FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 11, 1876.

Dunstan Times, Issue 721, 11 February 1876, Page 2

FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 11, 1876.

The annual report of the Treasurer of the Dunstan District Hospital which appears in another portion of our columns, is so far satisfactory that the debit balance of the Institution only seemingly amounts to L4B 2s 2d. But a much worse state of affairs is however revealed by a critical examination of the Balance Sheet and Report—the real deficiency amounting to L 321 2 5, and it is as well that we ask ourselves how such an unfortunate state of affairs conies to exist. The actual expenses of the Institution for the past twelve months amounts to LI 114 51, while the receipts; instead of being as represented, LI 121 19 8, are only in reality L 793 2 8, the diffeience between the latter and former sums, L 328 17 0 represented by assets from the previous year, consisting of Ll5O, a special grant from the Government on account of indebtedness as against Cromwell contributions for the year 1874 diverted in the direction of the local Hospital, and Ll7B 17 0, subsidy due on ordinary subscriptions for 1874. So far Cromwell has squared its accounts with the Dunstan Hospital, but our neighbors have saddled us with a considerable expense during the last financial year. We commenced with seven in-door patients from Cromwell, while during the year it sends us twenty more, which patients, at the average daily cost of 7s lOd, equal to 766 days in all represents an outlay of L3OO 0 4. Tim receipts from Cromwell are—-L3O 2 0, subscriptions; L3O 2 0, Government subsidy on the same, and L 32 2 0 from paying patients, making in all L 92 6 o—leaves Cromwell debtor to the Dunstan Hospital in the amount of L 207 14 4. We do not desire to fall out with our Cromwell friends on this account for so largely patronising our hospital, still, we think that while we have been put to so much extra o xpense on their account, it would be nothing but right to expect that they should take some steps to recoup us for our loss. Ciomwell, so far as gold mining is concerned, is without doubt more prosperous than we are judging by its Escort returns, which are the largest of any mining district in Otago. We therefore desire nothing more than that our neighbors will accord to us that measure of justice and Dirplay which unquestionably is our due.

It is with much pleasure we learn that the General Government have despatched the Under Secretary for the Goldfields, Mr C. E. Haughton, on a tour through the mining districts of the South Island. It is high time that something was done by some Government in the shape of taking an interest in an industry upon the success of which so much of the future prosperity of the Colony depends. Since the Abolition Bill was announced, the Provincial authorities have almost forgotten the existence of the Otago Gold-fields, and excepting the raids made upon holders of agricultural and mining leases for payment of rents, and the fact of a Goldfields’ Secretary finalising for months past at Cromwell, and drawing a salary of L4OO per annum and travelling expenses for doing so, as is pointed out in the letter of our Queenstown correspondent, the existence of a Provincial Government would not be known. Excepting the new rush near Creswiek’s Creek, there appears to he complete stagnation in gold mining affairs in Victoria, and possessing so much undeveloped auriferous country as we,do here, more especially in the shape of quartz reefs, it would he highly beneficial to our interests could something he done which would authoritively place the real state of our affairs before the Victorian public. As it is, we are letting n our light shine under a bushel,” for there can be no mistake about it that the same prospects which exist here and remain unnoticed, were they but in Victoria, their possession would positively be at a premium. Although we have not made so very much progress in quartz mining as yet, thei - e is no doubt about the existence of numerous auriferous quartz lodes, and which will he worked to profit some day, The late hurried visit of Professor Ulrich was some proof that the wealth and prospects of our mines only wanted making known, and where success attended so small a movement towards drawing public attention to the mineral wealth of Otago, what advantages might we not expect from some comprehensive scheme to do likewise throughout the length and breadth of the Colony, and which could only he undertaken by the General Government. Mr Haughton may not be possessed of the scientific accomplishments Of Mr Ulrich, still by taking the opinions of his officers the Wardens, together with those of experienced miners, some statistical record might be prepared, which should attract miners and capitalists from the we'l worn fields of Victoria to try their foi tunes here. An infusion of new b’ood into our mining industry would prove of immense benefit, in fact, one of our great drawbacks seem to bo the want of more

experienced men to undertake the working and management of our mines. We therefore look upon Mr Haughton’s visit as the harbinger of increased interest being taken by the Government in the success of the gold, holds.

