The Tuapeka Times. SATURDAY, JULY 3, 1869. " Measures, not Men."

Tuapeka Times, Volume II, Issue 73, 3 July 1869, Page 2

The Tuapeka Times. SATURDAY, JULY 3, 1869. " Measures, not Men."

Mr. Fox is now in po.wer, but it is very questionable whether the Colony under his Secretaryship will be any the more prosperous. He no sooner accepts office than he looks with dismay upon the vastness of the military operations which exist, and his policy is- to reduce the force and act on the defensive. The wisdom of such a policy we feel much inclined to doubt. We' have had too much experience of the Maori to be convinced that resting on our oars is the proper attitude to assume. A war of extermination, however' repugnant to the quasi Christian feelings of the present day, seems to be the only possible means of settling once for all the Maori difficulty. We may endeavour to our utmost to Christianise the Maori and to bring him under the influence of moral teaching, but these means having so signally failed, we are inevitably forced to the conclusion that nothing but a strong physical hand will bring permanent .peace, to the North Tsland, and open up the richest and 'most- fertile section of I New Zealand to the enterprising colonist. Temporising with the Maori is out of the question The lessons taught by the Indian Mutiny ! should not be readily forgotten by our statesmen. One thing is very evident that the Home Government is determined to lend us no assistance in our present dilemma. It is pitiable to think that a Government which can squander with impunity nine millions of money in rescuing a few captives in a foreign country, will refuse to assist one of its own weak colonies whose inhabitants are daily murdered in cold blood by heartless savages. Let our Colonial Government then feel conscious of its self-dependence, and as every other means have failed let it adopt some extreme measure for the protection of its population. — we do not say what means, but if no other than extermination can be devised, why then let it be extermination ! Let parties of bush rangers be organised and offer them so much for every Maori scalp they can secure, and we doubt not that before a few months have elapsed, if the Maories are not brought into subjection, there will be very few loft to subjugate.

The postponed fortnightly Athenaeum Readings come off on Thursday evening, when a varied and attractive programme will be gone through. ' Our respected townsman Mr. Horace Bastings has, for the fourth time, received a numerouslysigned requisition to allow himself to be nominated for the mayoralty. We observe that Mr. Morison is rapidly proceeding with his contract for the culvert across Whitehaven-street. The various new buildings in Ross-place are algo nearing completion Mr. Jeffery/s commodious premises will be finished and open in a few days. A considerable amount of excitement has lately been observable among the Chinese in consequence of their having lately struck payable gold on an agricultural lease held by Mr. Fitzgerald, Tuapeka Flat. The finders endeavouredto come to some arrangement with Mr. Fitzgerald to work the ground. The Warden was on the ground, and endeavoured by every means in his power to settle the matter, but without effect, the leaseholder asking- the large sum of £100 per acre, so all diplomacy has resulted in failure. As a las b resource, the prospectors have applied in the usual manner to have the lease cancelled, they becoming responsible to pay the amount fixed by the arbitrators, in terms of the lease. It is apparent now that gold exists in some of the land held under lease, but the 5 occupiers are naturally tenacious of their right. It wpuld; ,however, be advisable for them to ask a reasonable sum rather then stand a chance .of .losing their land altogether.

Ok Thursday afternoon, Mr. Kirkpatrick, shoemaker, Ross-place, was standing on the footpath a shoit, distance from his shop when his attention was directed to smoke coming out at the door. On looking in he found the calico with which, ihe ceiling was lined had caught five from tae overheated state of the stovepipe. By the time he got a bnoket of water to throw on it the flames had spread over all the roof. However, with the assistance of a few -willing hands the fire was overcome and extinguished. Luckily the shell of the building was of iron and bricks, and it was sufficiently detached from any other house to have prevented a conflagration —a thing much to be dreaded in Lawrence. With the fearful results of fire- at Timaru and other places, the inhabitants cannot be too cautious of the powerful element. . . The "Wetherstones Readings sustained their well earned reputation on Wednesday last. There was> a crowded house, and songs, recitations, and readings innumerable. Over £4 in sixpence* were drawn at the door.

