THE Mount Ida Chronicle FRIDAY, JUNE 2, 1871.

Mount Ida Chronicle, Volume II, Issue 118, 2 June 1871, Page 4

THE Mount Ida Chronicle FRIDAY, JUNE 2, 1871.

We have so often had occasion to rofer to the peculiarly exceptional position of this 'own as regards those institutions of which nearly all the other (ioldfielt.s can, wit!) justice, bonst, that we ii)i«;ht feci some delicacy in allud-ntf to the subject. Still, as journiilists, we have a dear and manifest duty to perform to the public, und from that duty no false feeling of delicacy—no, not even the dread of beiu«r dubbed the "Mount Ida Growler"—

shall induce us to swerve, it iuis long been to us a source of great surprise and extreme regret that, while Lawrence, Clyde, Queenstown, and places of considerably less importance, both as regards population and wealth, have well-constructed and well-appointed hospitals for the sick, no provision of such a nature has yet been, in so faros we know, attempted to be made in JS'asehy. It is true that we have a Kelief Committee, which, so far as it has gone, has worked moderately well, Still, the Relief Committee lias been at the best but a makeshift—a stop gap — as it were, untii another, better, and a more advanced order of things should be inaugurated. That such time has now arrived must be apparent to all who mix with the mining community of the pluut, and hear their views and opinions upon the subject. No district throughout the Groldh'clds lias been visited with so continued a succession of severe accidents as has that of Mount Ida, and more particularly that part of the district in which Xaseby is situate. Surface Hill alone has hud a perfect surfeit of victims to the treacherous nature of its ground, and though ma ly sufferers from those accidents have been restored to the full use of body and limb, the tablets in our cemetery bear faithful, ample, and, at the same time, mournful testimony to the large number who have succumbed to the tyrant Death. We do not wi*h, in any way, to deal in the '• s< nsational," but we may, we think, without subjecting ourselves to such a charge, ask if a public house—the sole place of reception on an occasion of sickness of uny any kind, be a fit and proper place for the treatment of patients tortured in body and racked in mind from the effects of illness, whether by accident or otherwise. We all know what public nouses, as a rule, are, and we would again ask if they are fit pUces for the treatment of those sufferers foi- w iotn perfect and absolute rest and quiet are recommended by the doctor as indis. pensahle to recovery. We glad testimony to the kindness and aUeution which patients at all times receive from the proprietor of the Ancient Briton Motel, to which house sufferers are, as a rule conveyed but we must be allowed, at tie same time, to Kay that Iheaecommod tion is not what is required ami shou d be accorded to invalided persons Nor is it cither just or reasonable to expect that uny person in such a line of business should close his house and exclude his customers—to his own evident loss—for the benefit and advantage o the j-u lie. On the ground, therefore, of iusullK eient accommodation on the one hand, and injustice, to the proprietor of the Ancient Brilon on the other hand, as weli in regard for the comfort, convenience, and safety of the public, we desire to see, and that with as little delav as possihle, an hospital for the Mount Ida District established at Nnseby. When conversing upon tin's subject we have been frequently met with the re-

niark that we cannot afford to support | such an establishment! We deny the fact. We hold that expensive establishments, such as are to be found at some of the other towns, is not at present needed here We hold, further, that what is at present required can, when established, be carried on with little, if any, more cost than the present Kelief Committee involves. No grand building, with an expensive staff of surgeons, nurses, &c., &e., is essential to meet the requirements of our case. A cottage properly _built, consisting of some five or six rooms, would suffice to ensure to the sick all the comfort and convenience they require. This cottage should have at least two moderately-sized rooms or wards, each capable of accommodating, if necessary, two patients and be airy and.well ventilated. We are of opinion that there are married couples and widows in the district who would gladly take charge of such a building without payment, . for the sake of having rooms rent free, with perhaps the addition of fuel and light, under an agreement, nevertheless, to nurse and attend to the paiients when required at a fair and liberal rate of wage. For the means to erect and furnish with the necessary appliances a building such as we have suggest d application, by petit on, should be addressed to the Government, who would, we doubt not, consent to place a sufficient sum upon the Estimates for the purpose. The ways and mearjX which have hitherto enabled the Eelief Committee to carry on their functions would, if increased, as they would be, by the cordial co-operation of the mining community, amply suffice to support such an institution as we ?-.■'-propose and desire to see established. With regard to the conduct or jrovernment of the institution we would suggest that there should be an Hos-

pital Committee elected, who should ! have the,manngement and regulation of the establishment under their sole control, and who should make teuns for such medical and other assistance as might be necessary. We see no reason that the medical man should not be paid as he heretofore has been under the auspices of the ttelief Committee. This Committee should, Ave are of opinion, be limited to five, to be elected aimu.-illy ; all persons' subscribing to the extent of . 10s. or £1 (as tmVit be determined upon) being eligible to .-Vote for members of Committee, who would, in fact, form the Hospital Trust.

