THE Mount Ida Chronicle FRIDAY, OCTOBER 31, 1873.

Mount Ida Chronicle, Volume IV, Issue 243, 31 October 1873, Page 4

THE Mount Ida Chronicle FRIDAY, OCTOBER 31, 1873.

It is getting a notable feature in our legislative bodies of late to pat the Goldfields residents on the back, and say they- are a good port of peopleafter all. As an accompaniment, they are usually told that they really must

give up clamoring for class legislation, in which case they will be quite presentable. We were pleased to see Mr. Bradshaw —who, by-the-bye, seems to hare done more useful work and talked less during the last session, except Mr. Macandrew, than any other Otago member —protest against this cheap soft-sawder process. He said—" He " was very glad to find that everyone j" agreed that miners were a well-con- " ducted class of people, but that their | ■" occupation was to dig for gold, and " that they digged in. virtue of their " miners' rights. What they wanted " was not a character from the House "or any outside person, but some " practical benefit. If the House " would praise them less and give " them more he thought it would be " much more satisfactory to them." The Press, too, generally do just the same thing—they harp repeatedly on the class administration required by the Goldfields. As sure as a real hardship begins, to be exposed, the cry is at once raised that class administration is required. So it is ! Why blink the question ? We have the extraordinary fact that the miner for gold is punished, while th|i producer of other metals, of mineral oils, and coal is offered heavy bonuses. G-old miners, as a class, do require class legislation to place them on an equality with other members of the community. They do not ask freedom from direct taxation, so long as the indebtedness of the Colony may require it, provided always that it is levied on all alike— they gold, silver, copper, iron, or any other miners, sheep farmers, or agriculturalists. They do not require class legislation in the administration of the land laws, but simply protection. That protection they have a right to require for aa industry that, in Otago, brings in five parts of revsnue to every one of expenditure it entails —an industry that has raised New Zealand, nearly a hundred years before it otherwise would have been, into the second Colony in the South Seas. If our contemporaries that, writing principally for other communities, yet patting us on the would consider the real incongruities of the G-oldfields residents' position, and endeavor to encourage legislation to remove them—. instead of harping upon class administration and abusing our members—we should not fail to proclaim our indebtedness.

What are these incongruities ? Are they not legion ? The G-oldfields Act provides machinery for all the details of mining, and imposes penalties for its infringement. Recognising that all mining, except reefing, is done by water, the details as to water races are most elaborate, and the forfeiture clauses for non-use most arbitrary. It will, then, be "hardly credited that the best authorities believe that it is illegal to discolor the water m streams at all—following out which belief, we have the piesent little fracas at Maerewhenua. Then, again, a holder of an outlet of only may be five acres, if it is freehold, can loc!sc up. many thousands of acres of highly auriferous ground, if he chooses to be obstructive. The Mining on Private Property Act is of no use in this direction, as it only provides for the resumption of land actually pay ably auriferous or argentiferous—not for outlets, to extensive areas of high land, that nrght produce thousands cf ounces where the actual small freehold would only give its hundreds. Yet, when these-irregularities are exposed, and legislation is asked for to determine Vhat is law—what a miner can do and what he cannot—we are treated to such an article as appeared lately iu the c Gruardian,' blam-1 ing our members, as class representatives, for all we complain of, and advising our able Wakatip contemporary —as remedial, we presume—to agitate against Provincial institutions, forgetting altogether that, equally as it is the duty of G-oldfields members to be up in general subjects affecting the Colony as a whole, so it is the duty of the remaining members of the House to make themselves acquainted with Groldfields requirements. It is idle talk to blame the incompetency of our Goklfields members for the delay of our requirements. We have never failed to express our views of their deficiencies ; but, after a very careful

observation of all that went on during the last session, we really think they are no more deficient than any other body of members representing other interests. Be that as it may, the comparison would not affect the matter at all. If our contemporary really is in \ earnest in urging measures that would benefit the G-oldfields of the Province, we would recommend to him a careful consideration of the powers the present law confers on holders of freeholds—enabling them to hamper and molest gold-mining ; and also on the tougher question of pollution and diversion of streams. At present, in self-defence, the miners and their representatives are driven to oppose the sale of every acre on Groldfields against their own wish "and interest, and also against the interest of the whole Province.