We are informed that Mr. Hugh Stewart is about to cut a water race from Stewart's Creek, twelve miles. below the Beaumont Ferry, extending from that creek to the banks of the Molyneux, where the workings are to be carried on. We trust' Mr. Stewart will be well rewarded for i the outlay he is about to make. . We had, the pleasure of visiting Mr. F\ Grant's new premises in Tokomairiro, and were delighted to witness such a capacious building. It consists of two 'floors, and is admirably arranged for convenience and privacy, and on this account is well adapted as a boarding house. '. In the rear of the building is a clean well kept stable. Since Mr. Grant opened the Milton Hotel, he has shown a spirit of enterprise worthy of emulation, and; well deserves en-, couragement. Numerous complaints have reached vs r of the number of loafers who are at present on the Wallaby track. The runholders find the visits of these gentry more frequent than profitable, and several of the sufferers propose insisting on each person applying for a shakedown and a feed doing some work in return for the hospitality" accorded to him. — Sheep are supplied by the Teviot butchers at ' eight shillings each. ' ' j ~ , The newly-opened Roxburgh Court of. the' M.U.1.0.0.F. continues to progress, severalnew members having enrolled themselves There is' a movement in favour of starting a Foresters' Court in the same district. The dredges on the Molyneux above the Teviot continue to obtain good returns. From an advertisement in another column itwill be observed that the Phoenix Water Race Co. have taken a wise step in offering water for^ the further testing of the Wetherstones cement • /at half the usual charge. The Chinamen at work on the eastern .beach of the Molyneux, near Miller's Flat, have struck upon a seam of lignite below water mark. From this they obtain a very welcome supply of fuel, a great advantage in a district where firewood is scarce and expensive, Spring is usually considered th& period when the tutu plant is dangerous to cattle, but even at present it appears far from innocuous. Two - valuable bullocks forming part of a team carting . timber from Tapanui got tooted while outsp.inned on the ranges, some four miles from . the Beaumont. Bleeding was at once resorted to, and the animals, after some time recovered. The case is a warniug to all persons who are" in the habit of relaxing their vigilence in the winter months, under the belief that only the young shoots of the plant are dangerous. We have frequently remarked on the fertility of the land in the Mount Benger district. A very excellent proof of the accuracy of our statements is afforded by the astonishing yield of about thirteen acres laid down in oats by Mr. Patrick, Spylaw Hotel, which produced 800 bushels of first-class grain. The land adjoins the much-disputed Island Block. Mr. Fox has succeeded in forming a' Government, the following being the members — Colonial Secretary, Mr. Fox ; Treasurer, Mr. Yogel ; Minister of Defence and Native Affairs, Mr. D.M'Lean. It is probable Dr. Featherstone and ' Mr. Dillon Bell will also accept office. The war policy of the new Government will be purely defensive, and they intend making efforts to' obtain Imperial assistance in men by retaining the ISfch Regiment, for which they would pay, and by havinga new regiment trained for. service in the colony.

We have been shown a specimen of malachite, or green carbonate of copper, found in the Benger Burn. As far as we could judge, the ore is of great richness, and if found in sufficient quantity should amply repay the working. The mineralogical wealth of Otago has yet to be developed, and affords splendid scope for the capitalist. It is on the cards that Mount Benger will prove a second Burra Burra.

The recent frosty weather has rendered the Molyneux beaches workable, and hundreds of Chinese are busily engaged in taking advantage of the opportunity. Some parties are making splendid wages — from three to ten ounces per week. From Horseshoe Bend to the Teviot the beach is lined with Celestials, busily cradl. ing ; and a couple of Germans have made quite a pile by starting a ferry to the island. All the storekeepers are doing well, for John is a cash customer and fond of living well when he is getting "muchee gold." Should the river fall a foot or two lower, the return of gold from Mount Benger and Teviot will be largely in* creased. • • ' ■ ,

_ Miners returned from the Waikaka ""report that all iands are earning good wages. Green* race is not yet completed, but a plentiful aupply of water can be got by tapping the guHles. - The inclemency of the climate prevents men remaining on the ground unless they have made proper preparations for the winter. The gold got on part of the workable country, especially on Ainsley's run, is fine and scaly, while on Macnab's it is coarser and..sho.tty in appearance. , .. We have received a copy of the " Echo,'* a new evening paper published in Dunedin-, which, - promises to be a successful rival of the " Evening Star." We are very doubtful, however, if Dunedin can support tuo jjoofr evening newa-i papers. Mb. J. L. Gillies, who ia at present making, an official tour through the goldfields of the province, Is stated to have been unable to' visit' Tapanui, though, in company with Mr. Warden Wood ,of Switzere, he visited the goldfield-on the Waikaka river. The result of his enquiries, there has not yet been fully ascertained, but it is believed that he promised to have -a -portion of Mr. Ainslie's run declared a goldfield.— At Switzers Mr. Gillies had an interview with a^ deputation fromithe miners on the subject of a^ commonage. His answer to their representations, though neceessarily indefinite, appear .to have given general satisfaction. — " Daily Times." ; : - , *