Wo are requested to draw attention to the advertisement notifying that the visit of His Lordship Bishop Moran, to Tinker’s Gully, is indefinitely postponed. It is notified in another column that the privileges in connection with ensuing race meeting on the Clyde Course will be sold by auction on Thursday next, the 17th inst., at Cox’s Port Phillip Hotel. We understand that Dr Thomson has returned to the Colony, having arrived in the ship Wild Deer, which reached Port Chalmers during yesterday. We hear of a most distressing accident having happened to Mr Mee of Forest Farm, Manuherikia—it appears he was leading out his entile horse (Royal Duke), when he attacked him. sejzing his arm, and completely smashing it. Mr Mee was conveyed to the Mount Ida Hospital, where amputation was successfully performed. We are informed by the District Land Officer that cf the 5500 acre Block of land in Sppttia Hnndred, bettor known perhaps as Ulassford’s Swamp, 1379 acres were applied for on the first day it was open for selection. Who after this will say that land is not required. It has been mooted that it would bo an act of grace on the part of the Mayor if he would proclaim Saturday the 19th instant, the occasion of the Cricket Match between the Squatters and a picked team from three towns, Cromwell, Alexandra, and Clyde, a public holiday. We give prominence to the idea, and hope that ills Worship may see fit to give effect to it. Blacks No. 1 is pretty well taken possession of by the Chinese, of whom there are now nearly 200 on the ground. Their principal scene of operations is at the upper end of the fiat, on or contiguous to the land which was secured by the squatter some years ago as a pre emptive right, and as an evidence of the value of this ground they have leased 15 acres for a term of six years, and for which they have paid a lump sum of Ll2O, being a yearly rental of LI 6s 4d per acre. On Monday evening last the Star Dramatic Troupe, under the management of Mr Howe (brother of Mr B. L. Farjeon, gave their entertainment in the Town Hall, Clyde, which was thoroughly appreciated by the audience. Miss Power, as the (daughter of the Regiment) was good and was most deservedly applauded for her singing. The rest of the company were well up in their several parts. As a whole, the entertainment was one of the best we have witnessed for soma time past, and regret that the arrangements of the troupe would not admit of them giving a second entertainment. Delaney v. Time.—This match was made against time —ten miles within the hour, for the sum of L2O a side, and took place on Tuesday afternoon the Ist inst., at 6 p.m., before a large number of business people and miners of Tinkers and Drybread. The course was a very rough and hard one, but it was the best that could be picked about the place. Delaney started at a good swinging pace covering the first five miles in splendid form, and was loudly cheered by all present. We are sorry to state, however, that after he passed the thirty-ninth lap his shoes were broken round the sides, which was done by the gravel and stones. He still, however, ran with half the side pf his left foot projecting out of the shoe, without showing the slightest distress though his feet were cut up very badly. The whole distance was ran with great pluck and gamenoss, time being called, 63 minutes, amidst loud cheering. He worked hard, but the great judge Time could not wait. His wind was just as good at the finish as when he started. After the race was over Mr J. Mellor collected a sum of money and presented Delaney with the same for the plucky manner in which he ran, under such adverse circumstances. The timekeepers were Mr J. Mellor, Newtown Hotel ; and Mr J. Spratt, miner. The number of laps were counted by Mr J. H. Thomas, who was appointed by the backers of Time. We are informed that Delaney’s backer is about to make a match for LI 00 a side as soon as Delaney’s feet get better, which we hope will not be long. We understand that it is the intention of Mr Vincent Pyko to test the power of the Governor to dissallow the Gold Bonus Ordinance. A contemporary states that the exhibits from Otago at the Philadelphia Exhibition will bo limited to a few bottles of Slesinger’s balsam. The Timaru Herald states, from an official source, that the General Assembly will meet in June. The exact date is not fixed. The ordinary prorogation proclamation will bo gazetted immediately. The Mount Ida Chronicle says :—Mr Abbot’s contracts on the head race are now completed. His overseer, Mr Kirkwood, has left with his family. Sixty-live miles of the race are now constructed, and ten Government heads of water could be delivered this side of Coal Pit Gully almost immediately, if the powers that be would only will it. The Clntha Leader says Wo regret to learn that Mr Shipton, a Dunedin commercial travellea, well known in the Province, received a sun-stroke the other day in the neighborhood of Bald Hill Flat between Roxburgh and Alexandra, on the Molynoux, Mr Shipton, by last accounts, was recovering slowly. The heat temperature exceeded 100 degrees in the shade. Lady to servant “ Mary, Ido not approve of your entertaining your sweetheart in the kitchen.” Mary : “ Well, ma’m, it’s very kind o’ you to mention it ; but he is from the country you see, ma’m, and I’m afraid he’e too shy and orkard in his manners, ma’am, for you to like him to come upstairs |I