BLACKS.

Dunstan Times, Issue 970, 19 November 1880, Page 3

BLACKS.

ODR OWN CORRESPONDENT.) Tim last Court-day here was more than , usually interesting, I will accordingly deviate from my accustomed rule and give y.m and your readers a little of whit some people—who are possessed of a morbid desire to acquaint themselves with the soso <-ts and private affairs of their fellows—call news, butwhat I call acau-mag ; newspapers, howexer, are published for the m my, aajl on that principle Ijsink my own « unions. The case of interest in the 11. M. Court was the prosecution of a man Tvtmed John Sharp on two charges, for being illegally on the premises of John Stronach, Matakanui Station, and for assaulting one Emma Osborne, by kissing her on the cheek against her will. The accused pleaded guilty to the first charge, but in answer to the second he said—she kissed me. The facts of the casa are that the accused made his way into the helroom of the prosecutrix during the night of the 9th instant and kissod her on the cheek, she Being asleep at the time; this awakening her, she ordered the accused out of tho room. After a time he left, au 1 then went into another room, the usual room of tho prosecutrix and went to bed, where he was found the following morning, in evidence it transpired that the prosecutrix on the night of the assault, iu consequence of some reraarhs made by the accused during the day, and which she Lad overheard had slept iu other than hei usual room so aa to be near protection i u case of accident. The accused was sentenced to six months hard labor in Dunedin Gaol on each charge to run concurrent, who after delivery of the sentence interjected—the punishment was too severe. There were several other cases called on but they are of no interest. In the Warden's Court a good deal of business was done in the tho issuing of rights and certificates and dealing with applications which, however, are only of local interest. 1 have heard it noted that as the R M. and Warden arrives here as a rule the evening previous to the 'Court day, during the summer months at all events the Court might be opened at 10 am instead of 11. There is still some feeling here over the chan.e of Warden’s and the traiisferrence of the district from DunStan to Naseby, all are agreed that it is a monstrous absurdity to ask meu to travel hil instead of 20 miles, but there is a difference of opinion as to whether the old order of things should not be reverted to—that is, fur the Clerk from Clyde to visit twice a month to receive rents, issue minm* rights; summonses, &e, and tho U.M. and Warden to visit monthly and administer the law ; or whether the local Postmaster and Telegraphist should not undertake the daiifcs of the Clerk. In favour of tho latter course a memorial signed by SJ residents of the district has been sent to the Minister of Justice, but up to the time of writing no reply lias bien received. The great fear is, if the latter plan is adopted both services will suffer, as it would be highly inconvenient to have tho telegraph office and operator in the Court House, and quite impossible for a man to so divide himself as to he iu both offices at one lime. In connection with the receipt of land revenue and the receiving ot applications for land, there is not only a great deal of work, but work rjjß|uiii"g a special knowledge, the which the memorialists apparently were not aware of, or peihaps lost sight of in their z al for obtaining a resident otSoer. I shall not now Venture any | opinion ns to who is right "or who is wrong. The result of the public meeting and the memorial are both before the Minister of 'Justice, wtp'se decision, whatever it may . .be, will have to bo taken ; but 'when that decision-is given 1 shad feel at libel ty to apeak. OurGfiol Templar friends are going to have a day out (« i the. Spree) on the 4(»th iust, to celebrate the anniversary of the Lodge •Ophir." The attractions are a pic- : n : c with tea, and a concert in the evening. As dancing in the eyes of the Order is a sin and is strictly forbildm, I snnpo o the nmal finale of all up-country spree* will on th 8 occasi in be dispensed With. But then again some of tiie uninitiated may on th ir •own account get up a bit of jig The district is positively languishing for rain, and it is feare I that unless there is a timely shower the crops will sulfur. The autumn wheat looks well, but tho spring wheit and the oats, together with tho root crops, are looking backward. ' The contractor for the school-masters residence is getting on but slowly. 1 mem by this ho has only two masons cutting tho stone and building at work, over these two men '.here is a resident inspector. I do not not see how this sort of thing is allowed by tho Works Committee of the Education ■ Heard, if the work is not pushed ahead a little faster the building in tho long run ■will cost c msiderably more than expected. Iu the matter of mining there is nothing particularly note worthy, tinder the range at , Tinkers and D-ybread nearly all the •claims are in full swing having a good sup piy qf water, about Christinas timo there should he some good washings.