THE Mount Ida Chronicle FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 27, 1872.

Mount Ida Chronicle, Volume III, Issue 186, 27 September 1872, Page 4

THE Mount Ida Chronicle FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 27, 1872.

The general, we might almost say the sole, topic of conversation at the .present time is the works "sanctioned" by the late Government in connection. ..ith this place, and how far the recent , change in the Ministry is likely to/ affect these "sanctioned" works: There can be no doubt of' the fact that Mr. - Haughton, in the very, able and exhaustive report on. Water Supply for; the Gold fields recently submitted.to -'. the House, mentioned certain workswhich had been recommended by him. to, and had been sanctioned by, the Government. Among these works a Sludge Channel and Flushing Water from the Kyeburu were specially alluded to as " sanctioned " —the only question appearing to be rather, a matter of time than of expense, the undoubtedly reproductive character of - contemplated works being fully and, thoroughly admitted: The matter-of" time, so far as we then understood and. still understand the case i\> be, being to ascertain by survey the practicabi- . lity of the contemplated works. In connection with this matter we may. again mention that, so far as the Sludge; Channel is concerned, report after re-' port of scientific men have demonstrated not only the. absolute practicability of the scheme, but each report ha* spoken of its construction as certain to-'.-., lead to immediate and profitable results—results advantageous alike to the District and the Colony. When,, however, expectation was on tiptoe—when everyone began to feel that this long-negleeted and long-suffering place was about to obtain attention, if riot justice, at the hands of the Government, a change of Ministry takes place —a Stafford succeeds a Fox—and the ■=. whole policy of the latter-, appears . likely to be overturned and upset by the policy of the former; It is really a matter of monstrous regret that the affairs of nations, districts, and communities are to be, as it would appear to be, dependent upon a simple change of the administrators of affairs. Nothing, to our mind, can be more subversive of order, more suggestive of doubt and discontent, than the entire reversal of the policy of an outgoing by an incoming Government. Granted that there must be something new put forward as a reason for the opposition by means of which the late Ministry were ejected, still, an absolute change of policy from progress to retrogression should have something more than novelty to recommend it. We trust that our opinion may be erroneous, and we earnestly hope that the prospects held out for this place by. the Fox-Yogel Government will have effect given to them by the Stafford party. We cannot, however, disguise from ourselves the fact that, though to a considerable extent the measures of the late Government were adopted by the present, the absolute omission of all mention, not only of the " sanctioned " works for Mount Ida, but of the Goldfields as a whole, fills us with fear and apprehension. JS or are these feelings of fear and apprehension in any way diminished when we take in-. to: consideration the fact that Mr. Donald Keid now holds the helm of the Public Works boat. Against Mr. Keid as a gentleman and a politician we have not a single word to advance.

Oil the contrary, we admire alike his pluck, his sagacity, his ability, and his honesty. Still, with all these admissions, we cannot but fear that his proclivities are very much, if not utterly, opposed to mining interests. If our memory serves us correctly, Mr. Reid. is one of these Taieri farmers who some time since ventured to affirm that the flooding of the Taieri Plain, and consequent injury done to the farmers of the district were attributable to the mining operations on this and other fields. The question on this point was ably and successfully refuted by Mr. Carruthers, General Government Engineer-in-Oief, whose able report upon the subject should have set the whole matter at rest. There are, however, some men who, " con- " vinced ngainst their will, continue of "the same opiuion still," and we fear that Mr. -Reid will be found in that category. There are, however, means which, "f adopted, cannot fail to bring even a hostile Minister of Public "Works to a sense of his own position, and of the duty which he owes not to t'lis that or any other interest in particular, but to the country as a whole. The Goldfields party is a very strong one in the House, and we venture to predict that, should Mr. Reid attempt to ignore that interest his career as a Minister of Public Works will be a short-lived one indeed.

