The Tuapeka Times. SATURDAY, JUNE 26, 1869. "Measures, not Men."

Tuapeka Times, Volume II, Issue 72, 26 June 1869, Page 2

The Tuapeka Times. SATURDAY, JUNE 26, 1869. "Measures, not Men."

The intense interest taken by all classes in the Land Question has led to the neglect of several other matters of almost as vital importance. Most prominent among these is the question of providing a supply of water on the goldfields. . This matter has been too much neglected of late, and all classes will rejoice that the House of Representatives has taken it up in an earnest manner. Private effort has already done a great deal ; but unfortunately this Province is destitute of capitalists sufficiently enterprising to do away with the necessity of Government aid. Our millionaires are a sordid lot — men whom accident, not enterprise, has raised to wealth. Few of them have ever been practically engaged in mining, although their riches have been derived from the extra demand created by the influx of a large mining population. They are therefore devoid of the esprit dv corps which animates the digging community, and view with distrust any mining, speculation. Yet there seldom has been so brilliant an opportunity afforded the capitalist ns is just now presented by the Otagan C4oldfields — thousands upon thousands of acres of payable auriferous ground being left unworked owing to the limited water supply. Further, the risk involved in such a speculation would be small, as the Government Engineers have authoritatively stated that the cost of a grand reservoir for this district would only amount to about £50,000, and that other places could be even more cheaply supplied. We believe we are not exceeding the truth when we state the whole of this capital would be realised in four or five years — a statement amply corroborated by the dividends of the Phoenix Co., and by the splendid returns obtained from West Coast specu lations of a similar nature. Even as an investment of public money, such a scheme presents many advantages; and when we add to these tlie benefit to the Province by increase of wealth and population, our only wonder is that so little has as yet been clone in furtherance of the object. On the Tuapeka Goldfield alone, where private enterprise has done so much, the miner is debarred from working tracts of ground known to be payable by the impossibility of obtaining water, and even those who are best off in this respect complain of the insufficiency of their supply. When we consider that nearly every spur on the Tuapeka and Waitahuna Creeks can be worked profitably by hydraulic means or by sluicing ; when we recollect the tons of gold buried in the Blue Spur tailings, we cannot help regretting that the miners have not agitated as vehemently in this as they have on the land question. The means of affording profitable work to a large population, of supporting hundreds of families, lie buried at our doors ; yet, for any good we receive, might as well be in the centre of Zahara. Such neglect was excusable in bygone days, when wagesground was treated with contempt ; but that feeling is entirely a, thing of the past. The Province is daily sinking lower and lower ; commercial depression is universal ; and if we continue to neglect the obvious remedy, the fate of Marlborough, Wellington, and Southland is sure to be ours. The House of Representatives appears willing to give the miners an opportunity of urging the matter, and the Government avows its willingness to do everything in its power in aid of any well considered scheme. It behoves the miners to be up and doing. The Provincial Government has been lavish of promises, but utterly devoid of performance ; it is only fair the General Government should have a chance. Unfortunately our representatives do not represent either the feelings or interests of the Otagan Goldfields; they are both non-resident, both indeed without any connection with the Province. Still, an urgent representation from their constituents would no doubt receive attention, and ensure the due consideration of the claims of this Province. We are glad to see that Mr. Bradshaw is included in the select committee

mentioned in another column, as we have every confidence in that gentleman's public spirit and great experience ; still, it is to be regretted that at the time so important a question is mooted, the Otagan goldfields should be virtually unrepresented.

We beg to remind our readers that the Eng- ' lish Mail vir Suea closes here on the sth prox. A change of chairs in the Loyal Tuapeka Lodge M.U.1.0.0.F. took place on Monday evening, with the following result :— N.G.. Bro. J. Harrop ; Y.G., Bro. Fargher; E. S., Bro. A. Burns. Home letters inform us that the Scotch goldfields continue to progress, some of the ex« perienced miners making from three to four ounces a week. The Duke of Sutherland has begun to issue licenses for claims not larger than forty feet square, at the rate of SI per month. These licenses are hampered by many vexatious provisoes, and the unfortunate Scotch digger is further mulcted in ten per cent, of his earnings, as a royalty to the Crown. We may thank heaven we have no dukes to deal with here. Areangements have been made with Mr. Smith to throw open the 5000 acres of his run included in the Beaumont Hundred in one block contiguous to Evans' and Tuapeka Flats. Mr. Smith has, with praiseworthy liberality, permitted all settlers' cattle to graze on this block at once, without any charge, although he has paid up assessment for several months yet. This action on the part of Mr. Smith affords a good example to others similarly situated, but one which, we fear, will not be followed. Mr. Haggitt has been gazetted Provincial Solicitor. Me. Keynolds' bill for the adoption of the ballot has passed its second reading, the numbers beini?— for. 37 : against, 18. Mr. Dillon Bell was the only Otagan member who voted against it. Mb. O'Neill, out Goldfields representative in the Assembly, is, it appears, permanently settled at the Thames. Mr. Yogel, another of our members, is also resident in Auckland, Surely so anomalous a state of thngs should not be allowed to continue. On Saturday last, an inquest was held in the Masonic Hotel Lawrence, on the body of Frederick H. Marriott;, pianist, Wetherstones. From the evidence, it appeared that deceased had returned to Lawrence on Friday from the Teviot, where he had been performing at the opening of the .Roxburgh Lodge M.U.1.0.0.F. About 10.30 p.m., he left the Masonic Hotel, with the intention of going straight home to Wetherstones. Next morning, about 7.30., William Latewood, a bricklayer, found his body in a small pool of water near the old "lieoordei-" offico. It is conjectured thai he tripped while walking along the bank, and was stunned by the fall. The bank is about four or five feet high, and the depth of water in the pool at no part greater than six inches. When Latewood observed the deceased, he appeared like a person stooping to drink, but on making an attempt to rouse him, life was found to be extinct. The medical evidence showed that death arose from asphyxia, and a verdict of " Accidental Death " was returned. On Monday the remains were interred in the cemetery here, the brass band turning out on the occasion. The attendance was large and respectable, the Oddfellows mustering in great force. Marriott was a son of the Queen's Organist, Chapel Royal, Windsor, and had served for some time as a midshipman in the Navy. He was generally liked and respected, and at all times was ready to give his services for every charitable purpose. His death is a very great loss to the Wetherstone* School Committee, as his masterly performances at the fortnightly Readings were no small attraction. He leaves a widow and two young children totally unprovided for ; but we have little doubt it will be held a duty and a melancholy pleasure by all who knew him to contribute handsomely for their support.

