FRIDAY, DECEMBER 25, 1874.

Dunstan Times, Issue 662, 25 December 1874, Page 2

FRIDAY, DECEMBER 25, 1874.

It has ever been an established custom to make some special comment in our Christmas issue upon the resources of the district, not, that we might have omitted to notice any circumstances connected with the development of its industry or products, but, we have always held that, to refresh our subscribers’ memories by a brief recapitulation of their prospects or rather, a sort of social stock-taking at this festive season of the year acts most beneficially. A community of individuals should periodically know how they stand in this world’s affairs equally as well as private persons. Every resident in the Dunstau district possesses an individual and collective interest in it—each item of this commonwealth must base his success upon its aggregate prosperity; its progress is the measure of his private means, while it equally at the same time determines the value of his holdings, the result perhaps, of years’ patient saving and industry. Our broad-sheet, although not equal to what wo could desire it, is nevertheless as ample as circumstances will justify. A newspaper is only a commercial speculation after all, and must be regulated by the amount of support it receives. In this respect we are entirely in the hands of the people of the district and circumstances considered wo have litclo to complain of, while wo can conscientiously assort that, whatever extra measure of liberality exists on either side, must be accorded to us, and that our supporters have the best of the bargain. In a properly well regulated community a newspaper acts as it’s social barometer : it indicates a line ofthougbt and at tbc proper moment gives expression to it, it preserves in ad. dition a faithful record of its progress and achievements, and proffers friendly advice when needed. Any intelligent person can form a pretty correct idea of a popple by a merely cursory glance at the newspaper which‘"represents them. The enterprise of the Colonial journalist is proverbially in excess of thoso engaged in commerce—no successful selfishness of the former is, his high road to fame or fortune—his mission is to do good to others, and when duty demands it, to sacrifice himself, and he trusts for his reward to the increased patronage that should bo bestowed upon his journal, in return from thoso for whose advantage ho has devoted so much time and ability. For all practical purposes the work of 1871 is ended, and the year closes upon us with much hotter prospects than heretofore, for commencing again with another unit, added to the measure of “ Old Time.” In the progress of our staple industry there is much cause for congratulation. Clyde has been for a longtime twitted upon tho scarcity of gold miners within its immediate vicinity, together with the smallness or possible total absence of any escort returns. But this will no longer be a reproach to us; an old maxim exists, “ tis better to be late than never,” and there appears every possibility that the new gold-fie'd opening at tho foot of the Dunstan

Ranges, unci extending from Clyde to Chatto's Creek, a distance of some twelve or fourteen miles, will prove more profitable to us now than had it been opened years ago. It must also be borne in mind that although the escort returns from Clyde have been small and sometimes even nil, the resources of the Dunstan are none the less. The district of late years has been sub divided, each particular division being credited with its own yield of the precious metal; with the exception of the beach claims scarcely any gold was ever obtained at Clyde, and as the then ascertained auriferous terraces, flats and gullies were included in these sub-divisions, the parent state was left to console itself with its exhausted river workings. As a commercial and agricultural centre the convenient situation of Clyde is beyond dispute. lathe early days of the gold discoveries existing circumstances made it a place of arrival and departure for nearly the whole of the northern gold-fields, but the opening up of roads to Cromwell and the Wakatip abolished this distinction, and its importance declined accordingly. The completion of the railway to Tuapeka and the bridging of the river Molyneux within the boundaries of the town must restore to a consider able extent its lost prestige and commerce, and wo may safely deem ourselves no false prophets by foretelling that the self same circumstances which have hitherto acted so disadtowards us will, under the new phase of events re-act equally as beneficial in our favor.

