THE Mount Ida Chronicle. FRIDAY, MAY 7, 1869.

Mount Ida Chronicle, Volume I, Issue 14, 7 May 1869, Page 2

THE Mount Ida Chronicle. FRIDAY, MAY 7, 1869.

The advantages of the Municipal System are so well known and universally acknowledged that our feeble pen cannot be expected to swell the long list of arguments winch have been adduced in its favor, or to point out more, forcibly than has already been frequently done the benefits which its introduction has conferred upon communities as well in the Old Country, as in the dependencies of Great Britain in the Australian and other Colonies, Universally, however, as its advantages and benefits are admitted there are, strange to say, in all countries, men to be found so nafrow-iiiinded, so much behind the times, and so antiprogressive, as to raise all manner of objections to the introduction of the Municipal System into their midst. Wherever, however, these objectors are met with, it is no matter of difficulty to trace the true cause of objection to immediate and personal consideration, arising in most cases from the dread >o£ legal power being granted to a legally constituted body (albeit to be elected by themselves) to make laws for the good order, the safety, and the health of the community. They admit the good, but fear that the obtaining of that good may touch their pockets. They dread the legal power which a Municipality would of necessity possess of giving legal effect, and compelling obedience to such laws, as it would be competent for them to enact.

As with. the human body so with communities ; that which beneficially affects and invigorates one member must of necessity, in a greater or lesser degree, beneficially affect and invigorate "the whole system; and, however desirous so to do, there will, we apprehend, be found few (if any) presumptuous enough to dispute this acknowledged axiom. The admission must, however, utterly deprive objectors of their grounds of objection, and render their ■position absolutely untenable". It is,

however, matter of impossibility to convince a man not open to conviction, or rather to induce him to admit that he has been convinced. " A man, convinced against his will, Is of the same opinion still—" is a true adage, and one particularly applicable to the case in point. However -irrational and untenable their objections these persons not unfr'equently assume the character of " alarmists, " and . are often in positions which enable them to frighten those who are too indifferent or too careless to look the matter fully and fairly in the face, into the belief that the introduction of the Municipal System means nothing more nor less than the introduction of a system of taxation too grievous to be borne, while the good effects likely to result therefrom would be literally nothing. Such an argument, if argument it can be called, sufficiently ; demonstrates an an antiprogressive turn of mind —-unable to discriminate properly between good and evil, or to estimate the comparative advantages and disadvantages of order and disorder, of health and sickness, of danger and security. We have been led to make these reflections from reading, in the ' Dunstan Times' of last week, an account of the laying the foundation stone of the new Town Council Hall at Clyde, and gladare we to see that our neighbors are more enlightened than ourselves, and are inclined not onlyto accept the privileges offered them, but at the same time to improve the talent committed to their charge, and put it out to thebestadvan tage, and at the best possible interest. We have often thought over this matter, and we are at a loss to imagine the cause of the apathy which exists upon this most important subject among ourselves, and we confess our utter inability to solve the enigma. It is involved in a shroud of mystery too deep and too dark for our powers of penetration. All, or nearly so, admit the necessity, but none will take a prominent part to obtain that of which we stand so much in need.

We do not desire to appear in the character of alarmists, at the same time we feel we- should not be doing our duty were we to refrain from calling to the recollection of our. readers- certain facts winds* we v are often, unless fearfully reminded too prone to forget, or to put oft" to amore convenient season. Immunity from fire visitations is by no means certain, and what provision, we would ask, has been made, or is being attempted to be made, to meet the dread foe should he unhappily visit us ? Immunity from disease is a blessing which humanity cannot reasonably expect, but over which Providence has to some extent given us power and control. Careful attention to rules of cleanliness will do much to keep from our doors, the grim monster, fever, with all its concomitants of sickness expense, and probable death. We have said that we do not wish to be alarmists, neither do we; but we cannot disguise from Ourselves the fact that we are going the very way to provoke the fearful visitations of which we have spoken. "To be forewarned is to forearmed.'' Let us not wait until "the steed is stolen before we shut the stable dobr." The late fire at the Dunstan has had the effect of causing the organisation of a Eire Brigade for the protection of that town, and we have "been informed that a supply of water has been obtained, which courses' through the town of Clyde every night, to be used in case of emergency. The united action of a responsible body, whose duty it is to attend to the general welfare , and make laws for the safety and health, of the community, can alone obtain for us the various measures of reform of which we stand so manifestly and immediately in need, and which we can procure by petitioning the Government to declare this town a Municipality. -■■—-v '■ . : .. .■.

