not what it is.” “ Well, I know what 1 would do if I could lay my hands on them. I’d nevermind, I won’t say what I’d do, hut it’s enough to drive anybody crazy. Only think, Mrs Brown, would you have believed that that soft talking man was telling you a lie. For instance, you know when I was buying that piece of silk—which I have been told since is only a lump of ruhhish. 110 called out “ Won’t you make this lady a dress for Bs, Sarah, whon the machine arrives ?” “ Oh, yes," she said. “ Would anyone have thought he was te’ling lies. Ho did it so nicely. Oh ! tho villia"s, 1 haven’t patience to talk of them.” “ Never mind, Mrs Jones, wc’ll know better next time, although when you come to think of the way wc have been swindled by those people, it’s enough to drive one mad.” Wc must say, after listening to one or two conversations like the above that we should not care for taking the place of tho next lot of “ cloth sellers ” who may visit this district.—[Wo would just mention that tho above “cloth sellers” paid Clyde a visit, and tried their “little game on,” hut most of tho inhabitants “smel’t a rat,” and, therefore, they did but little swindling.

Among tho tenders opened at a recent meeting of the Christchurch City Council was one worded as follows :—"ln the cause of piety, and in the fervent hope of assisting o improve tho morality of tho Council, we beg to tender to supply any quantity of Vloody and Sankey’s hymns at two shillings oer dozen.” It is needless to say tho lender was not accepted. The Daily Times says Tho great quarry compensation case was finally decided at "he Supreme Court yesterday, the compensation accorded, although a goodly sum in itself, falling far short of what was alleged u n ho the damages sustained. LSBOO in all was awarded by the Court to Mr Proudfoot, L 5250 to be paid in respect of the leasehold through which the Moeraki Kail way runs, and L 550 in respect of the freehold land to be taken for the purposes of the railways. Counsel for the claimant sought to obtain costs] for his client on tho ground that no specific amount of compensation had been obtained, llis Honor, however, held that 't was clear that a claim was made for Loß,o°oJodd, andjconsequently the claimant was not entitled to cost, as the Immigration and Public Works Bill provides that if the award of the Court is less than one-sixth of the amount of compensation claimed, the co'ts shall be borne by the claimant. In an aiticle headed “ The fag end of the Session,” in the New Zealand appears tho following:—On the question of the Thames water-race coming up, several gentlemen slowly uncoiled thonselves from attitudes of repose, and essayed to sneak Mr O’Eorke, 'instead of saying, “Mr O’Neill was the first to catch my eye,” said “ Mr O'Neill, I think, was the first gentleman who awoke." and in virtue of this precedence Mr O'Neill got first, turn at sneaking. Tho proceedings terminated by a fearful insult offered by the minister for .Tnslice to the Iron, member for’ Wakatip. Mr Pyke, who had hem moving amendments of equal inutility and coherence throughout the night, gave written notice of another just before the Speaker left the chair, whereupon the Hon. Mr Bowen pointed out to him that he was only wssting paper. Mr Pyke, with eye dissolved in dew” at such unkind words, and in a voice rendered indistinct hv emotion, declared his intention not to he diverted from the duty he owed his constituency by all the Governments in Heaven above or in the earth beneath, or in the waters under the earth ; and then the members went home through the early air, while Morn Wak’d by the circling hours, with rosy hand Unharr’d the gates of light.