THE Mount Ida Chronicle FRIDAY, JULY 12, 1872.

Mount Ida Chronicle, Volume III, Issue 175, 12 July 1872, Page 4

THE Mount Ida Chronicle FRIDAY, JULY 12, 1872.

In another column will be found a circular from the Trade Association, miners, residents, and others of Mount Ida, addressed to the members of the two Houses of the New Zealand Parliament, earnestly requesting their support and assistance in carrying into effect the prayer ol a petition for the construction of those necessary works —a Sludge Channel and an increased and permanent supply of water for flushing and mining purposes—the former from the Kyeburn, the latter from the Manuherikia river. The circular deals particularly with the subject of the great grievance under which this part of the district has long labored and still labors—namely, an insufficient Supply of Water, so absolutely essential in all districts where the workings are alluvial and the mining sluicing, has arisen from the fact that the Water Supply has so far been obtained from other than permanent sources, neither of the two large rivers available for these workings having been yet tapped. The circular then proceeds to show that the whole district has been proved to be auriferous " more especially that " portion of it which skirts the moun- " tains from Mount Kyeburn on the " south-east to Mount St. Bathans on "the north-west" The price for water (£2 for sixteen inches by one inch for eight hours a day) j it is argued, must sufficiently demonstrate the richness of the ground. This supply, however, from the cause mentioned, is limited and uncertain, and, it is contended, that were a sufficient and permanent supply to be introduced from the ICyeburn and the Manuherikia, "the population of " Mount Ida would be quadrupled in " a short time, while the increased re- " venue from special Goldfields and '• ordinary taxation would, in a few " years, more than recoup the G-overu- " ment for any expenditure incurred " in introducing an increased Water "Supply." These opinions we cordially endorse, being the same as those which we have ourselves held and promulgated for several years past, and our only regret is that the works now in contemplation were hot undertaken and completed long since. Had such been the case, the district of Mount Ida would at the present time be at the head of all the Goldfields, as the most populous as well as the greatest gold-producing district in the Province or, perhaps, in. the Colony of New Zealand. An assertion is next made that with a plentiful supply of water procurable by the miners at the reduced cost of £1 per bead of sixteen inches by one inch for eight hours, " the-district would be capable of main- " taining a population of several thou- " sands, while the revenue from the "reproductive nature of the works, " would alike be considerably in- " creased;" Agreeing, as we do, with

the foregoing remarks, it would, we think, have been much more satisfactory had it been shown how the present vested water rights could be fairly, justly, and honorably dealt with. This we look upon as a sins qua non in the introduction of an increased Water Supply at a reduced rate. Upon this point we have so often expressed our opinion that we feel it needless to repeat it here. Here follow carefully compiled statistics derived from Parliamentary papers, showing the yield of gold from, the amount of revenue received, and the amount expended upon each district. Reference to these will at once disclose the fact that the District of Mount Ida, with the largest yield of gold and the largest revenue of any of the Goldfields of Otago has, with the exception of Mount Benger and Switzers (both comparatively small fields), had expended upon her public works nothing in comparison with that expended upon Q.ueenstown, Tuapeka and Clyde. It is unnecessary, however, we feel sure, to enter here into the details of the question, seeing that our present issue contains as much necessary information upon the point as will enable our readers to arrive at a right understanding upon the subject;—.namely, that white' this district

(laboring, as it has done, under Vfcat difficulties) has raised more g-'d and contributed more largely to the revenue than any other Groldaeld, the expenditure upon her wants has been far less in proportion than the expenditure upon any other Goldfield in the Province. It may be that energy on the part of the members, representatives of other districts, has caused this result, but that such result has been obtained no one with the statistics before them which we publish to-day can possibly doubt.

We have so often had occasion to commend the Trade Association for the efforts made by them in and about all matters which affect the interests of the place, that we feel some delicacy in again returning to the subject, and in doing so we trust that their efforts to draw attention to and obtain assistance in procuring an additional Water 'Supply and the construction of a Sludge Channel, by placing these matters before the Parliament of the country in a true and favorable light, may. not prove barren of results fraught with the greatest importance to the best interests of the district. With an increased, permanent, and cheaper Supply of Water, and a good and workable Sludge Channel, Mount Ida might and would hold her head amongst the highest of our Goldfields in importance, in population, and in wealth,.

