The Dunstan Times. FRIDAY, JANUARY 19, 1877.

Dunstan Times, Issue 770, 19 January 1877, Page 2

The Dunstan Times.

FRIDAY, JANUARY 19, 1877.

Beneath the rule of men entirely just the pen is mightier than the sword.

A letter froma correspondent headed “ A Vexed and Disappointed Flagellator,” which appears in another portion of our columns, and which is an answer to a letter published in the Cromwell Argus, signed “ Stockwhip," puts the matter of the County Town difficulty in a very sensible light. The writer very truly remarks, when he says that “ the Counties were not made for the towns.” Tins is a question which we think is easily answered. In the first place the towns of Clyde, Cromwell, and Alexandra possessing local governing bodies of their own in the shape of Municipalities, and specially endowed with revenues, have no business whatever to seek aggrandisement at the expense of the County. Secondly, the matter of which of the three towns shall be selected as the County Town, or rather the place of meeting for the County Council, is a matter entirely depending upon the members, who doubtless, in making their selection, will be guided entirely by the convenience of themselves and that of the public. While _ Clyde and Alexandra have scarcely said anything at all about the matter, the claims ot Cromwell have been violently urged ; in fact it would almost appear that the Council had no other business but to select that town as their place of meeting, no other object whatever being taken into consideration. The letter of “ Stockwhip,” already referred to, is nothing more than a cowardly attack made upon the Chairman, and intended doubtless to coerce him into making a selection of Cromwell. We feel convinced, however, that Mr Vincent Pyke has had too much experience in the conduct of public affairs to be frightened into doing a thing by any obscure writer in a country newspaper; and move especially when that writer ■is evidently a disappointed officeseeker under him. “Stockwhip” is not the first place-hunter that has attacked Mr Pyke in print, and we feel assured that, like all those who have gone before him, his failure -will he equally as ignominious If the convenience of members of the County Council, including that of the public generally is to be taken into consideration, Clyde should be selected as the place of meeting, as not only will the distances to be travelled by members bo more equalised, but the Council will meet in the very centre of the population. Were the Council to meet at Cromwell, representatives of the Northern division of the County would scarcely have to travel at all, while those of the Southern division would be compelled to go long distances to reach the place of meeting : as for instance, the representatives of Hawea Riding would only be required to travel twelve miles ; Kawarau Riding. four miles ; and as the representative of Nevis Riding resides at the Bannockburn, it would only be necessary for him to travel four miles ; also, even supnosing'that the representative of Nevis lives thei - e, it would be as easy for him to go to Clyde as to Cromwell the Nevis being equi-distant from each place. Representatives of the Southern division, to reach Cromwell, would be required to travel as follows: Mr Davidson, 39 miles ; Mr Greenback, 40 miles; Mr Pitches, 33 miles; and Mr Fraser, 16 miles; making a total of 128 miles as against 30 miles. The unfairness of such an arrangement to suit the interests of Cromwell is a* once apparent, and we feel assured that even as it is generally supposed Mr Pyke, by means of his casting vote, can turn the scale on either side, he will be guided entirely by the convenience of the public and the obligations of his office, let a clamorous section of the community say whrtt thev like. By the Council meeting at Clyde the distances will be pretty nearly equalised, and they will be as follows : Baird 25 miles; Mitchinson, 25 miles; M'Kenna, 17 miles, total, 67 miles. Mr Pyke residing at Clyde will not bn required to travel at all. Davidson, 26 miles ; Greenbank, 27 miles; Pitches, 20 miles ; Fraser, 3 miles, total, 76 miles. The ratepayers, taking the number of votes recorded as a guide, arc pretty equally divided, for the Northern division of the County there wore 266, Southern 267. Going further than this—to the last election for the General Assembly, the votes recorded wore: Clyde, 72; Matakanui, 50 ; Blacks, 42; Alexandra, 44; Bald Hill

