THE Mount Ida Chronicle FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 12, 1873.

Mount Ida Chronicle, Volume IV, Issue 236, 12 September 1873, Page 4

THE Mount Ida Chronicle FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 12, 1873.

Me. Balfour, in his report of 1864, refers to the rive" Dee as a case in which serious damage had been done to the navigation of a, harbor, by tlie reclamation of land at.the upper portions of the estuary. Mr. I). Hteverbou, who surveyed this river in 1839, says that twofold schemes, having f o r their ostensible object reclamation of land and the improvement of rivers or eatuariea, have generally been unsuccessful iu benefitting navigation ; and lays it down as a somewhat fixed principle, that land making is no part of sound river engineering. The River Dee Company reclaimed a large tr,ict of land from the upper part of the estuary —about 4,000 acres—which are now in full cultivation ; and alongside of this gradually gained territory the river has been conducted from Chester to near Flint, in a narrow channel of: about eight miles in length and 400 j feet in width. A considerable portion' of land has also been reclaimed on the Flintshire side of the estuary, though not by the proprietors of the Dee Company, and it is believed that about 7,000 acres in all have been gained from the sea. Stevenson says " that it " is well authenticated that, previous " to the commencement of the land- " making operations on that river, " there t\;as a depth of not less than a " fathom at low water of spring tides " up as far as Burfonbead, a d that " there was an anchorage for vessels of " the largest size opposite to Parkgate. " But when he surveyed the Dee in " 3 833, the depth of six feet was not " found for more than six miles below " Burtonhead, the low water, features

" of the estuary having been forced to " that extent farther seawards by the " extensive reclamation of land in the " upper part of the estuary, and the " consequent diminution of the tidal " scour. It cannot," he says, "be dis- " puted that the effect of the works " executed on the river Dee, whatever " may have been the anticipations of " their projectors, has been to shut " out the sea and form land at the ex- " pense of the navigation.'* , Yet this is what has been going on for some years back in Dunedin. Considerable sums of money have been spent in the not unwise labor of reclamation. This work is still being pushed in all directions—at the piers and the wharves, at the curve of the Port railway, and at Anderson's Bay. Yet, in spite of this policy—a highly advantageous one for Dunedin—having been adopted, the] country is now gravely asked to stultify its action, and embark money in | works to fight with one hand what is being done with the other. Dun-' edin should accept the position: that nature never intended big ships to lay-; at her wharves. If not—if by the continued " stalking of folly by the way- j " side," the deepening of the upper i branches of the harbor is projected, at | a cost of £IOO,OOO, reclamation must i at once be put an end to. It is very i doubtful, even then, if the evils and difficulties, would not prove insur- 1 mount-able. It would be, in our opinion, far more preferable to push on the works of reclamation—to such an extent, at least, that the outer bar shall not be materially damaged—-and by so doing the wretchedly wet ground stretching from Keusington to the Ocean Beach would be made good. The Provincial Executive will not be justified in going to any great expense in this matter till the next session of the Provincial Council-'brings the question up for discussion. - Still, the Province should not quietly take this for granted, but should watch the steps being taken, that counteraction maybe set in motion to prevent a great and entirely unnecessary waste of the country's estate.

| As we conjectured last week, the Groldj fields Bill was not permanently shelved, j It appears that some members, bitterly ! opposed to the motion, took advantage of the forms of the House to throw the i Bill out in Committeie of a thin House. Ihe supporters of the Bill, enraged at what had been done in their absence, created a storm about the matter, and the Premier proposed that the Bill be recommitted, which", on rather a close division, was carried. Bince then the Bill passed safely through Committee, with only a few verbal alterations. There does not seem to be the least chance that the Bill will become law —the member for Hokitika and a few Otago members being against it—pledged to impede it if they can. We have the Bill before us, as amended by the Goldfields Committee, and although the measure is not likely now to become law, it will be of interest to notice ths main alterations, because it is sure to bt- the backbone of any future measure. Several manifest blots still remain —biofs that have been pointed out be for-?, aud which might be partially .altered by clever regulations ; but they could not be so altered as to be h-ft in that clear light that an Act should afford to any' commonsense reader.