It might be well, seeing the change which has lately taken place in the Ministry, tliat another memorial setting the whole facts of the Mount Ida " case" before the new Ministry should be at once prepared and forwarded to the new Public "Works Minister, urging the claims of the district upon his attention, and soliciting his countenance and support thereto. We know not into whose hands the preparation of such a document could be more properly or more fitly entrusted than into those of the Mount Ida Trade Association, who have from first to last proved. taemsc'Jkes to be a body well acquainted with the wants of the district, and well prepared to do battle in. its behalf. We desire, therefore, to call there attention to this subject, in the firm belief that they will, as they have on ail occasions hitherto done, a<*t with energy and with promtitude.

A spuciai. general meeting of the Mount Ida-Trade Association was held in the Empire Hotel, ou the evening of Friday, 20th instant, for the purpose of considering what steps should be taken in order to expedite the construction of the Sludge Channel without delay. Mr. W. Inder in the chair.—The minutes of last meeting were read and confirmed.— Telegrams received by Mr. Wilson from Messrs Hau»hton, Mervyn, and Captain Fraser, relative to the Sludge Channel and Water Supply, were read. Proposed by Mr. Smith and seconded by Mr. Thomson. " That the Secretary and Mr. Wilson be requested' to draw up a memorial to the Government, urging upon them the necessity of immediately commencing the Sludge Channel, as the prosp rity of the place entirely depends upon such work being proceeded wit 5 : forthwith—such memorial to be signed by all :he members of thf Association " •—Ah amendment was proposed by Mr. de Lautour and se onded by Mr. J. JBremner, " That a Committee be formed to unceasingly agitate with the proper authorities the immediate formation of a Sludge Channel; tlnit the Committee report to the Directors fortnightly; and that such Committee consist of Messrs. Wilson, Thomson, and the mover."—Upon being put to the meeting, Mr. de Lautour's amendment was declared carried.—lt was further resolved that the Secretary write to the Superintendent to enquire why the surfacemen have been removed from the district, and requesting that the Road Engineer be instructed to place men on the road without delay. The state of the lock-up accommodation at Macraes is still constantly being represented to us as something worse than unsatisfactorys It is time that the authorities should look thil matter fairly and fully in the face, and cal upon the officer in charge for a report and recommendation upon the subject. " When the horse is stolen they shut the stable door," and we fear that unless some attempt at improvement be''made there will be fouud an apt illustration of that proverb at Macraes. Inquiry into the subject would be easy enough, and would cost nothing. Let us hope that the Government will look into the matter thoroughly and at once Mr. Johnston, schoolmaster at Kyeburn, delivered his advertised lecture in the Union Church on Wednesday evening last. The subject was " Lord Wellington." The lecturer spoke both feelingly and well, and we intend no offence when we state that, though pathetic, and in some places eloquent, the lecture was too long, and there was introduced into it far too much of the religious element, making the whole affair to savor rather of a sermon than, a lecture. The gathering was

not so good as it should have- been conside- lug the interest ing nature of tli'u subject. As will be seen "by a letter from a St. Bathans correspondent, another meeting has heen held for the purpose of memorialising the (Government to remit the remaining portion of John Kwine's sentence. With the prayer of this memorial, as set forth in the letter of our correspondent, we cordially agree, and only trust that it may have the desired effect with those with, whom alone rests the prerogative of mercv.

In the House of Representatives, last week, Mr. Macandrew asked what practical stsps, if any, the Government proposed to adopt with a view to the immediate application of a portion of the Public Works Loan towards water supply for Na?eby, Blacks. Carrick Range, and other Goldfields in the Province of Otago. —Mr. Reid replied that any balance remaining after meeting guarantees and work undertaken at Manuherikia, would be expended in the most advantageous manner possible, after full enquiry being mads. Ma. Nuttali,, the accredited agent of the New Zealand Submarine Gold Mining Company, lately formed in Dunedin, entertained a large number of persons at Horswell's Royal Hotel by explaining to them the principle of the invention, and exhibiting working drawings, &c. The boat is constructed of iron, containing air and watertight compartments, the air being compressed to six atmospheres, or about 1001b3 to the superficial inch. The boat is fitted internally with thirty , feet of sluicing, and is capable of washing and sluicing easily ten loads of washdirt per day—three men being sufficient to work the boat, in shifts of six hours each. It is also capable of removing large boulders, several tons weight, and to conduct blasting operations nf necessary. We were told by Mr. Nuttal I that th ere are no difficulties but can be easily overcome in the shape of tailings, &c. ; and from the elaborate provisions made, we are inclined"-to" believe that the boat will, in all probability, be the greatest success ever introduced into the Province, and deserves theencouragement of all who take-an interest in the hidden treasures concealed at the bottom of our auriferous rne."3. Our respected townsmen, Messrs. In - der and George, are the age: ts for the Mount Ida district. As shares will no doabt be <aten up rapidly, it. is the interest of the up-country districts to act promptly in the matter, in order that they may obtain equal benefits with the capitalists of Dunedin. Mksses. Ixder and Geobg-e, last night, sold by public auction the right to the booth, sad-' ling paddock, and. cards in connection with the Mount Ma Jockey Club Spring Meeting. Mr. W. J. Millar obtained the booth for £3l, Mr. Kirby the paddock for £l2s., Mr. Teague the cards for £l.