The annual festival of the Masonic brethren; (usually held on St. John's Day, but whichhad, in conseque ce of the death of Dr: M'Cambridge, been postponed) took place on Monday evening last, when, in spite of the bitter coldj and pelting rain and sleet, a large assemblage t ok place at the Masonic If all. As is usual on all ccasions when the brethren celebrate any event connected with their order everything was done in the first-class style—the hall'was well and'tastefully decorated, the edibles aud drinkables of the choicest quality,, and the music the best that it was possible toobtain. No expense appeared to have been!, spared in making the affair a success, and a success it undoubtedly was. In fact, theMount Ida Masonic ball for it* excellence has become, in the mouths of the- fair sex, "as familiar'as'a household word." A. very enjoyable evening was spent byall present. of Switzers, whom we reported in our last issue as being likely to settle- hereas a medical man, arrived- here on Thursday last, remaining here until Saturday morning. The Doctor hence proceeded to Cromwell, and! it is not at present known which, if in either locality, he is likely to locate himself. In the notice of declaration of the openingofcertairi lands at Cemetery Hill, near Moore's dam, under sec. 1 Reg. iv., which appeared in our issue of 21st June ult., the area was erroneously described as two acre* instead of four acres.

We are sorry to hear that John E wing, who was, it will be remembered, ordered to surrender himself for sentence on the 9th inst., surrendered in due season, and:received a sentence of eighteen months with hard labor. The sentence under the circumstances of the case is looked upon as being unnecessarily severe, more particularly when the length of time since the commission of the offence is taken into- consideration. We never have extenuated Ewing's fault, but we do say that that fault was committed un ier circumstances of peculiar annoyance and provocation, an J we earnestly hope that the petition will induce the Governor to exercise the Royal prerogative of mercy, and as her Majesty's representative grant to Ewiug a free pardon. Reference to pur telegram will show that the petition in favor of a free pardon has been referred back to the Judge who presided at the trial, and passed smtenc.?. We trust that his Honor may think fit to recommend the exercise of the prerogative of'mercy in this case ; . . At the public meeting held at the Union Church on the evening of Friday last (Mr. E. T. George in the chair), it was resolved that the old manse and furniture be sold on that day fortnight, and that this meeting adjourn till the Friday overing following (26th inst.), ta discuss the object to> which the proceed* sh juld be applied.

"We understand that memorials are being circulated in Dunedin and the up-eountrj districts, for the purpose of recommending Mrs. C. Howard as a person competent to assist in the selection of female emigrants in the Home country. A. memorial for signature lies at the office of Messrs. lnder and George. Afbeb supper, or, as it is conventionally called, a " house-warming," took place at what had hitherto been known as Hunter's Empire Hotel, on the evening of Mr. Daniels* the new landlord, taking possession, at the same time with the view of bidding farewell to Mr. Hunter, the proprietor of the establishment, upon his retiring from the business and leaving the district. The aupper was of a most excellent description, and refleots great credit upon Mr. John Douglas, the caterer Mr. Walter lnder occupied the chair. Between thirty and forty gentlemen sat down to partake of the good things provided, and the alternation of toast and song rendered fch& evening an extremely agreeable one to all present. Prosperity to Mr. Hunter and family, and success to Mr. Daniel and family were the principal, toasts of the evening.

We regret, again to have to record the continuance of the most haul-hearted frost which has occurred in this district; since our advent here—now over three years and a-hnlf. D iring the last month, with the exception of an occasional small fall of snow, the weather has been beautifully fine and bright by day, and extremely frosty and severe by night, suspending mining operations almost'entirely. We do not believe that during the past month more than a single week's work has been possible, and then only about mid-day when a thaw sets in, and only by fits and starts. It must be evident, after the long drought to which the place had been sut jected previously to the setting in of the winter, in connection with the severe frost which has since set in, has tended greatly, by the suspension of mining operations, to affect injuriously every interest in the place. We trust in our next to be able to report the departure of King Frost, and the installation or inauguration of King Thaw in his stead.

We understand that our Hospital Surgeon, Dr. J. Dick, bus been appointed to both Lodges of Oddfellows here, vice Dr. M'Cainbridge deceased. The adjourned sitting of his Honor Judge Gray's Court will take place at the Courthouse, Naseby, on Wednesday next, I7thinst., at II a.m

The fifth concert and readings of the series will take place at the Masonic Hall on the evening of Monday next, when the Amateur South Carolina Christy Minstrels will make their first bow before the public. The proceeds of the entertainment are to be in aid of the funds of the Temperance Hall Reading Boom.

The corrected notice of the Court days will be found in our fourth page.

