THE Mount Ida Chronicle FRIDAY, OCTOBER 8, 1875.

Mount Ida Chronicle, Volume VI, Issue 344, 8 October 1875, Page 2

THE Mount Ida Chronicle FRIDAY, OCTOBER 8, 1875.

"We understand that the Superintendent has received, official intimation that Parliament will be asked to vote £IO,OOO for the completion of the Mount Ida Public Works. This sum will be asked for iii excess of original contracts, and will have to cover all such excess. There can be no doubt that the sum will be sufficient to complete the works and start them in fair working order, provided there is a practical expenditure of the money applicable to the whole work, and not to disjointed fragments. It is quite conceivable that £SOOO might be spent ,on the Channel, and then it might be found out that £6OOO was needed for the Head Race. At the same time £3OOO might have practically completed the Channel, if the expenditure on it had been considered relative t o the requirements of the Head 'Race, and the money available.. The final expenditure on the Head Race cannot ] well be a matter of contract. It must be a giadual expenditure. The local Inspectors, if allowed a little discretion and a couple of gangs of 20 good men, could yery quickly get the Eace stanched and connected in a way that would defy specification, and be in its results infinitely superior. It is obvious that the District Eng - neer cannot with any credit to himself control to the best advantage the floating expenditure that will be necessary unless he was freed from the constant reference of minute detail to his superior, and . was also resident on the ground. The deduction then is forced upon us at once.—lf these works, are to be regarded as district works, the control of which is hereafter to be in the hands of the local governing body, and the charges for which are to be placed upon the district to be created, obviously the control of the final expenditure should be also in local hands. At different times it has been suggested that the management of the Eace and Channel should be in the hands of a Trust, of a paid local Board; or of a resident Government Officer. If the Provincial Government had continued to exist it is likely that a resident officer would have been placed in charge of the works until such time as there had been collected good data as to what the works were worth, and in what way they could be turned to best account. As the charge of maintenance would have been a Provincial one it would have been quite fair that such a supervision should have beeu exercised. As it is, the position is most vague. For about eleven months the Colonial Government is supposed.to manage all Provincial works through Provincial Executives; Then, i if the Abolition Bill is ratified by the new Parliament, local Boards will suddenly step in to manage, with full control and full responsibility, works in. respective districts.; In the meantime the expenditure of the sum of money that may be granted for the Head Race will be in a number of hands, all of whom will be in eleven months irresponsible for what has been undertaken and for what, is left undone. Under the circumstances it seems that the best thing would be to establish a local Board of Management, and allow such Board to control the expenditure of any balance that may be obtainable after ex : sting contracts are paid up. The Government could exercise a check upon the expenditure during the ensuing interregnum, through the "Warden or some other appointed office-. The permanent Chairman would be the Chairu an of the District Board. If the temporary Board were elected it would no doubt finally slide into the permanent Board with but slight variations. The whole question has been overlooked, and we wish merely to draw attention to it in the hope of eliciting a clear understanding as to how far and to what extent the district is responsible for the after maintenance and management of works it has at present no control over. -:—* : A yery vital question to Otago was put to Ministers by Mr. Donald Reid during the passage through Committee of the last few clauses in the: Abolition Bill. Mr. Reid wanted to know what power or authority would have ihe opening of agricultural blocks or recommendation of Hundreds when the Provincial Governments were abolished? The only answer obtainable was to the effect that probably the Wasie Lands Boards would be the powers ; but further, that the intention was to make the opening of lands subject to the law, and not to Boards or Governments. In other words Mr. Bowen pointed out vaguely that a shadowy Colonial Land See, not special but general, would be introduced some day by the Government. It is well known what such a law would be. it would simply be an extension of the Canterbury land law to the whole Colony. That law is free and unlimited selection : The first applicant the purchaser ; the price a cash payment of £2 per acre ; no application received for less than 20 acres. That the Canterbury system of land sales has kept the Provincial pot boiling is beyond dispute. That it has encouraged settlement cannot ue asserted ior a moment. Taking a corner of Canterbury we will show how the system baa worked. Some few years ago when the attention of settlers was be-