There are thousands of acres in this district alone—the whole of the Maniototo Plains, for instance, five miles from the base of the mountains—that might be sold to-morrow, to the advantage of the Colony, if a comprehensive law existed, separating entirely the mineral rights below from the surface rights above, arid giving outlets for tailings and a legal access to and from the rivers and streams.

A YOTTNG- child, Edgar Dyke, 16 months old, lost its life last week at Sowburn, by falling into a race. From the evidence at the inquest held by W. G-rumitt, Esq., J.P., Acting Coroner, it appeared that about 5 p.m. on Saturday evening Mrs. Dyke missed the child, and went in search of him, asking Mr. Richardson and Mr. Browne if he had been seen. Mr. Browne immediately went in search, and found the little body much bruised, lying on its face, to all appearances dead, at the end of a head race running behind Dyke's house. Mr. Browne said he thought death was caused by the bruises. These were, he said, caused by the ba,ttens in the race boxes. Efforts were made to restore respiration by rubbing, but were of no avail. The verdict of the jury was to the effect that death ensued from accidental causes.

Tub Resident Magistrate's and Warden's Courts were yesterday adjourned to ]STov. 13th. Wobks at the Sludge Channel are apparently at a standstill. 'lt appears that the work as far as the main road, ahoufc .two miles and forty-four chains, having been completed throughout, there was a desire to.adjust accounts, and settle on the plan of 'action with regard to the remainder of the contract. We hope that we shall soon hear that the works are being progressed with in a satisfactory manner.

Scarcely had we done congratulating ourselves on the departure of erysipelas, when again we have to record that a respected lady has been attacked with the disease. So far, however, we. are glad to say, the case is not a bad one.

It will be generally regretted that Constable Grey has been removed to Cromwell. The constable will there, we understand, be attached to the mounted police!

A post oepice has been gazetted at Serpentine, and Mr. Andrew Murray appointed postmaster.

A correspondent writes us from Dry bread that all hands are busily engaged at work, with an abundance of water. '.

Tenders are called for works on Hound" burn Hill, which : must be despatched to Dunedin this day, according to advertisement. Probably, if they were lodged at the police camp, Naseby, up to date on which they were due at Dunedin, it would be sufficient. The sub-Inspector-in .charge would no doubt intimate, by telegram, the receipt of any tenders.

From the agricultural statistics, we learn that the population of the electoral district of Mount Ida is 2457 : That ] 18 holdings of over one acre are in cultivation, only six acres being in wheat, 34i in barley, in oaten hay and oats producing 11,312 i bushels, —the total number of . acres under crop being only 1968!-. It will be seen that Mount Ida does not owe its importance to the following up of agriculture. Tiie necessary proclamations are, we observe, printed in the last ' General Government G-azette,' giving the limits and descriptions of lands and streams proposed to be taken under the Government water supply scheme. It is with great regret "we this week intimate the death of Mrs. H. W. Robinson. Mrs. Robinson, during her residence for over 6 years in Naseby, earned the respect and esteem of all. On Monday morning all business was suspended, and about 200 people followed the remains of the deceased lady a short distance on the road to Dunedin. The funeral took place there, at the southern cemetery, on Wednesday last. We learn from the ' Auckland Star' that during the late fire at Auckland, a large store was in all probability saved from destruction by salt being spread over the timber adjoin-' ing. Shearers in Hawke's Bay are asking 20s. to 225. 6d. per ICO. At the last meeting of the Waste Lands

