The Dunstan Times. FRIDAY, JUNE 11, 1880.

Dunstan Times, Issue 947, 11 June 1880, Page 2

The Dunstan Times.

FRIDAY, JUNE 11, 1880.

BeneatJitherule of men entirely just</i PEN fs MIGHTIER than 111 f SWORD

There is no doubt but that, if the settlers in this interior district wish it to make progress, they must act more in combining together for promoting industry and development of the resources of the district than they have hitherto clone. What one or two individuals cannot do, what the General Government may not do, may yet be accomplished by the united efforts of local bodies and persons. Go vernment help those who must ultimately help themselves, and why should not our settlers by uniting every local force seek to render the district more settled and adapled for settlement 1 Why shouldn’t our townships of Clyde and Alexandra, for example, act in unison with the County or with the general public in trying to do something to give increased facilities for irrigating the flat which extends between these towns; and could not this piece of land be sold or leased in lots to suit those who wish to take it up. With such a splendid climate, and with the examples we have already of what can be done by irrigation and cultivation there is no reason why dozens of orchards and paddocks should not cover what is now a bare and unprofitable desert. The thing wanted is water, then why should not bodies and individuals endeavor to get this ] fa it quite impossible] Is it beyond all reach—can nothing be done? Has any attempt ever been made to approach the matter in a practical way ] It is all very well to say, great things could bo done by irrigation. Then the practical question is—Can we get this at a reasonable cost by combining together in companies, or in any way that is likely to attain so desirable an object. We notice that an attempt to further the resources of the district is now being pushed by a local company, who seek to work what is considered a payable quartz reef at Conroy’s, and we are glad to bear that it has been well supported. Then again we have united effort in the launch ing of the new dredge at Alexandra. Could not this principle be followed in some other direction such as mentioned above ? Could no preserving factory be commenced on a small scale to preserve either peaches, mutton, or bacon 1 In fact, could the district not raise something of its own for sending to the more populous centres. The subject is worth consider ation, aye, and worth acting upon. If there be any pluck or spirit amongst the residents of the district, let them go in for something—for action—for work.

As the public generally are labouring under certain misapprehensions regarding the Property Tax, we deem it desirable to state that the assessors, unless specially requested, have nothing whatever to do with filling in the No. 3 Forms, which gives the return of personal property ; nor have the persons with whom the forms are left to make a detailed statement or inventory of their personalities, the total values alone being required of them. The assessors’ duty is simply to assess real property, and if possible to agree with the owner on the assessed value, to leave a form with the owner to fill up, and at his discretion to leave a personal statement form or not. Moreover, the owner, if he so chooses, can send in his returns to the Deputy Commissioner of the district-- thus all objections to conferring with the assessor are removed. But as the assessors are sworn to secrecy under a heavy penalty—twelve months’ imprisonment with no option of a fine—for the divulging of any information that may reach them, it is unreasonable to suppose that they will divulge.