In the interpretation clause min- " ing " is confined entirely to mining for gold A " claim "is to mean any parcel of land or race. " Sluice head " is to mean a stream of water capable of discharging' 375 gallons of water a minute, instead of 400. The business license is reduced from £5 a vear to £3.

The alterations with regard to water races are—That the water license shall be"payable. annually in advance, a,t the rate of ss. per sluice head, instead of a" sum of in all cases £5. Notice, before construction of a race, must be sent to £ ' all persons whose interests may be aftected by such diversion." An important clause'is dlso inserted : —" That two sluice heads shall, if required, be .at all times allowed to flow in t;ie natural- course of any " stream for general use." The area of ground ieaseable for

gold mining purposes to any person at discretion of the Governor, is increased from fifteen and a half acres to sixteen, for any term not exceeding fifteen years. rhe jurisdiction of the Wardens' Courts is extended, enabling any matters to be heard and determined " con- " cerning actions from redemption, or for enforcing _ any mortgage, charge, * e or lien made under the provisions of " the Act;" and also "to hear and " determine all mining partnership " disputes, and to decree a dissolution " of any such mining partnership, as " to the whole or any of the members " thereof, and the sale of the partner- " ship property and division of the "proceeds."

Mining Boards are only to be allowed in any gold-mining district constituted as such under the Act, on petition of 500 holders of miners' rights in that district instead of £2OO.

The Act to come into operation Ist January, 1874.

As we said at the outset, the Bill is not likely to become law this session, as it has to run the gauntlet of a fullCommittee of the whole House. But still, as altered, it is sure to come up again next session. Mining Associations should consider these and other alterations made, so as to be in a position to suggest any thing of importance. Their 'suggestions, so far, have received so much consideration that they may well persevere in their efforts at having a hand in making their own laws. \No doubt copies of the amended Bill would be sent on application.

We understand that it is the intention of Mr. Warden Robinson to be at Serpentine on the 3rd October, instead of the 9th, as - announced.

There being no business fixed for the sitting of the District Court appointed to be held on Wednesday, 10th instant, the Court was adjourned until the first day of the next sitting.

On Sunday last the fine spring weather we have beeh enjoying for some time past caine to an end. On the evening of that day rail! set in, and continued through Monday and Tuesday." ieifcerday snow fell steadily, and when wo went to ptea* there wis no appearance of a change for the better.

The rivers soon began to feel the effects of the weather—the Taieri and Manuherikia rising rapidly on Monday last. The Dunstan couch, driven, by Mr. Nettlefold, however

managed to drive through. The mid-weekly mail coach, due at Naseby on Wednesday, was not so fortunate being unable to cross the Taieri between Macraes and Hyde. Mr Poole, the driver, left his coach at the blacksmith's and also two passengers—Mr. M'Kay and wife—on their way to the Hospital where they have been engaged as warder and matron. Mr. Poole crossed in the boat with the mail, swimming one of his horses behind, and pushed through the upper ford at considerable risk to Naseby, where the mail was delivered as usual. Mr. Poole deserves much credit for his energy and perseverance. The hills, when again visible, should show a thick coat of snow, which, if not too quickly melted, will give a good water supply lasting for some time.

. Last week we mentioned that erysipelas was very prevalent in the district, but that no case had as. yet proved fatal. Now, however, we have to withdraw that too soon uttered consolation—a very old resident, Mr. Thomas G-race having succumbed to the disease on Tuesday morning last. Mr. Gri'.tce has been in business in JNaseby for some yeai'spast, and was previously well known on the old Dunstan road at the Upper Taieri ferry. His somewhat unexpected death will cast a gloom over many of those with whom he has been so long associated. Mr. G-race was buried yesterday -—fully 200 persons, disregarding the severe snow storm, following his remains to the cemeterv. •

Om Wednesday morning an accident occurred in Mr. Green's claim, whereby a Chinaman, named All Grow, was slightly injured. It appears that the ground in the claim is at present very treacherous, and liable/ to slip with little or no notice. A portion came away and fell on Ah Gow's legs, one being much bruised, and, it was feared, broken. On being taken to the Hospital, the doctor found that a very narrow escape had been experienced from serious injury, the leg being much bruised, but fortunately no bone was broken.

