DUNSTAN.

Tuapeka Times, Volume VI, Issue 303, 12 November 1873, Page 3

DUNSTAN.

{From our own Correspondent.) With the first of the bi-weekly issue I am rather pleased, it looks like putting a great deal into small compass. I can also see the necessity of the hint to correspondents to clip their letters ; pity though if we should have no more of these long drawn twisters about cadaverous looking councillors, painted cuddies, or such like important subjects ; not being in the habit myself of drawing on the imagination for such like hideous scenes, it will be no hardship to ,be confined to fact, which is always boat for the truth it is said will tell again. Practically speaking, to commence with, news is scarce, nothing new nor startling ; everyone knows it is not the season for politics, if we exclude the salo of the runs, but on that subject I shall be silent as I do not want to get into trouble. The weather is fine, fields and gardens are looking well ; even the Dunstan flat is almost looking green ; business rather dull, oats are dear, eight shillings a j bushel, and Btill rising. Alcohol mixtures (retail) are unaltered in price, but tho new tariff has in some cases advanced tho wholesale price. The Molyneux is high and so is tho cartage, a good job for the up country i brewers, for it -will not run the Dunedin beer ; at present rates. Water iB plentiful for sluicers, and muddy enough at times for the town. The unfortunate coalpit machinery is broken again ; Paddle wheols aro being filled, on to the Pneumatic, all the other dredges are idle. Tenders are culled fo? the new courthouse, but I hear nothing of the Cromwell road contracts. The town is showing improvements, Attfield & Welsford have commenoed a large stone place, I am fiot sure of the name of the street where then- new building is being erected, but it is one of the four corners not oecuj>ied by M'Pherson, Cox, or Moore. The Port Philip Hotel is haring its front improved and decorated, tffr.l the ground-work is laid of a very conspicuous and what ■will, no doubt turn out to bo a beautifully painted sign. A bachelor's hall is being fitted up near the camp. Bromley's Troupe, with their monkeys, gave two entertainments during the week to good houses, and were highly admired. Tho | hnlf-way house Alexandra has changed hands, Mr. C. Hensburgh is now the lafiJlord ; it is being prepared for our yearly masonic ball. I did not hear if Bishop Moran, as he passed through, received au invitation providing, it should suifc his convenience te attend ; if he did not receive one it must have been our oversight. A few impounding expeditions by the squatters have come off lately. They adopt this proceeding, periodically, they do so purposely, I presume-, to show that, they are the Lords of the grass, ev.cn if Vogcl should say they aro only tho tenants of the Crown. ; But) of nearly 1209 applications for national sbireß from here only a little over 300 have been allotted ; the owners indulge in the common privilege of growling that they did not j get more^