ginning to be attracted to the fine lands between tbo Waitaki and Timaru. an occasional settler would find his way to the Waiinate or the Hook, and post off to Christchurch to lodge-; an application for 50 or 100 acres, hoping in time to be able to extend "Kia area. As soon as this application would be heard of the runholder would at once apply for all the ground immediately round the innovating coeka'oo, so as if possible to prevent him having comfortable egress from his .application, and at any rate to prevent an extension of area. These "circular applications would be kept: at as low an acreage as possible. .If it.were judged that! there would be an influx of other cockatoos the gridiron system would be adopted on all the best lands; This simply described is,-as follows: —The runholder marks off and applies for a number of sections, leaving alternate slips wherever possible, each in extent under 20 acres. Under the law these unbought sections would in course of time be offered by auction at the upset price, and, of course, would fall to the runholder without competition. In this way the whole of that fine extent of country between "Waitaki; and Timaru has, with very few exceptions, fallen into the hands of the runholders. At the present time a railway is being made, and is nearly completed, right through this freehold property by borrowed money,: the interest of which is to be paid by the public taxpayer, and the benefit of which is to How into the hands of the capitalist runholder. Such a system is not at all to our mind. Certainly, as the lands have been sold readily, and 25 per cent, of the land revenue has been presented back to the select army of gridironists for the improvement of their properties, the County Board of Timaru aud Gladstone shows overflowing coffers. The present result looks well financially, but as a policy ftir the future we know of nothing more disastrous. Land would have to rise in price to £8 or £lO an acre before it would pay the runholders, at the present price of wool, to cut up their properties for the benefit of small purchasers. This question of future land administration is of more importance to Otago than all the fictitious briberies that' have teen attempted in the shape of mythical subsidies to Koad Boards and Municipalities. New Zealand, to be a prosperous country cannot afford to place the necks cf her people under the chariot wheels of a landed aristocracy. Canterbury ia doing so on the East Coast. We hope Otago will be spared from following the example, even for the sake of establishing Colonial unity.

Otago has been suffering of late years from special epidemics. We have had experience in different parts of the interior, of these various disorders; Cromwell's scourge has been fever. In this district we have had erysipe las. Oamaru is. now suffering from puerpera fever. Tuapeka has shewn acute symptoms of banking caprice. To a great extent we have escaped this last scourge., Of late, however, symptoms are not wanting, "showing that the attack hjis begun." It generally is proceeded by a period of dullness, and is Hardly ever discoverable until better. times are within sight, when it is at once seen in house after house. Those who are suffering the most severely invariably state, on examination, that they have been, previous : to the attack,'-..al-lowed a treatment of extreme liberality, and above all have been assured—Not to distress themselves m the.slightest; it would be all right. The truth seems to be that now the inte-. rior is becoming settled banks should be a little better than merely gold-buying offices. Agents in country banks should be allowed a reasonable discretion in dealing with their business clients, who are induced to believe they have it. So long as everything goes on smoothly the agent's business is to claim personal credit for accommodation afforded. It is only, when the-screw is put on that the manager is made responsible. As it is now in Naseby and the other Goldfields townships, banking negotiations merely amount to selfconstituted "safes for money deposits. Reasonable accommodation can never be depended on'for three months in succession. At Tuapeka the business people have succeeded in inducing the Colonial Bank to establish a localagency. - Considering the assured prosperity which awaits this district in a short time, a similar move would pa,y the Bank, and be beneficial to the district., There is a scope for the establishment of a legitimate banking business in Naseby, to supersede the present gold-buying offices.

