The Dunstan Times. FRIDAY, MAY 16, 1879.

Dunstan Times, Issue 891, 16 May 1879, Page 2

The Dunstan Times.

FRIDAY, MAY 16, 1879.

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

The Agent of the Bank of New South Waels at Clyde notifies by advertisement that his agency will shoidly close, and, we suppose, wishes it to he inferred that a general balance will have to be struck. We are not particularly amazed at the notification, as we have seen for a long time past that the Bank of New South Wales has been quietly withdrawing itself from all upcountry towns that are not directly supported by a gold-mining population. Doubtless, as a purely gold-buying agency, Clyde has long since lost ground, but as a banking centre we think it will bo aide to hold its own. Consequently, we have but little fear but that one of the local banks will shortly raise its standard in our midst.

The survey of the Central Otago (StrathTaieri) Railway, with the exception of the Strath-Taieri Plain, which is a dead level, has been completed all the way to Clyde. The quartz reef referred to by our Alexandra correspondent two weeks since as having been discovered in Conroy’s Gvlly, is, we learn, being prospected by two of the shareholders. It is situated about 150 yards higher up the creek than the reef that was worked some years ago. The reef, so far as yet traced, is well defined, and gold can be plainly seen throughout it. The lecture to be given at Alexandra by the Rev. Mr Ash, Episcopalian Minister, will be something worth listening to, we therefore would advise all who possibly can, to make up their minds to attend. An accident of a painful nature occurred to a settle on the Spottis Hundred, named Benjamin Charles, on Monday last, resulting in the breaking of one of his legs. It appears he was riding one horse and leading another, when the led horse kicked him on the leg, completely smashing the whole of the bones below the knee. He was at once conveyed to the Dunstan District Hospital, where he arrived between 4 and 5 the following morning. We understand he is progressing as well as can be expected, but from the extent of the injury, it will be a long time before he gets about again. On Thursday evening last, at Cox’s Port Phillip Hotel, Clyde, a social dinner was given to Mr C. S. Harvey, late manager of Earnacleugh Station, on the eve of his departure from the district. The company present was but limited, several gentlemen being unavoidably absent, but who sent apologies. A most enjoyable evening was spent, the health of the guest and every good wish to him being toasted in bumpers. The affair was strictly private, and perhaps we are stopping beyond our limits in at all referring to it. Our excuse is that we have heard many expressions of regret that the affair was of so exclusive a character, and that the opportunity was not given for a more general expression ot good feeling towards a gentleman who, during his somewhat short stay in the district, has made many friends

Errata. —ln our last issue the statement of receipts and expenditure of the Vincent County should have been for the half-year ending 31st March, 1879, instead of the 30th September, 1878. The Molyneux keeps decreasing in volume daily, and should it continue bridges or punts in many parts of the river will bo a superfluity, as the stream will be fordable. There has been considerable trouble with the punts above Cromwell and at Clyde, as the river kept falling. Above Cromwell it has been found necessary to build a new mint at another site, while at Clyde a roadway had to be made to what was the middle of the river.

Mr Facile directs special attention to the Sale of Cattle and Agricultural Implements, at Ida Valley, on Tuesday next the 20th instant, by order of the Executors of the late Griffith Thompson, deceased. The cattle are all of a superior class, some A. 1. dairy cows being amongst them, and as, by the circumstances of the sale, they will have to be sold without reserve, buyers will do well to attend. Besides cattle, there are a few good useful horses,'agricultural implements, and a lot of household furniture.

In another column is published a list of names of persons objected to as not being entitled to be placed on the electoral roll of the Dunstan district for the ensuing year. It will be well for every one to well scan the list, and also to bear in mind that the Revising Officer will hold his Court to consider all objections at Cromwell on Saturday, the 17th inst.

Mow that the Clutha is so low, and the stream of water flowing so small, an effort is to be made to divert the channel under the newly built bridge at Rocky Point, above Cromwell, on the Bendigo Road, and which was left high ami dry by the big flood. It is really to be hoped the attempt will succeed. Mr V. Pyko, the County Chairman, we understand, is on the spot superintending the work. We notice that Mr W. Peres ford, of Alexandra purchased a pastoral area in the Teviot district at the late Land Sale hold at Roxburgh, Section 7, Block XIV falling to him at the low price of LI 17s. Cd .per acre.