The telegraph wire was interrupted early yesterday. iN'o doubt the soft snow falling accumulated round the wire where the line passes through the exposed country between Kyeburn and Waihemo, thus causing breakages. Our usual telegraphic news has 'consequently not reached us.

From a notice stuck up at the post office we learn that tenders are called for the mail services for 1874, such tenders to be sent in by the 30th instant. The slip, printed in the smallest possible type, only caught our eye by chance. "We hardly see how the Provincial authorities can expect these lines

to be tendered for at the lowest rates, when they take so little trouble to give full publicity to what is to be tendered for. New mail lines, such as that from Maerewhenua to Kyeburn Diggings, would require to be visited before a tenderer could judge what such a line could be carried through for. The tenders are for one year—for 1874. The Dunedin and Dunstan line is broken up into separate contracts. Tenders are called for the following services:—From Palmerston to Naseby twice week ; from Palmerston to Naseby, via Hyde and Macraes, once a week; Naseby to Kawarau, twice a week ; Naseby and Clyde, twice a week; Kyeburn and Hyde, via Hamilton, once a week; Linburn and Serpentine, fortnightly; Blackstone Hill and St. Bathans, twice weekly; and Kyeburn Diggings, once weekly; Kyeburn Diggings and Maerewhenua, once weekly. It is to be hoped that some reasonable tenders will be put in for the line to Maerewhenua, as it is to be feared that the sum will decide whether it is to be or not; unless, indeed, as in too many cases of postal mismanagement in this Province, it is condemned already before hearing.

The Rev. Mr. Williams held Divine service in the Dunstan Creek district last Sunday. Mr. Wade's house at Blackstone Hill and the schoolhouse at St. Bathans were full to overflowing. So hearty an encouragement must be very satisfactory to the rev. gentleman just entering upon a new sphere of labor.

The meeting called by Mr. de Lautour for Monday evening last had to be postponed on account of the severity of the night. This is ,to be regretted, as it was, we believe, intended to bring before the meeting matters of urgency requiring the careful consideration of the district.

In consequence of the floods in the Manuherikia River, the Courts at St. Bathans have had to be postponed. We have received a telegram from Dunedin, positively stating that the telegraph extension is to go via St. Bathans. We never supposed it would be otherwise, but some have thought that the line would keep the main road. There can be no doubt that the line, if not visiting St. Bathans, would lose half its value as a' reproductive work, the residents in that district being numerous and energetic as a business community.

We are informed that the schoolhouse at Blackstone Hill, for which collections have been for some time past successfully made, is to be at once built. ( The building will be available, we believe, for church services on Sundays.

Mr. Horace Bastinus, Dr. Webster, and Mr. Shand, members of the Provincial Executive, lately visited the Bellamy rum, to select the block for the Hundred in that district, passed by the Provincial Council last session.

At the Council meeting held last Wednesday night, a clause was specially inserted in the bye-laws, classing goats as vermin, and liable to be destroyed, when at large, without notice. The clause making it imperative for public carters to be licensed was struck out. The sale of the Temperance Hall, which we announced lately, together with furniture, &c., is of interest to many shareholders now out of the immediate district. The Hall was built in 1869, and although having now played its part, will not be removed without being missed by many. The sum of £59 6s. 6d. was realised, which, after deduction of charges and the payment of accounts to the amount of £l7 10s., leaves a balance of £4l 16s. 6d. to be divided among the shareholders, giving, we believe, about 17s. in the £1 on the original cost of shares. The present resident shareholders are now too few to keep open the hall.

The Cromwell Jockey Club have announced their intention to offer a sweepstake of £4 45., half forfeit, with £4<o sovs. added, for a Cromwell Derby, to be run on the 27th December, 1873. Particulars will be seen in advertisement.