Steps have been taken in Chriatchurch to form an ice-making company. The Doneaster St. Ledger was won by Craig Miller; Balfe, second;. Earl of Dartley, third. ... .. Travellers by Cobb's coaches will be glad to bear .'that Ned Devine ia~ again at his oli post on the north road. The Canterbury Acclimatisation Society have decided to take steps, through Mr. Young, of Otago, to obtain a uupply jof salmon ova from San Francisco. Messrs. Inder and George announce for sale by. auction, on the 2Sth October, at Trevilson Farm,' Hyde', a good selection of valuable stock, including sheep,, cattle, and horses." Latest accounts inform us that Mr. Macandrew will abandon the Otago Waste Land Amendment Act, as the "Legislative Council are lirm in theii determination to maintain the increase in price. ■ • iMPonaiATicirhas been received that a sum has been placed ori the estimates for a Court House at Naseby, but that an increase in the amount will be asked for. Messrs. Cooper Brothers announce the Band of Hope %\ater race for disposal or lease, with immediate occupation. A house,' shop, and garden, in excellent order, are also offered. The Band of Hope is a well known and valuable race at Maerewhenua. The slackening.' of "labor which is sure to take place as tho-rail ways at Oaniaru become completed will set. an increased value on water race property at the Maerewhenua. ' "Wednesday, the 13tb, is the day fixed for the sale by auction of the household furniture and effects, the-property of Mr. J. G. Bremner. The furniture is of a good class, and should command a ready sale. An iron tank and fruit trees are also offered. The dwelling house and "business premises in Earn-slreet will also be submitted, for sale'by the auctioneers, Messrs. Inder and George. The sale commences at 1 p.m.

