FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 25, 1876.

Dunstan Times, Issue 723, 25 February 1876, Page 2

FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 25, 1876.

The number of applications for land under the Deferred Payment and Agricultural Lease systems, which have lately appeared in the columns of this newspaper is pretty good evidence that the mining population desire to make it their home; and when we come to consider that, in numerous instances there are several applications for individual blocks, it unmistakebly points to the conclusion th't the area of land already open for occupation is insufficient to supply public requirements. Still, however satisfactory it may be to us to see the people settled upon the land, we should be failing in our duty were we not to point out to them the obligations dependent upon their new positions. We quite endorse the very flattering ideas of Sir Julius Vogel, when in his reply to the address of the citizens of Wellington, presented to him by the Mayor of that city when landing from the Arawata, when he so highly eulogizes the Colony, its climate, capabilities, and people ; at the same time it is also necessary that the other side of this coleur de rose picture should be shown. A florid description of the advantages of a new country is, however, one thing, while its actual realisation is quite another, and while we may be driven into ecstacies of delight at finding all the hardy, industrious and intelligent population settled down upon the soil, the question of how they are to employ their time profitably, very naturally suggests itself It must be distinctly borne in mind that our staple articles of export are gold, wool and grain ; for the two former there is always a ready sale, no difficulty whatever being experienced in turning them into money, more especially the first-named, which is equivalent to money itself. But, it is a far different aff dr with the last, the market for which is only a limited one, while even that is subject to considerable fluctuation, and there exists also great danger from an over-produc-tion. In respect to soil and climate there is*perhaps no country under the sun more suitable for the purposes of the farmer, as he can depend upon having a good crop every year, his operations being positively free from those periodical scourges which, in the shape of drought, rust, inclement seasons, &c., visit his fellows in other countries, Yet, notwithstanding all these advantages the New Zealand farmer, as a rule, is not over-pros-perous, excepting under the very favorable circumstances of having a market almost at his door. Farmers in the Dunstan district have, in this respect been very fortunate ; and they have also had the advantage of high prices. But, we question much whether these can be maintained with any very large increase in the number of producers. As an article of export serial crops must, with us, become almost a dead letter ; and when once the supply exceeds local demands there will follow a serious fall in prices. Up to the present time the operations of our farmeis have been chiefly confined to the production of horse feed, and, as far as we can see, the area under crop this season greatly exceeds that of any other, while the yield per acre will also be very large, and oats, therefore, must decline in value. Such be ing the case, it behoves persons taking up land to turn their attention to wheat, for which there must necessarily be a demand, so far as the Dunstan district is concerned, and, possibly we might for a season or two be able to export to Mount Ida. It is of no use, however, growing wheat unless we possess the means to convert it into flour, and now that the Molyneux will very shortly be bridged at Clyde, and the whole of the eastern and western portions of the district rendered easily available for every description of traffic, it is high time that some decisive steps were taken to bring the long talked-about flour mill to a practicable issue. This is a matter which seriously concerns the business people, who, if they desire to see the country settled, and the number of their customers consequently increased, it becomes obligatory upon them to perform their part by assisting the agri culturists to manufacture their raw product, in the shape of wheat, into a marketable article. It is useless to suppose that it is the duty of the farmers to start a flour mill themselves; they perform their part when they produce the raw material. Its convertibility into other shapes must be undertaken by the trader. Settlers in the Dunstan District will also do well to turn their attention to other things besides the gr owing of grain. In this favorable climate we can produce fruits for profitable export, and when once the Southern Trunl Railway is open to Tuapeka many of the semitrophical fruits imported into Dunedin from Australia can be supplied from here; also a number of culinary ar-

