FRIDAY, MAY 19, 1876.

Dunstan Times, Issue 735, 19 May 1876, Page 2

FRIDAY, MAY 19, 1876.

The second letter of Sir Julius Vogel to his Honor the Superintendent leave not a doubt whatever as to the intentions of the Colonial Government on the Abolition question. When Sir Julius Vogel says that Provincial Councils and Superintendents we do not propose to perpetuate or to reproduce, is sufficient evidence that the Premier has thoroughly made up his mind upon the subject, leaving little for conjecture, but that Provincialism is doomed to total extinction. Sir J, Vogel’s reply is a masterly produc tion, and he handles his subject, tho roughly upsetting Mr Macandrew’s theories as easily as an expert player would knock down skittles. We be lieve Sir Julius is quite right when he says that “ Otago has done more to necessitate Abolition than any of the other Provinces.” All our experiences prove the correctness of this assertion, and when we look at the extravagant rate which everything was being earned on with, it would have required the whole of the Colonial revenue to keep things a-going. The worst feature in all this lavish expenditure is, the Country districts have been entirely ignored, and useful and pressing works have been denied, that railways might be made, especially to benefit private individuals. If ever corruption existed, it is in the Provincial Council of Otago—.such a thing as fair play was never dreamed about, or intended, and, not content with robbing the country districts of their revenue, it has been attempted to rob them of their land, but happily the infamous scheme was nipped in the bud, and it has been brought plainly before the public that it is the General Government who are the true friends of the people. As, had it not been for General Government influences a very considerable proportion of the fair lands of one of our most prosperous mining districts would have been for ever converted to the purposes of pasture lands for sheep, instead of ultimately being put to its destined uses of producing food and providing houses for industrious men and women. It will be wise on the part cf Mr Macandrew and his followers to make the best of things as they find them. Their doom as Provincialists is cast; do whatever they may they must succumb to circumstances, and why, therefore, not give up with a good grace, instead of driving things to extremities, and making themselves ridiculous in the eyes of the Colony. At Black’s, No. 1, on Saturday to morrow, the 20th instant, the Sale of a farm of 67 acres, and dwelling-house, by the Sheriff’s Officer, under a Warrant of Fi. Fa. is noticed in another column. We have to draw attention to the Sale of Household Furniture, including a very handsome pianoforte, handsome drawingroom and bed-room suites, on Tuesday the 30th instant at the dwelling of Mr Aldridge Clyde. As the property is being sold by the Mortagee, there will be no reseive, parties furnishing will therefore do well to attend,—G. Pache, Auctioneer. We are given to understand that on account of the unavoidable detention on the road of Mr W. H. Hodgkins, Revising Officer, the Court for the revision of the Roll of the Dunstan District was adjourned from Thursday the 18th instant, till Monday the 22nk Under the heading “ Public Meeting”, in our advertising columns, it will be seen that public meetings will ho held at Alexandra, Spear Grass Plat, Clyde, and Blacks, on the several_ dates specified, to take into consideration the political situation, and with the view of forming a League to watch over the interests of the district during the coming session of Parliament. Wo cannot too strongly urge upon tho electors in the various localities to muster in force at tho meetings, and by (in expression of opinion prove that they are alive to their interests, and are determined to resent, and that to the bitter end, any attempt to infringe upon their rights and liberties. Vincent Pyke, M.H.R., has thrown out the suggestion of tho League, on the ground that hy it his hands would not only be materially strengtened, but that the district, through a reliable channel, could be communicated with and kept nested by him in the doings of Parliament during the session. Tho League, to be. a power, should be an elected one. We hope that the meetings will boar the fruit contemplated.