At the last meeting of the Tuapeka County Council the following resolution was adopted:—“ That a clause be inserted in all contracts entered into by the Council prohibiting the employment of Chinese on County works, under a penalty of L 5 for every broach of said clause.”

It lias often been .asserted that the small up-country towns would be ruined by railway communication with the metropolis. That such is not likely to be the ease in every instance may be gathered from the following paragraph which we clip from the Mataura Ensign :—Clinton, since the train has run through it instead of being injured, has very materially increased in its business pursuits. As, for instance, the Prince of Wales Hotel. Mr Donald M ‘Donald, shortly after taking possession of this hotel, increased its size to nearly double its former appearance, but now he finds that his accommodation is inadequate to the public demand. He has therefore caused to be erected another addition to his hotel ; but this portion will be upon his own freehold, lift, of a carnage way being left for stable, &c., entance, the bindings being connected by a covered-in passage from the upper floor. The new addition is 52 by 22, of two story 22 feet high. The front part of the lower portion will be used as a shop, the back as private apartments. By this addition Mr M‘Donald will have 40 bedrooms for public use, and which will, by all appearance, be little enough for him. Mr M‘Donald will be remembered by many of our readers as the landlord of the Criterion hotel, Alexandra.

The Evening Star says “ Miss Fidler most certainly beyond rewards more substantial deserves the thanks of the community for establishing a school of cookery, and thus endeavoring to inculcate a knowledge of at least one useful accomplishment into the minds of the rising generation who pertain to what is politely termed the gent-

ler B3X. The male animal in his domestic circle, whatever he may.say, infinitely prefers a well-cooked dinner to a sonata on the piano, and when hungry or uncomfortable from swallowing indigestible abortions, rather despises worsted work and is npt invariably to curse the eternal crochet. Peace reigus as a rule in the household where the cooking is good, and Colonial ovens have been the cause of discord than things inanimate are generally given credit for. We wish Miss Fidler every success in what we cannot but consider her philanthropic efforts. Amongst late home telegrams we learn that California has decided to prohibit Chinese immigration.

The last crushing of 527 tons of quartz by the Tipperary Company, Macetown, resulted in a yield of 8740z. Over 900 persona are objected to as not being entitled to have their names retained on the Electoral 801 l for the City of Dunedin, and over 200 for the Dunstan district. The tender of Jesse Coates, of L 4622, has been accepted for the Palmerston-Waihemo Eailway.

Samuel Cowan has been arrested in Wellington for bigamy.

It is stated that orders sent home from Wellington to the extent of a million, have since been countermanded by cable. At the last Tuapeka County Council meeting, L2OO was voted towaris the building fund of the local hospital. M'Leod Bros.’ soap factory, Cumberland street, Dunedin, was burnt to the ground last Friday. The loss is estimated at over LIO,OOO. They were only partly insured. Dr Moritz Mark, of Christchurch, committed suicide by taking poison last week. The following details of the relief of Ekowe are published as “special to the Star”—“The Cuzco, at Adelaide from the Cape brings details of the relief of Ekowe. Lord Chelmsford was compelled to start without the expected reinforcements, owing to Colonel Pearson’s garrison being without bread. The advancing column was opposed twice. After a severe, battle, lasting three hours, daring which the sailors with their Gatlin guns created fearful havoc amongst the compact masses of the Zulus, 5.000 of the enemy were slain and the seige raised without further conflict Colonel Wood has achieved the most brilliant victory of the campaign. The Zulus had turned 4,000 cattleon to the sides of the mountains, behind which 35,000 warriors were secreted. Two regiments of dragoons started to recover the cattle, and were just returning safely with them when the enemy attacked and slaughtered the entire division, excepting one man, who alarmed the camp. Hasty defences were scarcely erected when the storm burst, the whole Zulus army of 35.000 men attacking it en masse. The Gatlin guns proved most effective. The shells swept the whole division, and the Martini rifle did terrible execution. All the Zulu attacks failed. Four thousand Zulus were killed and wounded.

The following notice appeared in a Californian paper some time ago “ The manager of the All Nations claim begs to state that theoustom of pitching Chinamen and Injuns down sharft will have to be stopped, as he has resumed work in the mine, file old well, back of Jo Bowman’s just as good, and even more centrally located. ”