The bridge over the Main Gully, Naseby, is just about completed. The. work has been done-within contract time, and looks strong and workmanlike. The approaches, now remain to be done, but are not included in Mr. Jacob's contract. .If the sludge staircase is removed above the bridge, access to and from the town, free from sludge water, could be obtained by two roads. If this is not done, the bridge will-be of little or no use for foot traffic. A capital entertainment is promised by the Naseby Christy Minstrels, in aid of the Athenaeum, on Wednesday,.l3th of October, under distinguished patronage; The programme - is capitally conceived, and the various songs and,pieces to be sung are'all arranged beforehand, so that. there will be /no attempt to reach wit through offensive coarseness)". as is sometimes the case in amateur performances. We heartily commen>£jjjfehe programme to all who like an evening'srtun, and who also wish to help along the Athenseum. Swamp lands have become a stock joke in the Legislative Council, and although of a damp nature, as allusions they are often brought in a manner exceedingly dry. Yesterday the Hon. Dr. Pollen, in moving for leave to introduce two Bills having reference to Messrs. Eussell, Whitaker, and the Piako lands, took occasion to mention, for the satisfaction of hon. gentlemen and all whom it might concern, that the lands laid no claim to be swampy, and were in consequence free from suspicion. A Purple Lodge in connection with the Loyal Naseby Lodge, M.U.1.0.0:F., was opened on Saturday, 25th September, by the Provincial Grand Master Ero. T. Stewart, when a number of the brethren were ad- ? vanced in the various degrees. After* the business was over, the District Grand Master was entertained by the brethren to cake, wine, fruit, &c. During the evening a number of songs were sung, and speeches made. The arrangements made by HostPinder were most satisfactory, and pleasing to every one. Mr. Henry Smythies, andJMr.'Harry W. Smythies, have entered into partnership under the style of Smythies and Son, as arbitrators, financial agents, stockbrokers, and surveyors. Mr. Smythies' undoubted qualifications as a lawyer will render the advice of the firm very valuable to their clients. The large Goldfields connection also established by Mr. Smythies during his previous lengthy residence in New Zealand will be increased, and the experience he then gained in Naseby' as elsewhere, will be' turned to good account! We heartily wish the firm well in their undertaking, which cannot fail to be remunerative to themselves, arid of advantage to the public. On - Monday afternoon Mr. J. P. Armstrong, M.P.C., introduced to the Deputy-Superim tendent Messrs. Cunningham and Hall, who waited upon his Honor as a deputation fioni Hamilton's. Mr. Cunringham said that although the bridge at Hamilton's was completed, save a little planking, the approaches had not been prepared, and the consequence was that the bridge was ten or twelve feet above the road. The residents would be glad if his Honor would endeavor to get the necessary work done as soon as possible—all that was required was some filling up and the forming of some culverts. His Honor said the engineer had been communicated with on the subject, and the latter stated that lie was prepared to go on with the work at once. Mr. Cunningham then suggested that a dangerous sidling about a mile and a-half on the Kyeburn side of the bridge should be formed into a cutting. Many accidents had occurred there, drays and other vehicles being extremely liable to capsize. Two men would be able to do the work required in a week's time. His Honor said both subjects should be at once attended to. It will not be forgotten that the Legislative Council carried:an amendment in the Goldfields Act Amendment BUI, No. 1, that the compensation payable in any case to landowners holding land on the banks of streams or rivers proclaimed as mining outlets should be a charge upon the Goldfields revenue of the districts in which such streams or rivers were situate. In addition, a, few alterations of minor import were made. The Bill, as amended, had in proper course to go back to the Lower House, for approval of all .amendments made in the Upper. Last week the bill was again sent to the Council, by message,: agreeing to the amendments made, "with the exception of amendments whereby, the compensation payable,, and charges and expenses to be incurred under that section—which this House has appointed to be |. charged on the land revenue—are made chargeable on the Goldfields revenue. These being amendments which interfere with the public revenue, the House of Representatives do not deem it necessary to offer any further reason lor disagreeing to the said amendment —hoping the reason stated will be deemed sufficient." This message was the snub courteous, for it is well understood that the Upper House are not to interfere with financial arrangements. The volatile Premier, Dr. Pollen, whose amendment was thus sat upon, moved "That the Council insist on the amendments." The Speaker suggested that the terms of the motion might produce some irritation in the other branch of the Legislslature. After considerable discussion thedebate was adjourned. In Bishop Neville's address, his Lordship referred to the scarcity of clergymen, nnd also to the new churches erected during the year: —" Certain alterations in the Synod 8011, however, occurred by the removal, resignation, or absence of members. The Eer. A Dasent having resigned the charge of the parish of Waiiouaiti, which he has held for a period of twelve years, is followed lo the Diocese of Wellington by the kind wishes of many friends. His place has been filled by the appointment of the Rev. E. H. Grainger. M.A.; to the united parishes of Waikouaiti „ and Palmerston, in consequence ot which we are enabled to welcome again to our councils, one who has already done good work among'us. The Kev. E. Williams has also removed from this diocese, and accepted a cure in Waiapu. As yet, no successor has been found for the important district of Nasehy. On the other hand, the Rev. C. J. .Martin has come to us well accredited from the Diocese of Hqbart Town, and has already won for himself a largo share of esteem in the cur<3 of Caversham,' to which be has been licensed. Several new districts have been partially organised and committees formed. Green Island and Otepopo may, I think, be at once recognised as parochial districts ; and with regard to others, the only impediment to this first step in the wny ot formal constitution is the impossibility at present of obtaining clergy to supervise them. Many important districts have waited long in vain, pre-eminently Tapanui, Otepopo and its neighbourhood. The Waitaki Plain, Winton, and Arrow town, Nueeby, Roxburgh, and Kivertoii, are vacant, or will shortly become up : and from most of the places I have named I received credible assurances that full stipends can be obtained. I am happy in being able to report that four churches have been opened for divine service during the past year viz., St. Michaels, Anderson'* Bay ; St. Andrews, Cromwell; St. Matthews, Dunedin; and St. Marks, Balclutha. Of these, two are stone churcheß, and of St. Matthews I think it may, without doubt, be said that it is the finest stone chutcli which has yet been built in New Zealand. There are other churches in process of erection or ready to open. I ought to mention that, of St. Greorges, Naseby. because, though a substantial concrete erection, it is now ready for consecration, being free from debt."

The brethren of the Loyal Naseby Lodge Sire requested by advertisement to meet in 'the lodge-room on Saturday evening noxt, to appoint an additional delegate for district meeting. Tub Secretary of the Mount Ida District Hospital begs to acknowledge, with thanks, contributions of books, magazines, &c, from Messrs. Holland Brothers, (Jorbyd, and Schoen. Also lists of cash donations, which will be published in due course. A pubuc meeting of all interested in the Deep Lead Company is called for Tuesday, the 12th instant, at the Town Hall, Naseby.' If public interest is not a little more manifest •in this promising Company than ifc ha 3 been, it bids, fair to fall through. It will be remembered that among the criminal cases set down for hearing at the Supreme Court now sitting there was one of arson. The accused, Robert Hunter, who had been bailed out sifice his committal, had for a long time attempted to remov>; some Cinnamon working for gold in the Shag River, close to his farm. At last, annoyed at some petty outrages which he attributed to the Chinese, ho burnt their huts. For this ho was on Thursday found guilty, but was recommended to mercy. He, however, was sentenced to six months' imprisonment, with hard labor.

