FRIDAY, APRIL 28, 1876.

Dunstan Times, Issue 732, 28 April 1876, Page 2

FRIDAY, APRIL 28, 1876.

That portion of the Dunedin Press which advocates the cause of Provincialism appears to he coming to its senses a little on that important and all-absorbing question. The Otago Witness in a leading article says that, " It would like to see some of the outlying districts in the interior express themselves upon the new County system. The local organs of opinion, we know, do not express anything beyond the general pig heacledness of the editor, or the long purse of the principal owner, or anything else indeed, so long as it is not called the public opinion of the district.” The article then goes on to say that “ Oaraaru, Lawrence, Milton, and Riverton all give the lie to then- local paper’s poll tics; and when the Dunedin people want to know what people are saying in these districts about the situation they look everywhere except to the local paper, remembering the fiasco of the late elections.” If editors of country newspapers are pig-headed, how much more pig-headed and ignorant must be the editor of the Witness to write such rubbish. The story of the ass in the lion’s skin bears no comparison with it as an act of folly ; and we can tell that jaundiced-eyed individual that the country Press does Teahy and truly represent the opinions of the people, as, were such not the case they must immediately shut up shop, and this is borne out by the simple fact of the prosperous condition of the up-country journals. We do not hear of them getting into difficulties with their shareholders, or becoming extinct for lack of support, such practices are only confined to Dunedin newspapers, whose proprietors cannot make them pay, do what they please, or advocate what policy they like. We very much doubt if there is such a thing as an honest expression of public opinion in any Dunedin newspaper ; they are all represen tatives of cliques, and cannot even advocate their own cause without throwing mud at those with whom they disagree. Look, for instance, at the abuse which Sir Julius Yogel has received at the hands of the Daily Times and Witness ; and the unfounded lies, which we know from personal experience has been published, respecting that gentleman. What can a country reader do under such circumstances, but come to the conclusion that Sir Julius Yogel must be a man of very considerable ability, or there would not be so many attempts to write him down ; and we may go further and say that Sir Julius Vogel is well-known to a very large number of the mining and up-country population in Otago” and who are enabled to form their own opinions of his abilities without any dictation from Dunedin jour nalists. The up-country districts of Otago can have no possible sympathy with Provincialism, every available pound of the revenue is expended upon Dunedin while country districts are positively robbed of their revenues. We will allow that Provincialisls were returned, in a number of instances, bv up-country constituencies ; but, why was it? because the Old Identity and Scotch element having fastened on to the land were in a position to command the majority of votes, but let such a thing as a plebiscite be taken, and Provincialism would not be able to hold up its head. Whether the new county system will prove good, bad, or indifferent we have not space in this issue to discuss, nevertheless, as we have repeatedly said, we believe that it will, and we have offered many times good and sufficient argument to prove our assertions; but, whatever may happen to us one thing is certain, things can never be worse than they are, and any change must bo for the better.

Mi - Fache requests us to draw special attention to the sale of Mr Gideon Smith’s Coal Lease, Tcviotroad on Wednesday next the 3rd instant. Intending purchasers are referred to the advertisement appearing in another column. In the telegraphic intelligence, it will bo seen that the Waste Lands Board have refused to sanction the sale of the large Blocks of Land, and that Mr Donald Reid intimates that the Government will have to sell at a sacrifice, agricultural land. In the case of Jenkins v. Jenkins and Mitchinson a rule nisi has been obtained, cal||ing upon the defendants to show cause why a new trial should not ho granted. A man has been arrested war Wanganui, on suspicion of being Cunningham, the alleged Lake Ohau murderer. A meeting of the Progress Committee, Black-, was held on Tuesday last, to consider the proposed sale of largo blocks of land by the Government. Mr. J. C. Chappie. >rho occupied the chair, spoke at some. length, and urged that the meeting should give an expression of opinion? 'Several gentlemen having addressed the meeting a resolution condemning the Government, and asking the Waste Lands Board not to sanction the sale, was unanimously carried. A memorial to the Waste Lands Board, embodying the resolution, was drawn up and forwarded by the following mail.

In tho Warden’s Court, Alexandra, on Monday last, on tho application of G. N. M‘Donald and party, protection was granted them during the winter months for the quartz roof at the head of Conroy’s Gully, being prospected by them. From a piece of quartz, lib weight, obtained at the depth of 50 feet from tho surface, and crushed in a mortar, fully two grains of gold were obtained. This prospect of gold is considered highly satisfactory. It is announced in another column that J. T. Mackerras and .las. iladett have catered into partnership as general merchants, and that their business will be conducted iu the premises lately occupied by the late Arm of J. T. Mackerras and Co., Bond street, Dunedin. In the R.M. Court, Clyde, on Thursday, tho 27th inst., about a dozen small debt cases were heard, in the Warden's Court an action—J. Holt v. M ‘Nally, Hastie, and party—for wrongful diversion of water from the Wia Keri Kcri Creek was. decided against the defendants, tho Warden saying that as it avas tho first case of tho kind that hail onmo within his jurisdiction ; the fine avas nominal. Verdict was accordingly recorded. Fine Is, ousts of Court, and professional costs. The Bay of Plenty Times is witty. It says—Good place for match-making, the Rotomahana sulphur springs. There is a Good Templars’ Lodge on board H.M.a. Pearl, avhich is now visiting Auckland. We are given to understand that at the sale of Mr D. Scally's oroperty, at the Nevis, on Monday last, the principal competition was’for the cattle which fetched extravagantly high prices, they realising from LIIJ to LS 10s for fat, and from L 8 to L 8 for mediums. The weather being very rough prevented many ji-opla from attending. There was no particular competition for the other things, tho most of them, together with tno hotel and store, were passed in, fhe quarterly licensing meetings, at which all annual he -rises have to be received, will be hold on the first Tuesday in June (6th.) The sales of seetions in tho various townships, Clyde, Alexandra, and Roxburgh, will be held at the Survey Office, Clyde, ou Monday, May Ist, 1376. Sections in the township of Manuherikia, will be sold at Nasebv. on Monday, sth June. The Molyneux has maintained almost a summer level for the past few weeks, consequently all workings on the beaches and banks are at a stand-still ; dredging is also suspended. As the floorl has been so continuous it is thought and hoped that it will have scoured away the greater part of the tailings that has been accumulating in shoals and banks along the course of the stream. The greatest musical treat that has for a long time past been offered will be given in the Library Hall, Alexandra, on Wednesday evening, May 10th. On the occasion the Clyde Brass Band, who have been most assiduously practising for some weeks past, will appear ; as also a number of ladies and gentlemen (amateurs), from Clyde and neighborhood. The entertainment, which will conclude with a dance, is expected to be one of the best that has ever been given in the district, we therefore hope to see a bumper house.