Mr Paohe reports having had a very unsatisfactory sale at Bald Hill Fiat, on Wednesday last—-whether it was that the holders of Cattle expected too much for their Stock, or that the dealers wanted bargains, we cannot say - at any rate only two heifers at L 6 Ss and L 4 7s 6d respectively, out of a Mob pf about GO mixed Cattle, changed hands. Prices offered and refused for Steers (medium) was aboht 255. per lOOlbs. For the whole Mob a private offer of L 4 pier head was refused, in the Resident' 'Magistrate’s Court, Blacks, on Tuesday, the 6th instant, the following business was transacted before W. L. Simpson, Esqipß.M. Thompson v. Gloag, amount of promissory note. Adjourned for proof of service.—Harrington and Gavin v. Chappie—Claim, L4O. Judgment for L 54 and costs.—Harrington v. Chappie—Claim, L 5 7s 6d. L2 was paid into Court and accepted by plaintiff.— Chappie v. Harrington—Claim, L4O, damages done to growing crops by defendant’s cattle, and trespass. Judgment for L2C and costs, —Chappie and Cable v. Harrington—Claim, LSO for damages to crops and and trespass of cattle. Judgment for Ll7 and costs.—Cottingham v. Ah Sue—Claim, L 6. Settled out of Court.—S. Leask (trustee) v, Leitchfield. Summons not served. In the Warden’s Court there were a number of applications dealt with. By a telegram received by us on Friday last, we leam that the yield of a trial crushing of five Tons of stone from the Maryborough claim. Arrow river was twenty-five and a half ounces. As the whole of the quartz had to be packed on horseback, it may be fairly assured that nothing more than net weight was given, consequently the return must be looked upon, it even it should be thought the. whole of the gold was saved, to bo highly remunerative. Eavtng -Been the’Jbattery and pretty well examined it, we believe, however, that at the very least the yield was not more, if so much, as two thirds of what it contained—we therefore without any hesitation pronounce the Maryborough Reef to be the richest lode ever discovered in Otago, and despite whatever our Cromwell friend may say to the contrary, we are still of the belief that there are tons of stone in sight that would, if not mixed with ajlot of mullock, yieldjtwenty ounces to the ton. Constable Madigan,*who has for the past five years been attached to the local police force of Clyde, yesterday took his departure from amongst us for his new quarters at Queenstown. As a public officer we can without fear of contradiction say that Mr Madigan ever did his duty in a conscientious manner, fearing none and favorhm none, and though, what is our loss will be Queenstown’s gain, we sincerely regret that the exigencies of the service demanded his removal from amongst ns We have to acknowledge the third numher of the New Zealand Press News, published by Messrs'Coulls and Culling, Dimedin, for the Otago Typographical Association. Though its contents are more particularly addressed to members of the Press, they are well worth reading by those outside that circle, and we doubt not it will have a wider ‘circulation than at present, when it is better known. A telegram published in our Dunedin contemporaries, dated Brisbane, May 13, savs—“ Eighty-six diggers from Cook town have been imprisoned for fourteen days each for illegally obtaining return passages. Many look as if they had suffered severe hardships on the Palmer diggings. Nearly five hundred diggers have returned from the rush to Townsville.” We (Grey River Argus) have been shown a private letter from a late resident of Grey mouth, who is now at the Cape of Good Hope. He states tfiat the Cape Gold-fields are being gradually deserted by the European miners, the ground being too poor, and the cost of provisions, &c., owing to the heavy freight charges, leaving-no margin for the minors. He advises that no New Zealand leave for this field, as only bitter disappointment would be the result. The following is from the Western Morning News “It tarns out to be a fact, as was some time ago reported, that Stanlev, the African explorer, is not Stanley at al, but Rowlands. It will be remembered that when he was over here last the question as to his nationality was raised, and it now appears to 'be settled. He is net an American but -a Welshman. John Rowlands, alias Henry M. Stanley, left his home at Denbigh several years ago. After reaching America he assumed the name of Stanley, and under that name wrote to his friends. In 1565 he was in the United States’ navy, and served as an officer, with L 3" 0 a year pay. In 1866 he visited his mother, who has married a second time, and is now Mrs Jones ; and on December 14th of that year, he, for the occasion, dropped his assumed name and addressed the school children at St. Asaph, where he had received his early education. Soon afterwards he became connected with the New York Herald, and was sent to England to be chief correspondent for that paper, Then followed his expedition on behalf of Livingstone, and the success of it so delighted the Americans' that Stanley did not care to wound their national self-esteem by telling them that he was not one of them, but only a Britisher who had accomplished the feat. So in this country he played the role of an American citizen ; but to his friends in Wales he spoke his native Welsh. A virulent disease has broken out among the cattle in the Minhamite district (says the Belfast Gazette.) It is supposed to be a kind of dropsy, and it has proved so fatal that in some paddocks half of the flocks have been carried off by its ravages. At Messrs Learmonth’a station we leam that the loss has been very great, while Mr Laidlaw has also suffered to a large extent. In a paddock containing some 2,000 sheen, we are informed thhf, being unaware -of the breaking out of the disease, the owner, when he went to inspect them, found it almost impossible to drive his buggy along for the quantity of dead carcases. We are requested to draw attention to the sale of Household Furniture, on Tuesday next, the 23rd instant, by Mr Fache, at his rooms, Clyde. To persons requiring some really good furniture the opportunity should be taken advantage of. A meeting of the Clyde Library Committee was held on Tuesday afternoon last, when it was resolved, after some discussion, to again open its doors. For particulars we refer onr readers to the advertisement headed “ Clyde Public Library,” and placed over the leader. Now that the Committee have awoke to ther duty, let us hope the residents of Clyde will, to a man, do their duty and assist in preventing the doors from being again closed. The Clyde Library building, for the purposes designed, is equal to any on the northern goldfields, there being one fine, handsome room for the library and reading room, and another at the rear for the use of -committees or discussion classes, both well lighted, and provided with fire places and register grates, forming, in the whole, as comfortable a resort as one could wish for. Tho book shelves are stocked with about 600 volumes, while the tables are supplied with a large number of newspapers and magazines ; in fact, there is everything combined that one could desire, and we but reiterate the hope that that support will be given as to prove it is appreciated.

