DUNSTAN.

Tuapeka Times, Volume VII, Issue 343, 1 April 1874, Page 3

DUNSTAN.

(From our oicn Correspondent.) The new members of the Otago Miners' Executive seem to be alive to their duties, and aro determined to press the various matters left for them to deal with ou the minds of the different Governments. There is now circulated among the different local associations, for the purpose of obtaining signatures, copies of those petitions recommended by the Conference ; also subscription lists on behalf of the defence of the action of Borton and others, in case the memorials asking the different Governments to take up the defence of the case be unsuccessful. The Mining Conference and the officers they appointed have faithfully fulfilled their parts. The different matters now rest with the miners as a whole ; and it may be hoped that they will lay aside that apathy which has heretofore been so characteristic among them, and fatal to a great extent to the" successful carrying out of many measures intended for the benefit of the whole body. It was hoped by many that, as the principal subjects for discussion at the Conference were of vital importance to every miner in the land, representatives would be forthcoming from nearly every district; but what was the result ? Not one from the lower districts put in an appearance. Such apathy cannot well be excused, and hus a twofold baneful effect. They not only fail to put forth their voice to seek redress from their wrongs, or to ward off a coming blow ; but they deter and weaken the power of the others from carrying to a successful issue the reforms which they desire. The weak points of the last two Conferences were that they only represented a portion and not the whole of the province. There was" some excuse on the first occasion. Mining associations had not become altogether general, though it was hoped that soon the whole province would become united, and but for the fact of some of the older ones dying out or becoming in a morbid state, such hope would have been realised. The question of unity among the miners ha« not had the attention given to it at the hands of either Minine Conference it

deaerves. It must be apparent to all that without a thorough union of the whole they will never become the power in the land which their industry deserves to be, nor command the respect which the projectors of miners' associations believed they would attain. The appeals from the central body now before the .miners will, it is hoped, find a ready response 'throughout the length and the breadth of the land ; and if a sufficient number of influential members of the different Houses be appealed to to take their case in hand, success will be almost sure to follow. The late sales of the Tuapeka and Wakatip j runs will surely open the eyes of the ruling powers of the value of the pastoral lands of the province, and, unless for the purpose of settlement, surely we will never here of more large blocks being alienated from the Crown. Looking at the privileges whi'ih the condition of these sales gives to both the miner and the agriculturist, the sooner the -whole of the goldfields are made one common and disposed of in the same manner the better, instead of the present system, where the miner may not run a hoof, nor the agriculturist turn a sod without the consent of the lessee. Even the Government has to get that consent before they can resume possession of the land. The advantago of having tenants who will take up the position of the ruled, and not the rulers, would be sufficient inducement to effect the change, leaving aside all considerations in favor of settling the country, which has been with many of our Governments hitherto only a secondary matter ; but will for the future, it is hoped, occupy the favorable attention of those whose business it is to deal with the affairs of the people. The travelling public will be glad to know that the new line of ooaches which commenced here on Friday week has had the effect of considerably reducing the£ffares. King Cobb, as he is sometimes called, announces that single fares to Dunedin will in future be £2 10s., and return tickets can be ha 4 for £4, While wishing the enterprising

firm just started every success, it can scarcely be said of the old firm that they have been imposing on the public. £3 for a journey of 150 miles in a country like this, seeing the trade was all in their own hands, could scarcely be look ou as an overcharge. That and other considerations leads one to think that they will Still command a full share of -public patronage, which as coach pioneers they doubtless deserve. The Old Bendigo Hotel has changed hands during the week. Mrs. Patterson and family left for Dunedin on Wednesday to join her husband, now landlord of the Australasian Hotel there. Mr. Patterson has let the Old Bendigo to Mr. Blue, who took possession and is carrying on the business. He is, I believe, a comparative stranger in the district. However, let us hope it will not deter him from receiving a share of public support. Mr. T. Hawthorne, late of the Clyde Hotel, has again commenced business in the public line in the Bendigo Hotel, lately occupied by Mrs. Smitham. His long residence and former reputation will ensure for him success in his new establishment.