A plan such as we have endeavored

to sketch would, we feel sure, receive not only the hearty support of the miners and people of Xaseby, but would also obtain considerable aid and assistance from the outlyiivr districts of Kyeburn, Hyde, Hamilton, and St. Bathans. The sooner the matter is taken in hand, and a petition set on toot, the sooner shall we see the cum. ineiKvment of a new era in the district, So far, at least, as improved acermmo dation for the sick and attention to I their wants and necessities are con-j cerned. ,-jf\

The TCev. Mr. Fluimmk will preach in the Ui.ion Church on Sunday next, June 4th, fore'i oon and evening, at the usual hours.

Another, accident from earth fall occurred on Surface Hill on Tuesday last, whereby a miner named Arthur daloney received a "severe contusion between the knee and the ankle of the right leg, his mate (Thomas Creighton), being slightly hurt on the foot. Surely this should rouse the people of IShseby to the necessity of the immediate establishment of an hospital. There are at present at the Ancient .Briton Hotel two sufferers— Walsh, who had both legs broken by an earthfall, and M'iivoy, who was severely lacerated by getting his arm entangled in the cog wheel of a sausage machine, .-ince then tliere has been Provan, and now Maloney, both injured by earth fall—the two latter being attended in their o«n quarters. Wk have received the fi-st number of a new paper rec-ntiy started at the Arrow, called the 'Arrow Advocate.' ..The 'Advocate' is nicely got up, and will not only supply a great want, but will, also, we trust, meet with the support which- such an undertaking deserves.

It will be seen by an advertisement in ano- j ther column that Mr. Henry Smythies, bar-: rister md solicitor, late ol Duuedin, has located himself in this-town, and announces that he is about to practice in the Courts here, and may be consulted on all matters connected with the ; legal profession at tin.- Koyal Hotel. j The report to which we gave insertion last ■week ha* already been verified, and ;ylr Carew, ! under instructions from "the Provincial Uovcrnnient, left yesterday morning tor St. 13atnaus, to enter on the office of Warden and .

Resident Magistrate, to which he has been re- j eently appointed. Mr. Oarew's district will, ■ we are given to understand, incla e St. B:t- ; thans, Blacks, Prybread, an I Tinkers, though it has not been yet dociied •>'. which place he will eventually take up his permanent residence. Mr. Curew will be succeeded here in his late offices by Mr. H A. Stratford, who has lately held the office of Clerk to the Bench at St. Bathans, and who bears a high reputation as being an able and energetic officer. VVk would like to know why the telegraph wires are not now yet in operation. On the Ist of May the building was given over by the ?ontractor, and last Friday the wire was stretched to its terminal point. Why, then, the delay? Is it that the appointment is so remunerative a one that the Government finds ' a difficulty in selecting an officer from its ' satellites or parasites without giving offence to j others? or, is it that the pay attached to the j office is so meagre, miserable, and inadequate j' | that they can get no fit and qualified person to accept it? We expect the latter, but yet it is full time that the matter was settled and the > wires open to the public. Miming- affairs here proceed in su< h a regu- 1 lar jogtrot manner that there id nothing new \ to report. For some time past the fine and I fresh weather has produced a scarcity of water, : which, however, the heavy rain of Wednesday < ha« to some extent rectified, the races being again moderately well supplied. The winter ! is, however, evidently not tar away, when the whole country will be again fast bound in the 1 iron grip of King Frost. : A large number of the Roman Catholic s persuasion met at C stello's Mount Ida Motel, i on the evening of Monday last, to pass asocial < evening with their pastor, the Rev. J. A. " Noiris, previously to his depirture from the J district. In addition to the guest of the even- i ing one or two other visitors were, by special ' invitation present. About, eight o'clock the * company sat down to an elegant dessert, which - had been put on the tahle by Host Costello in < a first-rate style. The wines, &c, which were 1 of a superior quality, being in abundance. The * toast of the evening—the health of the rev. < guest—was feelingly proposed by Mr. E. O'Callaghan, and as feelingly responded to by <■ Father Norn's. Prosperity to Mount Ida and 1 the Press were duly proposed and suitably re- 1 ceived, after which the evening was varied ( with song and recitation till after 11 o'clock, ( when a thoroughly social and enjoyable even- J ing was brought to a close by the simnn*' of the national anthem. About thirty gentlemen I t were present. ' [