ticlesrequiring a hot stm ibi 1 perfecting thoir growth. Such favorable circumstances as these for settlement do not, however’, operate all over the Province. As a rule, elsewhere, products of the firmer in the shape of cerials, must be confined to oats, wheat, and bailey, and for which descriptions of grain, statistics point out that prices must necessarily this year rule low ; in fact, it will be questionable whether they can be exported save but at a loss to the grower. The large number ot immigrants being landed upon our shores must be provided with employment in some shape or another, and to a considerable extent this can only be attained by settling them upon the lands. At the same time it is only a delusion and a snare to settle, or induce these people to settle unless they have a market for their produce, and this can only be obtained by finding other ports to which we can ship our flour and horse feed, or by further developing the capabilities of the go'dproducing districts, so as to increase the demand for local consumption. Both of these considerations are, without a doubt, ' possible of attainment, and unless this is accomplished all the fancy pictures drawn by Sir Julius Vogel, of New Zealand’s prosperty can never be realised. A large farming community, under present circumstances, can only be a poor one. The variety of their products is at the best but limited, when compared with Australia and America, while the land itself, by continued cropping will also become poor, and cease to be profitable to the owner. Persons taking up land should therefore ponder well what they are about before they speculate too rashly, or involve themselves with difficulties consequent upon their new occupation; and we caution all those anxious to become owners of the soil, not to forsake rashly their old and former employments ; but, where possible, to work them in conjunction with their farms, and so make success more sure, for depend upon it there are troublesome times in store for the agriculturists.

To-day and to-morrow will take place the Autumn Races, on the Dunstan Race Course. The entries for the various events, though not so large as for the Dunedin March Meeting, are, however, respectable, and guarantee two good day’s sport. The Grand Stand will be under the superintendence of Mr W. Eames, visitors may therefore rely on finding everything in the eatable and drinkable line of first-class quality. Register ! Register ! ! Register : ! !—The time again has come round for us to remind all those whose names are not on the Electoral Roll that the time allowed for doing so extends only to the 31st of March next. It behoves all who possess the necessary qualification to secure the privilege of citizens. Registration forms are to be had at each of the Court Houses in the district; or at the office of this paper. From inquiries made throughout the district, we learn that ’the principal crops grown in the district are oats and potatoes, aid that the estimated yield is thirty bushels, and between three and four tonsto the acre. Of barley or wheat the quantities grown are small. The grass and clover hay crop, however, is first-class, and app uirs more than sufficient to supply the demand. The District Land Officer, Mr W. L. Simpson, yesterday, submitted to competition Sections 32 and 33, Block HI., Lauder District, comprising 200 acres, for which five applications had been lodged. The competition was keen and eventually fell to the bid of Mr G. Naylor, at L 4 2s per acre, being L2 12s per acre over and above the upset price. The Government are at length calling for tenders for repairing Cromwell Bridge, and so far as our judgment goes, not one day too soon, as it appears to be getting every day more and more out of shape. The plan to be adopted is to suspend the platform by wires, and convert it into a suspension bridge. We have not heard anything definite from the quartz reef discovery at the head of Blackman’s Gully, since the publication of our last issue. The work of sinking is still being carried ou, the reef being in view. Several other claims have been marked out, but no signs of work on any of them. The Police, in the cose of George Hyde Campbell, are determined to use every endeavor to obtain a trial. The authorities in Victoria having been communicated with, and the whereabouts of the informant discovered, they are now seeking to having his attendance here. Prisoner answered to his bail yesterday, and was again remanded. By the ruling of Judge Ward in the District Court, Milton, the Districts Courts have no jurisdiction in a case of larceny as a servant. Wo are given to understand that this season Mr ,T. D. Feraud has been converting a large quantity of the fruit from his orchard into jams, putting it up into one and two pound tins. The quantity of fruit grown on this estate, though, perhaps, not so great as in years past, yet, is to be reckoned by the ton, and comprises every class, of the best description. Mr Feraud extends his garden every year by the planting of several hundreds of young trees ; this year ho .informs us he has made arrangements to plant nearly a thousand more, chiefly cherries and apricots, a fruit he says more highly prized and of readier sale than any other. Mr Feraud’s fruit wines and cordials are so well known that anything we might say would bo superfluous. The numerous testimonials that are being received by Mr Slesinger in favor of his mixture for gout and rheuraetism are a sure guarantee of its efficacy. In several instances that have come under our immediate notice where the remedy has been applied groat relief has been given.