Flat, 22, giving a total of 230 for tho Southern division. For the Northern dixisiou there were polled 238 votes, made up ns follows: Bannockburn, 88; Cromwell, 80; Kawarau Gorge, 24 ; Bendigo, 24; Nevis, 22. Now, taking the capabilities and future of tho County into consideration, there can be no hesitation whatever in selecting the Southern division as the most permanently prosperous. The area of land occupied and open for cultivation is at least three times greater in that division than in tho Northern, whore scarcely any good land suitable for the operations of the farmer can be said to exist. While, us to the matter of gold-mining, results are about equal in either case, but we must, atthe sametime, givethe Southern division of the County the benefit of the most permanent and extensive workings, leaving out altogether the important fact ot the existence of an enormous area of yet untouched auriferous country under the Uunstau Ranges, to work which supplies of water are now being cut in. With this explanation ot the merits of Clyde and Cromwell, we think the impartial reader will have little difficulty in selecting the proper place for the County Town. By'telegram we receive the following:— ■Sydney, January 12th.—The weather was fine for the cricket match. Tho Englishmen went in first. At luncheon hour, seven wickets wore down for 28. Charlwood made 20. The eleven were all out for 35. Shaw, not out, made 7. The balance sheet of the Wakatip District Hospital, as laid before the subscribers at the last annual meeting, shows that institution to have liabilities amounting to LI 92 16s sd. At an enquiry held in Dunedin lately before Mr Hocken, coroner, touching the origin of a fire at Manor House, au open verdict was returned, a rider, however, was attached, to -the effect that though there was no evidence to prove over insurance the jury would call the attention of insurance companies to the necessity of more frequent inspection. The season throughout has boon ex ceptionally wet, and to every interest—saving the pastoral, inasmuch as it has delayed shearing operations by constantly keeping tho sheep wet—it has been most favorable. The farmers are quite jubilant, the crops being splendid, while the miners having a good and constant supply of water are kept steadily at work, and who, with but few exceptions we learn, are reaping a rich harvest of the precious metal for their labors. We take advantage of the present opportunity of pointing out to the managers of Borough Councils that on or before the 31st day of January next, and on or before the Slst day of May in every subsequent year, a true and detailed account, verified by tho solemn declaration ot the mayor, setting forth the total amount ot all rateable property in tho borough on which rates have been or might have been levied. The total amount of all rates actually received during the said year shall be sent to the Colonial Treasurer, otherwise no subsidies on account of such rates wil be paid over to tne Council Professor Valentine Jacobs, of Ventrfioquial and Legerdemain celebrity, made his bow to an Alexandra audience in the Assembly Room, on Monday and Tuesday last. Mr Jacob's sleight of hand tricks were very good, while his wonderful power of throwing his voice into any conceivable part of the Hall was as good ns we have ever heard. The Professor, also, is no mean musician, and his performances on the piano and. concertina, both at the same time were worth hearing. Mr Jacobs appears at Cromwell to night and Saturday. (See advertisement). A man dressed ip black, with a thick gold chain—the usual holidey costume of a prosperous Cornish minor—lately accosted the braceman at au important quartz mine. Tho stranger was particular in his inquiries as to prospects. Was the work then going on progressive ? Or were they on the gold ? Ho was informed that, although being worked energetically, the mine was not yet on the paying list. “Ah, then,” said the stranger, “ I won’t apply for a job just now. I prefer working where dividends are the rule.” And that braceman, though ho said nothing, inwardly concluded that tho prosperous appearance of the gentleman who wouldn't apply just yet might not be altogether unconnected with specimens. Tlio English cricketers will start from Sydney for their New Zealand tour on the I7th instant, which will occupy about seven weeks. Creymouth will be the scene of the first match, and Auckland will be next, the date being January 29. The team will then journey southwards, playing at Nelson, Taranaki, Christchnich, Wellington, Dunedin, and Invercargill, and th»y expect to arrive in Melbourne again early in March, in time for the grand combination match between Victoria and New South Wales and tho All-England Eleven. •Easter time will be taken up, probably, with a third match at Melbourne, and a few matches in the country districts.—Australasian. Advice to Mothers !--Arc you broken in your rest by a sick child suffering with the pain of cutting teeth ? Co at once to a chemist and get a bottle of Mrs. Winslow’s Soothing Syrup. It will relievo the poor sufferer immediately. It is perfectly harmless and pleasant to taste, it produces natural quiet sleep, by relieving the child from pain, and tho littlo cherub awakes “as bright as a button.” It soothes the child, it softens tho gums, allays all pain, relieves wind, regulates tho bowels, and is the best known remedy for dyssentery and diarrhoea whether arising from toothing or other causes. Mrs Winslow’s Soothing Syrup is sold by Medicine dealers everywhere at la Iper bottle. Manufactured at 493 Ox-ford-street, London.