Blacksmiths mid wheelwrights will notice by advertisement in another column the Sale of Material, the property of Mr Edward Aldridge, Clyde, on Tuesday next the 23rd instant. We were unable to ho present at the Concert, given on Wednesday evening last in the Athenaeum Hall, Cromwell, ■ in aid of the Cromwell Brass Band, and at which the Clyde Brass Band ; as also, several lady and gentlemen amateurs played no insignilicant part; wo understand, however, that it was a most unqualified snccces. The numerous audience, folly 250 being present, shewing in the most unmistakeable manner their appreciation of the efforts of the performers. The Ball, which took place immediately after the Concert was most enjoyable, at times there being fully fifty couples on the floor. In anticipation of the erection of a mill by the Dunstan Flour Mill Company by the next harvest, a great many farmers are preparing their ground for wheat. On Monday evening last, Vincent Pykn, M.H.R. delivered his Lecture “On Old Victoria ” in the Town Hall, Clyde, Mr B. Naylor, Mayor, occupied the chair. Through some misunderstanding there was but a scant attendance, inferentially, neither lecturer or his audience felt as much at ease, as had therejbeen more present, (inter alia, we may mention no slight was intended to Mr Fyke, as on the evening after the Lecture, and since, we have heard many regret their ab enee.) The Lecture, which was a recounting of scenes and incidents that hj ad come under the eye of the lecturer during the early days of the Victorian goldfields, was given in a masterly manner, drew forth repeated applause, and at the conclusion demanded a vote of thanks, which was heartily and unanimously accorded. On the Wednesday following Mr Pyke gave the same lecture at Alexandra, where he was more successful in drawing a good attendance. We have to express our regret that want of space and other circumstances prevent our giving a more lengthened report of the lecture, but we hope, if not in our next, in a future issue to make amends for this scant notice. Writing about swallows, the Hobart Town Mercury says :—“ By some law of nature these twittering little strangers visit our island every year. The date of their arrival is somewhat uncertain. Last year the elastic wing was earlier than now —the 17th of March, we think, but it might have been earlier elsewhere. Yesterday morning, however, just after daylight, a family of new colonists—a thousand or thereabouts—might have been seen whirling over the gum trees and along the slopes of Knocklofty. They were still on their journey, and soon out of sight in the northeast.” We extract the following startling figures from a sub-leader in the Daily Times of the 16th instant.— Deposits in the banks during the quarter ending March 31, 1876, L 5,361,909, or an increase of L 752,135 on last year. Of advances there was a deficiency of LI, 167,079. Reckoning our population at 360,000, the banks are owed about L 25 per head for every man, woman and child. The Wellington correspondent of the Daily Times says:—“l think it is very likely indeed that as 1 before hinted in one of my letters, the new Counties will be proclaimed before Parliament meets. It is generally understood that they have already been marked off and decided upon, and it is by no means unlikely that they will be called into being by a proclamation under the Definition of Districts Act, ISSS. The marriage of Madame lima de Murska (Mr Anderson) to Signor Straus Ilia, (Mr John Thomas Hill) is announced in our Dunedin exchanges. A very “ old identity’ has been visiting the Oamaru district, and the North Otago Times gratifies his wish that his name should appear in print. “ Old Jack,” as he is called in the district, is turned eighty-two, and has been in New Zealand, or New Zealand water for over half a century fifty-four years. He has visited the Aucklands, ami all the islands and rocks round about New Zealand, and claims to have killed more whales and seals than any other man known living in the Colony. He is still a healthy, looking, cheery, old man, though his face is seamed with the wrinkles of a hard and adventurous life ; and. We trust, he has many more than the three or four days he counts upon in store for him before he goes aloft.