ARROWTOWN.

Dunstan Times, Issue 802, 31 August 1877, Page 3

ARROWTOWN.

(from our correspondent.) The chief topic of excitement at present is the water scheme which our illustrious Town Councillors have devised for us, and a public meeting of ratepayers was called at the Library FMi on Saturday night last to consider the matter, as required by the new Municipal Act. As far as the meeting went it Was a failure. The Corporation proposed to borrow L4OOO, but had no scheme to bring forward how it was to bo expended, nor did they possess any plans of how the water Works were to bo constructed beyond that ono mile of japes Was required. In explanation, the Mayor could give no otlnt reasons than that they wanted to bo invested with the necessary borrowing powers, which the ratepayers objected to, possibly thinking that as tho method of outlay was such a crude one it was better to go no further, otherwise tho actual expenditure itself would be equally unsatisfactory. His Worship and Councillors sustained an ignominious defeat in consequence. The notorious Premier case has been settled at last in the Supreme Court by His Honor Mr Justice Williams, who gave bis decision on Wednesday morning last. Nothing now remains to be done but for tic District Judge to give his decision. His Honor Mr Justice Williams ruled in favor of most ot the arguments offered by Mr G. B. Barton, counsel for Mr Cope. First— That no certificate was required for a prospecting claim, and that unless required it was not necessary to define boundaries. Second—That no definite amount of labor was required on such claims. Third—That unless the ground was completely abandoned the bolder was not liable to be dispossessed. The decision appears to give satisfaction to all parties except the jumpers, whose must be “ Walker.” I think, however, that iu justice to Mr Simpson, it must he acknowledged that with so much extra work as he had on hand at the time he hoard the case, a hasty judgment was pardonable. His finding was not final, ami the parties have set matters to rights by an appeal to the superior courts. Judge Williams exactly coincides with Judge Harvey in this matter.