Thk Presbyterian Church Committee desire, throug i us, to convey to those persons who recently contributed labor towards the improvement of the grounds around the Manse, their grateful thanks for their services. Though not entirely finished, a good work has been done, and not before it was wanted, seeing that the Manse as well as the grounds are situate on old working.*. In future, from this date, mails for Dunedin, &c, per Daniel and Co.,- will close every Tuesday, at 5 p m. We understand that the 14th and loth November have been fixed as the dates upon which to hold the contemplated Church of England bazaar at this place, it being necessary to give ample time for lhe arrival of a considerable number of contributions now being got ready by several ladies in ,Dunedin, and other places. In the paragraph in our last week's issue referring to the attack made upon Mr. Field by Mr. Pyke, we may state that the letter we saw on the subject exonerating Mr. Field from blame was a reply by Mr. Robinson to a letter addressed to him by Mr. Field, asking that the cirenmstarces of the case within Mr. Robinson's knowledge should be stated. Surface hill has again made itself notorious, and another addition to the already long list of accidents which have taken place there occurred on the afternoon of the 25th. The sufferer in this case, is one George Murphy, who, in making a drive, was overtaken by a large fall of earth, receiving therefrom some contusions on the left shoulder and side. At the time of the accident Murphy's mate was working at some distance from him. So large were the portions of earth which fell up m Murphy that some of them had to be broken before they could be removed. He was at once taken to the Hospital, and the latest reports speak of him as progressing favorably. This occurred in the sanie claim in which Erasmus Larsen. some time since met with the accident which caused his death.

We had yesterday the pleasure of some c nversation with two brothers, miners, of-the n-irne of Shields, who left this place some four years back in search of other and. better fields £)r their labor. From whatwegat ; end from our brief interview they had tried .their fortune both in (xipps Land, and Queensland, and, though more or less successful at different times, and in different localities, candidly admit that they, while at Mount Ida, did better than at any other place they have since visited. Hence their return. This should act as a caution to those who may feel disposed to leave this place for the new rushes. Of Charters Towers and Port Darwin their information was not dissimilar to that hitherto published, namely, that good gold had been found, bu! that the lead had been lost. The excitement in Melbourne was diminishing, and the climate is spoken of as something execrable, and ague and dysentery playing havoc in the ranks of the population. The well known Clydesdale entire horse Young Reformer is advertised to travel the Mount Ida" District." For full particulars" as to pedigree, &e.» see advertisement.

Tu-> Wellington conrespon len of i.h« •jtnr' saya : —O'ali ,mi members from Ota'go. -ii s* Mervyn makes iiimself couspicuuus by his absence frovn the House Reference to our advertising columns "will show that the Shamrock Hotel, at present in the occupation of Mr. Thomas Gallagher, will be sold by Messrs. Inler and. George, by public auction, tomorrow afternoon. The sale by auction by Messrs. Inder and George of the stock in trade of Mr. S. London draper, clothier, and outfitter, will be resumed on the premises on the evening of Monday. The stock is a large and valuable one and offers an opportunity for obtaining bargains of which the folks of Naseby would do well to avail themselves.