FRIDAY, JUNE 16, 1876.

Dunstan Times, Issue 739, 16 June 1876, Page 2

FRIDAY, JUNE 16, 1876.

The annual report of Mr Police Commissioner Weldon shews this valuable arm of the Civil Service to be in a very satisfactory condition, while there can be very little doubt but that that gentleman is a painstaking officer. Some of the suggestions contained in the report are very interesting and suggestive, particularly that which.refers to the discontinuance of the present Geld Escort service. So far as the public are concerned, this service is not of the slightest benefit to them, the Banks being the only parties advantaged, and on whose especial behalf it would appear the system is preserved, and the Province put to a very considerable expense thereby. Of course in the conveyance of treasure, it is nothing but right that some protection should be afforded, but then this should be done at the expence of the owners of the treasure, who we should imagine could procure the services of a Police Officer for a comparatively nominal charge. As to the actual carriage of the treasure itself, why that the Banks should have it conveyed to and from Dunedin and their branch establishments, whether in the shape of gold or Banknotes at the public expense we are at a loss to learn. Surely the Banks are as well able to pay for the carriage of their goods the same as other people, and we hold that the Provincial Government have no more right to apply the revenue of the country to the purposes of conveying Bank property from place to place any more than they would have in the case of ordinary merchandise for storekeepers. At one time, when travelling was beset with very groat difficulties, and the roads were infested with bad characters, a Police Escort for the safe conveyance of treasure was a necessity, but times have changed now, travelling is rapid and easy of accomplishment, and the Banks with the assistance of a Police officer, as a guard, could cmvey their gob! about the Province with equal ease and safety, as a fanner could take a bag of grain to market. It is to be desired that Mr Weldon’s suggestions will be acted upon. The necessity for a revenue police lias long been acknowledged, but how to set about it appear to be the difficulty. It is only an organised body like the Police, who can put down sly grog selling, and if any breach of the law requires punishing, it is that. To the Licen-ed Victuallers it is most unfair that they should be made to pay a heavy license fee, and then placed under police supervision, when perhaps their very next door neighbor is peimitted to carry on an illicit trade in spirituous liquors and pay nothing at all, and be free from the visits of the police in the bargain, and we can only wonder that the publicans have borne with the evil so long and not complained. There is very little room <for doubt, but that the illicit sellers of spirits are responsible for a large proportion of the crime committed within the Province, while that most of the poverty, misery and degradation of the working classes must be attributed to the same source. Sly-grog shops are a pest every where, and with an efficient revenue police with means at their disposal, the evil should not be long in being eradicated. In the matter of adulteration of fond, we are qn'te at issue with Mr Weldon. Something requires to be done in this matter, the articles that we eat and drink are becoming gradually worse and worse in quality. As a rule we pay dear enough for what we do get, retailers profits being sufficiently high to supply us with the genuine article without adulteration. Then there should be a strict inspection of weights and measures, and a pound weight should be a pound, and nothing less, while at the same time, what in liquid measure, or what is sold for a pint or a half-pint, should represent that quantity. The Provincial Government will doubtless make no move to carryout Mr Weldon’s suggestions, still, as they must very soon become an extinct body, it is to be hoped that the General Government, or more probably, the County Boards will take

the matter in hand, and secure the due observance of the law in the case herein referred to. Mr Fache draws attention to the sale of blacksmith’s and Wheelwrights plant and material at Clyde to-morrow (Saturday) the 17th instant, in the estate of E. Aldridge, a debtor. Under the circumstances of tho sale everything offered will have to be sold to the highest bidders, and as there is a quantity of really good material of trade, blacksmiths and wheelwrights will do well to attend.

To the sale by auction of valuable freehold properties, general stores, furniture, horses, etc., at Clyde and Cromwell, on the 27th of June and following days, Mr Fache, tho auctioneer, requests us to draw special attention. To parties seeking a business opening the sale presents opportunities rarely to be met with ; parties furnishing would also do well to peruse the advertisement which appears in another column. Wo understand the owner of the whole of the properties above referred to (Mr J. Hazlett) has given his instructions that the sale is to be without reserve, as he has determined to take nothing with him to Dunedin, where in future he will be engaged in business.