We are informed that donations to the extent of £SO have been paid in this week to the credit of the Presbyterian Church, Naseby. £2O of this comes from China, £lO from Scotland, and the remaining £2O from a few of the runholders in the district—a class always giving liberally to church subscriptions. The adjourned meeting of the Athenaeum Committee was held on the Bth inst. Present —Mr. L. W. Busch (chairman), and Messrs. E. T. G-eorge, J. S. M'lntosh, G-. F. Newmarch, and £. C. Smith. Correspondence:— Prom the Town Clerk, acknowledging parce of and from the proprietor ' South Canterbury Times' declining to send paper free, but offering to supply it for 12s. 6d. per annum. The Committee declined the offer. The fencing of the Instiiute was then discussed, and it was finally resolved to defer it for the present. The Treasurer reported a balance in the bank of £79 65., and cash in hand £l. Accounts amounting to £ls 12s. 6d. were passed for payment. It was resolved to ap - point Mr. H. B. M'lntosh member of Committee, with his consent, in the place of Mr. W. J. Cooper, resigned. We are glad to learn that the sale of MiPearce's tools, stores, &c , at the Manuheri* kia head race, fetched satisfactory prices Messrs. Inder and George were the a c tioneers.

The following was the division list on tlie question of reducing the duty oil gold : Ayes, 26 —Messrs. Brudshaw, J. C. Brown, Bunny, Carrington, J. L. Gillies, Henderson, Ingles, Kenny, Macandrew, Mervyn, Murray, O'Oonor, O'Neill, Pyke, Reid, Seym cur, 1\ L. Shepherd, Stafford, Swanson, Taiaroa Taka_

moana, Thomson, Tribe, Wakefield, White, and Williamson. Noes, 31—-Messrs. Bathgate, Bluett, Brandon, J. E. Brown, Buckland, Curtis, Cutkbertson, Fox, Harrison, Jackson, Kelly, Luckie, M'Gmivray, M'Jjean, Munro, Parata, Parkes, Beeves, Reynolds, Rhodes, Richardson, Richmond, Sheehan, Shepherd, Yogel, Webb, Williams, Wood, and Sir J. C. Wilson. For the motion, the pairs were Messrs. Collins and Steward ; against Messrs. M'G-lashan and Studholme.

The 1 Waikato Times ' points out the very discreditable fact that, with an enormous printing staff at its command, and with first. - class printing offices in every large town in the Colony, the (3-overnment have had their telegraph forms printed by Walerlow and Sons of London. A precious piece of printing it is too! '' No wonder our contemporary askswhether Messrs. Waterlow and Sous are related in any way to one of the Ministry, or to a man who has a vote.. The paper is bad, and the printing vile—in fact, so bad that there are few offices in the Colony that would not be ashamed to see their imprint at the bottom of the form. Upwards of 25000 shares in the National Insurance Company has been applied for in Christ church.

Me. Andrew Fleming-, rector of the Invercargiil Grammar School, died, on the 6th instant at the residence of his parents. Mr. Smythies'swork, "Education of Man" is referred to in the ' Home News' in these terms: —" There is some difficulty in believing .that the author of this absurd little volume can be in the possession of his senses, his object being-to show that men's bodies have been created to become a receptacle for the spirits of the fallen, angels, who are placed in this world for the purpose of education, to fit them for their restoration to their first estate. He meets our first objection to considering • ourselves devils by telling us that there are devils and devils, and that though some of them—the devils proper —have no doubt lost all hope, it is not clear that all have, and in that case ' a spirit of to-day's creation,' ' bom m sua,' deserving God's wrath and damnation demands no preference over a spirit which has existed through eternity, and was an angel in heaven, but lost it by disobedience, as Adam lost Paradise.' He also feels pretty certain that negroes have no souls, though if slavery had not been abolished he would have been afraid to say so. His friends should really fceep an eye upon him." The most astonishing new paper venture we ever heard of is shadowed fo"th by the Belfast, ' Northern Whig' of June 24, which says In . preparation for the coming political struggle, now daily London newspaper ia announced, at an altogether unprecedented low price. It is to be called the c Country Daily Newspaper' and its special object will be to supply U*e rur. l districts with a daily paper of Conservative principles, at such a price that every one above the status of a pauper will be able to take it in. The price will be a penny per week for a paper every day, or a farthing for a single copy. The news will be given in very pithy paragraphs ; the leaders will be what journalists call "paragraph" leaders, and the sheet, which will consist of four pages two. columns each, will be as compact as " nonpareil" type can.make it. It is intended to set the paper by means of Mr. Mackie's patent steam type composer, which, so far as human labor is required at all, will be worked by girls.