~-> Tins usual monthly meeting of the Hospital Committee was held on Friday evening last. Present—Messrs. H. W. Robinson {President), Greer, A. M'G. Brown, Anderson, Inder, Jackson, and George. The minutes <# the previous meeting were read and confirmed. Dr. Whitton reported that during the month 1 patient was admitted, discharged 3, and remaining 1. The Visiting Committeo reported that the trees had been received, and had been planted. The working of the institution was very satisfactory—there being no complaints. The following lenders for tho ensuing six months wero accepted :--Meat, R. Francis; groceries, J. Brown; fuel. Baxter Brothers; bread, Baxter 'and Pyle; drapery, Hjorring; funerals Mori rlson and Langmaak. The Treasurer reported that, after the month's accounts were paid, an overdraft of £2l would remain. ;

Tub fortnightly meeting of the Municipal/ Council was held in the Council Chambers oii Wednesday evening last. Present—his Worship the Mayor, and Cis. Brookes, Rowlatt, "Craig, George, and .Newmarch. A telegram was received from Mr. Mervyn in reference to the Naseby Court House. Tho General Purposes Committee reported that tho time for completing High Street was expired, and that Webber and Moore be notified that their bond of £SO each could bo enforced. The report wns adopted. Proposed by Cr George ;—That all contracts for works done for the Corporation bo laid on the table at next meeting, together with all accounts of monies ipaid on account of same. Carried. Proposed by'Cr. George—That tho Couned take iiito consideration, the unsuitable day and hour of meeting, with a view to suit the convenience of Councillors. It was then agreed that tho meetings bo in future'held on Thursday evenings at 8.30 p.m. Cr. Newmarch—Proposed that no work be done, or no goods be purchased for tho Corporation, except by public lender. Proposition carried. This concluded tho business.

Oamaeu is becoming famous at the presen time for sickness and disease. We would heartily commend the editorial staff of the * North Otago Times ' to enquire at tho local Registers Office as to tho number of deaths, and tho causes thereof, recorded during the last six months. Ho place should be more healthy than Oamaru. It is situated to great advantage, and at first sight would appear tho beau ideal of a natural sanatorium. There is a few yards above the town bridge a water hole in the Onmaru Creek, which supplies u great portion of tho town wi*h water for general purposes. Any day expressmen oah be seen, with their carts in this hole dipping up water into barrels. Anyone at ali curious can profitably spend his time to advantage in following up tho bank of the creek for twentytwo yards. (Wo commend the task to the local Sanitary Inspector.) He would find that twenty-two yards or less above the holo a creek comes in on the right hand with a steep grassy bank, finding its way up to the mill, and alonp the base of the hills. Going twonty-two yards up this tributary he will And himself stopped by the police back premises, including a closet and a drain. Stopping to admire tho Government precision with which this drain is cut, he will not fail to see that all tho contents and refuse from tho closet and gaol generally nre shot deliberately shot into tho creek forty-four yurds from where the expressmen ar« merrily handing up their water buckets. Going higher up the creek he will find mill and cottage refuse, soapsuds &0., adding to tho flow of the waters, while the unfonced bank itself acts as a general sort of town night closet. If he then saunters upthroughtho town, and speaks to one and another about tho nnhcalthine6s of Oamaru, and tho prevalence of typhoid and puerperal fever, he will bo gravely assured that tho cnuso is easily accounted for, being merely tho effluvia arrising from the seaweed on the sea beach Ho can then go home, ruminate upon his discoveries—and we hope (if our friend the Inspector) send in a stinging report to tho Sanitary Committee of the Oamaru Town Counoil.