The Prince has come and gone, and from what we have been able to gather, both from the public prints and private sources, the Royal visit has been an undoubted, an eminent success. No effort appears to have been spared by the Otago people to show their appreciation of the honor done them by the personal visit of the Queen's son; and her Majesty has abundant reason to be gratified with the professions of devoted loyalty, to her person, her throne, and her family, which the presence of her son has evoked. If it were possible to form a correct opinion from outward manifestations, we should be inclined to believe that the pleasure of the visitor was equal to that of the visited,

and that the Duke; of Edinburgh thoroughly enjoyed his visit to Dunedin, and as thoroughly appreciated the humble efforts of a loyal though small community to do homage to her Majesty, as represented by her son, and at the same time afford His Royal Highness such amusement as it was in their power to do. We need not say that wherever His Royal Highness presented himself —whether at the dinner, the ball, or the Theatre, indoors —or the Caledonian gathering and races in the open air—he was enthusiastically received. Nor did His Royal Highness think it beneath his rank or dignity to mingle freely with the people who had assembled to do him honor, but by his accessibility and affable demeanor fairly won the hearts of all with whom hie has come in contact. Dunedin, for the few days that Royalty remained her guest, was fully drunk with joy; and, though her visitor has departed to carry out the remainder of his. instructions, and the city has, by this time, resumed its old every-dav jog-trot manner of life, the visit of Prince Alfred will for ever be inscribed as a red-letter day in the calendar of Otago's great and glorious events.

The usual monthly sitting of the = Petty Sessional Court took place on Friday the 30th April last, hut., there not being a sufficient number of Justices present, the Court was adjourned until the last Friday of the present month.

There -will be a sitting of the Resident Magistrate'B Court to-morrow (Saturday).

The usual monthly sitting of the District Court will take place on Wednesday the 12th inst.

We have nothing new to report this week in mining matters. For the last few days the weather has been fair and frosty—the water supply continuing abundant. Mount Ida has assumed her' winter garb, which, in all probability, she will continue to wear during the winter'months. ; An address from Mr. Main, M.P.C., will be found in our advertising columns. He desires to meet his constituents at the Victoria Hall, Naseby, on Wednesday evening the 12tli inst.

We understand that Mr. Mam has been retained for the defence in the case D,uffy v. Jackson, which will be tried in the District Court on Wednesday, 12th inst. *.<

Thebe was a meeting of the Scliool Committee on Monday evening last,, when Mr. Morony's resignation as Secretary was, we understand, accepted by the Committee, and Mr. E. C. Smith elected in Ms stead.

The next ste airier with the Home Mail, vis Suez, will leave Port Chalmers on Wednesday, 12th inst. All letters and newspapers from Kaseby-, interded to be forwarded thereby, must be posted on Monday previously before 11 a:m.

By an advertisement, in another column, it will be seen that the Loyal Naseby Lodge of Oddfellow?, M.U.1.0.0.F., will celebrate their first anniversary on the 24th inst., by a grand procession of the brethren, and that the proceedings of the chy will terminate with" a grand ball and banquet.

Duhing Iris visit to Dunedin Hi 3 Eoyal Highness the Duke of Edinburgh took frequent opportunities of expressing his admiration of the Otago Police Force. This force has always been the subject of commendation by the G-overnors and celebrities who have previously visited Dunedin, and are as a body as fine a set of men as could be found either in the Colonies or even in the Home Country. The temperance movement appears to liaje taken firm root, and to be making rapid progress in Naseby. ' New members are daily jointing their ranks, and the society already musters about eighty. Several ladies have joined. By way of-diversifying their amusement, the society have (decided upon setting apart every alternate Wednesday during the winter months for quadrille parties. The first of these quadrille parties came off on Wednesday last, and was largely attended both by gentlemen and lady members, and a very pleasant evening was spent by all present. The society, we are informed intend to hold a general meeting on Monday next. The Cemetery Trustees are entitled to the thanks of the public for the care and attention they are bestowing upon, the trust confided to them. The fencing of the ground was a point gained, and a step in the right direction;. the gates were the next step, and still in the same direction. Since the completion of the fence and gates the trustees have determined upon clearing the ground of the long and coarse grass with which it abounded, a tliird step, and still in the proper direction. This contract has, we understand, been taken by Mr. E. C. Smith, and will be shortly completed. Mb. Strojtg's art union, notice of which has appeared in our advertising columns, took place in the Victoria Hall on Monday evening last. There were a large number of persons present, and the greatest good humor prevailed. The list of the successful numbers will be found in our advertising columns. We must congratulate Mr. Strong on the satisfactory arrangement for the proceedings, and the entire success of the first art union every drawn on the Hogburn.

Br the permission of the Prince, the Otago Horticultural Society will hereafter bear the name of the " Royal Hoticultural Society of Otago. 2 ' "We have been requested by MeEsrs. Inder and G-eorge to draw attention to their grand auction sale of drapery, boots, &c., an advereinent of which will be found in another

column. The sole cause of the sale of this extensive and well-assorted stock is the determination of Mr. Samson, the proprietor, to close his store at Jfaseby —his other engagements at Alexandra and Blacks drawing largely upon his lime and presence, and preventing him from bestowing upon it that active, constant, and personal attention so essential in eveir branch of business. As the stock will be sold without reserve no doubt ample opportunities will present themselves of securing bargains, during the sale, which will extend over three; days. "We are glad to observe that Mr. Mouat, M.P.C., has shown his appreciation of the importance of and his desire 'to do justice to tliis district. On the first day of the session Mr. Mouat gave notice of his intention to move that his Honor the Superinteiitlentbe requested to place upon the Esiim ifces a sum for the ex-j tension of telegraphic communication to Mount* Ida. We feel sure that if the members of the Groldfields would act together, not only would this but other Groldfields districts speedily obtain redress of the grievances under which; each and all more or less labor. j