Wo have tho pleasure of acknowledging receipt of the January number of the Australian Journal, a family newspaper of Literature and Science. The number before us contains besides a great many short aerial tales, a good deal ot useful information. A singular accident occurred lately in the family of a gentleman at Ballarat, which might have had much more disastrous results. The inevitable plum-pudding was being served at the dinner table when, the burning brandy, appearing to be exhausted, the gentleman sot to work, beforo tiro expiring flame flickered out to add to the fuel by thoughtlessly pouring soma more brandy on to the pudding from a bottle, when the Whole exploded. Fortunately there was not enough spirit in tho bottle to break it, and by the presence of mind of those at the table there was no harm done beyond the partial burning of the cloth, and tho scalding of some of tho hands.—Argus. The Press, in noticing the decision of tho Tuapeka County Council to arrange for an ■overdraft of LSOOO, quotes tho Counties Act to show that no Council can at present borrow from a bank by way of overdraft. The section of the Act referring to this subject, says that “ the amount of such overdraft shall never at any time exceed tho total amount of tho receipts of the County! Fund during the year ending on the 31st day of Mai ch previous, not including any moneys received from the General Government, or any moneys borrowed, or any moneys received from separate rates.” Compliance with the Act, therefore, is impossible. The 157 th section renders Councillors personally liable for any moneys illegally borrowed. ‘Our Cromwell contemporary says :—“ It is said ollr Clyde neighbors are open to bet their “ bottom dollar ” that they have the honor of being selected the County Town. We leam that one or two Cromwell men have invested with a view to securing some foreign capital.” With a view to learn something on this matter, we have instituted inquiries, and find that the assertion, “ our Clyde neighbors being open to bet, &c.,” is on a par with a groat many assertions that appear in 'our contemporary's columns, and is an unwarranted 'falsehood, as we cannot find that a single bet on tho meeting place of the County Council has been made by a Clyde man, whereas we are aware of Cromwell men betting that Cromwell will have the honor, &c. Angles, in the Australasian says : Society is very tolerant of bookmakers. And that is quite reason enough to chronicle a chivalric deed by one of the class, when it can be done truthfully. Coming down by train from the Wagga Wagga races, several of tho betting brotherhood occupied a carriage in a corner of whicli sat an old woman. Now one of the baser sort of betting men was eating cherries, and by way, probably, of provoking a vulgar latlgh, when the old woman’s eyes were turned in another direction he threw his cherry stones in her face. The manliness of another bookmaker was roused. “ I’ve an uncommon good mind,” said be, “to give you a hammering for that. And” (thinking, probably, of his mother) “on second thoughts I will !” He forthwith proceeded to administer to tho offender a proper and wholesome thrashing. For which—thanks. A successful cremation was (says the San Francisco News-Letter) lately effected in this city which has not yet been mentioned by the press. It was not the will of the deceased to have his remains so d-'sposed of, but his friends, after cutting the head off, stitching up the nock and removing all tho organs of the stomach, placed tho body in an oven specially prepared for the purpose. The legs of the deceased were drawn up against his sides, and broken at tho knees, and tho interior of the breast was filled with a peculiar preparation of aromatic peppers. The body lay on a large iron vessel, in which was placed a little water, and the heat ot the furnace was kept in tho compartment by closing it securely and adding fuel from time to time. On opening the apparatus at tho end of two hours tho body was found well roasted, but not consumed, and we grieve to say tbft the assembled company cut portions from the flesh and ate them in an adjoining room. This is not the first time that a turkey has been thus treated in this Christian land. Throat Affections and Hoarseness.— All suffering from irritation of the throat and hoarseness will bo agreeably surprised at the almost immediate relief afforded by the use of “Brown's Bronchial Troches.’ These famous “ lozenges ” are now sold by most respectable chemists in this country at Is lAd per box. People troubled with a ‘ backing cough,” a “slight cold,” or bronchial affections, cannot try them too soon, as similar troubles, if allowed to progress, result in serious Pulmonaiy and Asthmatic affections. See that the words “Brown’s Bronchial Troches ” are on the Government Stamp around each box. —Manufactured by -Torn I. Brown & Sons, Boston, United States. Depot, 493 Oxford-street, Loudon Holloway's Ointment and Pills.— Bilious affections, with all their concomitant annoyances induced by atmospheric changes, or too liberal diet, should ho checked at once, or serious consequences may ensue. When any one finds bis ideas loss clear than usual, bis eyesight dimmed, and his head dizzy, accompanied by a reluctance for all exertion, physical or mental, he may ho quite sure that ho is in immediate need of some cooling and purifying medicine. Let him at once send for a box ot Holloway’s Pills, which will free him from his sufferings, and speedily renew his usual healthful feeling. If tho bowels bo irritable, Holloway’s Ointment should bo diligently rubbed over the stomach and liver every night and morning. It is well to bo polite under all circumstances ; but nevertheless remember that many a man has been a heavy loser all through a civil action.