We are hiformed that on Saturday last sheep were selling at "Waitahuna for a shout ! Surely no one will complain of high prices any longer. We are informed that Beattie and Co.'s dredge on the Molyneux near the Manuherikia has averaged the large sum of 17 oz daily for some time pa*st. This we helieve is the only dredge that has struck a splendid patch of gold A FEW days ago Mr. George Williams, Tapanui, was thrown from hia horse on the road near the Chinese camp. At first it was thought his injuries were serious, but fortunately they proved of little moment. He was able to pursue his journey next day. Mb. Hat, as will be seen from the advertisement, has been instructed to sell a large mob of valuable cattle and horses at Hunter's yards, Beaumont on the 7th prox. A good opportunity is thus afforded for persons desiring to increase their spring stock. A slight shock of earthquake was experienced here on Thursday about 11.25 a.m. The motiqn was from a northerly in southernly direction. In Mr, Harris's store, the buckets, billies, &c, suspended from the roof, were swayed violently to and fro, and a similar commotion was observed among the saddlery in the shop of Messrs. Low and Sons. Down several chimneys a gust of smoke announced the occurrence of something unusual. Strange to say the shock was not felt further up Peelstreet than Messrs. Low's store, although it was quite distinctly felt at the Police Camp on the summit of the hilL Correspondents informs us that the earthquake was severe in Dunedin where the clock bells rang, and that it caused some alarm in Tokomairiro. At Queenstown it was also felt. It is to be regretted that the Education Board do not furnish all the schoolI masters in the province with instruments, and render it compulsory on them to keep % correct record of all natural phenomena.

A requisition for the formation of a lodge M.U.1.0.0.F., signed by over twenty of the most influential inhabitants, has been sent from Tapanui. "We beg to remind our readers of the dramatic entertainment on Monday evening, in<&id of the school funds. On account of the entertainment at the Blue Spur on Thursday last, the usual Athen&um Readings were postponed to Thursday, July 8. We are informed on reliable authority, that Mr. Stafford had made arrangements for dissolving parliament in the event of an adverse vote being passed. The result of the division on the want of confidence a motion as stated in another column will, in all likelihood cause a general election. The mining community should, therefore, be on the outlook for candidates to represent them- fairly. "A miner, as representative for the miners," should form theij. rallying cry. A meeting of School Committee was held yesterday evening ; the small attendance was a disgrace to the community. Mr. Harrop was elected chairman, and the minutes of last meeting read and confirmed. On ihe motion of Mr. I Jamison, it was agreed to apply to the Educa- ' tion Board to have the school converted into a grammar school It was also agreed that the present teachers should be recommended for reappointment, and that a sub-committee, consisting of the President and Secretary, Messrs. Harrop and Jamison, should be appointed, to arrange the scale of f eas, hours of attendance, election of second master, &c, &c. and to report to a meeting on the 6th prox. It is astonishing how near some skilled butchers can judge of the weight of a live animal. The other day Mr. Thomas Lees bet Mr. James Smith £10 that he could not tell the weight of a good large pig belonging to Mr. M'Clusky of "Wetherstones. Mr. Smith took up the bet, and when the pig was weighed it was found to be exactly what he judged it to be, the £10 was consequently won by him. We beg to draw the special attention of our readers to an advertisement of Mr. Eobert M'Kimmie, by which it will be seen that he has commenced slaughtering in Mr. Thomas Lee's yard, and is prepared to supply the district with beef and mutton at a great reduction in price. This iB another step towards meeting the necessities of these hard times. Some short time since, the bread question created no little controversy, after which the bakers reduced the price of bread. A few letters also appeared in our columns on the meat question, and now our correspondents on that subject may have their wishes gratified. From our personal acquaintance with Mr. M'Kimmie, we believe he will make a permanent stay in the district, and we trust he will receive the support which such a bold step deserves. The Masonic Lodge St. George, E.C., Law. rence, meets on Thursday evening next at 7.30 p.m. "We understand that an effort is to be made to provide for the family of the late Mr. F. H. Marriott by entertainments at Wetherstones, Waipori, Lawrence, Waitahuna, Blue Spur, and (it is hoped) Teviot and Switzers. We do sincerely trust that this call will be liberally responded to. . Some six or seven gentlemen have formed themselves into a committee to carry out the objec^which is certainly worthy of supportr—MfTFarrer is treasurer.