Tend bus for the roust ruction of a new bridge over Roach's Gully will be opened at the ' Chronicle' office this evening, where plan and specification nay be still seen. With regard to the proceedings of the Mining Conference which appeared in the third page .of the 'Daily Times' of Saturday Inst, we have been requested to correct an error which appeared in the last line but mx of the first paragraph, wherein the word "seven" has been tnispri-.ted for "twelve." List of letters received during January and February 1871, awl remaining unclaimed on the 3lst May, 1871:—William Brown, B. Burns. Andrew Oonnell, John Currie, John Collin, Mrs Calanehini, David Henry Crornpton, Michael Dunn, Peter Kuston, Eliza Edzlie, John Ferguson, John Hennessv, My il orison, James Kennedy, Theresa Kiiinear, Andrew Larkin, W M.Jcaulay, Wm .Morrison, Patrick M'G-imigal, Alexander M'Farlane, William Mervyn, John O'tLilloran, David O'Mane, Gr Pearce, Donald 1 Ross, David Robinson.

With reference to the application of Messrs. Hill jiiu.l Howard for a coal lease on the Eden Creek Station, we are glad to hear that the prepost rv»us demand of £lO recently made by the manager of the Nation, for the & nsent of the runhohler has been withdrawn, and that that consent will be given gratuitously. A. PaEsimwilo.v of a. very handsome purse was made at the Roman Catholic Chapel to the Rev. Father Norrls, by the members of his congregation, as a mark of their affectio.. for him as their pastor, and their appreciation of him as a man, upon the occasion of his leaving the district. The purse, which contained fortyfive sovereigns, was presented by Mr. liugene O'Callaghan in a feeling speech, "and suitably acknowledged by the rev. gentleman. Tlie object of the gift was to enable .Father Norris to purchase a gold watch in commemoration of his ministry at Mount Ida, and in remembrance of the many friends whom he will leave behind. Alter ihe present.ition a lew of the friends of the rev. gentleman met at the lio\al Hotel, where a p:easint amUueial even inti was passed by all present. The refreshments, eatable and drinkable, were placed upon the table in Mr. Horsvvell's usual superior manner

Jx the second local in page three of hut week's ' Chronicle,' having reference to the deputation to Mr. C. M Hauyhton, the word " cutting '' a race should have been " surveying a line" of race.

At the Court, of Petty Sessions, on Saturday last, before H. \V. Kobinsou, Esq, li .Vj", (Jrt.pt-. Hamilton, an.l X. Sanders, Ksq , J.P. >, the following cases were dispo-ed of Police v. Koberl. Shiels : This w;ts in information that the accused had, on Tues lay last, stolen eertaiu articles, the property of James Con nolly, late in the employ of .vl-ssrs Sanders, of Kyeburn Station. A pocket knife, banket-chief, and tobacco-pouch, found in the possession of the accused, were produced and identified by "Connolly. As, however, it appeared from the evidence that Connolly and the accused had been on the. spree together for two d.ivs. an i it was probable, as alleged by the accused, thai the articles had b.nt given him bv </i»nnr.i\.

lie -was discharged.—.Saute v. Same: in lias case the accused was rdiarged with being a vagrant anil having no lawful and visible means of support. The accused asserted that

I he had been in work sine*' he had been in Nasehy up to Hie last d:a or two, and was looking for a job. Peter Law, blacksmith, stated that the accused ha < been in his employ at 12*. per day, and tiuit Ik- had discharged him, having no further work. Discharged with a caution—Hay v. Henderson : This was a claim for £5 under an agreement entered into between plaintiff and defendant, relatire to the occupation of a house in Lm-en-street. It appeared that the plaintiJf was in occupation of the house in question as a weekly tenant, of one Walter Morgan, olKyeburii, which the defendant was desirous to occupy, and for whidi lie agreed to pay plaintiff a b.»nus of £5 if he would quit possession in his favor on a certain day. This plaintiff had j done, and now sued to obtain the amount (£o) due under the agreement. Judgment for amount, with costs.

