The Clutha Leader. BALCLUTHA: FRIDAY, JUNE 8, 1894

Clutha Leader, Volume XX, Issue 1036, 8 June 1894, Page 4

The Clutha Leader. BALCLUTHA: FRIDAY, JUNE 8, 1894

The Balclutha gas works have now been in operation for about .six weeks, and we believe Watt's h^dro-carbon or water gas has given universal satisfaction. That supplied here has been of considerably higher illuminating power than the ordinary coal gas in use in Dunedin, Invercargill, etc., and it is supplied at a lower price than that charged in any other country township in the colony. The hydro-carbon gas has thus undergone sufficient test and must be pronounced a thorough success. It is now used by a large nmnber of consumers who find it a much better and more convenient and less expensive light than that given by the discarded kerosene lamps. And yet the directors of the company are not happy and seem not at all at ease in their present position. It seems they have some little difficulties to contend against they could scarcely have foreseen. For example in the ISTew Zealand tariff shale waste — the material used in the manufacture of the gas — is stated to be duty free, but when the waste arrived, here from Home the customs officers classed it as refined oil and imposed a duty equal to the cost, of the waste. There was another difficulty: On a canvc3; being made for disposing of shares in Balclutha promises to take shares to the number of 800 were given. These were accepted in good faith and calcuated on by the directors, but when payment was demanded it was found that about half were repudiated and payment declined. This led to a serious financial crises which will have to be got over some way. It is intended to make a canvass of the township with a view, to getting, additional shares, disposed of equal to the number of those

forfeited, and ifc is sincerely.to.be hoped, the response will be a liberal one. As we have explained, the gas is now proved to be everything that could . be desired,- the plant is in every respect efficient and, but for the hitches referred to there was every reason to believe the company ■ would have a successful career ; that the manufacture of gas would be a financial success and prove of much benefit to the community. All this may yet .eventuate, but more capital is a pressing necessity. Let us hope the canvass now to be made will remove all difficulties. . ,

• __ We publish elsewhere the report of a meeting of farmers held here oh Wednesday for the purpose of considering the desirability oH establishing, a Farmer's Freezing and Produce Co. here. Ths meeting was adjourned for a few weeks to enable the provisional directors to procure the fullest information respecting the whole matter. When this information is obtained we shall be in a better position to judge as to the practicability of. the proposed scheme. In the meantime, however, we may say it is one deserving the most serious consideration of; all engaged in the agricultural industry. That industry is now languishing and there can be no doubfc that the chief cause of this is the exceptionally low prices ruling for produce. But the question is as to whether the farmer is making the most of his produce. . If not, would the establishing of such a company as that proposed supply a remedy. It certainly would help to do so, and it would also facilitate a farmer engaging in several other branches of industry that would materially augment his revenue. It is quite patent that farming cannot be carried on with much success under present conditions and it should also be recognised that if the position of the farmers is to be improved they must themselves take the initiative in the measures necessary to bring about this improvement. -No one else will do it for them unless a quid f>ro quo is forthcoming, and this must come out of the farmers' own pockets. The proposed Freezing and Produce Go. might nob wholly lift the present depression, but it seemed to be the opinion of the meeting that at all events it would be a step in the right direction. It is to be hoped, therefore, that the proposal will receive the careful consideration of those interested prior to the date, of next meeting, when a definite decision will no doubt be arrived at. *

Although it cannot be said that by the death of the Hon Vincent Pyke the country has lost the counsel and aid of a great statesman, yet it has lost oue whose life has largely been spent in the interests of the public and who has left a good record in that branch of the public service to which his attention was chiefly directed. Mr Pyke began life in Victoria as a miner ; his public career was commenced there in the mining interests, and with these inter ests his subsequent life has been. largely hid entitled. After having gained a large and varied experience in Victoria as a miner, warden and magistrate, emigration agent, member of Parliament, minister of the Crown, Commissioner of Public Works, president of the Board of Land and Works chairman of the Board of Science, etc., Mr Pyke paid a visit to Otago in search of health when it was discovered he was exactly the man required to meet the exigencies of the transition state of affairs which then existed here. The mining industry had assumed an important position in the country ; new goldfields were almost weekly being discovered and a large population was flowing into the country from the neighbouring colonies with a view to participating in the reported fabulous riches of these new Eldorados, The public men of Otago of that day had had no experience of the management of populous and busy goldfields and without an experienced guiding head matters were likejy-td get into confusion. At this crisis Mr Pyke appeared on the scene, a man of ability, full of energy, of ample experience ; a man known to and respected by many of the new arrivals on the goldfields. They knew of his popularity amongst the miners of Victoria and felt that in him they had one they could freely approach, one who would extend to them the right hand of fellowship, who would do his best to meet their reasonable wants and further their prospects. Mr Pyke was appointed to organise the Goldfields department, and on 23rd December 1862 he was gazetted Secretary of that department. He was in full charge, framed all the necessary regulations for the working of the department and laid the basis of the goldfields legislation of New Zealand. He it was who drafted the Goldfields Act of 1866, and, as in the case of the original land laws of Otago, -many believe this Act to be the best that has yet been passed on the subject. The office of Gold fields^ Secretary was abolished in 1867, and Mr Pyke was appointed Warden and Resident Magistrate of the Dunstan district and subsequently of Tuapeka. In 1873 he resigned these offices and entered the Provincial Council and also the General Assembly. In 1890 he contested the -Mount Ida: district with Mr. Scobie Mackenzie, when he was defeated. At last general election he was returned for Tuapeka, but he jvas destined never to occupy ; a seat in,

the House on behalf of that constituency. Mr Pykn's political career in this country is well known and requires but little comment. He was no strict party man in the present sense of the term, slightly versatile rather and liable to withdraw his allegiance if support was not extended to objects he had specially in view. The mining industry always was one object of his constant care while the prospcution of the Otago Central railway was his special hobby. For his great and persistent exertions in this behalf his memory should ever beheld in grateful remembrance by the people of Dunedin and of Central Otago. In the House Mr Pyke was a distinct individuality — openhearted, mirthful, sprightly, ye.t he had the sagacity of experience and was ever popular with all parties — friends and opponents alike. There was only one Vincent Pyke in Parliament, and now that his place is vacant it may be sometime before it is filled. Mr Pyke was also a novel writer of some repute and a ready and able journalist. In the latter capacity he tried several ventures on his own account and was a contributor to some of the leading journals of the colony. Mr Pyke will be missed by many both in Parliament and out of it.