•Board, the applications of Mr. D. Sinclair and Mr. Robert Glenn to purchase lands occupied by them at Naseby were postponed. The report of Mr. Maitland, relative to the application of Messrs. Gellibrand and Smith for land in the Waikouaiti district, said to be auriferous, was read. The report stated that it was not probable that the land in question would furnish very much employment for miners.—At the request of Messrs. Smith and Anderson the matter was postponed for a fortnight. The ' Otago G-uardian' was lately shewn a very beautiful specimen of crystalised gold, "weighing something under an ounce, which was found at Lammerlaw, about a quarter of a mile above the Gorge. There are two or three minute quartz crystals adhering to the mass of gold. The specimen is very perfect. It has been purchased by Captain Hutton, Provincial Geologist, and may be seen at the Museum. Towards the end of the session just closed, on the motion of Mr. O'Neill, it was ordered, That, in the opinion of this House, it is desirable that the Government should, not less * than three months before the commencement of next session, cause a Gold Mining Bill to be prepared and circulated throughout the Colony. It will be seen, by an advertisement in another column, that Mr. S. London still continues his clearing-out sale. Yesterday evening the screw augur for the boring rods, applied for by the Miners' Association, came to hand. The trials will be at once proceeded with. There appears to be some uncertainty as to the successful tenderers for the contracts on the head race. We see an advertisement in the 'Daily Times ' of a late issue, calling for men for works on the Mount Ida Water Race, at 9s. per diem, on behalf of Mr. Abbott, so possibly he is successful for what is called the lower contract. The seventeen and a-half miles, it was telegraphed, was given to Mr. Farmer, who is also in the Sludge Channel Company, but this gentleman has, we learn, not accepted the work. The other tenderers have not, so far as w« know, received back their deposit cheques, so that probably the work will be allotted to one of them without fresh tenders being called for.

The Quadrille Club brought a most successful season to what was intended to be a close on Thursday evening, the 23rd instant. The Master of the Ceremonies (Mr. E. Hall) must feel highly satisfied at the great success which has attended the Club this year—a success that has been so great as to render an extension for a further six weeks a necessity. No doubt his own assiduity and polite attentions have, in a great measure, brought, about such a pleasing result. Where so few rational enjoyments are open to the public, the success of this Club is a' matter for congratulation. All will appreciate having six more opportunities for an evening's amusement offered them.

On Wednesday and Thursday evenings last Mr. Fred Clifton and Miss Fanny Sara performed at the Masonic Hall. The entertainment consisted of comic characteristic sketches, ballads, and serio-comic and other songs. The inclemency of the weather on Wednesday evening prevented many from being present, and last evening the hall was not so well filled as tbe excellence of the entertainment deserved.

We are glad to learn that our idea of applying to the Provincial authorities for aid towards erecting a good and. commodious Court house has been followed with success. A reply has been received, in answer to the petition forwarded by the Naseby Council, to the effect that the Provincial Government lias applied for delegated powers to enable them to proceed with the building in a suitable manner.

The Government advertisement in our seventh page, giving particulars of free nominated immigration, should be read carefully. The fullest facilities are offered to colonists to enable them to get their friends out for nothing.

The Undaunted Company have finished their fluming over Deep Creek. As most of our readers are aware, 11-inch iron piping has been used. The piping is laid along iron sockets stretched across two wire ropes which, we believe, have already seen service in carrying the previous fluming that, our readers will remember, was broken by a rock slip some time ago. The race is now receiving its full complement of water without, apparently, anywhere near charging the pipe. We understand the cost of the fluraing has been about £loo—that includes cartage and some concessions for the ropes. The wind should not have much effect now, although it probably would have been wiser, and have made the property more valuable, to have, at an extra cost of about £SO, obtained more piping, and carried it down nearer the bottom. Iron piping is not used half as much as it should be in this district. For a long time, at Drybread, a lighter kind than is in .this fluming has been of use for sluicing purposes instead of canvas very economically, as it has proved. Welshman's GhiMy lately has been followhig the same plan, and we hope soon -to have to record the arrival of large quantities at Naseby. Holiday-makers wanting a convenient and picturesque spot to visit could not do better than go to the Undaunted Company's fluming at Deep Creek. The Hon. Mr. Waterhouse, introducing the Licensing Bill into the Legislative Council, remarked that " the permissive clauses of the Bill would have a great and beneficial iu-

