CLYDE FRIDAY, JAN- 16 1885

Dunstan Times, Issue 1194, 16 January 1885, Page 2

CLYDE FRIDAY, JAN- 16 1885

The Sit. Ida Chronicle in its last issue, spys: —We have always hold, and with good reason, that Maniototo possesses mineral resources equal, if not superior, to those of any district in Otago. During his late visit to Naseby, Professor Black’s utterances greatly confirme 1 us in this .impression. .We have now received further confirmation. Last month, Mr J. B. Jones, of Caihbrians,'took with him to Dunedin, a sample of brown coal'from his pit, and anb« mitted it to Professor Black for analysis. That gentleman has -reported as fallows VtfniversityJLaboratpry, Dunedin, December. 20, 1884,—1 have, analysed a sample of splendid oil-shale received from Mr J. R, Jones, of Cambrians. The sample is genuine oil-shale of the finest, quality, and yields over 100 gallons to the ton.” With regard to this discovery we can but say that it adds one more to the many reasons for the local establishment of the School of Mines, and for perio deal visits to every seat of mining industry in the province of one or otliorur alt of the professors, so as that they could seo forthemselvca -,„ i examine on the ground the veins or seams and deposits that are being worked. To think that so valuable a deposit should for tho past 20 years have been allowed to be comparatively wasted as it has been, mixed with the ordinary lignite in which it lies and sold at 4s or Sspai ton, is almost incredible, yet such has been the case. There is an unlimited quantity of this shale within the bounds of Mr Jones’leases, as also in the adjoining lease of Mr Uongey, and if the bulk is anything like approaching the richness of tho sample tested, wo opine that the day is not far distant when there wilt be large reliuing works on the ground, and that instead of American Noonday” being In demand, tho Cambrians article will rule the market.

Those of our subscribers who have not received cur customary card, calendar, can be supplied on calling at the office, or on application to our agents. In another column is the advertisement of Messrs Creisselioh and Co., wool and commission brokers, of London . The mercantile Shipping Register, a monthly publication published by the firm, has been re> ceived by us andean be seen by anyone interested. . •

Mr Wilson, of Ida Valley, advertises 100 broken mouth ewes for sale privately.

We draw attention to a, specialty which appears in this issue, our Paris letter, for Which we have j oat completed arrangements for the regular receipt and publication. The contracts for formation and making ot roadt tp thif Waikiia flush as advertised iu another column to be let by tender are worthy the attention of tire laboring men in the district.

Work has been again started on' the Old Man Range. Pi dm tbd fact of there not being a crushing battery on ♦ho ground nothing can be said of the yield, we yet hope to be able shortly tosat sfactorily report on the appearance and prospects ot the various companies. Tile owners of the Conroy’s Gully battery have put their machine in order for the purpose- of crushing some few trial tons for the White’s Company, also for Messrs Mervyu and Gavau, other olaiinholders will acooraingly have the opportunity of testing the value of the slono in their claims.

The Christinas number of the Town anil Country Journal is a remarkably good one, containing besides a special illustrated supplement suitable for the festive season, a •really beautiful coloroa picture “ Castles in the Air,” being a representation of a pioneer squatter taking a dose in his hut after a hard day’s toil, and dreaming of the happy future, his dream being represented by a grand landscape with a mansion in tho dis tance, and two figures on horseback in the foreground, the squatter and his wife, taking in from their position a view of the surrounding; He, little imagining, however, that he is surrounded by danger, as there are two black heads peering through the window, whilst a third is stealthily reaching through tho doorway for a gun that is standing against the wall. Tho picture is by W. Macleod, of Sydney, and was selected from a largo number of others who had competed for the LUiO prize of by the proprietors of the Town and Country journal. The issue before us is a grand ce, and deserves a substantial recognition at the hands not only of New South Welshmen, but of all the surrounding colonies. The number of copies printed of the issue, 75,000, a fact suggestive, we nuy be allowed to say, of Australian journalistic advancement ; also a push and go aheadism of the proprietory. The committee of management of the Dunedin Benevolent Institution decided at a late meeting to write to tho Hon. Colonial Secretary regretting that he did not give a longer time to inspect the building, and inquire into the management of the institution, as in the opinion of the committee it was quite impossible for him to form any just opinion in his very hurried visit of tho wants and working of same. It will thus be seen that we are not alone in onr complaint of the hurried visit of the honorable gentleman and his staff of secretary and reporter.

The Mt. Ida Chronicle regrets to learn that Mr Stratford is not likely to remain in the district over two or three months, when entirely fresh arrangements will be made. Pci haps this accounts for Mr Hick* sou, who, it is known, was transferred from the Mt. Ida district tp this district, docs not purpose removing bis wife and family from Naseby fur a ..