In agricultural pursuits during the past twelve mouths we have made considerable progress, our farmers have been blessed with a bountiful harvest, and with a ready market and high prices for their produce at their doors, while the present season could not have been a more genial one, even had the most inveterate grumblers fashioned it after their own desires. The growing crops wo now sec waving in tho breeze could not present a more luxuriant appearance, while tho fruit trees arc actually breaking down with their loads of luxuries. Our enterprising townsman Mr J. D. Feraud has shown us what under proper management a climate like the Dunstan is capable of producing ; in addition to the.ordinary fruits the vine and the fig tree may be seen flourishing at Monte Christo with almost oriental vigor, and what was at one time set down as a sterile plain, scarcely worth the smallest coin per acre to the sheep farmer, now sends its produce of tempting delicacies tor many miles around. With more available and cheaper means of transit we shall be in a position to profitably supply the Dunedin market with large quant ities of fruit, at present to a very large extent imported from Australia. Tho operations of other horticulturists and vine-growers have been equally as successful as Mr Feraud, but their operations are upon a less extended scale, and we have merely quoted him because of this, added to the fact that Ins fight to subdue and convert nature to his will was a long and severe one, and his beautiful orchard, smiling in the abundance of its fruitfulness is the pleasant result of his diligent labors. Crossing the Dun stan plain from either tho Dunedin road or Manuhcrikia, Monte Christo strikes the eye of the traveller with that refreshing luxuriance comparative only to an oasis in a sandy desert, yet, this is no more than a more item of what might bo attained were we only in a proper and diligent manner toapply ourselves to the work of developing the unused natural resources of the district. Trade may bo dull, or there may perhaps be not sufficient to please our mercantile friends, but with them, complaining is a chronic affFction, whoever heard of a contented storekeeper, let nature smile ever so beniguedly, bis contra account with that worthy dame, always brings her indebted. To such of our readers who cannot look hopefully upon things us they find them, we say, for once cease to bo desponding, lot your doubts, your apathy, and forebodings of evil, die out with the old year. Welcome Old Father Christmas with a smile, make merry, and prove tho genuineness of your intentions by making your friends also, not forgetting of course the poor. Conscious of the fact that you have done your duty, yon may equally rejoice with nature in receiving with trusting confidence the first impress of the coining day that marks the advent of another year bo gun, and watching the glorious golden orb lighten with Us rays tho distant

hill tops, mentally resolve that, even as the increasing sunshine invigorates the world before you, its beneficent in flueuces shall not be lost upon the poor atom of humanity that beholds it. ' %

The moot ing of the Dunstan Jockey Club, convened for Tuesday evening la»t, for the purpose of drawing up a programme, lapsed through non-attendance of members. An inquest was held by Mr Coroner Simpson yesterday (Thursday), the 24th inst., on the body of a child, who had been found dead in a water hole ou Gdloway home station. A verdict of accidental death was returned.

On Saturday night last a most destructive rain storm, or water spout, broke over Naseby, doing damage to the extern of some thousands of pounds. Mining property, including the Government Works, is seriously damaged, and it is thought that mining will be stopped for fully two mouths. From Tuapeka w r e learn, that, during Sa'urday afternoon that district was treated to a thunder storm, accompanied with rain and hail, that did a great deal of injury.

The election for Mount Ida of a candidate for the Provincial Council, in the place of Mr 11. Oliver, resigned, resulted in the return of Mr John Armstrong, who polled 107 his opponents, Ewing, 84 ; Leary, 59.

We hear from Tinker’s that the Christmas washings up of the various claims are exceeding the expectations of owners. 800 ounces is the result of one, and 600 ounces from another, whilst the other claims are looking proportionably well. We understand that Mr R. Dagg of the Clutha Hotel, was the successful tenderer for the Grand Stand at the ensuing Cromwell Race Meeting. From our recollection of the style in which he catered on a former occasion, there can be little doubt but that the creature comforts will receive attention and the refreshments provided will he of the best quality. We can safely commend him to the consideration of the lovers of the turf and the public generally. We are requested to intimate that the Collection to he made in tho Church of England, Clyde this (Christmas) forenoon, is on behalf of the funds of the Dunedin Benevolent Institution. As this district has unfortunately added its quota to the Inmates of that valuable Institution, wo hope tho offering will be worthy of the district.

We arc sorry to record tho very serious indisposition of Dr Thomson, Resident Surgeon of the Dunstan District Hospital. M. Niven, of Black’s who is acting as Dr Thomson's deputy informs us that tho Dr. is recovering, and that the patients in tho Hospital are progressing as favorably as possible. What with Dr Thomson’s private practice, the hospital duties, and his own practice at Black’s, Dr Niven has his hands full.

We have to acknowledge with thanks the receipt of Mills, Dick and Company’s Almanac and Directory for 1575. This hook of 256 pages contains a large amount of genuine information, and will be found a most useful addition to any library, and particularly valuable to new arrivals. Sketch maps of tho North and South Islands hound up in the volume may ho looked upon as reliable, being copies of maps issued by the Public Works’ Department.