Mb. Wakdek Robinson returned from jQueenstown on Wednesday afternoon, from the Commission of which he was appointed a member to enquire into certain allegations which had been preferred against Mr. Warden Beetham by the Chinese population of the Wakatip district. The nature of the report has not eked out, nor is it likely to do so until it has first reached the hands of the proper authorities. Still, from what we can hear of the evidence adduced before the Commission, the allegations contained in the Chinese petition were not sustained.

Ix the Warden's Court on Thursday the business consisted in hearing and dealing witn a number of applications for miuing privilege. In the Resident Magistrate's Court several summonses, issued by the police against carriers for allowing their horses to stray in and about the '.own, were, with the permission of the Court, withdrawn by the Sergeant of Police, that officer stating that he believed and trusted that the mere knowledge of the fact that the pol ce intended to enforce the law upon the point would act as a caution, and have the effect of preventing a continuance of ■t. the nuisance. .. ..

We (' Times') understand that the Superintendent has forwarded to His Excellency the Governor petitions from Dunedin. Mount Ida, Cromwell, Queenstown, St. Bathans, and other up-country districts, asking that a free pardon may be granted to John Ewing, who was found guilty of wounding a Chinaman in January this year. The signatures adhibited numbered upwards of two thousand

The 'Wakatip Mail ' understands that Mr. Stratford will very shortly take charge as sub-warden of the Arrow district, and that Mr. Field, who has been acting as Clerk of the Arrow Court, is to be removed to Naseby. At the sale, by Messrs. Inder and George, of Cogan's farm, Kyeburn, held on Tuesday last, but few of the implements were disposed of, though Mr. R. Keenan, we are informed, became the purchaser on the following day of the farm and remaining portion of the farm plant, for the sum of £340. This farm, if well conducted, should prove the means of a handsome livelihood, if not something more, to any enterprising and practical agriculturalist.

The Mount Ida Olee Club gave a concert composed of sacred and secular pieces, last { night, in the Masonic Hall. The programme (which we published last week) was excellently executed, and correctly performed. The hall was not so well filled as we had anticipated from the attractive nature of the programme issued. Mr. Paice, as conductor, was good; and Miss Jamieson's performance on the piano was specially admired. We regret to report the total destruction by fire, on the morning of Sunday last, of the cottige of Mr. Hichard M'Kenna, of this town, situate at the junction of the Hamilton and Dunstau roads. The building was of cob, with a thatched roof, and the accident is attributed to a spark falling upen and setting fire to the thatch. So sudden and fierce was the conflagration that nothing in the house was saved. Great sympathy is felt for Mr. M'Kenna (who has been long resident here) in his misfortune, and efforts are being made throughout the district by subscription to raise a sufficient sum to place himself and family in the same position as before the accident Mr. M'Kenna was for some time a partner in the firm of Franks and M'Kenna of this place, and generally well and deservedly respected. Mb. Webb, the gentleman whom we reported in a late issue as having been frostbitten in the coach between Dunedin and the Pigroofc. writes to a friend here that he is still suffering very severely, and that it iB yet impossible to say what the result may be. The skin and flesh of several toes have been stripped off, and it seems doubtful whether or not the bone has been yet affected. Dr. Hocken is the medical adviser, and the treatment is thus described by Mr. Webb :—" Bathe the feet every four hours in strong beef tea* not

too hot, for fifteen minutes each time, then apply a poultice of linseed meal made with beef-tea, into which put one teaspoonful of laudanum." Nothing is sail of tha efficacy of the remedy, but Mr. Webb fears that it will be a long time ere he recovers. On Wednesday last an inquest was held at the Royal Mail Hotel, Hyde, before W. G-rumitt, Esq., J.P , acting Coroner, on the body of Thomas Stewart, generally knowa as Tom the Painter. It appeared that the deceased had been sent, on Saturday last, from Mr. D. F. Main's station, to fetch the mail bag from Hyde. Th*> mail being behind time, in consequence of the wretched state of the road, he was unable to leave Hyde, on his way back, till dusk. There being a fall of snow and sleet at this time, it is supposed he must have got off the road and become inseusible from cold, as he was found on Monday morning, by a shepherd, about 250 yards from the road. When found he was quite insensible, but groaning very much. He was immediately taken to the Royal Mail Hotel, Hyde, where every possible restorative was applied, but without effect. He died about two hours after he was found. .Deceased was a native of Scotland, and thirty years of age. The jury returned a verdict of—" Died from exposure."