We notice that the steam wheel dredge lately constrneted by Messrs M’Lellan, M’Kenzie, and Co., is now at work on the river opposite Sandy Point, about mid-way between Alexandra and Clyde. From enquiries made we learn that the machinery works admirably, and is, in every respect suitable for the pursoses for which she was built, but that up to the present though several beaches have been tried, a sufficient quantity of gold has not yet been obtained to make the concern a payable one. The amount of drift the dredge is capable of raising, as compared with other styles of dredges formerly used on the river, is spoken of as being very great, and consequently little doubt is entertained but that there are plenty of places in the river wheie she will pay handsomely. The proprietary have our hearty wishes that they may soon strike payable dirt, as they richly deserve it for their perseverance. In another column appears the programme of an Amateur Concert to be given this Friday evening the 16th instant, at Kemp’s Cape Broom Hotel, Bald Hfll Flat, on behalf of the funds of tho local Schoi 1. We hope the performers will be rewarded with a bumper house. The weather for the past few weeks has been exceedingly variable, two or three days intensely cold with hard biting frosts, followed by days in succession of open warm weather, reminding one more of spring rather than mid-winter—throughout, however, it has been fine healthy weather, and suitable for mining operations, there being suffeient heat and moisture to produce an abundance of water. An advertisement in another column notifies that a meeting of delegates of the Dunstan District Political and Protection League will be held in the Library Hall. Alexandra, on Wednesday next, the 21st instant, at 3 p.m. From a perusal of the report in another column of the meeting held in the Library Hall, Clyde, it will be seen the League mean business, it is therefore to be hoped they will be supported by each sub-division of the Dunstan district, not merely by the attendance of their delegates, but by the advice and suggestions of the district generally, but to do this they must be recognised and assisted or all their efforts will be futile, and as useless—as one member expressed himself—as blowing dust at the moon.

In the Resident Magistrate’s Court, Clyde, on Thursday last, Mr English and Mr Harrison—both owners of bullock teams, and bo f hj engaged principally in carting stores to the Nevis—appeared at the snit of R. Stewart, Esq., Manager of Hawksburn Station, for damage done to wire fences by defendants’ bullocks. The evidence being conclusive that the damage complained of was done by defendants’ bullocks, each was mulct in a heavy sum, together with costs of the suit. We hope the lesson taught to Messrs English and Harrison will be a salutary one. Complaints have often reached us of the reckless conduct of owners of both horses and cattle, who, when travelling with stock and come across a wire fence they never think twice but drive right through, instead of tracking along till they reach a gate, of which there are in most cases plenty for the convenience of parties travelling. Conduct similar to this it was that caused the action above referred to, and we can only say there is little wonder ; and we can but repeat we hope the lesson will have its effect, and cause owners of cattle to be satisfied with taking gratis the gra»s, and to be as eareful of the runholders’ fences as if they were their own. If we say that for the past month there has not been one nail driven or any thing else done to complete the approaches to the Clyde Bridge we should not be far wrong, the which can only be characterised as a great shame, but at whose door to lay the blame we are quite at a loss to decide The Clyde Town Council, who allow the LSOOO which they have expended on the Bridge to lay idle accumulating interest, want some little tuning up. The excuse that the contractor cannot get timber is all bunkum, and is no excuse at all, as, if it was not to be obtained from Wanaka, it could from Wakatip, or from Tapanui, or a little further afield, from Dunedin. The contractor, we think, will open his eyes if the penalties in his contract are demanded. The Government have decided to discontinue Fhe industrial branch of the Life Assurance Department. We are informed (says the Bruce Herald) that a new quartz reef has been discovered near Table Hill by Messrs Higgins and Benntt’s party of prospectors. It is stated that the reef, which is over a foot wide, was found cropping out of the surface of the ground. Holloway’s Pills.— The greatest Wonder of Modern Times.—They correct Tailliousness, prevent flatulency, cleanse the liver, purify the system, renovate debilitated functions, strengthen the stomach, increase the appetite, invigorate the nerves, promote health, and reinstate the weak in an ardor and vivacity never before experienced. The sale of these Pills throughout the globe astonishes everybody, and convinces the most sceptical that Holloway’s Pills transcend all other medicine for the removal of disease of every description. They are indeed a blessing to the afflicted, and a boon to those who suffer from any disorder, internal or external. Thousands of persons have testified that by their use alone they have been restored to health after all other means had proved unsuccessful. The Intelligent Vagrant, in the New Zealand Times, has the following “ Policemen can be patriots. There may be people who will doubt the truth of this assertion. But it is true nevertheless. I know a policeman who has lately sacrificed himself on the altar (or rather I should say on the hearthstone of his country). His kitchen chimney cansht fire, and instead of making use of his official position and endeavor to conceal his offence, ho went and laid an information against himself. If all men were of this gentleman’s mind, we should continually have people coming to the look-up and handing themselves over as being drank and incapable.”