Hunt's celebrated claim at the Thamet, which was lately sold for the sum of £49,000, has been thrown into the market as a limited liability CDmpaay, under the name of the Shofcover Qold Mining Company, with a capital of £224,000, in 224 shares of^ttM) each, £219,000 oi which is paid-up oiffMPl" Daily Times." The whale-caught by the Maoris off Waikouaiti, on Friday, was towed into the Floating Dock yesterday morning, and was visited by a large number of people from Dunedin and Port Chalmers, many of whom notwithstanding an unpleasant smell of blubber, made a minute examination of the monster, which on being measured, was found to be exactly 49ft. in length. The Dock is pumped out dry; and another exhibition takes place to-day, when those who have not seen the whale, and who do not object to a smell, will have an opportunity of doing so.—" Daily Times." From the Provincial Government" Gazette " of the 23rd ult., we observe that Mr. J. STL. Nicolson, of the Survey Office, Lawrence, has received instructions to sell by public auctioa at his office, on the 23rd inst., sections, comprising the township of Wetherstones ; and on the 30th inst. on the ground, sections comprising the township of Waikai, Switzers. We are glad to observe that the Government are in this matter studying the convenience of the respective places, by causing the sales to be made on the ground. Were it not for the difficulty and inconvenience of applying for country sections through the Dunedin Land Office alone, we believe that not only many -more sections would be disposed of, but a larger amount might be realised for these sections if the Land "Officer of the district were entrusted with' the power of dealing with the applications. We notice also from the same " Gazette," that sections of the Waipori Township are to be sold on the 16th inst., but strange to say these are gazetted to be sold in Dunedin. Let us hope the Government will see the necessity of saving the residents of Waipori the trouble and expense of * visit to town, when the sale can be effected to all intents and purposes as well on the spot, in a similar way to the sales of Wetherstones and Switzers.

The most successsful dramatic entertainment which has yet been given by the Tuapeka Amateur Dramatic Club, took place in the Commercial Assembly JRooni on Thursday last, when Buckstone's "Nan the good for nothing," and Martin's " D'ye know me now," were performed to a crowded and enthusiastic house. The acting in both pieces was a credit to the district, and considered by many present to have excelled our colonial professional talent. The concert which came between the two pieces was equally successful ; the lady and gentlemen who took part in it being in good voice, and doubtless encouraged by the large audience. .We are desired by the School Committee to acknowledge their gratitude to the ladies and gentlemen who took part in the entertainment, to the lady and gentleman from 'Waitahufe^Bfco enlivened the evening by their songs. Thjßp^feikißgs, we believe amounted to about £20. We are glad to intimate that the Diamatic Club have volunteered their services to repeat the same pieces in the Sportsman's Arms, Wetherstones, on the evening of Thursday, the 15th inst., for the benefit of the widow and children of the late Mr. F. Marriott, and we doubt not there will be a bumper house. Owing to the rapid advance of civilization and the high state of morals in the Tuapeka district, we shall soon be able to dispose with the services of a Resident Magistrate — in "proof of this we have only to inform our readers that there has not been a case before his Worship during the last fortnight. The Ancient Order of Foresters are extending their boundaries day by day. A court is to be opened on Tuesday, the 6th inst. at Mr. Coghill's Bridge Hotel, Havelock. We trust a few of the Court Star of Tuapeka members, -will make it % point to be present on the occasion, to encourage their brothers of the order. Tickets may be had at the Shamrock,. Com-, mercial, and Masonic Hotels, Lawrence. We would remind our readers of Mr. Hay's auction sale at Hunter's yards, Beaumont Ferry, which takes place on Wednesday- next, at one o'clock. This sale offers, a splendid opportunity for any one desirous. of securing ' quiet dairy cows, or light and heavy draught horses. The stock has been reared by the vendors, Messrs. M'Kinnon, Hunter, and Bowtell, and can be relied upon as first-class; < The state of the roads between Tapanui .and Lawrence renders the transport of timber from the Victoria Saw Mills a matter of very considerable difficulty. Four bullock teams which left Tapanui twelve days ago had on Thursday only reached the Beaumont. .One, dray broke down just three miles from the ■ Beaumont, the axle||being broken right across. The load' of each waggon was 1500 feet of black pine, consigned to Messrs. Herbert and Co., the teams Attached being six pair of bullocks. ' The £1000 voted by, the Provincial Council for the maintenance of the' Teviot Road is utterly inadequate. The! few men who are engaged can make very little, impression, and their want of any means for conveying metal, ke., to bad patches, render' their efforts still more unavailing. They are. compelled to fill izp the ruts with layers of nax and mullock, which ft a mere make-shift, 'and, in the long run, positively injurious. When a good road like that from Tokomairiro to, Dunedin ia .voted £10,000 to keep it. in repair, surely the upconntry districts are in justice entitled to more than a beggarly thousand. - ! ■-

" A Penny Saved is a Penny' Qained." —Scotch excursionist — " Ye dinna charge a bawbee at Jtf^the brigga iiTLuhun^do ye ?" TolPKe^p^-" Oh, no— Blackfriars and London Bridge - are free.'' -,- Spotch Excursionist (repocketing coin) — i " E-eh Jhen, wud ye be kind eneuch' just to direct jne to Lunun Bridge ?" :