fluence. In cases where houses were badly conducted, the people would be able to rise up, as with one voice, with a view to destroy the evils which resulted from the existence of such houses."—The Hon. Capt, Eraser said "he had very great pleasure in supporting a measure for the suppression of the present wholesale consumption of alcoholic liquors. Owing to the position which he held in connection with asylums, gaols, and hospitals, he could speak of the results which followed intemperence. Two-thirds of the inmates in the asylum 3 were there in consequence o.f intemperance. The free indulgence in alcoholic liquors was the main and fertile source of crime and disease, and the number of neglected and criminal children was the result of the intemperate habits of their parents. With regard to the remarks of his honorable friend, Mr. Waterhouse, as to the licensing bench of Magistrates, they might be applicable to the licensing beaches in the North Island ; but, so far as the place from which lie (Captain 3?raser) came, the Justices never granted a license to a private house. Mr. Harris, who was formerly a member of the Council, had on thirteen different occasions endeavored to obtain a license for a house of that kind, but did not succeed in inducing the bench of Magistrates to gi'ant it. It must be remembered that alcoholic liquors were used to a great extent by the upper classes. * In the home country, any person engaged in business who was known to drink a glass of sherry in the , forenoon, would be looked upon as a person of intemperate habits. They ought to enI deavor as far as possible to set an example of sobriety to the people. So long as they engaged in the vice of intemperance, how could they expect those occupying a lower grade in society to abstain from indulging in intoxicating liquors ? He would support the Bill." A Mb, James Mackintosh, writing to the 'Southland Times' about land reform, has the following remarks "It is surely high time that all who desire light taxation, extended consumption for produce and manufactures, and prosperity for themselves and their children, should unite in forming a | Land Reform League, and agitate from one end of the country to the other for one uniform liberal land law for New Zealand. Let party strifes be cast aside! Let Vogelites, Staffordifces, Macandrewites, and Heidites forget their feuds and join hand-in-hand in demanding such a measure from Parliament! Let the watch-word be, " The lands for the men who are prepared to occupy and improve them"—to such the lands will be given without money No Scandinavians !no Belgians ! or other " foreign sinnirs" shall be brought here at the public expense ! Oh for one hour of Wilson Gray to lead the movement! His

liberal and progressive views on the question have passed into law in Victoria and NewSouth "Wales. From him as President of the Convention have proceeded those glorious truths whicli have since secured for the Colonies referred to "free selection before survey and deferred payments " over an area of 200 millions of acres of grazing and agricultural lands. Could not His Honor Judge Gray some fine afternoon lay aside his robes and "mount the stump" once more to criticise the foregoing remarks ? I should be delighted to hear him, and many of the residents of the fair city of Dunedin would feel pleasure in listening to the generous and noble-hearted Wilson G-ray giving expression to his views regarding the most suitable land laws for New Zealand."

During- the session of the Assembly just closed, an Act was passed, called, the Otago Hundreds Validation Act. This Act was to render valid in especial the few settlements already made in the Traquair Hundred, and open up the unsold portions for further occupation. It appears that Mr. Shand, being better informed than anyone else, not even excepting the Waste Lands Board, at once put in an application for nearly the whole of the Hundred, claiming, as the first applicant, the right to purchase unopposed. The Board was naturally staggered at his action of a member of the Provincial Executive, and by a majority postponed the matter. Mr. Shand subsequently, through his solicitor, stated—" Seeing that his action had been found fault with in some of the public papers on account of his position, he was willing to withdraw his application, on condition that no other application be received from others in the meantime. It would be dangerous for him to do so unless that were agreed upon, when he was willing to compete at auction with and be in the same position as any other applicant.—The Chief Commissioner thought Mr. Shand's action justifiable as long as he did not bring" his voice to bear on the subject in his official capacity.