We have much pleasure in extracting the following from the Cromwell Argus :-The appearance of the publio hall at Bannock* burn on Friday evening afforded ample proof that the exertions of the members of the Robert Bruce Lodge of Templars in aid of the Clyde and Cromwell Hospitals had met with that sympathy which they so well deserved. The commodious room was filled in every part, the audience comprising, we were glad to notice, a fair sprinkling of Cromwell visitors. The programme of the concert was opened punctually at the hour appointed, and the affair never flagged from the beginning until the National Anthem brought that portion of the evening’s proceedings to a end. It is not our intention to enter into any criticism of the several performers ; _ but without ' invidiousness special mention may be made of the Young Australian Party, under the leadership of Mr John Jones. The party numbered six voices, and the style in which they rendered many very pretty choruses was generally admired. Nothing seemed to come amiss to the band, from the plaintive “Mother I’ve come home to die,” to an extremely laughable parody on “ Just (before the battle mother,” which vividly pourtrayed the troubles of a young lady entering the bonds of matrimony. The singing throughout was very creditable, considering that the acoustic properties of the building must have had a depressing effect on the vocalists, the roof not being more than a couple of feet from their heads. Mr J. P. Jones efficiently acted the part of chairman during the evening, and we must say he did not allow of any time being lost. After the concert, a large company met together for a dance, and when we left they were tripping right merrily to the excellent strains discouised by Messrs Beatty and Burrows. We have not heard the financial result of the entertainment, but have no doubt it will be quite up to the anticipations of the promoters. )

We 'learn that a man named M’Gill—about six weeks ago—left the saw mill at the head of Lake Wanaka for Jackson’s Bay by the new road, and has not since been heard of. He is supposed to be lost in the bush.

The Melbourne correspondent of the Ballarat .'tar writes .-—“ The reported success of a few Victorian barristers in New Zealand has been the means of inducing more than one of the ‘ loungers’ about our Supreme and County Courts to try their chance in that new field for legal abity. The latest wearer of goat hair that has left this Colony is Mr P. T. Finn, who for some some years practiced in the Ballarat district: and at one time had a seat in Parliament.” Mr Finn is at present practising in the Cromwell and Queenstown districts.

According to the Macetown correspondent of the Daily Times, there are, up to the present time, three distinct lodes of quarts discovered in that locality—The Homeward Bound, the Cross Beet, and the Victora Reef on Advance Peak, and that eleven claims are taken up. After referring to the discovery of the reefs, the writer says: Although the whereabouts of the reefs is not so very readily accessible at present, it is a difficulty which will very soon be got over, while there exists very' manv compensating advantages. There is an ample water supply for driving machinery available at a very small cost. Owing to the steepness of the mountain sides, the reefs can be drained, and worked by tunnelling, thus obviating the necessity for hoisting machinery. The country (the rook) lying horizontal, and the reefs being vertical, makes it easy to work them, aiuf what is more, but little timber, except what is necessary to secure the tunnels and passes will be required, while self-acting tramways! in most cases, will land the stone where it can be carted to the machine, and. in some instances the transport of the ore from the mine to the machine can all be performed by a tramway. I should have no hesitation in saying that the reefs here can be worked after they are once opened up to a reasonable extent, as cheaply, if not cheaper, than many in Victoria, it being a very great ad vantage to be able to dispense with steam power. Timber will be expensive at first, but there are splendid supplies to be obtained from the Shotover Branches, Matatipu, and the bushes near the Arrow. The opening up of the roads will cheapen this article amazingly, while a road from Arrowtown to Macetown would cause supplies fiom Lake Wakatip to be available. iMachinory, for the present, will have to be of a light description, the same as is now used in Gipps Land, Victoria, whfre every thing has to be packed upon horse-back. All the quartz is as a rule very friable, and crushes easily. So far as appearances go prospects could not be better, and I fancy there is little to doubt about the result.