Mr Alfred Anderson pianist, who I has carried off the grand prix in the musical world, by marrying the eminent prima donna Mdllo. lima de Murska, is a native of Sydney. He studied music in London (says the Herald) and was a member of the Royal Academy. During the visit of the Duke ot Edinburgh to Australia, his Royal Highness, who is no mean musician himself, attached Mr Anderson to his suite as pianist, and he accompanied his patron to England. Mr Anderson returned to Sydney some little time back, and his professional engagement with his wife, since his first return, was owing to the defection of Mr Pratt who accompanied the great vocalist from America. A fair syren who also stole a royal heart away in this city, won the affection of the susceptible Pratt, and he sacrificed ambition to love, and married the fair lady and carried her off to America. It is, therefore probable that Calypso had consoled herself, and Mr Anderson owes his good fortune to this circumstances. A frightful example, says the Pall Mall Gazette, has lately been made at Forfar, in Scotland, of the town’s “ drummer and bellman” for allowing himself to be made an instrument of ribaldry directed at the municipal dignitaries. It seems that this reckless functionary lately paraded the streets making a public announcement in the following terms :—“ Wanted candidates for the nearly defunct Town Council. Apply to B. E. 11. C., at the Carlton. These letters being interpreted mean the Burgh Election Reform Committee, and the Carlton, a room in a public-house much frequented by that august body. This was more than the Town Council could stand, and accordingly the “drummer and bellman” was dismissed from his post, and now is but a private member of society in Forfar, wandering gloomily about the streets, with “his occupation gone.” In the meantime the affair has created much discussion in the once peaceful town. It is urged by the drummer and bellman’s supporters that his dismissal is unwarrantable, and at a nomination meeting held last week the person at whose instance the announcement was made declared that the whole affair was “ a lark,” and that if the Magistrate’s and Town Council had not disgraced themselves all the drummers and bellmen in Scotland could not have injured them. This statement was received with tremendous applause, and the latest accounts from the town are of a most disheartening if not alarming nature. The Daily Times says Another breach of promise case has been initiated, and in all probability will be tried at the next session of the Supreme Court. Rumor speaks plainly in this case for the edification of judge and jury and the special delectation of the general public, the exhibits are to comprise, among other matters, a wedding dress and a host of love letters. The gentleman—need it be mentioned ? —resides on that abode of bliss, the plain of Taieri, and the lady is a governess at present residing in Dunedin. For affections trifled with she seeks the only poor redress the law will allow her—damages LSOOO. The writ has been served upon the defendant, who, it maybe mentioned, is in good health Legal talent of the highest ability has been engaged on each side, and all the circumstances of the case, so far as we have heard, would appear to indicate that evidence of a most interesting description will be adduced. The trial of coach v. railway is ’going on at Nelson, and Jehu advertises the following arguments on his side of the question. He says the public should support the coach, because :—(1.) It has done good service for eleven years. (2.) It is cheaper. (3.) After this week the hours will suit jou better than the railway. (4.) I pick up and land passengers at their own gates. (5.) I take your parcels and deliver them at their address in town. (6.) I don’t pretend to take you to Foxhill and drop you two miles short of it, (7.) 1 know yon, and you know me, and that I may be depended upon to execute your commissions faithfully. On Wednesday afternoon last the district was visited by one of the heaviest rain pours, accompanied by thunder and lightning, we have witnessed for some time. Fortunately it was of short duration, lasting not more than an hour, otherwise, we might have to record a chapter of accidents, as it is, the only damage we have heard of is in the gardens, the trees being pretty well stripped of their fruit, and to the roads, which are considerably cut up. We understand that the late find in the Cromwell Company’s claim, Bendigo puts in the shade everything previously found in that claim, a sample of stone yielding on the average of 330z. to the ton. The' Eureka Company are making preparations for a crushing at the ; r battery (the old Alta) — the tramway to the battery being complete, and saving a few odd jobs, everything is in readiness for a start. This Company has exhibited more genuine pluck than any other Company yet started on Bendigo they have worked slowly, unostentatiously, yet surely, and deserve a rich reward for their labor, which we hope will fall to them. A funny writer in the columns of an exchange, credits Sir Julius Vogel with the following speech:—“ Gentlemen, suppose all the property you were worth was in gold, and you had put it in the hands of Blondin to carry across Niagara Falls on a rope, would you shako the cable or keep shouting out to him, Blondin stand up a little straighter ; Blondin, stoop a little more—go a little faster—lean a little more to the North—lean a little more to the South ? No, you would hold your breath as well as your tongue, and keep your hands off until he was safe over. The Government are carrying an immense weight. Untold treasures are in their bands. They are doing the best they can. Don’t badger them. Keep silence, and we’ll get you safe across.”) From the large number ot entries for the various events to bo competed for at the ensuing Dunedin March Meeting it promises lo bo the most successful yet held.

