THE Mount Ida Chronicle FRIDAY, MARCH 22, 1872.

Mount Ida Chronicle, Volume III, Issue 159, 22 March 1872, Page 4

THE Mount Ida Chronicle FRIDAY, MARCH 22, 1872.

In an article in a late issue we congratulated our readers upon the prospect of the construction of our Sludge Channel and the bringing m of the Kyeburn river for flushing purposes. The telegrams which we on that occasion published were, in our opinion, amply sufficient justification for the. course which we on that occasion felt it our duty to pursue. In the contents of the telegrams there was nothing impossible—nothing even improbable—nothing, in fact, which we had Dot a perfect right to expect, if not to demand. More particularly, did we consider the telegrams reliable as the notice first appeared in the columns of the ' Evening Star,' a paper devoted to the present Government, and a great supporter of and a believer in the " Scheme" in all its entirety. - The | same telegram, upon the subject of the i construction of. the works referred, to, 1 which was sent to and published by us' appeared also in several of the other up-country papers—so that, though the 'Times' has not.taken any.notice of the matter, nor any other or further information been received by us, there is no reason or right to doubt the correctness of the first notice in the Government organi Neither can we see, if the announcement were intended as a canard, what possible good would result therefrom to the Government and their Scheme. On the contrary, it would render them more unpopular than they already are, and the effect of the shame of so disgraceful a hoax would reflect upon themselves, not upon us. We cannot, therefore, hold anyother belief than that the notice published by the ' Star ' was both genuine and, if not absolutely " authoritative," was at least, semi-official and reliable. It might be, however, that it was put forth as a feeler, to ascertain if there really existed in the district an earnest desire to have these great works constructed. There can be no doubt that, though the General Government are at the present time well in funds, they will most undoubtedly give the greatest amount of attention to the districts which clamor the most, agitate the most, and make out the best case for themselves. We, in our humble sphere, have done the best in our power by bringing this matter (the importance of which to the district, and even to the Government itself, the work being essentially, reproductive, it is impossible to limit) under public notice, but we have been entirely unaided by those Ifrom whom we had a right to expect 1 assistance and support —the public and our representatives. We fail to see that any propositions of ours upon the subject have been taken up or followed out either by the one or .the other. What then but failure—the very inattention and failure that we have experienced—:coald have been expected. A public journal should point out what, in its opinion, is essential for the district iri which it circulates. if those opinions are endorsed by the public voice it is for the public to act; if they fail to do so, they must expect, as they deserve, disappointment.. i Since matters remain, in the matter of the works referred to, in the uncertain state they at present doj we should advise the getting up of a monster petition to the General Government upon the subject, which should be signed by every miner in the district, urging upon them fsie importance of the work, and the injustice of refusing us a participation in the exj)enditure of money, for the payment of the interest of which we shall, with other portions of the Colony, be equally taxed. If we remain gazing supinely on, or occasional ly grumbling but taking no real action, we must not be surprised to find that though other places are receiving attention and assistance we have, from

pure inattention and inaction,, allowed, if not invited ourselves to be suuffed out. While on the subject of the construction, of the Channel and the bringing in of flushing water, the petition might well draw attention to another public work of great importance, as well to all the up-country towns as to this. We allude to the # road deviation at the Shag Valley* fluming, to which we have on so many occasions made reference. We fear that the funds at the command of the Provincial Government are insufficient to enable them to undertake this work, and it woiild not be too much to expect that, while immense sums are being expended by the General Government upon railway construction, a few crumbs might fall to the lot of this portion of the Province for the purpose of making the deviation referred to. At all events it is worth a trial, and the sooner that trial is made and the petition set on foot the better. To the best of our ability .we shall most sincerely and most heartily support such a movement.

We regret to report that Lahseu, who me with so severe injuries from a fall of earth on the sth inst., died on the 15th. From the first little hope was entertained of his recovery. A report of the inquest will be found elsewhere. Ottb obituary this week contains the name of one of the oldest settlers on the Kyeburn— Mr. Edwin Alexander George, landlord of the Pass Hotel, Kyeburn Diggings. An inquest : was held on the 18th, a report of which-ap-pears in another column. At about three o'clock on Tuesday the remains of the deceased were removed from the Pass Hotel. The funeral consisted of 120 persons, many of whom had travelled from Naseby and surrounding diggings to. pay the last tribute of respect to one who, during a nine years' residence at the Kyeburn, had always been ready with open hand and heart to relieve the distressed, encourage and assist the unfortunate, and contribute most liberally to any fund raised for the advancement of the interests of the district. It must have been gratifying to his widow in her bereavement to witness the undoubted expression of public sympathy evinced on the occasion. The Rev. James M'Cosh Smith performed the last sad ceremony at the grave^ This little town of Naseby would seem to be desirous .of leaving the other Goldfield towns .in the background, and marching away from them all on the path of civilisation and the road to progress. Not only have we had far a long time back very efficient water works (such as few Groldfield towns possess) and good metalled streets, but the inhabitants—albeit the town is not incorporated—seem determined to keep them clean and wholesome, and a contract has now been accepted by the Trade Association whereby the streets are to be regularly swept and the rubbish carted away. Last Saturday was the frst day on which the contract commenced, and most sincerely do we congratulate the residents on the altered and improved appearance of the town. The movement is one in the right direction, and one which we sincerely trust may and will be persisted in.