Mr Hickson, Warden and B, M., held his first court in the Duuatan District on Mona day last at Alexandra, following up with Clyde on Tuesday, Ophir on Wednesday, and Cromwell on Friday. Not a bad week’s work to start with. Mr Larnaoh, M. H. E. for the Peninsular, is gazetted Minister of Mines and Marine. We have no reason but to sup* pose that Mr Larnach will make a vfcry ex* cellent Minister, but it very hard fPsay where he gained his special experience to rule over the Mining Department, and still harder to understand, how it happens that of all the members of the House Mr Larnach should have been selected for so im« portent a folio. Mr Pyke, Mr J. ,C. Brown, Mr Fergus, Mr Seddon, anyone or all of them from their intimate knowledge of the mines and mining, would have been the right man in the right place, ana mil mo square peg in the round hole that we think Mr Larnach is as Minister of Mines. The. attention of farmers end others is directed to the positive sale of drays, carts, waggonette, etc., at Ophir, on Tuesday, 3rd February.

We have-received from Robin Hood, ths somewhat noted Christchurch consultationist, the names and addresses of all the prizetakers in the late consultation on the C. J.O. Meeting. It was started as for 3000 members, but closed with 4048. The confidence of the public in Robin Hood, we think, is fully iustifierl. no ho appeals to conduct his business in a straightforward and honest manner 1

It never rains, but it pours. The above s applicable in the highest degree in regard to the visits of theatrical companies to the up country districts of Otago. To think that two companies following immediately in the footsteps of each other can do a proStable business in Central Otago, is quite out of the question: and a great-pity it is that one or other does not give way. By notices in other columns it will be seen that the American Comedy Company (Clark and Ryman), including Mrs Clark, who is a most talented harpist-this, by-the-bye, is an instrument few of the rising generation know anything of, from the fact of them being so rarely played upon—will open out at Clyde this (Friday) evening, in the Town Hall; whilst on the following evening Miss Smithson will occupy the same stage. Of the Clark and Ryman Company we hear good accounts of them and that their entertainment is really first class. Miss Smithson has been seen before and doubtless will be welcome on her return by a bumper house. ;

A reform in the method of feeding passengers on board ocean steamers has been discussed in the columns of the Times} and a strong case has been made out in favour of charging a fixed price for the passage, and of allowing the passengers to eat what, when, and as much or as little as they please just as if they were in a hotel or in a firstclass restaurant. At present, it, is argued, the management of the trans-Atlantic steamers, more particularly, is basdd on the principle that people have no business to be sea-sick, and that if they are they merit no more consideration than imbeciles and incapables of any other class.

The Geralaine County Chronicle, a weekly published in connection with the Timaru Herald, has suspended publication.

At a public meeting held at Naseby, the folfowing resolution was canied, and the secretary was instructed to forward same to the member of the district, with the request that he urge on the Government and the University the desirability of giving effect to same : t hat this meeting is of opinion that a'School of Mines, to be successful* should have its head quarters in a mining centre, and should distribute its teaching in equal seasions over tho various mining can. ties in Otago.”

The prospects of the farmers throughout the length and breadth of the district for many years past has not been so bright as now. The crops of every class look splendid, and with a continuance of fine weather a good harvest may be expected.

Farmers and small capitalists are specially invited to con well the advertisement in another column of the sale by auction of Mr Jones’ Steam Threshing Machine. It must be patent to everyone that the machine in the bands of one or two steady men whose time could be devoted to it would be a high, ly payable investment.

That some of our mines are still rich in the precious metal is evident. The Undaunted G. M. Company’s claim, Tinkers for 8 months’ running gave the handsome yield of between 1400 and 1500 ounces of gold, and a dividend clear of all expenses of witbma trifle of L 350 per share.

Amongst the applicants for patents we see the name of Frederick Williams,. of Spring Vale, for self acting wool washer;

The following terrible paragraph ia taken from the Melbourne Age.—' “ Two young men named Coxall were fishing off the L'rankston pier, when one of them hooked a shark about 14ft in length a V*£in girth. Owing to the size of the sf£|gKey were unable to land it at once, tlH&ilt being that it broke away. The shark however, continued hovering about the pier, and was fed with fish until another hook was obtained, and on a second trial the Coxalls managed to again secure the monster, and drag it into shallow water where it was shot. On opening it, portions of a coat, vest, and trousers were found in its stomach, and in one of the vest pockets were found a gold watch and silver chain, and in the trousers pocket the sum of 10s Cd in silver, two keys, and a pipe. Further search being made, a human arm and a portion of a skull wore found in the stomach.

No good health with thin impure blood. Hop Bitters makes rich blood, good health and strength. Look up and read.

Indigestion, weak stomach, irregularities of the bowels, cannot exist when Hop Bit. tors are used. [See.