J'hk following cases were heard in the Resident Magistrate's Court, Macraes, on the 2.Jrd ultimo, before 11. W. Robinson, Esq , K.M. : —Don.dtl Bain and George Low, for being drunk and disorderly, were each fined 2 »,- Police v. Donaldson : Allowing pigs, to be'at large. Case dismissed, as ownership was not proved.—Same v. Flynn: For the same offence. Fined 155., and ss. 6;l. costs.—Donaldson v. Hawker: j,Vbt, £6 Is. 7J. .Settled out of Court.

Ax the Warden's Court, Macraes, on the 23rd ultimo, before H. W. Robinson, Esq , Warden, an application for an agricultural leas.e, by F. D. Bell, was adjourned to June 22nd, survey not ha ving been completed. Tliapp ication of the Canterbury and Otago Association (limited), for an ugricullur.il lease, was withdrawn.—J. Benton applied to the Warden to declare that thirty acres more or less at Horse Flat should be open for occupation in extended claims of cne acre per man. The application bein-j previously advertised, and there being no objection, it was granted. —The following grants were made : Benton and others, extended claim, water race, dam, and tail race; Williams and another, water race ; J. Griffiths, residence area; H. Bicknell, residence area j John F sher, dam. At the Resident Magistrate's Court, Hyde, on the 24th ultimo, before H. W. Kobinson, ksq., R..M., the case of O'Connel v. Bovd was heard: Claim, £5.- No appe.iranee of*defendant. Judgment for amount claimed and costs —A slaughtering license was granted to Lawre.ce Matthews <n.

Thk following business was disposed of in the Warden's Court, Hyde, on the 21th ult., before H. W. Robinson, Ksq., Warden: Agricultural Lease Applications : William St. Paul Gelhbrand and others appeared by their agent, George Pogson, to support-two applications for agricultural leases under the Hundreds Regulations Act, upon their runs—viz., on run 39b, Bald Hill, 548 acres, and on run 307, Cottcsbrook, 483 acres. Mr. Donald M'Leod, surveyor, attended with the proper plan. There being no objection, the Warden decided lo grant both applications.—An application by Sebelin and another, lor a stormchannel at Wheelbarrow Diggings, was not entertained, the same not being in accordance with the Reflations. —The following grants were made : 11. Hartman, extended claim ; J. Bruhns, protection ; James Kinlay, extended cla m ; J. Hobverson, enlargement of dam. No Court was held at Hamilton on the 2."> th of May, but the business was adjourned till Tuesday, June 2 )th. The Warden was unable to attend in consequence of illness in his family. At the Resident. Magistrate's Court, yesterday, before 11. W. Kobinson, Esq.. R.M., the following eases were heard :—Fox v. Burgess : This was a claim for £ls Is. b'.i., balance of amount due for wages. li, appeared that the plaintiff was servant to the defendant (landlord of the Pigroot Hotel) from 26th November, 187), to LBth May, 1871, at 2 -is. per week, during which time plaintiff admitted to have received at different times the sum of £lt>, and now sought to recover the. balance on the plea that some of the items were misstated, and that a large porti >n was for grog, for which the defendant was unable to recover. It appeared from the evidence thai, on the day of leaving, the defendant had accepted £1 J3 S . without m-.rm'.ir or dispute, and it was urged by Mr. .-,'mythies that this was to all intents and purposes a settlement, and that though it was l rue that had the amount been disputed at the time the sum for grog could not have been recovered, still, as there had been a settlement on an account stated, plain!ih" was not entitled to recover. Defendant give evidence as to the account, and the defendant unable to prove any iivorrecl ness. the trate held that the "view taken by Mr. S'.uvt hies was correct. Case dismissed with cosis.'

I'HK followiilyr business WHS transacted at the '/.inlcii s Court, ye.-terday, before H. \V. Robmson, K-q., Warden :—brown v. Macready : This iviw an application for the can eel la t ion ol a residence area, sit Kveburn, lu-ld bv the defendant, .and which it was alleged had been obtained by misrepresentation ; and further, that it had not been fenced as required bv the Hides and Regulations. The hicfc of'iioufencing was admitted, but the Court was ur-v I to impose a peualry ins.ead of ordering a for i'citure. Cancellation of eertifh-.tte ordered, xvitii costs and expenses, £,i J*.