Our Cromwell correspondent informs us by telegraph that an accident, which terminated fatally, occurred on Wednesday afternoon last, on the Queenstown road, about a mile beyond the Kawarau Gorge. The facts are A man named George Hayes, was driving a dray of Mr Scheib, of the Deep Creek, in whose employ he was It appears the horse became restive and backed the dray over the embankment. Hayes wo are sorry to learn died on Thursday morning from the injuries received. A public meeting was held on Thursday evening the 17th instant, at Alexandra, the Mayor, J. Samson, presiding, to consider the advisability or feasibility of opening up a road between Alexandra and the Waikai bush. The arguments raised were that, timber could be landed at Alexandra cheaper from the Waikai than from any other place, and that at a reduced price there would be a demand for from three to five hundred thousand feet per annum. No question was raised as to who was to bear tho expense of constructing the road, but twogcntlomen were deputed by the meeting to report at a future mooting on tho most practicable lino of road. (Communicated).

We are happy to congratulate our Garrick Range friends and the directors of the Garrick Range Water Supply Company on the success which has attended their labors. Wo are the more pleased to be able to do this as it was feared by many knowing ones that they would be unable to complete the undertaking, but wo may state on the beat authority that one week’s labor wilt bring the water on to the “ Young Australian Mill,” and thus dissipate the doubts of the unbelieving, and bo the means of making the Bannockburn, and showing what pluck and enterprise and pluck can accomplish. It is said that on the tVraoor river they have a queer plan of performing capital executions. They give the culprit Chinese brandy until he becomes unconscious, and then (hey bury him alive. Before he recovers consciousness he is, of course, smothered by the earth, and so it is a merciful plan. The Southland Times says that owingprobably to the growing acquaintance with the injury which the practice of over-dumping inflicts upon wool, a large proportion of the present season's clip is to be sent Borne nndurapod, the rate of freight on the unutmu»d wool being Id for greasy and 1 Jd for washed. As a consequence a large number of vessels than usual will bo required at the different ports of the Colony to convey 11 the golden flccco ” to its destination.

Pleasure seekers during the Christmas holidays will be very hard to please if, o£ the imany treats offered, they do not find some to their fancy. The list, which we will go through, commences on Saturday the 2Gth and Monday the 28th instant at Clyde with Caledonian Sports, for which nearly LCD is offered. Ou the evening of Monday is a grand Vocal and Instrumental treat in aid of the School Funds- Tuesday the 29th and Wednesday the 30th, races at Cromwell. OnNow Year’s Day, races at Alexandra, and in the evening a Concert in aid of the Dunstan District Hospital. On Boxing Day there is also to be Sport* at Quartzville, and on New Year’s Day, Sports and Paces at Perriam’s Lowburn Hotel, and a Good Templar's Pio-nic on the Cromwell Flat. AVe hope that each may be a success, and that the caterers for public amusement bo rewarded by troops of pleasure seekers. As the provisions of the New Zealand Mining Companies’ Act, 1572, respecting the payment of Calls and the forfeiture of Share? is identical with the Victorian Act, for the information of the general public wo give the following clipping from the Australasian of the 2Sth ultimo “An important decision was given in the Supremo Court on Tuesday, under the Mining Companies Act, in the case of the Gippslander Company v. Guthridgc. The defendant was sued in the Police Court at Walhalla for LI 95., the amount of two calls on shares held by him in the company. The defence was, that under the provisions of the statute, the shares where absolutely lorfeitod as the call had not been paid within Id days from the time when they were due ; and as the shares were forfeited the nominal shareholder was not answerable. The Court was, however, of opinion that until the shares were actually sold a shareholder was liable for calls, that the company had the right both to forfeit the shares and also to enforce payment of the calls. Mr Guthridge was therefore held liable for the amount.

A Black’s correspondent Informs ns that at a bale of Town Sections in the Township of Oph'r held on Tuesday last, Sections were sold for ten shillings each, amongst tho number the one on which the Catholic Chapel stands ; this Section was subject to value for improvements in Ll5O, but by some mistake it was not mentioned at tho time of sale. At tho sale of Sections at Cromwell on the day previous according to the Cromwell Argus : “ Very few apparently knew anything of the Sale, judging by the attendance, which amounted to exactly five persons. Several of the most desirable sections put up in Cromwell were sob l , the buyers arranging matters amicably, so that none fetched more than tha upset price. Perhaps fifteen were sold altogether, at L 3 each.” In each instance the Clerks of the R.M. and Warden’s Courts were tho Auctioneers. At Clyde there were two sections sold at tho upset price the auctioneer being ths District Surveyor. (We don’t make any comment.)