We understand that the Secretary .to the Mount Ida Hospital has been informed by the Provincial Treasurer that the sum of £250, the amount of the building grant, has been placed to the credit of the. institution.

The Secretary to the Mount Ida District Hospital acknowledges with thanks the receipt of £1 2s. 6d., in aid of the funds of the institution, per Mr. M. Lannan, Treasurer to the St. Patrick's Sports Committee. The Secretary has also to acknowledge receipt, with thanks of £4 Is. from the Mount Ida Glee Club, being proceeds (less expenses) of concert given in aid of the Hospital.

A meeting of the Mount Ida Hospital Committee was held on Monday evening last. The President,. H. W. Robinson, Esq., in the chair. The minutes of previous meeting were read and confirmed. Three applications were received for the situation of wardsman and matron, and on a ballot being taken, Mr. and Mrs. D. Reid were declared elected. Tenders for supplies of drapery were then opened, and afterwards referred to the .Furnishing Committee. Mr. de Lautour's tender for meat was accepted, as also the tender of Messrs. Brown and Smith for ironmongery, crockery, &c. On the recommendation of the architect (Mr. Keene) instructions were given to the Secretary to take over the building from the contractor. A letter from the Provincial Treasurer was read informing the Committee that the amount of building grant, would shortly be placed te the credit of the Committee. The Treasurer's report was read and received. Offers from Mr Teague and Mr. Tootell to stain and varnish the inside woodwork were read, and that of Mr. Tootell was accepted. It was afterwards resolved that the Secretary should write to non-resident members of Committee, request mg them to use their influence in the formation of local Committees in their particular distacts Mr. G Purton, of St. Bathans, stated at last meeting that he would call the first meeting for that purpose, at St. Bathans on the 26th mst

To see Naseby at the present time one would imagine that we were living near some military hospital m the vicinity of a recent battle field, there being no less than three wounded men perambulating, the streets on cratches however, to say, that notwithstanding the unenviable notoriety which

this place has acquired for accidents from earthfall, not one of the cases to which we refer have arisen from that cause, all being the result of accident from horses in one shape or the other. We are glad, in connection with this matter, that Norman, whose accident we reported in our last issue, is up and about, though looking weak and much shaken. A RIFLE match is advertised to take place to-morrow. A meeting to arrange preliminaries will be held in the Empire Hotel, this evening, at ten p.m.

The entertainment on behalf of the Hospital "funds, given by the G-lee Club in the Masonic Hall on Wednesday evening last, was a great success. Its several members appeared to outvie one another in performing their parts with credit to their instructor, who has evidently been making the value of time in music the principal ingredient in his teaching, for, al- : though a few trifling mistakes were made by the solo performers, the glees by the Club were sung splendidly, to the surpr se and delight of the audience, who marked their approbation by long and .'repeated'--acclamation, - more particularly at the conclusion of " Awake, JEolian Lyre." It would be unfair to make any invidious comparisons between the performers, as it was an amateur concert for the benefit of a local institution, 'by ladies and gentlemen whose names have not appeared on the programme, but a little criticism in good, spirit : will act, we trust, rather as an encouraging incentive than otherwise. It would have been better to have shortened the programme than to have imposed so much upon one lady in a manner astonishing to the house, sustained her parts with wonderful power. Mr. Dugdale's overture on the harmonium, in which he introduced " The Last Rose of Summer," .was loudly encored, as was the comic song about Rotten Row by a member of the Club. We have often been obliged to comment on the annoyance caused by-people coming in late, not only disturbing the house, but also disheartening the performers who have to commence their labors before athinhouie and perhaps have played some of their choicest pieces before the'hall is filled. Moreover, those who attend punctually are punished by having to wait through the delay in hopes. i This was the case last Wednesday night, and if it had not been for the kindness of a young' lady who sat down to the piano, and played some pretty pieces to amuse the audience, half an hour wculd have been unprofitably spent. The G-lee Club may congratulate themselves on having created a most favorable impression on those present, and although they did not receive a vote of thanks from the Committee they, may confidently expect a full house should they favor us on a future occasion. '<