TLo Japan Mail states that a fresh batch of fifteen students will shortly be son abroad for instruction. Of these, two will be sent to France, two to Germany, and eleven to the United States, whence they will bo subsequently sent to continue their studios in England. The chief excitement this last week—writcs’our Queenstown correspondent—has been the news from the newly opened quartz reefs at Macetown. On Friday last Mr H. J. Cope, of Arrowtown,l exhibited some splendid specimens from the prospecting claim held by himself and Mr S. Symons, on Hall and Symons’ line, since named the Cross Ilcef, from tbe fact of it running diagonally with the Homeward Bound, while the atone itself very much resembles that from the celebrated Cross Reef at Pleasant Creek, Victoria, It is certainly the best find of the sort ever made in the Wakatip district. Mr Cope represents the claim of Messrs Harrop and Anslow, No, I South as being far richer, this is probably owing to the fact of this party having done more to develop their claim atja lower level, as in both cases the stone is said to improve with the depth. I hear that the reef is exceedingly well defined, and is three feet in width, its course is almost due north and south, the stone striking down vertically. Gold has beenjtraced on the surface and a little below it fora length of over a thousand feet. So far as present appearances go it beats the Cromwell Company hollow. The reef is situated four miles above Macetown, at the head of the Twelve-mile Creek. It will, of course, be some little time before its exact value can be ascertained, on account of the inaccessible nature of the country. In this case the Press appears to be in luck’s way for once, Mr Cope being tbe representative of the Daily Times in the Wakatip district, and Mr Symons for the Arrow district. I cannot say whether those gentleman intend resigning their literary functions, if so, there should be a splendid opening for two other enterprising newspaper contributors, who, possibly, might be equally fortunate, the Daily Times and Evening Star possibly having a magical infiuenoe in finding gold. We can only say that we hope the same good fortune will attend our correspondent in those parts. The following found space in last Saturday’s Daily Times. “ Direct Telegrams fmm Europe, per Banter’s Express.—Congratulatory Messages.—London, February 18th.—Earl Carnarvon to Julius Vogel England congratulates you on succes of enterprise. Trusts will unite more strongly than ever good feeling existing between Colony and mother country.—Sir Julius Vogel to Earl Carnarvon—New Zealand thanks you for your kind sentiments. May the knot now tied never be severed. lily got is better ; Slesinger's balsam did it. -- February 18lh.—J. G. S. Rant to Bradlaugh, Lambeth—Country going to the dogs ; pamphlets won’t sell. I’m played out hero. Abolition did it. —[There are no other messages to hand at the time of our going to press.]” Isn’t it funny. Who is to bo blamed for allowing droves of cows with their progeny ; also perfect colonies of goats to wander about the town by day and by night, destroying everything that comes within their reach, and even some things fairly beyond their reach, as they either break down fences or jump over walls to carry out their dire purposes, we cannot say but that some one is neglecting his duty there is not a doubt, and the sooner they are brought to task the better. In any other township the nuisance is recognised, and every possible thing is done to abate it, and we fail to see why our authorities do not set the law in motion. Another nuisance, but affecting us in another form, are the droves of geese and ducks that are allowed to disport themselves to their heart’s content in the town races. We hope to hear of some action being taken to rid us of these pests.