Tho Dunedin correspondent of the Bruce Herald says While on tho subject of lectures, I may mention that tho gonial John Philip Armstrong rather astonished the natives at Port Chalmers tho other evening by a poster which ho had displayed on tho dead wall of that thriving maritime city. It reads as follows 11 Foresters’ Hall.—Food for the ear, sweets for tho memory, happy thoughts, eccentric smiles, wit without vulgarity, and joy without alloy. About one hundred minutes of healthy time can be devoted to the pleasant pastime of hearing John Philip Armstrong, S.D., deliver one of his quaint extemporaneous Soliloquies in the Foresters’ Hall, Port Chalmers, on Friday evening, Jan. 12. The doors will open at 7.30 p.m., and Mr Armstrong will (with appropriate professionalism) open his mouth and show his teeth. This latter word refers to the clock, not to Mr A.’s Teeth. TTnliko tho Suez mail ho will exhibit a good delivery ; and ho will supply the crowded audience with an entirely now Port Folio of Summer Laughter. And this supply is warranted to supersede all advertised face creams in its power to erase wrinkles. Friends will do well to bring their deaf relations, for Mr A.’s anecdotes are charms to tho dullest ear; and stepmothers, and mothers-in-law who desire to be mothers in love will receive, free of extra charge, several galh jjOl the Milkof Armstrong’s Kindness, whi- a, if allowed to stand long enough, will yield the cream of good content. At the end of his remarkable speech, if there should. be any hard-up members of the audience present who feel the sharp tooth of poverty, Mr A. will willingly draw tho monster gratia, and borrow frnm the relieved party in sign of sincerity. If there should be any fair member of the audience who is imbued with a very free’nly spirit towards the entertainer ho will receive from her a cheque for any reasonable amount. Ke will also return her affection, but ho will keep the cheque solely as a relic of gratitude.—No charge for leaving the room, but any one found taking the room with him will be charged before a constable. Mr A. has telegraphed to the Secretary of the Moon Company (Unlimited), for a full supply of light on Friday, January 12th, 1877- If this should meet the eye of any former resident of Victoria, he or she will on the above •evening receive a full account of the adventures of John Philip Armstrong in connection with life on the goldfields, and experiences of Australian society, interspersed with lively biographical details too numerous to mention." Yesterday (says the Oamaru Mail) a darkey •came into our office and slowly and deliberately asked us to give him a berth as cook. We informed him that we did not keep up an establishment, and therefore did not want one. He nothing daunted, pulled out a copy of the Evening Mail, and showed us the following marked advertisement “ Wanted, a good cook, or nook and housemaid. Apply at the office of this paper.” We informed him that the advertiser evidently wished for a female, as the person required was to be not only a cook, but a cook and housemaid. Not in the least taken aback, he said, “ Well, sah.rif there’s one thing 1 kin du, it’s cook; but if you want to see me fill a place ’fiscally, you jest make a housemaid ob me.” We assured him that wo would toll the party who required the domestic, and let him know the result. He then left, saying, “Yes, I tink ’tistic housemaiding jest about suits dis child. From Goldsborough’a Monthly Wool Circular, date I December 28, 1876, we glean the following relative to the Wool Market: —There has not been any material alteration in prices since our summary of the 29th ult., hut at the late sales washed fleece has not been quite so firm, and may be quoted a shade easier. Scoured wools have remained stationary, and there is no alteration in this description calling for notice. Greasy wools have been well supported, the demand for America tending to maintain prices, more especially for average to superior descriptions. Purchases continue to bo made on American account, but the supply of suitable lots is becoming more limited. Tho nsual quantity offering is being supplemented from Now South Wales via Sydney ; >om Queensland, South Australia, Tasmania, and New Zealand. A widely •extended field of operations is thus being opened out, and it seems probable that ere long Melbourne will become the great wool depCt for the Australian colonies. The extensive warehouse accommodation, the improved facilities for conducting the business, and, above all, the large selection of the best wools available for sale at this port, liave combined to attract buyers from the chief manufacturing centres of the world to the auction sales here, and this concentration of the trade is rapidly becoming appreciated in the neighboring colonies ; consequently consignments are gradually but surely being diverted in this direction. Over 300.000 bales are annually shipped from this port, which is nearly half the entire yield of Australia, Tasmania, and New Zealand; and these-500,000 bales include the largest proportion of the best wools. Tho American buyers have not been slow to recognise this, and they have this season confined their operations almost exclusively to Melbourne, being satisfied that here they get the clips best suited to thoir requirements. This direct trade with America has now continued without intermission for six years, notwithstanding tlie almost prohibitory duties ; and d tho proposed modifications in tbo tariff can bo carried into effect, a largely increased intercourse will result, as they can here get a first selection of tbo choicest flocks in Australia. Total quantity of wool shipped ■com Melbourne since October, 1870, was -96,000 bales. Tho prices current average bom 8d per lb for greasy, to '2s for scoured. A Boat Race—Fishermen. To restore faded writing, moisten tho Paper a little with water, and brush over it a solution of sulph-hydric ammonia. Since most inks contain iron, it is easy to understand that there will be formed sulphide of ifoa i which is black.